48 Hours In Los Angeles – If you’re looking to pack everything into one jam-packed weekend to see highlights of Los Angeles in 48 hours, this guide has options to suit the needs of any traveler regardless of a budget.
There are so many things to do in Los Angeles that can satisfy any experience you want out of this world-class city. With the numerous Parks, Museums, Attractions, Shopping, and Outdoor Activities, your itinerary will never deliver a dull moment.
These recommendations for where to stay, play and eat will generate excitement for your 48 hours in Los Angeles.
48 HOURS IN LOS ANGELES – BEST WAY TO ENJOY LA GUIDE
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48 HOURS IN LOS ANGELES
The extraordinary thing about Los Angeles is you will never get bored. Whatever your impression is about Los Angeles, the attractions and the warm California sun will show you another side of this immense city.
Here is just a small taste of what I think should be in a 48 Hours In Los Angeles travel guide.
Los Angeles Attractions
Griffith Observatory
Discover your inner-astronomer side and enjoy lovely conceptions of Los Angeles from this popular spot in your 48 hours in Los Angeles.
Fun Fact: More people have looked through Griffith Observatory’s telescope than any other telescope on Earth. Below the Observatory, Griffith Park also has great spots for hiking or a nice picnic.
Walk Of Fame
During your 48 hours in Los Angeles getaway, find your favorite celebrities stars along the Hollywood Boulevard between Gower Street and La Brea route, and along Vine Street between Yucca Street and Sunset.
They have streets full of superstar names ranging from music legends like David Bowie to movie stars including Marilyn Monroe. As an alternative, and located 1 block over on Sunset Boulevard, is the iconic Rockwalk, where musical artists are immortalized by her handprints.
Venice Beach
Come here to people-watch, shop the numerous retailers, and enjoy the views of the ocean. This is an area where you will discover a large and wide range of people and personalities that LA has uncovered.
Santa Monica Pier
Although this a tourist-filled destination, you will have an amazing time exploring the pier or taking a bike ride/walking along the beach. Santa Monica is also a good place for shopping and eating out!
If you’re wanting to see more of the USA, why not the idea of a Road trip? 3-4 Weeks Across the States from LA to New York by starting at the beginning of Route 66.
Hollywood Sign
If you are looking for a great way to see the Hollywood sign on your 48 hours in Los Angeles journey, there are two ways to get a great view of the Hollywood sign, the hiking way or the non-hiking way. For Non-Hikers:
The Griffith Observatory has an amazing view of the Hollywood Sign and LA!
For a view, while you eat, I suggest checking out the Hollywood restaurant Yamashiro.
If you want to drive close to get a close-up shot of the Hollywood sign, try the drive up Beachwood Drive.
For The Hikers:
Hike Runyon Canyon, which is a park that starts on Hollywood Blvd and you climb upward toward the sign.
Start at 6100 Rockcliff Drive Los Angeles CA 90068, which is a 30min hike that will take you to a great spot of the sign.
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Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) holds a large collection of art averaging from ancient to present-day plans, with over 130,000 objects to gaze and stare in awe at.
The museum also houses the Rain Room, a popular installation of falling water (rain) that pauses wherever a human body is detected. You’ll feel like you have magical powers with the ability to control rain. This is also the museum home to the enchanting Urban Lights display.
The Broad Museum
The Broad is a modern art museum (as you should probably tell from its modern-type architecture that makes the building look like a cheese grater) that holds over 2,000 works of art.
This museum has many great perks as well as Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room, a mirror-lined installment that houses a luminous and endless LED light display. Not to mention, admission to the museum is free, which is a rarity in LA.
Walt Disney Concert Hall
The Walt Disney Concert Hall is the home of the LA philharmonic orchestra and is such a cool building – it’s worth a stop for a quick pic!
Universal Studios
While being the entertainment capital of the world, you need to see where all your favourite movies and tv shows are made. Touring the film studios is an awesome experience for even the non-film buffs.
The tour includes visiting some of the popular sets in motion picture history. Witness the downtown core of Hill Valley in Back To The Future, feel the presence of Norman bates while driving past the Bates Motel, and there might be even an attempted shark attack from Jaws.
Universal Studios also acts as an amusement park with numerous rides and attractions, including the very popular Wizarding World of Harry Potter™.
Rodeo Drive
Spend one of SoCal’s famously sunny days window shopping as you walk beside Rodeo Drive. Try gaining the self-restraint to not enter a store… you’ll be a whole lot richer if you stick to window shopping!
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Take In The Live Entertainment
Looking for things to do in your 48 hours in Los Angeles trip at night? Check out the live music or a live show at the many venues in and around LA. Some of the popular venues are: The Staples Center, The Wiltern, The Roxy, The Hollywood Palladium, and The Forum.
Keep an eye open to the many small venues in the city as well. There are so many live performances throughout the city that you can loose track, and you should stay on top of the los angeles upcoming events.
