Map Your Days
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Example itinerary

10 days in Los Angeles: city and coast

Use a longer stay to make separate regional outings worthwhile. Major museums get several hours and the coastal days keep lunch and traffic buffers instead of promising a frictionless cross-city sprint.

10 daysAdultsBalanced paceMid-range
Day 1

Downtown art, food and architecture

A walkable downtown cluster; match the concert-hall portion to the current tour and event calendar.

About 2–3 km walking with Bunker Hill gradients
Open day route
Morning11:00

The Broad

221 S Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012, USA

Start with a selective contemporary-art visit rather than racing between the most photographed works. Special installations can have different reservation or queue arrangements from general admission. Two hours gives room for a few galleries and a pause, but not a guarantee of every popular experience.

Time
2 hr
Cost
Free general admission; some exhibitions and parking extra
Hours
Closed Monday; reserve available admission and check exhibition rules Visitor information

Worth knowing: Use the museum's current approach directions during construction and do not assume a general ticket reserves every installation.

Midday13:30

Grand Central Market

317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013, USA

Choose lunch after comparing a few counters and agree on seating before everyone orders separately. The market is useful for a group with different tastes, but popular vendors can create queues. Treat the food as the main activity rather than adding a long detour to another restaurant afterward.

Time
1 hr 30 min
Cost
Market entry free; food and drinks extra
Hours
Individual vendor hours vary within market opening Visitor information

From the previous stop: Allow 20–25 minutes walking downhill and crossing downtown streets

Worth knowing: Check the individual counter's opening before making one particular dish the reason for your trip.

Afternoon15:30

Walt Disney Concert Hall and Music Center architecture

111 S Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012, USA

Explore the concert hall's architecture and the surrounding cultural campus, using an available official tour if its schedule fits. The visit does not promise access to the auditorium during rehearsals. If tours run earlier that day, swap this stop with the Broad and rebuild lunch around the actual reservations.

Time
1 hr 30 min
Cost
Exterior exploration free; tours and performances follow their own conditions
Hours
Consult the current tour calendar; interior access can be restricted by events Visitor information

From the previous stop: Allow 20–30 minutes walking uphill toward Grand Avenue

Worth knowing: Check interior-tour availability in advance; an exterior architecture walk and a performance ticket are different experiences.

Day 2

Ice Age Los Angeles and Griffith

Keep the museum and lunch close, then allow a generous cross-city transfer to the observatory.

Short Mid-Wilshire transfer followed by roughly 45–90 minutes toward Griffith including access
Open day route
Morning10:00

La Brea Tar Pits and museum

5801 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036, USA

Pair the fossil displays with the outdoor setting to understand why this site exists in the middle of the city. Active research or demonstrations depend on the day's program, so do not promise a particular excavation session. Keep the visit focused enough to enjoy lunch without already feeling behind.

Time
2 hr
Cost
Paid museum ticket; outdoor grounds have separate access
Hours
Check current museum opening and excavation demonstrations Visitor information

Worth knowing: Verify the museum calendar before assigning this day; outdoor access does not guarantee the indoor galleries are open.

Midday12:30

The Original Farmers Market

6333 W 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90036, USA

Browse the food counters and select a proper sit-down lunch before the longer drive. Keep shopping limited if traffic is already building. This is the Original Farmers Market at Third and Fairfax, not a weekly neighborhood produce market or a requirement to spend the afternoon in the adjacent mall.

Time
1 hr 30 min
Cost
Browsing free; lunch and parking extra
Hours
Market and individual merchant schedules vary Visitor information

From the previous stop: Allow 10–20 minutes by car and parking, or a longer walk

Worth knowing: Check parking-validation conditions before paying and retain any qualifying receipts.

Afternoon15:30

Griffith Observatory

2800 E Observatory Road, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA

Spend time in the astronomy exhibits as well as at the outlooks. A clear panorama is weather-dependent, while the indoor material makes the stop worthwhile in less dramatic light. Select a planetarium show only if the current ticket process and remaining time suit you; sunset need not be the goal.

Time
2 hr
Cost
General exhibits free; planetarium shows and parking extra
Hours
Building closed Monday; weekday opening begins at noon Visitor information

From the previous stop: Allow 45–90 minutes for traffic, uphill access and parking or shuttle connections

Worth knowing: The roads and parking fill around sunset; check official access options rather than assuming a space beside the entrance.

