Los Angeles itinerary – 3 days in Los Angeles for first timers

From Hollywood showbiz and studio tours to amusement parks and beaches, can you possibly fit it all into 3 days? The answer is yes, you can! And here's how.

UPDATED NOVEMBER 2024
By Katie Sagal
Los Angeles

From movie magic to beach days, it's tricky to make sure everyone can see and do all the LA attractions they want to, so kick back, relax, and take advantage of our 3 Days in Los Angeles itinerary. It'll help you plan to visit many of the top attractions and get the full spectrum of LA entertainment in just a long weekend. 

This 3-day Los Angeles itinerary includes...
 

  • Universal Studios Hollywood
  • Universal Citywalk (free!)
  • Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood
  • Madame Tussauds Hollywood
  • Behind-The-Scenes Hollywood Tour
  • Dolby Theatre® Guided Tour
  • Pacific Park
  • Malibu Celebrity Homes Tour
  • Santa Monica Pier Aquarium
  • Perry's Beach Café & Bike Rentals
  • Venice Boardwalk (free!)

Only have a few days in Los Angeles? We’ve also put together a 1 day and weekend in Los Angeles itinerary.

DAY 1 Stop #1: Universal Studios Hollywood

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You could spend the entire day at this mega-attraction and it will be well worth your time. Universal Studios Hollywood is part working studio, part theme park, and all fun. Take an extensive and informative tour and you'll get a peek behind the scenes at one of the world’s most famous studios. Enjoy thrilling rides, shows, and attractions that feature your favorite films, like TRANSFORMERS, Despicable Me, and more.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a popular attraction with kids and adults alike, providing everything from recreated sets and real props to exciting souvenirs and genuine Butterbeer and Pumpkin Juice at the Hog's Head pub (located in the recreated village of Hogsmeade).

We recommend reserving between 5-6 hours for this attraction. Learn more about Universal Studios or Disneyland so you can plan your agenda appropriately.

Stop #2: Universal Citywalk (free!)

This shopping and dining destination is part of the true Universal Studios Hollywood experience, and you’ll want to check it out before you leave. With 30 different restaurants to choose from, you’ll easily be able to enjoy both lunch and dinner here without feeling like you’re restricting your tastebuds.

There’s more to this area than just dining – there are also tons of attractions, shops, and experiences for you to enjoy with the whole family. Admission is free, although additional attractions may incur costs. There are also nightlife spots that adults will enjoy, including music venues.

DAY 2 Stop #1: Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood

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Today’s another day spent in Hollywood. Begin with the Warner Bros. Studio Tour, a comprehensive, behind-the-scenes look at the world’s busiest studio. You’ll get to see stock sets for locations like “quiet town” and “busy urban exterior,” and the sets of current shows being filmed on location.

Current shows at Warner Bros. Studio include Young Sheldon, Conan, and many more. Several special exhibits pay homage to shows or movies filmed here in the past, like the actual set of Central Perk (the famed coffee shop from Friends), Gilmore Girls, a collection of various Batmobiles, and DC Universe: The Exhibit. This tour typically lasts 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Be sure to check out our post about the best Los Angeles studio tours before your visit.

Stop #2: Madame Tussauds Hollywood

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The images shown depict wax figures created and owned by Madame Tussauds.

Who wouldn’t love the chance to meet their favorite celebrities? (Well, in a way.) Head to the world’s most famous wax museum for a chance to explore celebrity culture the Madame Tussauds Hollywood way.

Some highlighted exhibit areas at Madame Tussauds Hollywood include “Movie Stars,” “Hollywood Icons,” “Pop Stars,” “Sports Stars,” and many more. With over 100 different celebrities and characters depicted at this museum, you’re sure to find a favorite. We recommend leaving at between 1-2 hours for this attraction - that should give you enough time to snap some superb selfies.

Want to save money on those bucket-list attractions? 

Check out passes from Go City and you could save yourself up to 50% on your must-sees – perfect!  

☀️Compare Los Angeles passes☀️ – 🌏 Explore other destinations 🌏 –  ✈️ Buy a pass ✈️ 

Stop #3: Behind-The-Scenes Hollywood Tour

Pick up this next tour right in the same neighborhood, conveniently located on Hollywood Boulevard. This behind-the-scenes Hollywood Tour is a fun walking tour that takes you all throughout the Hollywood neighborhood, highlighting both the big-name attractions and the lesser-known points of significance.

