Los Angeles
5D4N: Welcome to LA’s comprehensive guide for food and culture! I have created a 5-day 4-night itinerary for any first timer to LA, focusing on the highlights from many of my visits there. LA is quite big and therefore it is ideal to rent a car during your stay. Also be aware of the traffic during rush hours, it is no joke. If you have more time in the west coast, you can add Big Sur to your itinerary.
Day 1
Arrive in LAX at noon
Pick up rental car
Lunch @ In-N-Out Burger
Greystone Mansion & Park (suggested duration 30 mins; free to tour the park)
Check-in @ Beverly Wilshire (5 stars) or The Orlando Hotel (4 stars) or Elan Hotel (3 stars)
Hollywood:
Griffith Park:
Griffith Observatory (Free)
Picture of the Hollywood sign (or hike to it if time permits)
Korean BBQ dinner @ Hae Jang Chon
Day 2
Beverly Hills:
Spadena House (picture only)
Brunch @ Chaumont
The Getty Center (free admission; $15 parking or $10 after 3pm)
3pm: The Getty Villa (free admission but must reserve in advance; $15 parking or $10 after 3pm)
Dinner @ Malibu Farm Restaurant
Night out @ Beauty & Essex in Hollywood & then Dream Hollywood for the view
Day 3
Taiwanese breakfast @ Huge Tree Pastry
Downtown LA:
Park the car @ Equinox Downtown LA (free for 2 hrs if you are a member)
Bradbury Building (free but it was closed when we were there)
Angels Flight Railway (via funicular for $1 or take the stairs)
The Broad Museum (free admission but must reserve in advance; suggested duration 1 hr)
Lunch @ La Sin Bala Restaurant
The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens ($29; suggested duration 3 hrs)
Walk around Old Pasadena
Dinner @ The Arbour
Day 4
Venice:
Walk around Abbot Kinney Blvd:
Breakfast @ Gjelina or Gjelina Take Away (if the wait is too long)
Ice cream @ Salt & Straw
El Bordello Alexandra (pic only; google map)
Santa Monica:
Lunch @ Bay Cities Italian Deli
Dinner @ Izakaya Hachi
Day 5
Long Beach:
Day trip to Catalina Island (Avalon) via Catalina Express (1 hr ride)
Descanso Beach
Belmont Shore:
Lunch @ Saint & Second
Walk through the street like Corona Ave for unique houses
Evening flight to NYC
Other points of interest & food
Spend a day at Universal Studio if you are looking for some amusement park experience
The Gamble House ($15 for 1 hr guided tour)
Drinks @ NoMad
Taiwanese breakfast @ JJ Bakery (Arcadia)
Tips
Fly with Alaska Air from NYC and you can relax at Alaska Lounge at JFK T7 with Priority Pass
Have time to work out? Stop by Equinox South Bay, Westwood, or downtown LA.
