How to Spend A Weekend in Los Angeles: A Local’s Guide

Los Angeles offers a myriad of choices of things to see and do. Whether you’re looking for a five-star meal, a dive bar with red leather booths, museums, amusement parks, or a night at the theater, the diversity of Los Angeles is second to none.

This weekend in Los Angeles itinerary is perfect for an authentic City of Angels experience. 

What to know before visiting Los Angeles

First and foremost, LA has multiple cities inside of it, so looking for somewhere central to stay is not a thing. The city is spread out so walking around and stumbling upon some of the best things to do doesn’t really happen. 

I’ve organized this How to Spend a Weekend in Los Angeles guide into three parts according to the area of the city where landmarks and attractions are to make it more manageable in a short time: The Westside, Central Los Angeles, and Downtown Los Angeles.

Public Transportation is also less savvy than in other states or cities worldwide. That said, you will want to rent a car to have the best experience in LA, mainly since some of the most scenic things include cruising the Pacific Coast Highway to the Malibu pier. You can also take group tours around the city if renting a car isn’t doable. 

What part of LA to stay in

Since there isn’t a city center and Downtown LA is a hit-or-miss area quite far from most attractions, it is a less-than-ideal place to stay.

Instead, it would help if you opted to stay in the Mid Wilshire/ Mid City area. Here you are near neighboring areas such as Santa Monica, West Hollywood, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and the Sunset Strip, along with having things close by such as the Grove and the Famous Farmers Market. This area won’t break the bank, either.

However, who wouldn’t want to stay at the beach if you have the budget!?

Santa Monica is a great choice, and being a city inside of a city, it has a vibe of its own. There is also plenty to do in the vicinity. 

What to do on a weekend in LA

You may be asking yourself if a weekend is long enough to see LA, and in short, yes!

You can have an incredible time covering a good chunk of the highlights for a weekend in Los Angeles without being completely overwhelmed. After all, the palm trees and beautiful weather will keep you relaxed and in awe alone.

Along with seeing the sights and taking it all in, one has to eat and brunch in LA is a must. It’s a very LA thing to do and there are a myriad of choices at your disposal. To narrow it down check out 5 of the Best brunch spots in LA and see if you can work one into your itinerary. 

In no specific order, here are some great recommendations for spending a weekend in Los Angeles:

The Westside

Speaking of beautiful weather. Let’s start on the west side! This area is what most think of when they hear of California or Los Angeles.  

Venice Beach

A trip to the Pier and cruising Venice Beach is a LA must. Renting a bike is so much fun, and strolling down the boardwalk is definitely an experience. Think hippies and flower-power people, droves of kiosks with one-of-a-kind art, murals, live music, bohemian stores, street performers, skateboarders, and more. It is people-watching gold, and the sunsets aren’t bad either. 

Editor’s Note: Something to note about this area and LA, in general, is the homelessness crisis. As beautiful as the beach and boardwalk is, it, unfortunately, has its fair share of homeless encampments and transient people down the stretch of the beach.

Don’t let this keep you from checking it out, though. They are generally harmless and won’t bother you. It’s just an unfortunate situation and site. 

Santa Monica Pier

You can take a quick walk or bicycle ride to and from Santa Monica and Venice. It is not far from each other at all. If you’re not feeling like being that active, call an Uber/Lyft and get there in a flash.

The world-famous Santa Monica Pier is “the end of the road” on Route 66. This LA landmark is seen in countless movies and has fun games, carnival rides, yummy food, and treats to enjoy.

It’s also another great people-watching spot. Catch the fisherman at the end of the Pier working on their own “catch.” At the very least, find a good place on one of the many benches with a treat and enjoy the gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean.

Third Street Promenade 

 If shopping is your thing, head over to the Third Street Promenade, where there is an open-air shopping mall, plenty of food choices, and simply another chill place to spend some time. 

Venice Canals

While in the area, another quick stop to make is along the Venice Canals. Bringing a little bit of Italy into the city, these wetland canals were built in the 1900s and are beautiful to take a walk through or take a photo at. You won’t find gondola rides or other highlights than the canals because it’s primarily residential. Still, they are beautiful to take in and worth the stop. 

Pacific Coast Highway

What would a beach day in Los Angeles be without a cruise on Pacific Coast Highway, known to locals as PCH. Being in the car might sound boring, but this scenic drive goes from San Francisco to Los Angeles. It is often considered the most beautiful highway in America. So if you have time, take PCH to Malibu and enjoy the gorgeous California coastline.

The J. Paul Getty Museum 

Aka The Getty is also on the west side and a short drive from Santa Monica and Venice. This museum is incredible and home to some of the most beautiful art pieces by Van Gogh, Rembrandt, and Manet, to name a few. Art isn’t the only thing to be seen here. The Getty has an impressive architectural design and epic views of LA. The best part is that it is free! However, there is a parking fee.

Most parking in LA isn’t free, so keep an eye on street signs and meters. There is usually an exhibition happening and if you buy tickets for that parking is included.

Central LA

Think of glitz, glamor, and Hollywood. This part of LA is where the LA-ness will feel real! I am not going to recommend “visiting” the Hollywood sign because you can get a great view of it from all over the city. Contrary to popular belief, you can not get close to it, so taking time from an otherwise full itinerary doesn’t make sense. 

The Griffith Observatory

Like the Getty, The Griffith Observatory is also free and should be a part of any visit to LA. It is a one-of-a-kind place that is so cool to check out, even for a local. The views of LA and the Hollywood sign make this an iconic location. Here you can look through telescopes, check out the excellent Planetarium, peep the exhibits, explore the cosmos, and so much more. It’s pretty spectacular.

