You’ve got a free Saturday and Sunday in LA and no real plan yet. Scrolling through generic "top attractions" lists doesn’t help when you want to know what’s actually worth your limited hours. If you’re searching for weekend things to do in Los Angeles, you need a list built around real neighborhoods and current experiences, not just a rehash of the same five landmarks every guidebook mentions.
This list answers that search directly. Whether you’re free tonight, checking things to do today in Los Angeles, or mapping out a full two-day itinerary, you’ll find options spanning Hollywood, Santa Monica, Venice Beach, and Beverly Hills, along with a few spots most visitors never find on their own. Each pick includes practical details like timing and location so you can build a realistic schedule instead of racing across town.
We’ve spent years guiding visitors through this city with Another Side Tours, and that hands-on experience shapes every recommendation here. You’ll get a mix of self-guided stops and guided experiences worth booking, plus tips for making the most of a short weekend without getting stuck in traffic or crowds.
1. Take a guided sightseeing tour of LA’s best neighborhoods
What it is
A guided sightseeing tour puts a local expert behind the wheel (or beside you on foot) so you spend your weekend seeing the city instead of decoding a map app. Another Side Tours runs private and small group sightseeing tours through Hollywood and Beverly Hills and the greater LA area, with options ranging from a 90-minute walking loop to a full 7-hour custom itinerary. You can pick a private vehicle tour, a guided Segway tour of LA, an e-bike tour, or even a limousine experience depending on your budget and how many people you’re traveling with. Themed options exist too, including celebrity homes tours, haunted Hollywood tours, and Instagram-focused photo stops if you want your weekend to double as content.
Why it’s great for a weekend
Because a weekend gives you roughly 48 hours, and LA sprawls across nearly 500 square miles, a guided tour solves the single biggest problem visitors face: wasted time. Guides already know which streets clog up at 2pm on a Saturday, which viewpoints are worth the walk, and which "hidden gem" locations never make it into generic guidebooks. Instead of guessing your way between Hollywood and Beverly Hills, you get dropped at each stop with context about the history and culture behind it, then picked up again without circling for parking.
A good guide doesn’t just show you Los Angeles, they save you the hours you’d otherwise lose figuring it out yourself.
Group tours also work well for families or friends traveling together, since pricing drops for parties of three or more. If you’re the type who wants a curated itinerary rather than a self-directed scramble, this is the single option on this list that can realistically replace four or five separate stops below.
Good to know before you go
Pricing on guided tours ranges from around $75 for a short walking or small group option up to $1,996 for private limousine service, so book based on group size and how much ground you want covered.
- Book at least a few days ahead, especially for weekend slots and limousine tours, since those fill fastest.
- Confirm pickup details if your tour includes transportation from your hotel or vacation rental.
- Ask about group discounts if there are three or more of you; most tours drop per-person pricing at that size.
- Pick your format based on stamina: Segway and guided electric bike rides cover more ground than walking tours but require some balance and comfort outdoors.
Another Side Tours holds licensing and uses certified local guides, which matters if you want a company with a track record rather than an unlicensed operator working out of a van.
2. Explore Griffith Observatory and Griffith Park
What it is
Griffith Observatory sits on the southern slope of Mount Hollywood, giving you free public telescopes, planetarium shows, and a view of the Hollywood Sign that most visitors only see from a moving car. The surrounding Griffith Park stretches over 4,000 acres, one of the largest urban parks in the country, with trails, a golf course, and the LA Zoo tucked inside its borders. You don’t need a car once you’re there since the observatory grounds and nearby lookout points are all walkable.
Why it’s great for a weekend
Saturday afternoons draw crowds, so arriving right at opening or an hour before sunset gets you the same view without the wait. The building itself is free to enter, and that view over the city, especially at dusk when the lights start switching on, is the kind of moment worth planning your day around.
Skip the crowds by timing your visit around sunset, when the view over Los Angeles is at its best and the parking lot hasn’t filled up yet.
