Are you planning a short visit to Los Angeles or looking for ideas on what to do in LA for a weekend?
Los Angeles, California, is one of the top cities for many visitors to the USA.
‘The City of Angels’… What do you do with just two days to sample this sprawling city?
Over the years I’ve been to LA numerous times, sometimes to visit friends who lived there, other times just to be a tourist for a weekend. I can’t say I’ve ever fallen in love with the city (I much prefer San Diego), but Los Angeles is well worth a visit. And if you visit, even if it’s just for two days, at least try to visit some of these highlights:
What to Do in LA – the Must-Sees on a Short Trip
1. Santa Monica Pier
The Santa Monica Pier, used as the setting for so many scenes in movies, is definitely a must-visit in Los Angeles.
When one thinks of Santa Monica, the famous pier with its iconic red and yellow Ferris Wheel inevitably comes to mind. The Pier offers quite a decent amusement park, combined with plenty of restaurants, bars, and souvenir shops.
If you have some time to spare walk to the Third Street Promenade which is a nice retail, dining and entertainment area with a lovely atmosphere.
For more information check out Downtown Santa Monica’s website
Note: If you’re in LA during the summer months, expect the pier to be busy, especially around sunset, which is a spectacular time to visit.
2. Venice Beach Boardwalk
Venice Beach and its famous boardwalk are well known around the world for their funky and offbeat vibe.
This 1.5-mile (2.5-kilometer) boardwalk has a bike path, skateboard ramps, restaurants, shops, and plenty of tourists.
Venice Beach is famous for Muscle Beach, where bodybuilders strut and invariably get mentioned in LA guides…
On the west side of the “walk” you can find hundreds of street vendors and performers. You can see everything from break-dancing to broken glass walking.
The Westside offers unique arts and crafts and on the Eastside you find the storefronts of the boardwalk. Here you will see every sort of t-shirt under the sun plus tattoo and piercing stores, skate and surf shops, marijuana dispensaries, and more. This is all in addition to the large selection of restaurants, juice spots, and bars.
If you are looking for what to do in LA for a weekend, Venice Beach should definitely be part of your itinerary.
Visit LAParks.org for more information about Venice Beach.
Tip: If you love the beach and a laid-back vibe, consider a day trip to Catalina Island
3. Hollywood and the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Although it has declined from its peak glamour days, especially around the fabled Hollywood and Sunset boulevards, Hollywood is still the site of such show business shrines as the Walk of Fame and the trendy Melrose Avenue shopping district.
And it therefore deserves to be on this list of places to visit, even if you only have 2 days in LA.
The Walk of Fame, “Where the Stars are Immortalized”, comprises more than 2,700 stars embedded in the sidewalks along 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street. It’s overrun by tourists but it is one of these things you just have to see while in LA.
And while you’re here, consider stopping at the TCL Chinese Theatre, where countless movie premieres have taken place.
Hollywood is well known for its great nightlife so if you have time to fit in a visit to a trendy club or a happening bar, spend an evening here!
The area known as the Westside, located between Hollywood and the coast, is a more upmarket area and home to such glamorous neighborhoods as Beverly Hills and Bel Air. It is also the site of the famous Rodeo Drive shopping area.
4. The Hollywood Sign
Fun fact: the Hollywood Sign, the worldwide symbol of the entertainment industry, was actually created as an outdoor ad campaign for a suburban housing development called “Hollywoodland”.
The sign overlooks Hollywood and again it is just one of those things you have to see while in Los Angeles.
It’s actually illegal to get close to the Sign, which is set behind restricting gates and protected by security cameras and Park Rangers. And even though the sign is 45-feet (almost 14 meters) tall, it is quite difficult to get a good shot of it.
One of the best places to see the Hollywood Sign is from Lake Hollywood Park. It’s a convenient spot that gives you a fantastic view without needing to venture too far.
Or, if you are looking for a unique experience, book a helicopter tour that will take you right over the Hollywood sign for an incredible view!
5. Miracle Mile
Miracle Mile is a stretch on Wilshire Blvd, home to four major Los Angeles museums: LA County Museum of Art, La Brea Tar Pits (Page Museum), Craft Contemporary, and Petersen Automotive Museum.
If you want to add a bit of culture to your 2 days in LA then you should definitely visit the Miracle Mile.
6. Getty Museum
The J. Paul Getty Museum, commonly referred to as The Getty, is an art museum housed on two campuses: the Getty Center and the Getty Villa.
The Getty Center is located in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles and is the primary location of the museum. The collection features Western art from the Middle Ages to the present. Its estimated 1.3 million visitors annually make it one of the most visited museums in the United States.
The Getty Center’s stunning hilltop location also offers panoramic views of Los Angeles, so don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy the scenery.
The museum’s second location, the Getty Villa, is located in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood and displays art from ancient Greece, Rome, and Etruria.
For more information visit The Getty’s official website
Tip: if you really want to know everything about the Getty Museum you can book a private Getty museum tour with an expert guide
7. Griffith Park & Griffith Observatory
Griffith Park is a large municipal park. It has been referred to as the Central Park of Los Angeles but is much larger, more untamed, and rugged than its New York City counterpart.
