The must-see highlights of Los Angeles in four days

Los Angeles is a polarising place, one of those destinations that people either love or hate. If you’re a first-time visitor, the best advice is to just lean in to the kitschy must-see highlights that people tell you not to bother with. The Hollywood sign is a global icon, why wouldn’t you get a photo in front of it?

It’s an interesting city with stories and influences from every corner of the world. There’s a lot of ground to cover, so don’t expect to do it all on your first visit, but this four-day Los Angeles itinerary will give you a solid taste.

Don’t overlook the cliche attractions … Hollywood Boulevard.Credit: Getty

DAY ONE

If you’re departing from the east coast of Australia, aim for a flight that gets into LAX in the morning. After 15 hours in the air, ease into LA’s pace with lunch at the Original Los Angeles Farmers’ Market.

Situated between 3rd Street and Fairfax Avenue, the near-century-old precinct, born out of the Great Depression, has transformed over the decades from a produce market for locals into a must-do for visitors to the city.

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures houses more than 13 million objects related to the film industry.Credit: Josh White/Academy Museum Foundation

The eateries lining the square’s narrow lanes offer a taste of LA’s dynamic food scene and will be your main attraction. Sample traditional Cajun dishes like jambalaya or gumbo ya ya from The Gumbo Pot, a chicken jalapeno empanada from Nonna’s Empanadas, or a stacked Le Parisien baguette from Michelina Artisan Boulanger.

Grab a takeaway coffee and head up the road to spend the afternoon at a museum. There are more than 100 museums spread across LA. You can easily lose a day in the Natural History Museum, The Getty or the Museum of Contemporary Art. But if you want to be strategic, follow Los Angeles chief tourism officer Doane Liu’s advice.

“There’s this one intersection in LA – Wilshire and Fairfax – where you can go to our newest museum, The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures,” Liu says.

“It’s amazing, there’s so much to do there. But then right next door is the Los Angeles County Museum of Art ($US28), so without even crossing the street, you can see one of the greatest art collections in the world.”

The Academy Museum ($US25) contains film relics, technology and exhibitions charting the history of motion pictures in the United States and abroad. The immersive Pedro Almodovar gallery (running until April 2025) and collection of iconic movie props are among the highlights and reasons you’ll lose a few hours here.

Liu also recommends Petersen Automotive Museum ($US21) across the road, completing a trio of world-class museums located less than 15 minutes walking distance from The Original Farmers Market.

The Griffith Observatory offers some of the best views of LA’s city skyline. Credit: Getty

Another option is to drive up to Griffith Observatory and the Autry Museum of the American West (about 30–60 minutes from the farmer’s markets, depending on traffic), both located in Griffith Park, one of the largest urban parks in the United States.

The Autry Museum ($US18) is dedicated to sharing stories and experiences from the American West and features revolving exhibits with more than 500,000 pieces of art and artefacts. There are stories from the American frontier, Western film memorabilia (from the pistols used by Steve McQueen to costumes from Brokeback Mountain) and significant Native American objects.

If you chose this route, end the afternoon at the Griffith Observatory a short drive away. Inside the observatory, you’ll find telescopes, exhibits and live shows at the Samuel Oschin Planetarium, plus the best views of the city skyline, Pacific Ocean and mountainous ranges in between.

After the museums, head back to your hotel for an easy dinner and early night.

DAY TWO

The adage that the best way to get to know a city is through its food is especially true of LA. Over 200 languages are spoken in LA, and the diversity of its culture is reflected in its food scene. With limited time, the most economical (and enjoyable) way to tap into this part of the city is a food tour.

LA native and former middle school teacher Sally Tiongco started her family-run food tour business, Six Taste, to showcase the diversity of her city’s food scene.

“You can eat your way around the world in LA,” Tiongco says.

Eat your way around Downtown LA with Six Taste.Credit: Matt Marriott/Discover LA

“What excites me most about the city’s food scene is the authenticity of our cultural offerings. I’ve had Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Italian and Mexican food that rivals its own country.”

Tiongco wants guests from near and far to explore and taste something “new, exciting, unfamiliar and iconic” on her tours. “And discover hidden gems or landmarks that make them say, ‘Wow, I didn’t know LA had this here’.”

