How to Spend One Day In Los Angeles As A First Timer
Looking to spend one day in LA but not sure how to make the most of it? We’ve got you! We’ve visited Los Angeles many times, each time spending just a few days in the city. So we know all about the main highlights, the hidden gems and how to make the most of the city in a short time.
If you’re a first timer in Los Angeles, there are things you HAVE to see. Well, of course, you’re a free soul so you don’t actually have to do anything. But these are the things we highly recommend doing on your first time in LA if you only have one date in the City of Angels. LA is one of the most iconic cities of the USA so let’s see the itinerary we recommend.
If it’s not your first time in LA, you’ll prefer this dedicated returning visitor LA guide.
Key Things To Know For Your One Day In LA
- Essential Stops: Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica with insider stops in between
- How To Get Around: Car or taxi
- Is one day in LA enough?: Yes to see the main highlights but no if you want to immerse yourself more in the city. There is so much to do in LA, it will depend on your preferences!
Map Of Your One Day Itinerary
Morning: Hollywood Sign Hike
The Hollywood Sign is one of the emblems of LA. We’ve all seen it in movies and it represents the American dream in a way! So we suggest starting your first day ever in LA with a hike to the Hollywood sign.
Starting from the road behind Griffith Observatory, you can hike up to the Hollywood Sign. There are different trails on Mount Hollywood that take you there. One has its trailhead on Vermont Canyon Road. It usually takes about 3 hours to walk 6 miles.
It’s better to do this hike in the morning, especially in the summer when it’s cooler. Along the way, you’ll see a great view of the whole city. Remember to bring water, snacks, and sunscreen for the hike to stay comfortable.
Lunch: The Grove’s Farmer’s Market
When it’s time for lunch, we recommend heading to The Grove’s Farmer’s Market. You’ll find lots of different types of food to try there. We had some Asian food when visiting but there’s tons of different options for everyone.
You can eat inside or outside, and it feels like a big outdoor shopping area. We really like the fun atmosphere here. There are more things to do at The Grove but since you only have one day in the city, we suggest moving on after you’re done eating.
Insider Tip: Remember, it may feel like at this point, you still have a whole afternoon and therefore time to chill at The Grove. However, traffic in LA can be a challenge. Each time we visited, we got stuck in traffic and it would have messed up our plans if we hadn’t catered for it in our schedule. So we recommend always being a bit ahead of your schedule to avoid stressing out.
Afternoon: Exploring Beverly Hills
In the afternoon, it’s a great idea to explore Beverly Hills, a famous neighborhood that represents Los Angeles quite well. You can start by visiting the iconic Beverly Hills sign, which is definitely iconic.
Then, we recommend checking out Rodeo Drive, a street made famous by movies like “Pretty Woman.” Even if you’re not planning to shop at the high-end stores, it’s still fun to experience the atmosphere and maybe even spot some celebrities. Plus, Rodeo Drive has been featured in pop culture, like in “Hannah Montana: the Movie”.
Evening: Santa Monica Pier and Beach
As the evening approaches, head over to Santa Monica Pier and Beach for a relaxing time by the ocean. You can choose from a variety of restaurants nearby for dinner, offering everything from seafood to international cuisine.
While you’re there, don’t miss the opportunity to watch the sunset over the Pacific Ocean—it’s a great way to finish your day in LA. Afterward, take a stroll along the pier and check out Pacific Park, an amusement park with rides and games. You can even hop on a rollercoaster for some excitement before ending your day in Los Angeles. We’ve been on the rollercoaster and it’s actually quite fun! Don’t forget to use our captions on your photos!
Insider Tip: The Santa Monica Pier area can be a real hassle especially to find parking. If you’re visiting during the week, you should be okay. If you’re visiting on the weekend (starting Friday night), we recommend showing up early to find parking. Also be warned that parking here is not cheap (but convenient).
if You Have Time Left
If you finish your plans early and have extra time, you might want to check out another cool spot nearby. Venice Beach is a good option, just before Santa Monica. It’s a bit different from other places in LA.
You can take a walk along the beach and see lots of interesting things happening. There are shops to explore and people doing fun activities like skating and biking. It’s a relaxed place with a unique vibe, so it’s worth a visit if you have time to spare.
You may also like: Once in a lifetime to do in LA
How to Get Around LA
Getting around LA can be a bit challenging, but here are some tips to make it easier:
- Transportation: You’ll mostly need a car or taxi to get around the city.
- Traffic: Be prepared for heavy traffic, especially during peak hours, so plan your itinerary accordingly and allow extra time between activities.
- Santa Monica: If you’re planning to visit Santa Monica, come before sunset to avoid the crowds and find parking more easily.
- Weather Consideration: Rain is rare in LA, but when it does happen, traffic can become even more chaotic. Be extra cautious if you’re driving in wet conditions, as people in LA aren’t accustomed to driving in the rain.
Los Angeles One Day Tours
If you’re worried about organizing your one day in LA on your own, booking a one day tour might take off some of the pressure.
Pros of booking a tour
- Guides are used to the traffic so they’ll be able to adjust accordingly taking that stress of your shoulder;
- You may be able to see more than doing it on your own;
- You will learn more about the city thanks to the commentary
Cons of booking a tour
- They offer less flexibility
- They may be more fast paced so you can’t always spend as much time as you’d like in one place
See LA by Electric Bikes
⭐️ RATING: 4.6/5 Stars | ✅ Book it!
This is a 6 hour tour of LA from West Hollywood to Venice Beach by electric bike. It’s highly rated with a 4.6/5 mark!
Small Group Tour With Hotel Pickup
⭐️ RATING: 4.9/5 Stars | ✅ Book it!
Also very highly rated, this tour takes you from Hollywood through Beverly Hills to Venice Beach in 8 hours. The small group allows for a better experience and you won’t have to worry about where to meet your guide as they can pick you up from your hotel!
Half Day Tour of The Highlights
⭐️ RATING: 4.7/5 Stars | ✅ Book it!
We’re really rooting for you to pick this tour! It’s slightly shorter with 5 hours dedicated to the city but just as complete as the others. This tour can be a good compromise between doing part of your day on your own while still seeing all the main highlights.
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We are Mary and Eric, the founders of Be Right Back, a blog dedicated to romance around the globe and at home.
We are Mary and Eric, the founders of Be Right Back, a blog dedicated to romance around the globe and at home. With over 10 years of experience in dating and traveling to romantic places, we share our favorite date ideas and romantic destinations to help couples level up their relationships. Having lived in and traveled through the USA, we also share our favourite things to do in the States.
With 70,000 monthly readers and 16,000 followers on social media, Be Right Back is your go-to resource for romantic trip ideas and couple activities at home and abroad.