Day 3

The Getty and the coast

A selective museum morning followed by two coastal districts; shorten Venice if traffic absorbs the afternoon buffer.

Getty to Santa Monica by road, then a shorter coastal connection to Venice
Open day route
Morning10:00

Getty Center

1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90049, USA

Choose a few galleries and a garden or architecture loop rather than trying to cover every pavilion. The arrival tram and large campus need time of their own. If art is your main interest, extend this visit and drop Venice; that is more rewarding than rushing a major museum to preserve every stop.

Time
2 hr 30 min
Cost
Free general admission with reservation; parking extra
Hours
Closed Monday; confirm your entry reservation Visitor information

Worth knowing: Book the Getty Center, not the Getty Villa, and allow time to descend to your car after the visit.

Afternoon14:00

Santa Monica Pier and beachfront

200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA

Walk the pier and adjacent beachfront, choosing a snack or one attraction if it appeals. This is a chance to spend time beside the ocean, not a requirement to ride everything. Wind and marine cloud can make the coast cooler than the museum campus, so keep a layer accessible.

Time
1 hr 30 min
Cost
Pier walk free; rides, meals and parking extra
Hours
Pier and individual attractions have different operating hours Visitor information

From the previous stop: Allow 45–75 minutes for driving, parking and walking, plus lunch

Worth knowing: Use a marked public parking option and allow time to find the car again before the next transfer.

Afternoon16:15

Venice Beach boardwalk

1800 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291, USA

Take a measured section of the boardwalk, observing public art, recreation areas and the lively mix of users. Keep the route on public paths and respect personal space when photographing people. This is not scheduled as a swim or an after-dark exploration, and a shorter loop is fine after a long day.

Time
1 hr 30 min
Cost
Public boardwalk free; purchases and parking extra
Hours
Daylight boardwalk visit; recreation facilities have separate hours Visitor information

From the previous stop: Allow 25–45 minutes by car including parking, or a substantially longer coastal walk

Worth knowing: Do not leave luggage or valuables visible in the vehicle; arrange a clear rideshare pickup if you are not driving.

Day 4

Studio craft and the American West

Start with the standard studio tour, then focus on selected Autry galleries before dinner in Burbank.

Burbank → eastern Griffith Park → Magnolia Park; do not add the Hollywood sign hike.
Open day route
Morning09:30

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood

3400 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, CA 91505, USA

Reserve the standard studio tour to explore production spaces and exhibits without assuming any particular active set is available.

Time
3 hr
Cost
High
Hours
Timed tours; check blackout dates and production-related changes. Visitor information

Worth knowing: Arrive ahead of the ticket time and check identification rules.

Midday14:00

Autry Museum of the American West

4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA

Choose galleries that examine the American West through art, community histories and different perspectives on settlement.

Time
2 hr
Cost
Moderate
Hours
Closed Monday; check the day's museum closing time. Visitor information

From the previous stop: Allow 25–40 minutes driving plus a full lunch break.

Worth knowing: Have lunch before arrival; the weekday museum closes relatively early.

Afternoon16:45

Magnolia Park shopping district

Magnolia Boulevard at Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91505, USA

Browse a few vintage and independent shops before an early dinner, rather than returning immediately to freeway traffic.

Time
1 hr 30 min
Cost
Free to browse; food extra
Hours
Individual business hours; this is not a timed attraction. Visitor information

From the previous stop: Allow 25–40 minutes driving and time to park.

Worth knowing: Individual shops may close before restaurants; select two priorities.

Day 5

Exposition Park's collections

Spend a day on natural history and African American culture with a garden break in the same park.

Natural History Museum → CAAM → Rose Garden; walk within Exposition Park.
Open day route
Morning10:00

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

900 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90007, USA

Choose a few major galleries and the Los Angeles story instead of trying to fit every special exhibition into one morning.

Time
2 hr 30 min
Cost
Moderate
Hours
Check the current admission calendar and holiday exceptions. Visitor information

Worth knowing: Check which exhibitions require an additional timed ticket.

Midday14:00

California African American Museum

600 State Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90037, USA

Explore current exhibitions on African American art, history and culture, allowing time to read the curatorial context.

