5-Day Los Angeles Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

Start with a leisurely walk along the Hollywood Walk of Fame, spotting your favorite stars' names in the terrazzo and people-watching around the street performers and souvenir shops.

Join a small-group minivan tour from Hollywood that swings past the best Hollywood Sign viewpoints and cruises through neighborhoods like the Hollywood Hills and Beverly Hills to see celebrity homes.

Step into the courtyard of TCL Chinese Theatre to see the famous handprints and footprints pressed into the cement, comparing your hands to movie legends.

Take a guided backstage tour of the Dolby Theatre, home of the Oscars, to peek behind the scenes, walk through the lobby, and sit where the stars do during award night.

Wander the Hollywood & Highland complex, pick up a coffee, and head up to the viewing decks for framed views toward the Hollywood Sign.

Head into Griffith Park for a moderate hike on one of the popular trails leading toward Griffith Observatory, with dusty switchbacks, scrubby hillsides, and steadily opening views of LA.

Join a small-group guided hike to the Hollywood Sign, following local guides who know the best viewpoints and photo angles while sharing stories about the sign and the city below.

Explore Griffith Observatory's free exhibits, including the giant Tesla coil, space displays, and those sweeping terraces that frame downtown LA and the Pacific haze.

Buy tickets for a planetarium show inside Griffith Observatory to sink into the reclining seats and watch the night sky story unfold above you.

Kick things off at the Santa Monica Pier, walking under the iconic sign, dipping into arcades, and feeling the wooden planks shake slightly under the roller coaster.

Grab a Pacific Park wristband on the pier for a few rides on the solar-powered Ferris wheel and coasters with big ocean views.

Rent bikes near the pier and ride the beachfront bike path south toward Venice, feeling the breeze and watching surfers, joggers, and palm trees whip by.

Continue to Venice Beach to walk the boardwalk, passing street art, skaters, souvenir stands, and the famously gritty outdoor gym at Muscle Beach.

Slip away from the crowds into the Venice Canals, wandering over little bridges and past cottage-style homes reflected in the still water.

Start in Beverly Hills with a walk along Rodeo Drive, window-shopping designer storefronts and peeking at the line of luxury cars idling at the curbs.

Hop on an open-top bus tour that loops through Beverly Hills and Bel Air while guides point out celebrity homes, filming locations, and gossip from past decades.

Stop at Beverly Gardens Park for a quick photo with the Beverly Hills sign and a short stroll along the palm-lined walking path.

Head to LACMA to wander through its galleries, from contemporary works to classic pieces, and see the famous Urban Light installation at the entrance.

Spend a few extra minutes weaving between the lampposts at the Urban Light sculpture outside LACMA for classic LA photos, especially as late afternoon light hits.

Walk or ride over to The Grove and the adjacent Original Farmers Market to browse shops, snack on pastries, and listen to the fountain music loop on repeat.

Use a timed-entry reservation to explore The Broad's contemporary art collection, from giant balloon animals to immersive rooms, right in the heart of Downtown.

Circle around the stainless-steel curves of Walt Disney Concert Hall, walking up the exterior staircases to small terraces that peek over Grand Avenue.

Ride the short but nostalgic Angels Flight funicular between Hill Street and Grand Avenue, one of the quirkiest little trips you can take in Downtown.

Join a guided walking tour of Downtown LA to step into historic theaters, Art Deco lobbies, and back alleys you would probably miss wandering alone.

Head over to the Arts District to wander past massive murals, converted warehouses, and grab a specialty coffee in one of the minimalist cafés.