TCL Chinese Theatre

Some of the highlights of your tour include the TCL Chinese Theatre (formerly Grauman’s), the Dolby Theatre, the Walk of Fame, the Hollywood Sign, the Roosevelt Hotel, plus famous filming locations and sets. We recommend making reservations if you’re traveling during the busy season, as this tour does fill up fast. Set aside at least 1 hour for this tour.

Stop #4: Dolby Theatre® Guided Tour

This half-hour Dolby Theatre® Guided Tour is your VIP access to the home of the Academy Awards® Ceremonies. Step inside and revel in the elegance of this state-of-the-art facility. During the tour you will get a chance to do several fascinating things, like see an official Oscar® statuette (IRL), visit the Dolby Lounge and spots where only celebs get to go, plus see photos from past ceremonies.

You're essentially walking in the footsteps of the famous actors and actresses who fill this famous building each year for the Academy Awards!

DAY 3 Stop #1: Pacific Park

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Today is your day to explore charming Santa Monica. Pacific Park, located on the Santa Monica Pier, is a charming amusement park with exciting rides and historic attractions that the whole family will love. Did you know that Pacific Park also owns the world’s only solar-powered Ferris wheel?

They also have plenty of other classic rides and traditional arcade games to round out a fun morning. It's a great place to go with kids, and is a wonderful little jolt of nostalgia for adults, too. Try some fairground games and save some room for cotton candy! We recommend reserving between 1-2 hours for this attraction.

Stop #2: Heal the Bay Aquarium

After you’ve taken the time to explore human life in Santa Monica, why not learn about the diverse marine life of the area? A visit to the Heal the Bay Aquarium is the perfect opportunity to do just that. Home to over 100 different species, from sea urchins to sharks, this aquarium is the perfect destination for the aspiring marine biologist or the animal lover in the family.

If you’re visiting on a Sunday, be sure to catch their shark presentation and feeding. We recommend leaving between 1-2 hours for this attraction.

Stop #3: Perry's Beach Café & Bike Rentals

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Experience the authentic California beach lifestyle with a 3-hour bike or rollerblade rental from Perry's Beach Café and Rentals. Part café, part beach rental hotspot, Perry's specializes in gear for active beach-goers. Here you can enjoy a ride along the boardwalk and experience the famous Santa Monica beachside community.

The sun is likely to be shining, so you'll be able to enjoy warm temperatures during your excursion. Plus, after your rental is done, you can stop at the cafe for a sampling of their incredible menu, with diverse organic options and fresh fare.

Stop #4: Venice Boardwalk (free!)

venice-beach-los-angeles-california-la

Head a bit further south along Santa Monica Beach to Venice Beach and explore new territory with a visit to the famous Venice Boardwalk. This charming neighborhood is filled with great photo ops and chances for people-watching, in addition to being a good place to top up your tan. Explore the nearby Abbot Kinney area for something new.

Make the most of your three days in Los Angeles

This itinerary should give you a great selection of places to go and things to do in LA - we hope it'll ensure your vacation is full of fun and entertainment without the stress of planning from scratch.

In terms of getting around In LA, we recommend personal transportation, but there are other options. Spending some more time in sunny California? Then check out our San Diego to San Francisco itinerary - talk about a fun road trip!

Save on admission to top Los Angeles attractions with Go City®  

Discover our full line-up of Los Angeles attractions including the Hollywood Sign Tour, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood Tour, Universal Studios Hollywood, Knott's Berry Farm, and more.  

🤩 >> If you want to see and do as much as you can, our All-Inclusive Pass is for you.    

😎 >> If you want to pick just a few attractions and visit at your own pace, our Explorer Pass is the perfect option. 

Whichever Los Angeles attraction pass you pick, it'll help you save money on LA's best bits!

