Beaches, museums, historic sights, and gardens are among the top attractions to see when you have 2 days in Los Angeles.
From sunny beaches and world-class museums to historic sites and gourmet markets, this ultimate guide to two days in Los Angeles features iconic attractions and hidden gems (from a local’s perspective). When family and friends visit Los Angeles, I’m happy to show them around. After all, as a native Angeleno, I enjoy sharing my favorite places and the popular sights in my hometown. People are often surprised to learn that L.A. comprises 88 incorporated cities within Los Angeles County, home to over 10 million people! So, there’s a lot of ground to cover. Here is our ultimate guide to 2 days in Los Angeles.
Must-See Sights in Los Angeles
We hope that you can spend some time in Los Angeles. You can visit Sonesta and choose the right hotel for you.
If you only have two days in Los Angeles, you want to start with the must-see sights. These places help make L.A. an unforgettable city—and places you’ll recognize from television and movies over the years.
Historic Santa Monica Pier
When my childhood friend Dorothy was visiting from Australia, she wanted to visit the Santa Monica Pier. That sounded good to me, and I timed it so we would be there for a stroll, dinner, and sunset. The historic pier is bustling with rides, shops, and restaurants. There’s a lot to do here. The whimsical Looff Hippodrome, built in 1916, houses a carousel with hand-carved wooden horses. Pacific Park, a pier favorite since 1996, has many rides, including the solar Ferris wheel that offers panoramic views from 130 feet above the pier. It’s an exhilarating experience, and I encourage everyone to do this at least once!
Insider Tip: The Santa Monica Pier is a lot of fun, but if you’re looking for a quiet day at the beach, drive a few miles north to Will Rogers State Beach or about 20 miles to Zuma Beach in Malibu.
Dorothy Evanoff (left) is visiting from Australia and is the author at the Santa Monica Pier. Photo courtesy of Mimi Slawoff
Annenberg Community Beach House
Just minutes north of the Santa Monica Pier, the historic Annenberg Community Beach House is an oceanfront property open to the public. William Randolph Hearst built the home in the 1920s for actress Marion Davies. This hidden gem features a swimming pool with marble decking, volleyball courts, a guest house, and many more amenities. The property was sold to the state of California in 1959 and is operated by the City of Santa Monica.
Insider Tip: Consider a few hours swimming and playing at the beach house, and then head to the Santa Monica Pier for dinner with sunset views.
William Randolph Hearst built the oceanfront Annenberg Community Beach House. Photo courtesy of Annenberg Community Beach House
Griffith Observatory and Griffith Park
The 4,200-acre Griffith Park is a true urban gem. And the crowning jewel is the 67,000-square-foot Griffith Observatory perched atop Mount Hollywood. Built in 1935, the observatory has numerous public telescopes, exhibits, and shows in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium. The observatory underwent a renovation and expansion in 2002 but retains iconic features, such as the beautiful central rotunda housing murals and the Foucault Pendulum, demonstrating the Earth’s rotation. The observatory is the best place for Los Angeles city views and to see the Hollywood Sign. Plus, in the evenings, free public telescopes are set up on the roof and lawn for visitors to observe the night sky. Free admission.
Insider Tip: Even with only two days in Los Angeles, try to squeeze in some time to explore the park. Take a hike, have a picnic, or visit other attractions in Griffith Park. These include the Los Angeles Zoo, Autry National Center, a historic Merry-Go-Round, and the Travel Town Museum—where my kids and I spent many hours when they were little.
The Griffith Observatory offers city and night sky views. Photo courtesy of Griffith Observatory
Original Farmers Market
I enjoy meeting friends for lunch at the Original Farmers Market at 3rd and Fairfax. The market has over 100 merchants with a range of yummy ethnic dishes. One of my favorite places is Monsieur Marcel Bistro, which serves authentic French cuisine. Adjoining the café is Monsieur Marcel Gourmet market, where the shelves are packed with various imported goods. The cheese counter is among the best in L.A. In addition, the market hosts seasonal events.
Insider Tip: The Original Farmers Market is a top tourist attraction. So if possible, arrive in the morning to snag a parking spot. But if the lot is full, you’ll find space in the adjacent parking structure.