Parking can be tricky, as with most of LA, but there are a couple of options here, so don’t sike yourself out with the parking situation.

Some people go to the Observatory and picnic on the lawn or hang out in the beautiful grassy area in front of the museum above all of LA. This is the place to watch the sunset, and it’s a fun time for the whole family.  For the active group there are plenty of great hiking trails in Griffith Park and all around Los Angeles. For more info on hiking check out the 5 best hiking trails in Los Angeles.

Hollywood

Being iconic, a trip to LA would only be complete for a first-timer with going to the infamous Walk of Fame and seeing what Hollywood is all about. This star-studded walk is filled with five-point stars embedded into the sidewalk, filled with entertainers awarded for a lifetime of achievement in Hollywood.

Of course, this shouldn’t be your Hollywood highlight as it can be underwhelming, but you’re on Hollywood Blvd, so a lot is happening!

Along the Walk of Fame, you will pass by Grauman’s Chinese Theater, where countless movie premiers are held to this day and housing over 200 celebrity hands and footprints in the front of the theater. Also along the boulevard is the Dolby Theater, where the world-famous Academy Awards are held. 

LA County of Museum of Art, aka LACMA

Even if you’re not an art lover, this is still a great spot to check out while visiting LA. LACMA has the most extensive art collection in the western United States. The urban light display outside the museum is the most recognizable, which makes for a fun photo shoot.

Even if the museum isn’t open, visiting at night is a popular choice. The light installation is on 24 hours a day, and incredible to see when dark. The grounds of the museum are also stunning to walk around and enjoy. Enjoy the adjacent LA Brea Tar Pits to check out some cool dinosaur fossils. The entire area is enjoyable. 

The Grove & The Original Farmers Market

Just a few minutes from LACMA is the spectacular Grove. It is a magnificent open-air shopping mall with great stores like Nike, Zara, and Nordstroms, to name a few—another place for lots of yummy dining options and good people-watching.

For something more down to earth, head next door to walk around The Original Farmers Market, which has welcomed folks since 1934! Here you will find a variety of cuisines, over 100 gourmet grocers, fresh produce, artisanal food, cute shops, candy stands, and more. 

Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills

The most luxurious area in all of Los Angeles is none other than Beverly Hills, home to the world-famous and one-of-a-kind Rodeo Dr. It’s definitely a must-see on a weekend in Los Angeles.

Don’t blink while you’re here – You could miss that celebrity sighting you were hoping for. Rodeo Dr. is the place to see and be seen. From the ultra-luxurious feel of Beverly Hills to the beautiful people shopping in the stores and working in them, too, being here feels like you’re a star and all eyes are on you.

Ok, maybe they are on the Lamborghini parked next to you, but still, you get where I am going with this. 

Downtown Los Angeles

The modern yet ruggedness of Downtown LA (DTLA) can be a nice switch up from the ultra-fancy and trendiness of the rest of LA with its rich history. The nice thing about checking out sights in DTLA is that they are primarily walkable.

The Last Bookstore

You don’t have to be a reader or even be in the market for book shopping to fall in love with The Last Bookstore. It has so much charm; just being inside is a treat. Find the most incredible displays made out of none other than books as you peruse the aisles. This independent bookstore was made ultra famous for being a great Instagram spot in recent years.

The Bradbury Building

Super close to The Last Bookstore stands The Bradbury Building, and it is so much more than just a building. Still using its original open-caged elevator design, this has been an architectural landmark and treasure of LA since 1893.

With its exquisite ironwork, how the sunlight illuminates the Victorian court located 50 feet above the ground, and marble staircases, this iconic building has been used in countless movies, music videos, and tv shows and is a great stop to make while in DTLA. 

Olvera Street

Mexican heritage and culture are what complete Los Angeles. The name of the city is literally in Spanish! This Mexican Marketplace opened in the ’30s and has tons of culture, delicious food, and souvenir shops. It is known as the “birthplace of Los Angeles.

The Broad

The collection at the museum is contemporary art from the 50’s -the present with artists like Basquiat, Kusama, Koons, Murakami & Warhol, to name a few. It is one of the world’s most prominent post-war and contemporary art collections. Like many museums in Los Angeles, admission to The Broad is free; however, parking can be pricey.

The Walt Disney Concert Hall

Since you have already paid for parking at the Broad, make sure to check out the magnificent Walt Disney Concert Hall across the street. It is an architectural landmark not only in Los Angeles but is internationally recognized too. Complimentary guided tours are offered and begin at 10 am.

The Walt Disney Concert Hall is also home to the LA Philharmonic and is known to be one of the world’s most acoustically sophisticated concert halls. It’s definitely worth checking out during your weekend in LA. 

Got some extra time during your weekend in Los Angeles?

Now if you have extra time in California, I didn’t mention the “happiest place on Earth” aka Disneyland! Need I say more? It’s Disneyland and requires full attention and a minimum of an entire day. Universal Studios Hollywood, Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, and Raging Waters in San Dimas are other amusement parks worth checking out if you have the time.

About the Author 

Amanda Castillo aka The Wondering Lotus

Amanda is a California girl with a passion for life, travel and creating value out of everything!

Blogging about all things travel, lifestyle and inspiration. Her website was created with the goal to contribute to the world in a unique way that brings more smiles and memories to last a lifetime. A full blown lover of life, she also enjoys practicing SGI Buddhism, spending time with her family, friends, dog Charlie and catching a flight whenever possible. 

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