Time
1 hr 30 min
Cost
Free
Hours
Tuesday–Sunday; verify current gallery notices. Visitor information

From the previous stop: Allow a full lunch break and 10–15 minutes walking across the park.

Worth knowing: Check exhibition changeovers; galleries can have different access.

Afternoon16:00

Exposition Park Rose Garden

701 State Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90037, USA

Take a seated outdoor break and a garden circuit after the museums, without promising peak bloom in every month.

Time
1 hr
Cost
Free
Hours
Seasonal public access; annual winter maintenance closure. Visitor information

From the previous stop: Walk 10–15 minutes through the park's public paths.

Worth knowing: Closed January 1–March 15; choose an open indoor substitute then.

Day 6

Pasadena gardens and art

Give a major garden estate the morning, then visit a separate art collection and eat in Old Pasadena.

San Marino → Norton Simon → Old Pasadena; return to LA after dinner if desired.
Open day route
Morning10:00

The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens

1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, CA 91108, USA

Pick two gardens and one collection area, keeping the estate visit focused enough to leave time for the afternoon museum.

Time
3 hr
Cost
Moderate to high
Hours
Wednesday–Monday 10am–5pm; reservation requirements vary by date. Visitor information

Worth knowing: Reserve when required and protect time for lunch before leaving.

Midday14:30

Norton Simon Museum

411 West Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91105, USA

Spend time with selected European and Asian works and the sculpture setting rather than treating this as a quick photo stop.

Time
2 hr
Cost
Moderate
Hours
Closed Tuesday; check the day's hours. Visitor information

From the previous stop: Allow 20–30 minutes driving plus lunch and parking.

Worth knowing: Check the current gallery plan and any temporary closures.

Afternoon17:00

Old Pasadena

Colorado Boulevard at Fair Oaks Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91105, USA

Explore a compact section of the historic commercial district and choose dinner before the journey back to central LA.

Time
1 hr 30 min
Cost
Free to explore; dinner extra
Hours
Public streets; shops and restaurants keep individual hours. Visitor information

From the previous stop: Walk 15–20 minutes or allow time to relocate parking.

Worth knowing: Choose a nearby restaurant so the visit does not become another drive.

Day 7

Long Beach's marine stories

Pair ocean habitats with a historic ship, keeping the whole outing beside Long Beach's waterfront.

Aquarium → Queen Mary → Shoreline Village; allow a substantial drive from LA.
Open day route
Morning10:00

Aquarium of the Pacific

100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802, USA

Use the morning for selected Pacific habitats and conservation displays, checking the daily presentation schedule on arrival.

Time
2 hr 30 min
Cost
Moderate to high
Hours
Date-specific entry; reservations required on weekends and holidays. Visitor information

Worth knowing: Reserve entry and check parking-structure accessibility notices.

Midday14:00

The Queen Mary

1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach, CA 90802, USA

Book a history-focused ship visit and leave time for public exhibits, without adding the separate three-hour premium tour.

Time
2 hr 30 min
Cost
Moderate to high
Hours
Tours and access vary by ticket and event calendar. Visitor information

From the previous stop: Allow lunch and 15–25 minutes driving across the harbour.

Worth knowing: Confirm exactly which ship spaces and tour are included.

Afternoon17:00

Shoreline Village

429 Shoreline Village Drive, Long Beach, CA 90802, USA

Return to the public waterfront for a relaxed meal and a short harbour walk before the drive back.

Time
1 hr 30 min
Cost
Free to walk; dinner extra
Hours
Individual restaurants and shops set hours. Visitor information

From the previous stop: Allow 15–25 minutes driving and time to park.

Worth knowing: Boat excursions are not included in this late-afternoon block.

Day 8

Getty Villa and Malibu heritage

Keep antiquities and coastal history together, with a confirmed afternoon house tour as the day's second anchor.

Getty Villa → Adamson House → Malibu Pier; check Pacific Coast Highway conditions.
Open day route
Morning10:00

Getty Villa Museum

17985 Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272, USA

Explore selected antiquities and the villa's garden architecture; this is a different collection from the original Getty Center day.

Time
2 hr
Cost
Free admission; parking extra
Hours
Daily except Tuesday 10am–5pm; timed reservation required. Visitor information

Worth knowing: Book timed admission and check current approach-road instructions.

Midday14:00

Adamson House

23200 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265, USA

Take the docent-led house tour to examine Malibu tilework and the property's history rather than assuming independent interior access.