It holds the Griffiths Observatory where you can look through telescopes, explore exhibits, see live shows in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium, and enjoy spectacular views of Los Angeles and the Hollywood Sign.
If you’re in the mood for a hike, the park offers several trails ranging from easy walks to more challenging routes.
For more information visit Griffithobservatory.org
8. The Original Farmers Market
The Farmers Market is an area of food stalls, sit-down eateries, prepared food vendors, and produce markets.
First opened in July 1934, it is also a historic Los Angeles landmark. I’d highly recommend stopping here for lunch or a snack and I’m not the only one. Alanna, born and raised in LA, recommends it in her local guide to LA as well.
Thanks to LA’s ethnic diversity you can taste food from all over the world here! It’s definitely one of my favorite places to visit when I go to LA for the weekend.
For more information go to Farmersmarketla.com
LA in 2 Days – Tips to Save Time & Money
Los Angeles is a big city, things are quite spread out and LA traffic can get pretty bad!
If you are only in LA for the weekend or for a short visit, I’d recommend checking out these 3 things:
1. LA in a Day – This is a tour of the highlights of Los Angeles which includes transport and ‘skip the line’ options to get to the main attractions quicker.
They have great guides and just make your visit to the must-visit places in Los Angeles a lot more convenient!
2. The Go City Explorer Pass: If you are planning to visit several attractions this card will save you a lot of money!
You can choose a pass for 2, 3, 4, 5, or 7 attractions and save up to 50% on admission prices.
3. LA’s Hop-On Hop-Off Bus: If you don’t feel like driving in LA’s crazy traffic, the hop-on hop-off bus is a great option.
It takes you to Beverly Hills, Hollywood, around downtown Los Angeles, and to Santa Monica Pier, so that you can visit all the main sites conveniently and at your own pace.
Where to Stay in LA
Are you not sure where to stay yet in Los Angeles?
Then check out my article about cool hotels in Southern California, which includes several hotels worth staying at in LA.
On my last visit to LA I stayed at Sandbourne Santa Monica, which I can highly recommend. And the hotel’s location right by Santa Monica Beach is great!
LA Events, Tours & Attractions
LA is worth visiting year-round but if you happen to be there during a movie premiere then so much the better!
Or look into attending one of LA’s many events. To find out what’s happening in Los Angeles while you are there check out these websites:
There really is a lot to do in LA and it can all add up quickly. But, you can find a lot of discounts as well. If you are looking for discount tickets for tours and attractions in and around Los Angeles I recommend checking out this website.
One Final Tip For Any Visit to Los Angeles: Rent a Car!
A common complaint about Los Angeles is that it’s so big and spread out and it feels like it goes on FOREVER!
So, do as the locals do: drive. Rent a car, especially if you only have a few days in LA and want to see as much as possible.
Looking for an easy road trip from Los Angeles? Check out What to Do in Big Bear for a Perfect Short Trip
About Los Angeles, California
“Los Angeles is the land of delusions. You can live your life thinking you’re the best invention since sliced bread and no one will question your self-importance.” – Thoughtcatalog
Los Angeles has long been known as a city of dreams, a place for the dispossessed or disillusioned to start over and rebuild their lives. In the course of the twentieth century it grew to be the second-largest city in the United States, after New York City.
LA is a tourist magnet known for its sunny climate, beautiful beaches, and entertainment industry. But, in recent decades the city has also experienced the downside of urban expansion, with its air pollution, traffic congestion, and racial and ethnic tensions.
Yet the city remains a colorful, thriving metropolis working to overcome the problems of suburban sprawl.
Situated in Southern California, Los Angeles is one of only two U.S. cities without a majority population. People from 140 countries, speaking approximately 86 different languages, call Los Angeles home.
The city has a population of just under 4 million and attracts around 50 million tourists per year.
L.A. is a unique city where it seems to be all about looking healthy, refreshed, and athletic. Juice cleanses, exercising, the perfect tan, and the perfect plastic surgery.
But, with all its craziness this city is well worth a visit!
“In New York, you’re only allowed to be an asshole if you’re interesting. You have to earn the privilege of behaving like a dick. In Los Angeles, however, you can just be a dick. No funny jokes or good personality needed!” – Ryan O’Connell
Also Read:
- 9 Things to Do on a Family Day Out in Los Angeles
- A Catalina Island Day Trip from Los Angeles
- The Highlights of Santa Barbara
- A List of Day Trips From Los Angeles
Want to See More of California?
Check out my other articles about where to go and what to do in California.
And for more inspiration for weekend trips, check out this article about the best US weekend getaways.
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I was in LA for ten days last September and I’m definitely going back next year. There’s just so much to see and do. There really is something for everyone.
I loved reading about your Los Angeles short trip experience. Your descriptions really made it come alive for me. Happy travels!
Wow, amazing! I missed out some of them. But I will visit when I can get a chance to go to LA again. Thanks for sharing.