Here are some places that I love going to when in Los Angeles: The Groundlings, Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, Dynasty Typewriter.
Oh, and check out Rooftop Cinema Club if you have a chance. Watch a movie outdoors on a rooftop in Hollywood, it’s like a drive-in without a car.
Where To Stay In Los Angeles
Los Angeles is an enormous metropolis, and trying to figure out where in the city to stay can be challenging.
The best area to stay in LA depends on what you are looking for while visiting Los Angeles. You can open the pocketbooks and stay at a luxury resort along the beach and act like a Movie star.
Or you can save a few dollars on affordable accommodation to ensure you have enough spending money for the rest of your getaway. If you’re not sure where to stay or spend, here are some choices for you that you can call home for a short period of time.
Peninsula Beverly Hills – Luxury Stay ($350+ Per Night)
Situated in Los Angeles, The cliff Beverly Hills offers elegant 5-star accommodation, as well as outdoor tennis courts, a Jacuzzi and a rooftop pool. It also features a sauna, a Turkish steam bath and free Wi-Fi.
The Peninsula Hotel Beverly Hills is within walking distance of Century Plaza Towers, Rodeo Drive and Beverly Gardens Park. Activities like scuba diving, water-skiing and horse riding are offered nearby.
Luxe Rodeo Drive – Mid-Range Stay ($200-$350 Per Night)
Casual luxury boutique hotel located on world-famous Rodeo Drive, one block north of Wilshire Boulevard.
The Beverly Hills Hotel combines classic warmth with minimal chic and the relaxed spirit of Southern California with the elegance of Beverly Hills. The only hotel on Rodeo Drive, the Luxe offers unique easy access to world-class shopping, dining and entertainment.
BLVD Hotel & Suites – Budget Stay ($100 – $250 Per Night)
BLVD Hotel & Suites – Hollywood Hotel near Hollywood area attraction offers great amenities, online reservations, tour packages and specials. Book Now | Compare Reviews | Compare Airfare
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Where To Eat In Los Angeles
Los Angeles cuisine has anything and everything for the weekend getaway.
Food in Los Angeles is amazing, and is probably one of the greatest places to eat in America because of it being so multiculturalism. The city has as well as some of the most talented chefs and restaurateurs in the world.
Below represent just a taste of the places you need to eat at to get the true Los Angeles experience.
Breakfast
Come to Egg Slut for amazing egg, cheese, and beef breakfast sandwiches and delicious coffee. They have high-quality ingredients that makes the food taste fresh and amazing.
317 S. Broadway, Stall D-1, Los Angeles, CA 90013 (213)625-0292
Lunch
To eat like a true Californian, stop and retrieve up a Double-Double and animal fries from In-N-Out. A good cheap and fast option and not to mention, very delicious! There are various locations around Los Angeles but the two I visit the most are:
Dinner
Providence is temple of creativity and excellence. The setting – high ceiling – open space – evokes serenity.
It is all about cuisine here – there is no scene, no music, no people-watching to distract you from the reason you came- tonight’s chef’s choice tasting menu. It will be tend toward seafood, and will delight you.
Ways To Save Money In Los Angeles
* Groupon have awesome local deals for Los Angeles and is updated all the time – from massages and beauty treatments, to dining deals and money off things to do.
* Tour search engine Viator offers affordable organized tours to see diverse parts of LA
* Stubhub and Ticketmaster list the best events going on in Los Angeles – see if there is anything special on during your trip!
Summary
This Weekend Guide To Experience Los Angeles In 48 Hours is just a taste of what to expect. These suggestions on what to see, stay, play, and eat will get you started on planning your next getaway.
I hope that when you visit Los Angeles you create exciting memories that will last forever.
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Great post. A really detailed itinerary of not only what to do but also where to stay. Great job!
Thanks! I have been flying back and forth from Canada To Los Angeles lately, and these are just a few places I wanted to share. I am glad you like the article.
I really like this post and all the insights you give. I would love to go there
I love in Las a Vegas and make it to LA a few times a year. I’m always there for a weekend so this post is really helpful!
Great list of things to do and see. I spent a week in LA when my kids were younger and we did the usual Disneyland, Universal Studios, Hollywood stuff. There’s so much more to explore! I definitely need a weekend in LA!
Trent, these are great tips! Now I want to plan a quick trip to LA. The Luxe Rodeo Drive sounds like the perfect place to stay!
This was such a fun read for me! I live in Los Angeles, and I LOVED seeing some of my favorite spots in your list. Griffith Observatory is a MUST, so it was awesome to see it at the top. Venice Beach and the Santa Monica Pier are always great too. I also enjoy taking visitors to the Venice Canals. There is so much to explore in LA, and with only 48 hours, you share so many awesome spots to see in such a short time. Yay!
LA is *super* high up on my to places I’d like to visit in America! It’s clearly one of the most popular spots, plus there is SO much to see! The Hollywood sign is definitely a must, in my eyes.