Pair it with a short hike up to the Hollywood Sign viewpoint trail beforehand, and you’ve turned one stop into a half-day outing that covers hiking, history, and skyline views in one trip.
Good to know before you go
Parking fills up fast on weekends, so plan for a wait or use rideshare during peak hours. Entry to the observatory is always free, though it’s worth checking what the planetarium shows cost and when they run, since those charge a small ticket fee. Come dressed for walking since the paths from the parking lot to the best viewpoints aren’t paved the whole way, and bring water if you’re planning to hike further into the park.
3. Stroll the Santa Monica Pier and beach
What it is
The Santa Monica Pier has been standing over the Pacific since 1909, and it still delivers exactly what you’d expect: a small amusement park with a solar-powered Ferris wheel, an arcade, a historic carousel, and rows of fishing spots at the very end. Below the pier, wide sandy beach stretches in both directions, backed by the Santa Monica Mountains on a clear day. The pier sits right where Route 66 technically ends, so if you’re chasing that photo op, this is the spot.
Why it’s great for a weekend
Morning visits mean you get the beach nearly to yourself before the crowds arrive around noon, and the temperature stays comfortable for walking without the midday glare. Families do well here since the pier rides and arcade games give kids something active to do beyond just sitting on sand, while adults can grab lunch at one of the pier restaurants overlooking the water.
Arrive before 10am if you want the pier and beach without shoulder-to-shoulder foot traffic.
The Third Street Promenade, a pedestrian shopping strip a few blocks inland, extends your visit into the afternoon with shops, street performers, and restaurants if you want to turn a beach morning into a full day out.
Good to know before you go
Parking lots near the pier charge by the hour and fill quickly on weekends, so arriving early solves both the crowd and parking problem at once. The Ferris wheel and rides operate on seasonal hours, so check ahead, along with which hours the pier is least busy, if you’re visiting on a weekday evening or during cooler months. Bikes and rental cruisers are available along the boardwalk if you want to continue south toward Venice without walking the whole stretch.
4. Wander Venice Beach and the boardwalk
What it is
Venice Beach, with its canals, murals, and boardwalk scene, sits just south of Santa Monica, and the vibe shifts the moment you cross that invisible line. The boardwalk stretches for roughly a mile and a half, packed with muscle-bound bodybuilders at the original Muscle Beach gym, street vendors selling everything from sunglasses to henna tattoos, and skaters carving through the Venice Skatepark right off the sand. Canals a few blocks inland offer a quieter, almost surreal contrast, lined with small bridges and houses that look nothing like the beach scene a short walk away.
Why it’s great for a weekend
Saturdays here run loud and busy, which is exactly the point if you want a slice of only-in-LA street life you won’t find anywhere else in the city. Street performers, artists selling paintings, and the occasional impromptu drum circle keep the energy up well into the afternoon.
Venice Beach isn’t a place to relax, it’s a place to watch Los Angeles perform itself.
Entertainment aside, the people-watching alone makes this one of the better no-cost attractions around Los Angeles if you’ve already covered the pier and want something with more edge.
Good to know before you go
Parking runs expensive and scarce near the boardwalk, so a rideshare or the bike path from Santa Monica works better on busy weekends. Keep valuables close since crowded stretches attract pickpockets, and skip the boardwalk entirely if you’re pushing a stroller during peak afternoon hours, since the crowd gets tight fast. Sunset near the canals gives you a calmer end to the visit before heading back into the busier parts of town.
5. Walk the Hollywood Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theatre
What it is
The Hollywood Walk of Fame runs along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street, with more than 2,700 brass stars set into the sidewalk honoring actors, musicians, and directors. Halfway down the strip sits the TCL Chinese Theatre, the ornate movie palace famous for the handprints and footprints of stars pressed into its forecourt concrete since 1927. Costumed characters, street performers, and souvenir shops line the boulevard the entire way, so you’re never short on something to look at between stars.