Monsieur Marcel Gourmet Market has one of the best cheese counters in L.A. Photo by Mimi Slawoff
Iconic Hollywood Attractions
With just two days in Los Angeles, you can’t begin to see all 88 cities. But you do need to see a bit of Hollywood. These iconic attractions have beckoned US and international visitors for the past century.
Hollywood Bowl
Add a concert under the stars to your two days in Los Angeles. You can even bring your own bottle of wine to the venue. Since 1922, the Hollywood Bowl has hosted the finest artists from all genres of music. The Bowl is also home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic. An evening at the Hollywood Bowl is probably the most quintessential L.A. experience.
Insider Tip: Parking in the Hollywood Bowl lot is limited and expensive. Plus, it can take up to an hour to exit after a concert. We usually park in a separate lot and take a shuttle to the bowl. Here are some parking options.
The Hollywood Bowl hosts top musical acts from around the world. Photo courtesy of Christina Mendelson
Hollywood Walk of Fame
People come from all over to see the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Just know it’s in a gritty part of Hollywood. My friend Dorothy was a little disappointed in Hollywood. I think she was expecting something a little more glamorous. And I understand that. But still, it’s Hollywood history.
The 2,700-plus terrazzo and brass stars are located on Hollywood Blvd from Gower to La Brea and on Vine Street from Sunset to Yucca. The first star was for Stanley Kramer on March 28, 1960, near the intersection of Hollywood and Gower. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce continues to add stars—about two each month—to the Walk of Fame.
Insider Tip: Well worth visiting is The Hollywood Museum, about a three-minute stroll from the Walk of Fame. Housed inside the historic Max Factor building, the four-story museum has many exhibits with movie props, costumes, photos, and other memorabilia. The first floor is dedicated to make-up king Max Factor, and dressing rooms and costumes used by Marilyn Monroe, Lucille Ball, and other stars.
The Hollywood Walk of Fame features over 2,700 celebrity names. Photo courtesy of “Consider Your Ass Kissed” by Ruta Lee/BHBPR
The Hollywood Sign
The Hollywood Sign is among the most photographed landmarks in L.A. Perched on Mt. Lee in the Hollywood Hills, the name Hollywood is spelled out in 45-foot-tall white capital letters and is 350 feet long. It’s visible from many places, including the Griffith Observatory.
Insider Tip: While it’s illegal to reach the sign, there are several trails that get close enough for good photos. Try the Mt. Hollywood Trail. The trailhead is accessible from the Griffith Observatory parking lot.
The Hollywood Sign is L.A.’s most photographed sign. Photo by Mimi Slawoff
Universal Studios Hollywood
A stone’s throw from Hollywood, the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park and working studio is in Universal City. I always enjoy the Studio Tour, a behind-the-scenes look at this historic studio lot. Comfortable trams, with narrated video by Jimmy Fallon, travel through 13 city blocks and to sets and sound stages with state-of-the-art attractions. Highlights include the tour’s classic stops at a flash flood set and the Bates Motel from Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho. There’s also the smoldering wreckage from War of the Worlds and King Kong 360 3D.
Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Although this Harry Potter land isn’t as large as Orlando’s, it’s a well-designed and fun area. The park’s magical Harry Potter area is home to Hogsmeade Village and the rides “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™” and “Flight of the Hippogriff™.” Both are fun, but Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is especially thrilling. Using state-of-the-art technology, the ride soars and whirls through the castle. It’s a fast-moving ride that jostles you, so stow your phones and hats.
Insider Tip: If you enjoy Hollywood history and studio tours, check out the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood in Burbank. The approximately two-hour narrated tour aboard trams visits numerous sets. Some walking involved.
Hogsmeade Village, and the Butterbeer cart. Photo courtesy of Universal Studios Hollywood
Cultural Sights
Los Angeles isn’t all about Hollywood and the movies. As the country’s second most-populated city, L.A. is home to some great cultural sights. These are my favorites to check out during two days in Los Angeles. Many offer free admission.
