The Best of Los Angeles in 4 Days: The Ultimate Guide for Every Traveler
Los Angeles has something for everyone. Whether you want to soak in the sunny coastline, embark on a scenic mountain hike, or immerse yourself in the vibrant art and culture scene, L.A. has it all. Best of all, even if you only have a few days, you can experience each of these!
As someone who lived in L.A. for several years, I’m sharing what I think are the best itineraries for ideal days in Downtown L.A., Venice, Malibu, and West Hollywood, you can visit in any order.
Downtown L.A.
SOMETHING FOR THE BOOK LOVER, the FOOD LOVER, AND the ART LOVEr
Start your day by visiting one of the largest independent bookstores in the world, The Last Bookstore. It has over 250,000 books and thousands of vinyl records they still buy, sell, and trade today. A former bank, this 22,000 square foot space is filled with character at every angle. You'll leave here feeling like a kid again.
THE LAST BOOKSTORE
453 S Spring St Ground Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Next, make your way to Grand Central Market. This food emporium has been around for over 100 years and it has 30+ vendors featuring some of the most diverse cuisines L.A. has to offer.
GRAND CENTRAL MARKET
317 S Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Afterwards, walk up the hill or take a quick ride up on Angels Flight Railway to visit The Broad. If you're a fan of contemporary art, you can't miss this place with nearly 2,000 pieces of works by influential artists such as Jeff Koons, Glenn Ligon, Takashi Murakami, Andy Warhol, and many more. Schedule your free visit on their website thebroad.org to avoid a wait.
THE BROAD
221 S Grand Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Finish your day with a stroll in Little Tokyo, one of only three official Japantowns in the United States. Stop in Daikokuya, a local Japanese chain, for a delicious bowl of ramen.
Daikokuya Little Tokyo
327 1st St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
VENICE
for those who enjoy A DAY OF WALKING
Pick up a coffee at Erewhon and start your morning taking a stroll along the historic Venice Canals. These man-made canals by developer Abbot Kinney, were built in 1905 to recreate the feeling of Venice, Italy.
Erewhon
585 Venice Blvd.
Venice, CA 90291
Venice Canals
Venice, CA 90292
Once you’ve explored the canal sidewalks and bridges, head over to Abbot Kinney Boulevard. You can easily spend an entire afternoon walking along this mile-long strip filled with shops, art galleries, and chic eateries.
Abbot Kinney Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA
Depending on what time of day you’re at, have brunch or dinner at The Rose Venice. They serve farm fresh food and signature drinks at their impressive cocktail bar.
The Rose Venice
220 Rose Ave.
Venice, CA 90291
If you’re looking for a beautiful and peaceful place to stay in Venice, I highly recommend Hope’s bungalow, which was recently updated and can be booked on Airbnb. After living in L.A. for several years, I went back for an extended visit and was lucky enough to stay here for four months. Hope is incredible and will make sure you feel at home.
Photos below are from Hope’s Airbnb.com listing
Malibu
A DAY OUTSIDE INDULGING IN LIFE’S LITTLE PLEASURES
You can’t you leave L.A. without driving up the Pacific Coast Highway and experiencing the Malibu canyons and coast.
Drive into the hills of Malibu and you’ll find Malibu Wine Hikes where you can take a hike or a ride around the vineyard as you taste some of their best wines.
Malibu Wine Hikes
32111 Mulholland Hwy.
Malibu, CA 90265
Next, head to Duke’s Malibu for lunch with a view. Their casual outdoor Barefoot Bar gives you an up close view at surfers catching waves. You can’t go wrong with a mai tai and fish tacos.
Continue the scenic drive up the Pacific Coast Highway to lesser-known, Lechuza Beach to catch an epic sunset.
Lechuza Beach
Sea Level Dr,
Malibu, CA 90265
WEST HOLLYWOOD
FOR THE HIKER AND FOODIE IN ALL OF US
Wake up early and hike Runyon Canyon to get an unobstructed view of the Hollywood sign Griffith Observatory Downtown L.A. and even Santa Monica. You can access trails through either the northern entrance on Mulholland Drive or the southern entrance on Fuller Avenue.
Runyon Canyon North Entrance
7317 Mulholland Dr,
Los Angeles, CA 90046
Runyon Canyon SOUTH Entrance
2000 N Fuller Ave,
Los Angeles, CA 90046
Reward yourself with a stop at Urth Cafe on Melrose Avenue for a coffee, tea, or pastry. If you can’t make it here while you’re in West Hollywood, they have multiple locations throughout L.A.
Spend the rest of your day at The Grove L.A. More than an outdoor mall, it offers entertainment and a Farmers Market you can’t miss.
The Grove L.A.
189 The Grove Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
In conclusion, no day has to be the same when visiting L.A. because there is so much to see. These are just a few of the things you can do in a day in Downtown L.A., Venice, Malibu, and West Hollywood. I hope these ideas help you get started planning your visit to L.A.