One day in Los Angeles is not much time, and the city is spread out. Drive from Hollywood to the beach at the wrong hour and you can lose half your day on the 405. Most first-timers try to see everything and end up seeing the inside of a rental car.
Here is the short answer to what to do in Los Angeles for a day: pick one corridor and stick to it. Start in Hollywood in the morning, move through Beverly Hills and the Sunset Strip at midday, and finish at the coast for sunset in Santa Monica or Venice. That route keeps driving under control and still covers the places people picture when they think of LA.
Below, you’ll find 8 stops in a sensible order, with timing, what each one is actually worth, and where you can skip the crowds. We’ve led more than 1 million guests through these neighborhoods, so the tips come from daily practice, not guidebook guesses.
1. A guided Hollywood and Beverly Hills tour
What you’ll see
This stop comes first because it saves the most time. In one outing you cover Hollywood Boulevard, the Sunset Strip, and Beverly Hills without hunting for parking or reading a map. A typical route includes:
- Hollywood Sign photo spots that most visitors never find on their own
- The TCL Chinese Theatre and the Walk of Fame
- Sunset Strip and its music history
- Rodeo Drive and Beverly Hills’ tree-lined streets
- Celebrity neighborhoods, where you’ll see gates and hedges, not front doors
The real value is context. A guide tells you why a plain-looking corner matters, which saves you from wandering past it. Our guides are local, licensed, and certified, and they know the shortcuts that keep you off the worst traffic.
A good guide turns Los Angeles traffic from lost time into the best part of your day.
Best time to go and how long it takes
Book a morning start. Hollywood is quieter before 11 a.m., the light is better for photos, and you finish with the afternoon free for the coast. Tours run from 90 minutes to 7 hours, so pick the length that fits your plan.
| Your plan | Tour length to look for |
|---|---|
| Tight one-day schedule | 90 minutes to 3 hours |
| Hollywood and Beverly Hills only | Half-day |
| The tour is the whole day | Up to 7 hours |
Who it’s best for
First-time visitors get the most from this stop, especially if you don’t want to rent a car. It also suits families, small groups, and anyone who wants stories and history with the sights. If you already know LA well, you may prefer to skip ahead and drive yourself.
Cost and practical tips
Across all our tours, prices run from $75 to $1,996, depending on the tour type and group size. Parties of 3 or more qualify for group discounts, and pickup is included on applicable tours. You can compare Hollywood and Beverly Hills tour options on the Another Side Tours website.
Wear comfortable shoes and bring a light layer, since mornings can be cool even in summer. Keep your phone charged for photos, and tell your guide up front which stops matter most to you.
2. Griffith Observatory and the Hollywood Sign views
What you’ll see
Perched on Mount Hollywood, the observatory offers the best free view of the Hollywood Sign, plus the downtown skyline and, on clear days, the Pacific. Inside, you’ll find:
- Space exhibits and a working Tesla coil
- A Foucault pendulum in the entrance hall
- Free rooftop telescopes on clear evenings
Best time to go and how long it takes
Plan on 60 to 90 minutes. The building is closed on Mondays, so check the hours before you build your day around it.
Come on a weekday if you can. Weekend lots fill by mid-morning, and the road up backs up fast.
The best Hollywood Sign view is the one you reach before the parking lot fills.
Who it’s best for
Photographers, couples, and anyone who wants a big-picture look at LA will love it. Kids enjoy the hands-on exhibits. If you dislike winding hillside roads or short hikes from the parking area, consider a guided Hollywood Sign and observatory tour that handles the driving.
Cost and practical tips
Admission is free, though planetarium shows need a separate ticket. Parking is where the stress sits, so arrive early or take the DASH shuttle from the Vermont/Sunset Metro station. Bring a jacket, because the hilltop wind is real, and wear shoes you can walk in.
3. Hollywood Boulevard and the Walk of Fame
What you’ll see
Hollywood Boulevard is the LA people picture, and the Walk of Fame is the draw. More than 2,700 stars line about 15 blocks, with the best cluster near Hollywood & Highland. Look for:
- The TCL Chinese Theatre forecourt and its celebrity handprints
- The Dolby Theatre, home of the Oscars
- Stars for your favorite actors, musicians, and characters
Best time to go and how long it takes
Go before 10 a.m. for thinner crowds and cooler pavement. Allow 45 to 60 minutes, which is plenty for photos and a stroll. Evenings are livelier but rougher around the edges.