The Getty Center
Among L.A.’s many museums and galleries is the Getty Center. You can walk or take a tram from the (paid) parking lot to the hilltop Getty, which has city and ocean views. The entire complex is a work of art. Composed of six buildings, the Getty’s art collections include paintings, antiquities, sculptures, photos, and manuscripts from the Middle Ages to the present. Beyond the gallery walls, art is prominent in the Getty’s architecture, fountains, and gardens. At the heart of the Getty is the 134,000-square-foot Central Garden, which changes with the seasons. A cozy walkway crosses over a stream with a stone waterfall and leads to the gardens. Strategically placed benches and a wide grassy lawn make this an ideal area to relax and enjoy the scenery.
Insider Tip: Wear comfortable walking shoes and allow at least three hours to explore the Getty. Free garden, architecture, and collections tours take place daily.
The Getty’s Central Garden is a work of art. Photo by Mimi Slawoff
Getty Villa
The Getty Villa in Malibu is the original Getty Museum. Smaller than the Getty Center, the villa contains about 44,000 works of art from the Museum’s extensive collection of Greek, Roman, and Etruscan antiquities, of which more than 1,200 are on display.
The Villa has four gardens designed in an ancient Roman style. The largest garden has a reflecting pool, a statue, covered walkways, and ocean views.
Insider Tip: It’s about a 15-minute drive from the Getty Villa Museum to Malibu Country Mart, a great place for a bite to eat. Among my picks: John’s Garden, which serves salads, sandwiches and shakes.
The Getty Villa in Malibu has four gardens designed in an ancient Roman style. Photo by Mimi Slawoff
Historic Sights: La Brea Tar Pits
You’ll smell the pungent tar before you see it. And once you see the tar—actually pools of asphalt—you can understand how mammoths, mastodons, saber-toothed cats, and other Ice Age animals got stuck in the gooey matter. Amazingly, these Ice Age animals roamed the land now known as L.A. But it’s even more mind-boggling that you can still see traces of them at the La Brea Tar Pits—the only active urban fossil dig site in the world. Watching excavators carve and dig out fossils from the outdoor dig sites is free. There’s an admission fee to enter the George C. Page Museum, which contains exhibits and a see-through Fossil Lab where scientists sort microfossils, clean mammoth tusks, and do other tasks.
Insider Tip: La Brea Tar Pits is located on Museum Row. So once you park, you can visit one or two other museums if you have time during your 2 days in Los Angeles.
La Brea Tar Pits is an active excavation site. Photo by Mimi Slawoff
Exploring Downtown Los Angeles
Although many people visit Los Angeles County and say they’ve seen L.A., most never make it to downtown L.A. If you have 2 days in Los Angeles and are looking for something a bit off-beat and historic, consider visiting downtown.
Olvera Street
Although Olvera Street is touristy, this lively, open-air Mexican Marketplace, which has been around since 1930, has a lot of history. The pedestrian-only marketplace features merchants, authentic Mexican dishes, and seasonal performances. Olvera Street is also home to historic homes and museums. It’s part of the 44-acre El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument, which marks the birthplace of Los Angeles.
Insider Tip: If you’re in town for Cinco de Mayo, plan to stop by Olvera Street for the celebration. Live music and dance performances, along with a festive ambiance, make this a fun place to be.
Olvera Street is a popular Mexican marketplace. Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board
How to Get to Los Angeles
The Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the main hub. But many people prefer the Hollywood-Burbank Airport because it’s small and easy to get in and out. However, it offers fewer and generally pricier flights than LAX. Once you’re in L.A., you’ll probably need a rental car unless you stay with friends who don’t mind driving. Of course, when you’re at the beach, renting bikes to cruise around is fun.
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When You Have 2 Days in Los Angeles
With a sunny climate most of the year, any time is good to visit L.A. But the fall months—September through early November—are especially nice. Warm temperatures, fewer crowds, and less traffic are good reasons to visit in the fall if you only have two days in Los Angeles. Check out more great places to see when you visit California. Looking for more two-day escapes or what to do on a long layover? Check out our Ultimate Guide to Two Days series on Wander.
MiMi Slawoff put a great tour package together for travelers with minimum time to spend. She gives a super taste of So Cal to visitors!
Make that locals as well!