Spending 2 days in LA and not sure what to do? This itinerary shows you how to tick all the highlights off your bucket list in under 48 hours.
It’s almost impossible to road trip through California and not visit the city of Angels. But since Los Angeles is such a large and vibrant city, making the most of only two days can be tricky. You could live there for months and still find new places to explore.
Two days in Los Angeles, however, does give you a great opportunity to see some of the main highlights. It may leave you wanting to come back though 😉
This 2-day itinerary shows you an easy and efficient way to see the city. Let’s dive in!
2 Day Los Angeles Itinerary
Breaking down all the best things to do in LA is tough – there are so many great places! After having spent some time in Los Angeles myself, I’ve managed to put together some of the best spots for this two day itinerary below.
Day 1: West Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Santa Monica
If you’re on a tight schedule, two days in Los Angeles will be enough time to see some of the best spots in the city. On the first day, we start by checking off some must-see LA bucket list items.
See the Hollywood Sign
We start our two-day Los Angeles itinerary with what probably is the most iconic and famous sight of the city: The Hollywood Sign.
Located on Mount Lee in the Hollywood Hills, the sign has been photographed countless times, starred in many movies and TV shows and attracted even more tourists to LA.
The sign was created in 1923 and originally spelt out “Hollywoodland“. It was meant to be a temporary advertisement sign promoting a local real estate development, but it stayed up due to its popularity.
Lake Hollywood Park is one of the best places to enjoy the sign. Put 3000 Canyon Lane Drive into your navigation to get there.
Here, you can find a park with a great view of the Hollywood Sign. For more great photography spots of the Hollywood sign, check this article.
Walk the Walk Of Fame
No visit to Hollywood is complete without the famous Walk Of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard. With more than 2,500 terrazzo and brass stars as part of the sidewalk, honouring the accomplishments of some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry, the Walk Of Fame turned into a tourist hotspot.
But do go in with the right expectations. Hollywood Boulevard is kind of a tourist trap and not as glamorous as it may seem in pictures and videos. It’s still fun to walk around it, see it with your own eyes and take a picture with the star of your favourite actors – but keep your expectations low and avoid going into any of the shops. They really try to profit from all the tourists and sell stuff with a crazy markup.
After walking upon the stars, head over to Sunset Boulevard for lunch. Here, you can find one of the most popular fast-food chains in California: In-N-Out Burgers.
They are mainly found in California but are slowly expanding to other states. Their burgers are delicious (my dad went for seconds)! Give their house speciality a try – Animal Style Fries, which come with cheese, some onions and a tasty burger sauce.
Explore Beverly Hills & Rodeo Drive
Beverly Hills is a city in the LA county, mainly known for its many celebrities who made this their home. If you want to enjoy some fascinating architecture, I’d highly recommend driving around for a while. Don’t expect to see any celebs walking their dogs, though 😉
While in Beverly Hills, head over to Rodeo Drive. This shopping district was put on the map when Beverly Hill 90120 aired. It is one of the most expensive (and luxury) shopping districts in the world.
I didn’t quite have the budget to go shopping here, but window-shopping was still a lot of fun.
Eat at the Original Farmers Market
If you’re not into burgers and fast food, do not worry! I have another recommendation for lunch right here: The Original Farmer’s Market.
This historic Los Angeles landmark opened in 1934. You can find many food vendors, food stalls, local produce markets and other eateries here. They offer a wide variety of foods, so there really is something for everybody there. You can find more information about the Original Farmers Market on their website.
See the Sunset at Santa Monica Pier
We’re ending our first day in Los Angeles in Santa Monica. It’s only a little drive away from Beverly Hills. The famous Santa Monica Pier is a perfect place to spend your evening.
On the pier, you can find an amusement park (with the iconic Ferris wheel), restaurants and shops. The sunsets here are stunning, too!
Day 2: Downtown LA
After having seen some of the main highlights of Los Angeles, we head over to downtown LA on our second day. Downtown LA has a lot of cool places to check out, and you can see quite a bit in just one day. Follow along for my recommendations:
Visit Walt Disney Concert Hall & The Broad
Start your second day in Los Angeles at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. There are some affordable parking spots quite close to this building, making it a good start to the day. Even if you don’t go inside, the building is impressive enough to leave an impression.