Why it’s great for a weekend
Because it sits right in the middle of the city, this stop pairs naturally with other things to do in Hollywood, making it one of the easiest things to do in Los Angeles today if you’re short on time. Fans of classic film get a genuine thrill spotting names they recognize, and the forecourt handprints make for a better photo than most people expect walking in.
The stars themselves are modest, but the theater’s forecourt is where the boulevard actually earns its reputation.
Evening visits add another layer, since the boulevard lights up and street performers keep working well past sunset, which makes this a solid answer if you’re specifically looking for things to do tonight in Los Angeles.
Good to know before you go
- Go early or after dark to dodge the thickest midday crowds and heat.
- Watch your belongings, since dense foot traffic here draws pickpockets.
- Tip costumed characters if you snap a photo with them; it’s expected, not optional.
- Skip the paid "museums" nearby unless you’re genuinely curious; most are overpriced novelty stops, and there are better landmarks within a block of the stars.
6. Visit the Getty Center or Getty Villa
What it is
The Getty Center sits high in the hills above Brentwood, reachable only by a free tram that carries you up from the parking garage to Richard Meier’s white travertine campus overlooking the city. Inside you’ll find European paintings, drawings, and sculpture spanning centuries, plus gardens designed as art in their own right. Its sister site, the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades, focuses on Greek, Roman, and Etruscan antiquities inside a replica first-century Roman country house, complete with reflecting pools and an outdoor amphitheater.
Why it’s great for a weekend
Given that admission runs free at both locations, the Getty Center and Getty Villa deliver one of the best value stops on this entire list, with only parking and an optional expert-led tour of the Getty Center costing you anything. Landscaped gardens at the Center give you a break from gallery walking, and the view over the Westside from the terraces rivals anything you’d pay for elsewhere in the city.
Free world-class art and a hilltop view over Los Angeles, paid parking is the only cost you’ll face.
Handled photographers and casual visitors alike appreciate the quiet pace here, a sharp contrast to the boulevard crowds a few stops back on this list.
Good to know before you go
Parking costs a flat fee per car regardless of how long you stay, and weekend timed-entry reservations for the Center fill up, so book online before you drive over. The Villa requires a separate reservation entirely, even though admission is free, so don’t assume one ticket covers both sites. Wear comfortable shoes since the Center’s grounds involve real walking between buildings, and check hours ahead since both locations close on Mondays and Tuesdays depending on the site.
7. Shop and people-watch on Rodeo Drive
What it is
Rodeo Drive’s three short blocks of shopping run through Beverly Hills, but they pack in more flagship luxury stores than almost anywhere else in the country. Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Cartier all keep storefronts here, alongside the pink-toned Beverly Wilshire hotel that anchors the street’s southern end. Even if you never step inside a single shop, the architecture and window displays alone justify a slow walk down the block.
Why it’s great for a weekend
Given that most visitors come to look rather than buy, Rodeo Drive works as a free spectacle as much as a shopping strip. Weekend afternoons bring out valet-parked sports cars, tour buses idling at the curb, and the occasional celebrity sighting that keeps everyone’s phone out. Two Rodeo, the cobblestone side street tucked just off the main drag, adds a European-looking backdrop that photographs better than the main boulevard itself.
You don’t need a shopping budget to enjoy Rodeo Drive, just a camera and twenty minutes to spare.
Folding this stop into a broader Beverly Hills itinerary, maybe past the mansions a few blocks north, turns a short detour into a fuller afternoon.
Good to know before you go
Parking meters and nearby garages fill fast on Saturday afternoons, so arrive before noon or plan on a short walk from a side street. Store hours generally run 10am to 6pm, with some flagships closing earlier on Sundays, so check before you make a special trip for a specific brand. Dress code isn’t enforced for browsing, but staff at the highest-end stores do notice; a little polish gets you a warmer welcome if you’re curious to step inside.