Time
1 hr
Cost
Low
Hours
Published tours Wednesday–Saturday 11am–2pm on the hour; verify availability. Visitor information

From the previous stop: Allow 30–60 minutes coastal driving plus lunch; arrive before the tour.

Worth knowing: Confirm the 2pm tour; weather can affect operations.

Afternoon15:30

Malibu Pier

23000 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265, USA

Walk the historic pier and take a seated ocean-view break, watching conditions without committing to swimming or surfing.

Time
1 hr 30 min
Cost
Free to walk; refreshments extra
Hours
Check pier notices; dining venues have separate service hours. Visitor information

From the previous stop: Allow 10–20 minutes on the public pedestrian route.

Worth knowing: Use the pedestrian approach and stay within public access areas.

Day 9

Costumes, art and cinema

Choose Thursday through Sunday for this museum-heavy day, with lunch between Hollywood and Museum Row.

Hollywood Museum → LACMA → Academy Museum; only the first transfer needs a vehicle.
Open day route
Morning10:00

The Hollywood Museum

1660 North Highland Avenue, Hollywood, CA 90028, USA

Examine film costumes and memorabilia in the former Max Factor building, selecting exhibits that match your film interests.

Time
1 hr 30 min
Cost
Moderate
Hours
Wednesday–Sunday; confirm opening and special closures. Visitor information

Worth knowing: Check special exhibition content and photo rules before the visit.

Midday13:00

Los Angeles County Museum of Art

5905 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036, USA

Use a focused selection from the current gallery programme to explore visual art beyond the screen-based collections.

Time
2 hr
Cost
Moderate
Hours
Closed Wednesday; timed entry and gallery access vary. Visitor information

From the previous stop: Allow 30–60 minutes driving plus lunch and parking.

Worth knowing: Check which galleries are open during campus changes.

Afternoon15:30

Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

6067 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036, USA

Follow the craft and social history of filmmaking through selected galleries, rather than assuming a screening is included.

Time
2 hr
Cost
Moderate
Hours
Wednesday–Monday 10am–6pm; closed Tuesday. Visitor information

From the previous stop: Walk 5–10 minutes next door and allow a short rest.

Worth knowing: Book screenings separately if you want to extend the evening.

Day 10

Northern gardens, railways and wildlife

Alternate a garden morning with transport history and a focused zoo afternoon; skip extra driving viewpoints.

Descanso → Travel Town → LA Zoo; compact northern route after the initial hotel drive.
Open day route
Morning09:00

Descanso Gardens

1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011, USA

Choose a garden circuit for the season and spend time observing changing plants rather than expecting every collection in bloom.

Time
2 hr
Cost
Moderate
Hours
Check general garden hours; evening events use separate tickets. Visitor information

Worth knowing: Use the current garden map and carry water on warm days.

Midday12:00

Travel Town Museum

5200 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA

Explore the outdoor railway collection and read selected carriage and locomotive stories, with a picnic break nearby.

Time
1 hr 30 min
Cost
Free museum; rides extra
Hours
Check daily grounds hours and vehicle-access restrictions. Visitor information

From the previous stop: Allow 25–40 minutes driving and time to collect lunch.

Worth knowing: Train rides, when operating, are separate from the museum collection.

Midday14:00

Los Angeles Zoo

5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA

Pick a few habitat areas for a substantial but selective zoo visit, including a shaded rest rather than rushing all exhibits.

Time
3 hr
Cost
Moderate
Hours
Check current daytime hours and special-event closures. Visitor information

From the previous stop: Allow 10–20 minutes driving, parking and entry.

Worth knowing: Check closing time and last-entry rules; animal visibility varies.

Before you decide

Questions about this trip

Should we change hotels for ten days?

Not for this route. You trade some longer drives for avoiding repacking; start regional days early and return after the main commuter peak when practical.

Does the Malibu day work with any house-tour time?

No. It needs a confirmed 2pm Adamson House tour after the Getty Villa and lunch. If that is unavailable, reverse the museum order and reserve the Villa accordingly.

Is the zoo day a complete zoo visit?

No. The final three-hour block is a focused visit to selected habitats, not a promise to see every animal or attend every presentation.

Official visitor information

Use these operator and visitor pages to confirm tickets, opening times and access for your dates. Details checked .

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