Afterwards, you can visit The Broad which is located pretty much next to the Concert Hall. The Broad is a modern art museum that has a magical mirror room.
And the best thing… It’s completely free to visit! Just make sure you reserve tickets on their website before you go.
Ride the Angels Flight Railway
The Angels Flight funicular has been featured in many films, including La La Land. Only for that, it’s worth taking a short visit.
But also because it’s very close to the next two stops on this itinerary. For only a dollar (each way), you can ride this iconic funicular. It only takes about 45 seconds, but it’s a cute little experience to add to your Los Angeles itinerary.
Have Lunch at The Grand Central Market
Food lovers’ paradise is only a few minutes away from the Angels Flight Railway: The Grand Central Market. With around 40 different food vendors and a wide variety of international and local dishes, there is something for everybody to enjoy.
It started as an actual market back in 1907 and turned into a trendy meeting place for locals and tourists alike. It does get pretty hot in summer, so keep an eye out for that!
Visit Bradbury Building
You may recognise this building from Blade Runner. The Bradbury Building was one of the locations where the film was shot. As with many other film locations in LA, it’s amazing to see these places in real life.
The building is open to the public to enjoy. Because it’s almost next door to the Central Market, I’d highly recommend popping in for a quick picture.
Shop in The Last Bookstore
On to one of my all-time favourite spots in Los Angeles: The Last Bookstore. As an English and Creative Writing graduate, I love a good book. But add the beautiful interior, plus the fact that this shop sells a lot of cheap secondhand books, it’s heaven on Earth for me. I could spend HOURS here.
The Last Bookstore is located in downtown LA and is the largest bookstore in the state. The archway made of books is a popular photo spot, but the shop has so many lovely spots to sit and read.
They also hold many bookish events and sell many books by local authors. I ended up buying 3 secondhand books for $20 in total. They were all in great shape and they turned out to be lovely keepsakes to remind me of my time in Los Angeles.
Dinner with a View
The city of Angels is even prettier from higher up. So it’s a good thing that they have countless rooftops with restaurants, bars and cafes that give you some of the most stunning views across downtown LA.
If you get the chance, please check out one of the rooftop restaurants for a beautiful end to your time here with a view across the city as the sun sets. You can find some of the best rooftop bars in LA in this article.
Enjoy a Dodgers Baseball Game
If you happen to spend two days in Los Angeles while the Dodgers are playing a game, don’t miss the game!
We were lucky enough to visit LA when they played a home game and it turned out to be the highlight of this city break. Baseball is such a big part of the American culture, so being able to see it during my American road trip was incredible.
Watching a game, eating a hot dog while doing so and chanting along with songs I didn’t really know the lyrics to (“Take Me Out to the Ball Game…..”) – it was unforgettable!
Where to Stay in Los Angeles
Picking a place to stay can always be tricky in a city as big as Los Angeles. Whether you’re on a budget or don’t mind spending a bit more, here are some recommendations:
Motel 6 Hollywood
With a budget hotel chain like Motel 6, you can’t go wrong when looking for cheaper accommodation.
This hotel is located in Hollywood, which is great if you only have two days in Los Angeles. You’ll have all the basics you’ll need for a couple of nights.
STILE Downtown Los Angeles by Kasa
A tiny bit more expensive, but a big upgrade compared to the Motel 6 hotel.
As the name suggests, this stylish hotel is located in downtown LA. The rooms are modern and very comfortable. Plus, the hotel has a rooftop pool and bar!
Mondrian Los Angeles
If you feel like treating yourself to a luxurious stay, check out the Mondrian in Los Angeles.
Located in the heart of the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, you won’t be able to find a better location.
Stylish and spacious rooms alongside an outdoor pool (with underwater music) and panoramic views over the city – this is the real LA feel.
Best Day Trips from Los Angeles
If you’re planning to stay near Los Angeles for a few more days, here are some day trip destinations you could consider adding to your itinerary:
Universal Studios Hollywood or Disneyland
Los Angeles is home to both Universal Studios Hollywood and Disneyland California. When we were in LA, we decided to go to Universal Studios rather than Disneyland because we only had time to visit one of them.