8. Explore Downtown LA’s Arts District and Grand Central Market
What it is
The Arts District sits east of DTLA proper, a former industrial zone now home to downtown LA’s best mural spots, converted warehouses, and some of the city’s best coffee roasters. A few minutes west, Grand Central Market occupies a 1917 building on Broadway, packed with more than 30 food stalls serving everything from Sonoratown tacos to Thai food and fresh oysters under one noisy, communal roof. Between the two, you’re covering street art, architecture, and food in a single afternoon without needing a car for any of it.
Why it’s great for a weekend
Weekend mornings give you the murals with decent light and fewer people blocking your photos, while Grand Central Market hits its stride around lunchtime when every stall has a line worth waiting in. Downtown’s older buildings, including the restored Bradbury Building right across the street from the market, give this stop a different texture than the beach neighborhoods earlier on this list.
Grand Central Market packs more food variety into one building than most neighborhoods offer in a full afternoon of walking.
If you’re looking for things to do in Los Angeles today that don’t involve a beach or a boulevard, this pairing covers art, food, and history in walking distance of each other.
Good to know before you go
Street parking downtown gets tight on weekends, so a parking garage near Broadway or the Metro Red Line beats circling blocks. Grand Central Market gets loud and crowded by 1pm, so arrive earlier if you want a table. Wear shoes built for walking, since the best murals sit several blocks apart, and keep cash on hand since a few vendors and food stalls still skip cards.
9. Browse a weekend farmers market or flea market
What it is
Los Angeles runs on weekend markets, and picking the right farmers market shapes your whole morning. The Original Farmers Market at 3rd and Fairfax has operated since 1934, with dozens of permanent food stalls and produce stands under one open-air roof. Sunday brings the Hollywood Farmers Market along Ivar Avenue, while the first Sunday of every month turns the Rose Bowl parking lot in Pasadena into the Rose Bowl Flea Market, one of the largest vintage and antique markets in the country. Closer to the Westside, the Melrose Trading Post sets up every Sunday in the Fairfax High School parking lot, mixing vintage clothing with handmade jewelry and local food trucks.
Why it’s great for a weekend
Given how much of LA revolves around cars and freeways, a market gives you a rare walkable morning where you can graze, browse, and people-watch without a schedule. Locals outnumber tourists at most of these spots, so you get a more honest read on the city than you’d find on a boulevard built for visitors.
A good flea market shows you more about a city’s actual taste than any museum does.
Vendors selling handmade goods, vintage denim, and regional produce give you souvenirs that beat anything sold near the Walk of Fame.
Good to know before you go
Rose Bowl admission charges a small entry fee and gets steep early, since serious collectors show up before sunrise. Melrose Trading Post also charges a modest entrance fee, with proceeds funding the high school. Bring cash since many smaller vendors don’t take cards, and arrive within the first two hours if you want first pick before the good stalls sell out.
10. Hike a scenic trail with skyline or ocean views
What it is
Los Angeles hides a surprising amount of hiking trail within city limits, and Runyon Canyon is the one most visitors stumble onto first, a steep loop above Hollywood that rewards you with a 360-degree view stretching from the Hollywood Sign to the ocean on a clear day. Further west, Temescal Canyon and Santa Monica’s Palisades trails trade skyline views for coastal ones, with switchbacks that drop you close enough to smell the salt air before you’re done. None of these require technical gear, just decent shoes and a willingness to sweat a little before breakfast.
Why it’s great for a weekend
Given how much of a weekend in LA gets spent in a car or standing in line, a morning hike resets the pace before you head into busier stops later in the day. Locals treat these trails as a gym substitute, so you’ll share the path with dog walkers and joggers rather than tour groups, which gives the whole experience a lived-in feel rather than a staged one.
The best view in Los Angeles usually costs you nothing but an hour of daylight and a decent pair of shoes.
Sunrise sessions beat the heat and the crowds both, and you’ll have most viewpoints to yourself before 8am.
Good to know before you go
Parking near trailheads fills fast on weekend mornings, so arrive before 8am or plan on a short walk from a side street. Bring water regardless of the season, since shade disappears quickly on exposed switchbacks, and check trail conditions ahead if you’re visiting during peak summer heat.