Katie Sagal
Go City Travel Expert

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Spending the weekend in Los Angeles, but unsure what to do to maximize your time? Here’s our suggested itinerary for 2 days in Los Angeles that will showcase the best of LA in just a few days. From sightseeing tours and museums to amusement parks and beyond, L.A. has so much to offer that we know you’ll love your trip. This itinerary includes: Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens GRAMMY Museum® California Science Center & IMAX Exposition Park (free!) Natural History Museum Warner Bros. Studio Tour Six Flags Magic Mountain We’ve also put together a 1 day and 3 day itinerary, if you're looking to explore L.A. for more or less time. Save on Attraction Admission Pick up a 2-Day Go Los Angeles® Card and save off combined admission vs paying at the gate. Remember, this 2 days in Los Angeles itinerary is just one of many ways to experience the area, there are tons of attractions, landmarks, and more to explore. 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We recommend leaving around 1-2 hours to spend at this attraction. Getting In: LA Zoo and Botanical Gardens tickets are included on the Go Los Angeles Card. Stop # 2: The GRAMMY Museum® Change it up a little with a visit to one of the best museums in Hollywood – the Grammy Museum®. This is a must-see attraction for any music lover, and a great introduction to the music and production scene in L.A. and around the country. This 30,000 square-foot venue features dozens of interactive exhibits, both permanent and temporary, that showcase various aspects of the music industry and its historic and cultural significance in the US. Some highlights include the “Songwriters Hall of Fame” gallery, the “Recording Art and Technology” exhibit, and the “Artistic Voices: The Creative World” exhibit. We recommend reserving between 1-2 hours to spend at this attraction. Getting In: GRAMMY Museum® tickets are included on the Go Los Angeles Card. Stop # 3: The California Science Center & IMAX Conveniently located a short drive south of Downtown L.A., this exciting and interactive science museum is filled with over 150 fascinating and interactive exhibits. Some featured exhibits include “Ecosystems,” “Creative World,” the demo-filled “Science Court,” and more! Don't forget about the iconic Space Shuttle Endeavour, a retired orbiter from NASA's space program that completed a whopping 25 missions in space! It's located temporarily in the Samuel Oschin Pavilion as its permanent home is being built. Although admission to the California Science Center itself is free, your Go Los Angeles® Card gets you into one free IMAX movie! Their 7-story tall screen and state-of-the-art sound system make an IMAX showing an experience you won’t want to miss. Visitors in 2018 will not want to miss the spectacular new King Tut: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh exhibition. 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Getting In: We recommend reserving about 30 minutes to visit the park. Stop #5: Natural History Museum For your last stop of day 1 on your weekend getaway to Los Angeles, check out the Natural History Museum, right in Exposition Park. The very first museum to be founded in Los Angeles, this institution has one of the most extensive and varied collections of natural artifacts around. Some highlights of their collection include massive dinosaur and mammal fossils, an impressive collection of gems and minerals, ancient Latin American treasures, and more! The whole family will love this educational institution. We recommend reserving between 1-2 hours for this attraction. Getting In: Los Angeles Natural History Museum tickets are included on the Go Los Angeles Card. DAY 2 Stop #1: Warner Bros. Studio Tour Image Credit: Warner Bros. Studio Tour Begin your day with a visit to one of the most famous studios in Los Angeles at the 110-acre backlot of Warner Bros. Studio. A Warner Bros. Studio Tour is a great, behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood’s movie and TV culture. It’s a rare chance to visit a fully working studio, so you’ll actually get to watch scenes being filmed, edited, and more. Some of the sights you’ll see on your tour may include sound stages, sets, collections of props, lighting displays, and special effects equipment. Some shows you may see being filmed include many of today’s big hits, such as The Big Bang Theory , Conan, Pretty Little Liars, and more! This tour lasts a little longer than two hours. Reservations are recommended. Getting In: Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood tickets are included on the Go Los Angeles Card. Stop # 2: Six Flags Magic Mountain This next stop is sure to be a big hit with the teens and younger kids. Six Flags Magic Mountain is one of the premier theme parks in California, with 260 acres of thrills and excitement. They’ve even added several new rides, including the area's first floorless roller coaster! With 19 world-class roller coasters and nearly 100 other games, rides, and attractions to enjoy within the park, you’ll never run out of things to do at this truly “magic” destination. Even if you're not a huge thrill ride fan, you'll find plenty to do at Six Flags. You can even meet some of your favorite Looney Tunes characters, like Bug Bunny, Yosemite Sam, Sylvester, and Tweety Bird. Don't miss the immensely popular JUSTICE LEAGUE: Battle for Metropolis. Enjoy 4-D effects, high intensity scenes, and state-of-the-art gaming graphics as you join forces with your favorite DC Super Heroes to beat the baddies. We recommend reserving between 3-4 hours for this attraction. Getting In: Six Flags Magic Mountain tickets are included on the Go Los Angeles Card. Let’s Recap So if you’ve got only the weekend in town, here’s our sample itinerary for 2 days in Los Angeles for you to follow. It’s filled with must-see sights and great things to do, plus some fun extras and a few tasty dining recommendations.
Casey Makovich

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