Of course, I can’t compare the two because I only went to one of them – but I really enjoyed Universal Studios.
Even though the rides were great, my favourite part was the Studio Tour. Taking us through the actual Hollywood studios, and seeing places where some of my favourite shows and films were shot was amazing!
The park was a bit smaller than I expected at first, but that gave us the opportunity to enjoy all the rides in one day. I was lucky enough to be chosen for the interactive wand picking at Ollivanders in the Harry Potter World, making it an even more precious memory.
Because Universal Studios is quite a busy theme park, I’d highly recommend pre-booking your tickets. If possible, try to avoid weekends and holidays.
Palm Springs
Just two hours from Los Angeles lies Palm Springs. Filled with hot springs and luxury spas, it is the perfect getaway destination when in LA. Apart from great coffee shops, restaurants and vintage stores, Palm Springs is known for its midcentury modern architecture.
From Palm Springs, you can also take a trip to the famous Salvation Mountain or explore Joshua Tree. For a more detailed guide on how to spend some time in this desert oasis, check out my Palm Springs itinerary.
Joshua Tree National Park
A unique flora was created where two deserts met in Joshua Tree National Park. The strangely looking Yukka Trees (also known as Joshua Trees) give the park its name and fame. It’s a magical place, unlike anything else on the planet. So when you’re in Los Angeles, it’s worth making a little day trip out to Joshua Tree.
Want to see more of the United States of America? Check out my Denver to LA road trip itinerary to find out what I saw during my three weeks across the US.
Los Angeles Travel Tips
To make your time in Los Angeles a bit easier, here are a few travel tips:
Money in Los Angeles
As many of you will already know, the currency used in the USA is American Dollars ($). As with all currencies, the numbers fluctuate over time, but it currently sits around:
€1 = $1.07
£1 = $1.27
¥100 = $0.63
The tipping culture in the United States of America is something that can be confusing for tourists, especially when tipping isn’t a big part of your own culture.
Because servers’ wages are quite low in the US, it is good custom to tip at restaurants, bars and hotels to make up for this low pay. On average, it’s recommended to tip 15% – 20%. Some good guides to read about how to tip properly in the US can be found here.
Is 2 Days Enough in Los Angeles?
Spending two days in Los Angeles gives you enough time to see most of the highlights, including Hollywood, Santa Monica and Downtown LA.
Especially if you want to see more of California, I wouldn’t recommend spending more than two days in Los Angeles, since there is so much to see and do nearby.
Best Times to Visit Los Angeles
Although Los Angeles never really gets too cold, the city does get very hot (and crowded). Especially during the summer, the heat and the massive wave of tourists do make the city a bit less enjoyable to visit. I’d recommend visiting in the fall/autumn if you have the choice.
How to Get Around Los Angeles
If you’re travelling through the US or California, you’re most likely already using a rental car. Using a car is by far the easiest way to make your way around LA.
Do remember that parking prices tend to get pretty pricey in the city. It’s always a good idea to double-check with your hotel to see if they have on-site parking.
If you don’t have access to a car, Los Angeles also has a great public transport system that you can use. You can use this guide for all the info you need about using the LA public transport systems.
Conclusion: Two Days In Los Angeles
I hope this 2 day Los Angeles itinerary gave you some good ideas on what to do in LA. Let me know if I missed any of your favourite things to do in this beautiful city – I’d love to go back someday!
This itinerary is brilliant! I’m heading to LA soon, and this two-day plan is exactly what I needed. The way you’ve balanced iconic landmarks with local favorites is perfect for getting a well-rounded experience of the city. I’m especially excited about the recommendation to visit the new art installations at The Broad and the hidden food gems Downtown. Your detailed suggestions and timing tips are incredibly helpful. Thanks for making my trip planning so much easier—can’t wait to explore LA with this itinerary!
Love this itinerary for spending 2 days in LA! It covers all the must-see spots while also leaving some time to relax and enjoy the vibes of the city. I can’t wait to try out these recommendations on my next trip. Thanks for sharing such helpful tips!
Thanks so much!