11. Catch a rotating exhibit at LACMA or the Broad
What it is
LACMA, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, sits on Wilshire Boulevard along Museum Row, with a permanent collection spanning ancient artifacts to contemporary installations across several connected buildings. A few miles east in Downtown LA, the Broad houses Eli and Edythe Broad’s contemporary art collection, including Yayoi Kusama’s mirrored Infinity Rooms, one of the most photographed installations in the city. Both museums rotate special exhibits throughout the year, so what’s on display changes even if you’ve visited before.
Why it’s great for a weekend
Given that both museums sit indoors, they give you a built-in plan for the afternoon heat or the rare rainy day, something the beach stops earlier on this list can’t offer. LACMA’s outdoor Urban Light installation, that grid of restored vintage streetlamps, works as a free photo stop even if you skip the paid galleries entirely. The Broad’s rotating shows draw serious lines on weekends, so checking what’s currently up before you go saves you from missing a piece you actually wanted to see.
A rotating exhibit means the museum you visited last year isn’t the museum you’ll see today.
Pairing either museum with Grand Central Market or the Original Farmers Market nearby turns a gallery visit into a full day covering art and food in one trip.
Good to know before you go
The Broad offers free general admission, but timed tickets go fast for weekend slots, so reserve online days ahead rather than showing up hoping for a walk-in spot. LACMA charges general admission but keeps some evening hours free for LA County residents, so check the current schedule of museum free days in LA if cost matters. Special ticketed exhibits at both museums often sell out separately from general admission, so book those first if there’s a specific show you’re chasing.
12. Enjoy live music, comedy, or theater
What it is
Los Angeles runs a live entertainment scene most visitors never plan around, yet it fills up faster than any museum on this list. The Hollywood Bowl and other LA concert venues host outdoor concerts under the stars from spring through fall, while the Comedy Store and the Laugh Factory on Sunset Boulevard book stand-up sets nightly, often with surprise drop-ins from names you’d recognize. Smaller rooms like the Troubadour and the Ford Theatres round things out with everything from indie rock to jazz, depending on the week you visit.
Why it’s great for a weekend
Given that most shows start after 7pm, this is one of the better answers if you’re specifically searching for what to do in LA after dark once your daytime plans wrap up. Watching a set unfold in a room built for it beats scrolling for a bar with a TV, and the energy at a packed comedy club or an outdoor amphitheater gives your evening a completely different feel than daytime sightseeing.
A city known for film still puts on its best show live, on a stage, after the sun goes down.
Couples and groups both do well here, since most venues sell tickets by seat rather than requiring a big-group commitment.
Good to know before you go
Book ahead for anything at the Hollywood Bowl, since weekend shows sell out weeks in advance, especially for touring acts. Comedy clubs often require a two-drink minimum on top of the cover charge, so budget accordingly. Arrive thirty minutes early for assigned outdoor seating, and check each venue’s website directly for that week’s lineup, since schedules shift constantly and rarely repeat.
13. Check out a seasonal festival or outdoor event
What it is
Los Angeles runs an outdoor calendar that barely pauses, and a seasonal festival often beats anything fixed on a map. Summer brings free concerts at Grand Performances downtown and outdoor movie screenings at places like the Hollywood Forever grounds, while fall shifts into food festivals, Dia de los Muertos events at Olvera Street, and pop-up holiday markets by December. If you’re mapping out things to do in Los Angeles California in November, that month alone usually delivers the Autry Museum’s American Indian Arts Marketplace plus early holiday light displays at Descanso Gardens.
Why it’s great for a weekend
Given that most of these events run Friday through Sunday, they slot naturally into a weekend trip without pulling you away from the stops already on this list. Festivals also concentrate food vendors, live music, and local crowds into one spot, so you get a snapshot of the city’s current mood rather than a fixed attraction that looks the same every visit.
The festival calendar changes every month, which means the best weekend plan in Los Angeles is never quite the same twice.
Checking listings before you book flights means you might land your trip right on top of an event you’d never have found by wandering.
