One Week in Los Angeles Itinerary

What better way to start your L.A. vacation than a day at Universal Studios Hollywood? This entertainment megaplex has something for the entire family.

Begin the day with a behind-the-scenes tour of one of the country’s most prominent working studios, then spend the rest of your day enjoying their thrilling theme park options. You’ll love their immersive experiences and rides that bring your favorite movies to life.

Some of their most popular rides and attractions include: "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter," "Fast and Furious: Supercharged," "Despicable Me Minion Mayhem," and more. We recommend reserving five to six hours for this attraction or planning to spend the whole day here.

If you are inclined to drive a bit, Disneyland is a few hours away. If you have time, we suggest doing both.

The Queen Mary is among the most famous ships in popular history; from its stint as a party boat in the 30s to its WWII service, this storied vessel is truly legendary. Take a tour of the ship and learn all about its fascinating exploits.

Built in the 1930s and transitioned from luxury liner to Allied troopship, she earned the nickname “Grey Ghost” because of her newly camouflaged exterior. It was first reported to be haunted once it was permanently docked in California and remains a spooky experience today.

If you're visiting during the fall, be sure to check out their special event series which emphasizes her haunted history. We recommend reserving between 1.5 -2 hours for this attraction.

Looking to explore the marine life of the Los Angeles area and beyond? Visit the Aquarium of the Pacific for an educational and informative experience. Learn all about the inhabitants of the world’s largest ocean at this Long Beach destination.

With more than 11,000 different creatures across several diverse exhibits and habitats, the Aquarium of the Pacific has tons to offer the marine enthusiast. Featured exhibits include the Sea Otter Habitat, Shark Lagoon, and the ever-popular Jellies. We recommend reserving between 2-3 hours for this attraction.

Next, we suggest you take a Whale Watching or Harbor Cruise. Explore the beautiful waters of the Pacific as you sail past stunning views of the city skyline. Each cruise is narrated by charming professionals and encompasses a wide variety of points of interest. The tour features the working industrial and naval climate of the Los Angeles Harbor, including bridges, a lighthouse, working boats, and much more.

If wildlife is more your style, opt for a whale-watching cruise. You'll find whales (different kinds depending on the time of year you're visiting), dolphins, sea lions, seals, porpoises, and many types of seabirds. Advance reservations are required, as these are both very popular cruises.

Located at the Santa Monica Pier, Pacific Park is a great classic amusement park that will delight visitors of all ages. Enjoy traditional rides, slides, and arcade games as you spend an entertaining morning at this pier-side park.

As a special bonus, they’ve got the only solar-powered Ferris wheel in the world! This park has been making families happy since 1916. We recommend reserving between 2-3 hours for this attraction.

If you’re a fan of celebrity culture, you’ll want to hop aboard this Movie Stars' Homes Tour. It’s the perfect introduction to local celebrity homes and an enjoyable, breezy ride near pristine beaches. This tour is a great introduction to LA's most coveted neighborhoods, including Beverly Hills, and Rodeo Drive, plus the famous Pacific Coast Highway.

You'll catch a glimpse at over 40 famous celebrity homes, past and present. Some of the highlights you may see include the homes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Bruce Willis, Cher, and more. This tour lasts approximately 2 hours.

Spanning three miles and 245 acres, this gorgeous beach is a must-see Santa Monica destination. It’s perfect for sunbathing, swimming, strolling, and even biking (along the nearby trails). It’s easy to rent beach equipment, too, if you haven’t been able to bring your own. Depending on what you want to do at the beach and how you want to fit this into your day, we recommend reserving between 1-3 hours for this attraction.

Today is the day to explore the natural side of Los Angeles, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Pay a visit to the Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens in Griffith Park to get a real feel for the California wilderness. Home to more than 1,000 creatures from around the world, the L.A. Zoo is a fascinating and educational place to explore.

You'll find many of your favorites here, including lions, bears, elephants, giraffes, and plenty more. The Botanical Gardens are both beautiful and informative, as you’ll learn all about different habitats, growing seasons, and the uses of various plants. A must-see for nature lovers! We recommend reserving two to three hours for both attractions.

The Huntington Library is like a super attraction – it’s actually four magnificent things all rolled into one. It’s part library (home to textual artifacts like the Gutenberg Bible and some Shakespeare folios), part botanical garden, part art museum, and part research facility.

 Depending on which time of year you visit, you’ll be able to view a wide variety of lush, gorgeous plant life in their temperate gardens. Rotating special art exhibits and permanent collections in the art galleries provide a new experience each time you visit, and the library always has something fascinating to see. We recommend reserving between 2-3 hours for this attraction.

You can't come to Tinseltown and not admire the iconic Hollywood sign that lauds over the whole city.

Join on to a Hollywood Sign Tour and you'll be let by a local guide on a gentle hike through the hills that lead up to this world-renowned landmark. Along the way, guide will razzle-dazzle you with tales about this awesome monument and its role in the Hollywood film industry. You might even spot a celebrity or two!

Now that you’ve seen the sites, visit the Hollywood Museum to scope out the props, artifacts, and costumes your favorite celebrities used in their most iconic roles. With four floors of paraphernalia, you’ll be able to spend hours just wandering through these exhibits. Some of the highlighted objects you’ll be able to see on your visit include a few of Marilyn Monroe’s gowns, Rocky’s boxing gloves, Indiana Jones’ whip, and more.

Don’t forget your camera (and a bit of money for souvenirs at the gift shop). We recommend reserving between one to two hours for this attraction.

For your next attraction of the vacation, take a short drive up north to Knott's Berry Farm. This classic theme park attraction is the very first theme park in California and it definitely holds up today as an exciting modern destination.

Enjoy dozens of fun rides, slides, and other enjoyable attractions. Some highlights include breathtaking roller coasters, children’s, family, and water rides. We recommend reserving between two to three hours for this attraction.

This is the place where everyone’s favorite toys come to life. LEGOLAND® California is also a place where your kids’ dreams can come true, as they can ride, slide, build, and immerse themselves in the world of LEGO® for hours on end. Young children will enjoy the DUPLO® areas, where older kids will best enjoy the exciting roller coasters and Miniland USA.

If you’re looking for the complete LEGO® experience, check out the new LEGOLAND® Hotel! We recommend spending the entire day at LEGOLAND®. Plan to eat lunch here.