If you’re deciding what to do in Los Angeles for a day, give this stop an hour at most.
Hollywood Boulevard is a photo stop, not a morning-long destination.
Who it’s best for
First-timers, film fans, and families who enjoy people-watching will get the most from it. It’s also easy on a budget, since you only pay for what you choose to buy.
Skip it if crowds and street performers wear you down. If you already walked it on a guided tour, don’t repeat it.
Cost and practical tips
The Walk of Fame is free. Garage parking near Hollywood & Highland costs extra, so consider the Metro B Line to Hollywood/Highland station instead.
- Costumed characters expect tips for photos
- Keep bags zipped in the thickest crowds
- Bring water, since shade is scarce
4. The Original Farmers Market and The Grove
What you’ll see
Open since 1934, the Original Farmers Market at Fairfax and 3rd is part food hall, part time capsule. More than 100 stalls sell tacos, gumbo, donuts, and fresh produce. Next door, The Grove adds an outdoor shopping center with a dancing fountain and a small trolley.
Look for the clock tower, the market’s landmark. Grab an outdoor table and you’ll see locals mixed with tourists, which is the whole appeal.
Best time to go and how long it takes
Arrive around 11 a.m. and you’ll beat the lunch rush. Allow 60 to 90 minutes, enough to eat and stroll The Grove.
Evenings bring live music and fountain shows, but a one-day plan usually hits this stop at midday.
Eat here instead of shopping here, and your day stays on schedule.
Who it’s best for
Food lovers and families get the most from it, since everyone can order something different. Shoppers will like The Grove’s mainstream stores.
Skip it if you’d rather spend the time on sights, or if you plan to eat at Grand Central Market later (stop 6).
Cost and practical tips
Entry is free, and you pay only for what you eat or buy. Prices at the stalls are casual, and sharing plates lets you taste more.
- Park once in The Grove garage and walk to both
- Ask a merchant to validate your parking ticket
- Check current parking rates before you go
5. La Brea Tar Pits and Museum Row
What you’ll see
The La Brea Tar Pits are active asphalt seeps in Hancock Park where Ice Age animals got trapped. The Page Museum displays mammoth, dire wolf, and saber-toothed cat fossils pulled from them. Outside, you’ll find:
- The Lake Pit, with life-size mammoth statues
- Asphalt bubbling up through the grass
- LACMA’s Urban Light, more than 200 restored street lamps
Best time to go and how long it takes
Aim for early afternoon, right after lunch at the Farmers Market, which is about a mile away. Allow 60 to 90 minutes if you only walk the grounds and photograph Urban Light. Add an hour if you go inside a museum.
Weekdays are calmer, and school groups tend to leave by 2 p.m.
Pick one museum on Museum Row and let the free outdoor sights fill the rest.
Who it’s best for
Families with kids love the fossils and the statues. Science fans, car lovers, and film buffs will find a museum here that fits, from the Petersen Automotive Museum to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.
If you only have one day, skip the indoor exhibits unless someone in your group really wants them. The outdoor pits give you the story in about 30 minutes.
Cost and practical tips
The park, the Lake Pit, and Urban Light are free to see. Page Museum admission runs roughly $18 for adults, so check current prices before you go, since they change.
- Many Museum Row venues close one weekday, so confirm hours first
- Bring sunscreen, because the grounds have little shade
- The asphalt smell is real, so don’t be surprised
6. Downtown LA and Grand Central Market
What you’ll see
Opened in 1917, Grand Central Market is a Broadway food hall with dozens of vendors, from egg sandwiches to Salvadoran pupusas. Downtown also packs in top downtown sights within a few blocks:
- Angels Flight, a tiny historic funicular
- The Bradbury Building lobby, a film-set favorite
- Walt Disney Concert Hall and its curved steel exterior
Come for the food hall, then walk a few blocks to see the downtown most visitors miss.
