Los Angeles in 3 days

Sun, sprawl and stardust: beaches, hills, taco trucks and the world's entertainment capital. Best time to visit: March-May and September-November. Average daily budget: $150 to $280 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: Santa Monica & Venice, Beachfront boardwalks, the pier, canals and the best base for first-timers who want sand and walkability.

Morning: The Getty Center. World-class art, gardens and architecture on a hilltop, free entry with a tram ride up.

Afternoon: Explore Santa Monica & Venice, Beachfront boardwalks, the pier, canals and the best base for first-timers who want sand and walkability.

Evening: Griffith Observatory at sunset. Free entry, sweeping city views, the Hollywood Sign and the cosmos, hike up or drive early to park.

Eat: Street tacos al pastor from a Boyle Heights truck

Day 2, Go deeper

Base: Hollywood & West Hollywood, The Walk of Fame, studios, nightlife and the Sunset Strip, touristy but central for the classics.

Morning: Venice Beach & the canals. Boardwalk circus, Muscle Beach and the surprisingly serene canal neighbourhood a block back.

Afternoon: Explore Hollywood & West Hollywood, The Walk of Fame, studios, nightlife and the Sunset Strip, touristy but central for the classics.

Evening: Grand Central Market & DTLA. Graze the historic food hall, then walk to the Broad museum and Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Eat: Korean BBQ in Koreatown

Day 3, Hidden side

Base: Downtown (DTLA) & Arts District, Galleries, rooftop bars, Grand Central Market and the best concentration of culture and food.

Morning: Tacos in Boyle Heights or a Koreatown BBQ. LA's real food story is in its immigrant neighbourhoods, not the tourist strips.

Afternoon: Explore Downtown (DTLA) & Arts District, Galleries, rooftop bars, Grand Central Market and the best concentration of culture and food.

Evening: The Last Bookstore in DTLA, a cavernous labyrinth of books and art.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: A French dip sandwich at Philippe the Original or Cole's

Hidden gems

The Last Bookstore in DTLA, a cavernous labyrinth of books and art.
Sunset hike to the Wisdom Tree and Cahuenga Peak for a quieter Hollywood Sign view.
The Korean spa scene in Koreatown for a late-night reset.
Smorgasburg LA on Sundays for a sprawling open-air food market in the Arts District.

Getting around

LA is built for cars, and most visitors rent one or lean on Uber/Lyft, budgeting for traffic and parking. The Metro rail network has improved and is great for DTLA, Hollywood, Santa Monica and the airport, but it won't cover everything. Plan days by neighbourhood to minimise driving, and avoid the freeways at rush hour (7-10am, 3-7pm).

Safety

LA is generally safe for solo travellers in the main visitor areas, with the usual big-city caution. Be alert around parts of Downtown (Skid Row), some stretches of the Venice boardwalk after dark, and don't leave anything visible in a parked car, smash-and-grabs are common. Stick to well-lit, busy areas at night and use rideshare rather than walking long distances.

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