Good to know before you go
Venues and dates shift year to year, so confirm details on the official event page within a week of your trip rather than trusting an old blog post. Parking near festival grounds fills faster than a typical weekend, so budget extra time or use rideshare. Many events, especially food festivals, charge separate admission from general park entry, so check pricing before you commit your afternoon.
14. Picnic and watch a movie at Hollywood Forever Cemetery
What it is
Hollywood Forever Cemetery doubles as one of the city’s most unexpected event spaces, hosting everything from its annual Día de los Muertos celebration to the Cinespia film series that turns its lawn into an open-air theater every summer weekend. A massive screen goes up against the mausoleum wall, classic and cult films play after dark, and thousands of people spread out blankets among the headstones of stars like Judy Garland and Cecil B. DeMille. Gates typically open hours before the show, giving you time to claim a spot on the grass and set up whatever picnic you’ve packed.
Why it’s great for a weekend
Because screenings run Friday and Saturday nights through the warmer months, this stop answers things to do tonight in Los Angeles better than almost anything else on this list once the sun goes down. Watching a film outdoors, surrounded by century-old monuments and a crowd dressed for a party rather than a theater, gives you an experience you won’t find replicated anywhere else in the country.
Nowhere else do you watch a classic movie next to the graves of the people who made it.
Spring for a full spread, since most attendees treat the evening as a proper picnic with wine, cheese boards, and folding chairs rather than a quick stop.
Good to know before you go
Tickets sell online in advance and shows sell out regularly, so buy early rather than showing up hoping for walk-up entry. Bring a low chair or blanket, since the lawn fills fast once gates open. Alcohol is permitted within reason, but glass bottles and large coolers usually aren’t, so check the current rules before you pack. Parking around the cemetery is limited, so rideshare works better than driving yourself.
15. Take a scenic drive along the Pacific Coast Highway
What it is
The Pacific Coast Highway, marked as Highway 1 on most maps, runs along the coastline from Santa Monica up through Malibu and beyond, hugging cliffs and beaches the entire way. You don’t need a special car or a full day to enjoy it either; even a 30-minute stretch north of Santa Monica gives you ocean views on one side and dry hillside on the other, with pullouts every mile or so for photos. Malibu’s Point Dume and the Malibu Pier make natural turnaround points, and there’s plenty more worth stopping for in Malibu if you’re not trying to drive all the way to Ventura.
Why it’s great for a weekend
Given how much of this list keeps you on foot in dense neighborhoods, a coastal drive gives your legs a rest while still delivering some of the best scenery in the entire region. Late afternoon light hits the water at an angle that makes even a quick out-and-back feel worth the gas money, and rolling the windows down beats almost any other way to close out a weekend in Los Angeles California.
Some of the best views in Los Angeles require nothing more than a full tank of gas and an hour with no particular destination.
Stopping at Nobu Malibu or a beachfront shack for an early dinner turns the drive into a proper evening rather than just a scenic detour.
Good to know before you go
Weekend traffic backs up near Malibu, so leave Santa Monica by mid-afternoon if you want daylight for photos. Parking at popular pullouts is limited and often metered, so keep cash or a parking app ready. Cell service drops in stretches along the cliffs, so download directions before you leave rather than relying on real-time navigation.
Bringing your LA weekend together
Fifteen options is plenty, but you don’t need all of them. Pick three or four that match your energy level and the neighborhoods you actually care about, then build your Saturday and Sunday around those anchors instead of trying to chase every stop on this list. A hike in the morning, a museum or market midday, and live music or a movie under the stars at night makes for a weekend that feels full without feeling rushed.
Whatever mix you choose, timing and local knowledge matter more than any single attraction. That’s the gap a guided experience fills best, especially when your two days are the only two days you’ve got in this city. If you’d rather skip the guesswork on parking, crowds, and routing between neighborhoods, book a private LA weekend tour and let a local guide handle the logistics while you focus on actually enjoying the weekend.
