24 Hours in Los Angeles
One day, the hills, Hollywood and the coast, hour by hour, ending with sunset over the Pacific.
Twenty-four hours in Los Angeles means picking Griffith Observatory’s view, Hollywood’s icons, and the coast over trying to cover a city that sprawls for miles in every direction, this order moves steadily west to beat the traffic. Here’s the full plan, hour by hour.
Sunrise at Griffith Observatory
Start early, before the crowds and the traffic both build, for sweeping views over the city, the Hollywood Sign, and on a clear day the Pacific beyond. Free to enter, and one of the best value stops on the whole itinerary, the observatory’s architecture alone is worth the visit.
Hollywood Boulevard and the Walk of Fame
Drive or rideshare down to Hollywood Boulevard for the Walk of Fame and the TCL Chinese Theatre, famous for its forecourt of celebrity hand and footprints. It’s touristy, and everybody knows it, but worth seeing once, especially before the crowds properly thicken later in the day.
Grand Central Market
Head downtown to Grand Central Market for an early lunch, dozens of food stalls under one historic roof, Eggslut’s breakfast sandwiches are a genuine LA institution if you haven’t eaten yet. The Bradbury Building, right across the street, is worth a quick look for its Victorian ironwork, familiar to anyone who’s seen Blade Runner.
The Broad
Book a free timed entry ticket in advance for The Broad, a contemporary art museum a short walk from Grand Central Market, home to Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirror Rooms among a strong wider collection. This is one of downtown’s best value stops given the entry costs nothing.
Drive west toward the coast
Beat the worst of the afternoon traffic by heading toward Santa Monica now, LA’s freeways get considerably heavier between 3pm and 7pm. If time allows, a slow drive along Sunset Boulevard through West Hollywood and Beverly Hills gives a good sense of the city’s range along the way.
Venice Beach and the Venice Canals
Walk the Venice Boardwalk, street performers, muscle beach, and a proper mix of LA’s eclectic energy. The Venice Canals, a few blocks inland, offer a quieter, considerably more peaceful contrast, footbridges and small gardens most tourists skip entirely.
Sunset at Santa Monica Pier
Walk or cycle up the coast to Santa Monica Pier for sunset, the Pacific Wheel and the arcade lighting up as the sky turns gold behind the water. This is the classic postcard moment most first-time visitors come to LA specifically for.
Dinner on the Third Street Promenade
End the day with dinner near the Third Street Promenade, a pedestrian shopping and dining strip a short walk from the pier, plenty of options without needing to drive again after a long day behind the wheel.
That’s everything I’ve got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government’s latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
