How many days · Los Angeles · United States
How many days do you need in Los Angeles?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: CrispyCream27, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
6 days is the sweet spot for Los Angeles, and 4 days is the minimum to see the main sights. Four days covers Hollywood and Griffith Park, a beach day in Santa Monica and Venice, Downtown's museums and one studio or theme park. Six days adds Disneyland or Universal plus Malibu or a day trip; plan each day around one area to limit driving.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 6 days
- Minimum
- 4 days
- Day trips available
- 7
- Daylight
- 9.9 h (Dec) to 14.4 h (Jun)
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | Griffith Observatory, Hollywood Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theatre, Getty Center and Santa Monica Pier |
| 2 days | Rushed | Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach Boardwalk and canals and Los Angeles County Museum of Art |
| 3 days | Rushed | Walt Disney Concert Hall, Universal Studios Hollywood and Hollywood Sign trails |
| 5 days | Good | The highlights plus a day trip to Disneyland Resort |
| 7 days | Relaxed | A slow trip with day trips such as Disneyland Resort and Santa Catalina Island |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Los Angeles add up to roughly 29–39 hours of visiting time — about 4–6 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are Universal Studios Hollywood (Full day), Getty Center (3–4 hours) and Venice Beach Boardwalk and canals (Half a day).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Griffith Observatory | 2–3 hours | Griffith Park |
| Hollywood Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theatre | 1–2 hours | Hollywood |
| Getty Center | 3–4 hours | Brentwood |
| Santa Monica Pier | 2 hours | Santa Monica |
| Venice Beach Boardwalk and canals | Half a day | Venice |
| Los Angeles County Museum of Art | 2–3 hours | Miracle Mile |
| Walt Disney Concert Hall | 1 hour | Downtown LA |
| Universal Studios Hollywood | Full day | Universal City |
| Hollywood Sign trails | 2–4 hours | Griffith Park |
| Hollywood Bowl | 3–4 hours | Hollywood |
| La Brea Tar Pits | 2 hours | Miracle Mile |
| The Broad | 1.5–2 hours | Downtown LA |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 6 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 4 days | Focus on Griffith Observatory and Hollywood Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theatre |
| With children | 7 days | Slower days and time for Griffith Observatory |
| With day trips | 8 days | Add Disneyland Resort and Santa Catalina Island |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in December (about 9.9 hours of daylight) than in June (about 14.4 hours). In winter, allow an extra day or plan museum-heavy afternoons.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Los Angeles with other destinations
| Destination | Distance | Suggested stay |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego | About 179 km | 5 days |
| Las Vegas | About 368 km | 4 days |
| San Francisco | About 559 km | 4 days |
Questions travellers ask
+Is 4 days enough in Los Angeles?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 6 days is more comfortable. Four days covers Hollywood and Griffith Park, a beach day in Santa Monica and Venice, Downtown's museums and one studio or theme park. Six days adds Disneyland or Universal plus Malibu or a day trip; plan each day around one area to limit driving.
+Is a week too long in Los Angeles?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as Disneyland Resort and Santa Catalina Island.