Best time to go and how long it takes
Arrive mid-afternoon, after La Brea, and you’ll dodge the noon to 1:30 p.m. lunch crush. Allow 90 minutes to 2 hours for a snack and a short walk. Weekdays feel busy and local, while weekends bring more tourists and longer lines.
Who it’s best for
Foodies, architecture fans, and anyone curious about LA’s older core will like this stop. It also fits what to do in Los Angeles for a day if you want a break from beach and Hollywood crowds. Skip it if you already ate at the Farmers Market and feel tired, since downtown rewards a bit of walking.
Cost and practical tips
Entering the market is free, and most dishes run roughly $10 to $15, so check current menus. Angels Flight costs about a dollar a ride, and Disney Hall’s exterior is free to admire. Parking garages nearby add up, so take the Metro B Line to Pershing Square, a short walk from the market.
- Split dishes with your group to taste more
- Keep valuables close on the streets around Broadway
- Visit before dark, since some blocks quiet down after the offices empty
7. Santa Monica Pier and the beach
What you’ll see
Opened in 1909, the Santa Monica Pier is the classic LA waterfront and the symbolic end of Route 66. Pacific Park has a solar-powered Ferris wheel with wide ocean views. Look for:
- The "End of the Trail" Route 66 sign
- The historic Looff Hippodrome carousel building
- Wide sand, a bike path, and sunset over the Pacific
Best time to go and how long it takes
Arrive about 90 minutes before sunset and allow 90 minutes to 2 hours. You get golden light, softer crowds than midday, and a natural end to your Hollywood-to-coast route.
Plan your day backward from sunset, and the pier becomes your finale instead of a rushed stop.
Who it’s best for
Families, couples, and first-timers who want a postcard beach moment will enjoy it most. Kids love the rides and arcade games along the pier. If you want a grittier, more local scene, stop 8 in Venice may suit you better, and you can walk the sand between the two if your legs allow.
Cost and practical tips
Walking the pier and the beach is free. Pacific Park charges per ride or sells an all-day wristband, so check current prices before you commit. For parking, the Metro E Line from downtown ends a few blocks away, and lots near the pier charge more on weekends.
Bring a sweatshirt, since the breeze turns cool once the sun drops. Hold onto your food too, because the seagulls are bold.
8. Venice Beach boardwalk and canals
What you’ll see
The Venice Beach boardwalk, officially Ocean Front Walk, is LA’s loudest stage. It runs for about two miles, and the show never stops. Look for:
- Muscle Beach, the open-air gym where bodybuilders lift in public
- Venice Skatepark, with skaters carving bowls next to the sand
- Street artists, drummers, and vendors lining the path
Walk ten minutes inland and the mood flips. The Venice Canals, dug in 1905, have quiet footbridges, ducks, and gardens running down to the water.
Best time to go and how long it takes
Plan on 60 to 90 minutes for the boardwalk and another 30 for the canals. Late afternoon works best, because the crowds thin and the light turns gold. If you’re finishing your route here instead of Santa Monica, this is your sunset spot.
Do the canals while they’re quiet, then let the boardwalk carry you into sunset.
Who it’s best for
People who want a grittier, more local LA will like Venice more than the pier. Photographers, skaters, and people-watchers get plenty to look at. If you’re weighing what to do in Los Angeles for a day, this is the stop with the most personality. Skip it if you need calm and tidy surroundings.
Cost and practical tips
Walking the boardwalk and canals is free. Parking lots near the sand charge by the hour or day, and prices jump on weekends, so check current rates. Santa Monica Pier sits about 2.5 miles up the beach path, so you can rent a bike or walk between the two. Carry small bills for vendors, keep your phone in a front pocket, and treat any "free" handouts with caution.
Making the most of your one day in LA
You can’t see all of LA in a day, and you shouldn’t try. The best answer to what to do in Los Angeles for a day is a single route: Hollywood in the morning, a midday meal, and the coast at sunset. Pick four or five stops from the list, give each the time we suggested, and save the rest for your next trip.
Traffic is the real enemy, so protect your schedule. Start early, eat at one market instead of two, and let the sunset set your finish time. If a stop runs long, drop the next one without guilt.
Ready to skip the planning and the parking? Our small-group Los Angeles sightseeing tours cover Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and the coast with a local guide, so you can spend your day looking out the window, not at a map.