The Arts District and Downtown (starting from $US85) tours are the most popular tours offered. Covering up to five eateries, highlights include crispy fish flautas from Enrique Olvera’s taqueria and yuzu shoyu pork ramen from Afuri Ramen and Dumplings.

Six Taste’s food tours run for about four hours. If you can, stop by Olvera Street before you leave Downtown.

The colourful Mexican marketplace, festooned with huarache sandals, embroidered blouses, and woven blankets, is home to several of LA’s most historic buildings, including Avila Adobe, the oldest standing residence in the city, built in 1818.

If you have the energy, squeeze in another “must-do” in the afternoon – like the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

With upgrades to the city’s public transport still under way, an Uber from Downtown LA to Hollywood Boulevard is the easiest way to get there and will take about 20 minutes (depending on traffic).

The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a global icon for good reason. Credit: Getty

The Walk of Fame might be busy and full of hawkers, but it’s also iconic and, to its credit, beautiful to shuffle down as the sun is setting.

There are more than 2500 stars embedded along Hollywood Boulevard, stretching about 15 blocks. Unless you’re a diehard film buff, a short sample of the walk will suffice and free up time for a visit to the Vinyl District.

Named to honour Hollywood’s musical history, the mini-neighbourhood – a 15–20-minute walk from Hollywood Boulevard – has been transformed into a thriving precinct packed with bars, clubs, hotels and restaurants.

You can spend a night barhopping through the district, but if you only have time for one, make it Citizen News. The 30,000-square-foot art deco building was constructed in 1930 as the headquarters for the Hollywood Citizen-News and is now a multi-use restaurant and event space.

The former headquarters for Hollywood Citizen-News is now a multi-use restaurant and event space. Credit: Ryan Forbes

If you don’t lose the night to the Vinyl District, and you’re staying around Beverley Hills or West Hollywood, finish the day with an easy dinner at Jon and Vinny’s in lively Fairfax, a 10–20-minute car ride from the Vinyl District.

You’ll quickly see why the Italian-American restaurant, conceptualised by chef duo Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo, has developed a cult following. If you only order one thing (and like anchovies), make it “The Lola” pizza.

DAY THREE

The sheer popularity of the Hollywood Sign puts this activity in danger of being overrated – but it’s worth setting aside a morning to do.

The hike delivers exceptional views of the city, a chance to get away from the busyness below the canyons and a welcome few hours in nature before returning to the thick of it.

There are three main trails up to the sign in Griffith Park: Mount Hollywood Trail, Brush Canyon Trail and Cahuenga Peak Trail.

The icons of the Southern California city seem overrated – but most are worth a place on your itinerary.

The trails are easy to navigate, but if you’re eager to learn more about the neighbourhood and the infamous landmark, book a hiking tour. Bikes and Hikes run a leisurely hike to the Hollywood Sign that will take about 90 minutes ($US19).

If you’re in LA on a Sunday, it’s highly recommended that you detour to the Melrose Trading Post flea markets after your hike, which are about a 35-minute drive away.

The markets are held at Fairfax High School and attract up to 4000 locals and visitors to browse nearly 200 vendors each week. Even if vintage clothing, records and handmade items aren’t of interest, there are food trucks, live music and good people-watching opportunities.

If you’re not in town on a Sunday, another option is to head to the other side of the range and spend a few hours at Atwater Village.

For a bite, locals might point you to Momed for modern Mexican food, Viet Noodle Bar for the soy skin noodle dish, or Tacos Villa Corona, a tiny, family-run hole-in-the-wall taco stand and favourite of the late Anthony Bourdain. And Tee Gee Bar if you love a good dive bar.

After wandering down Glendale Boulevard, have a rest and freshen up at your hotel before heading for dinner in Downtown LA.

There are plenty of ways to spend your final night in LA, but if you’re after a memorable, one-of-a-kind (maybe over-the-top) experience, Level 8 it is.

Level 8’s cathedral-inspired nightclub, Sinners y Santos. Credit: Michael Kleinberg

Spanning the entire eighth floor of the recently opened Moxy and AC Hotel Downtown LA and situated across from Crypto.com Arena, Level 8 is an immersive dining, drinking and entertainment precinct conceptualised by LA hospitality revolutionaries Mark and Jonnie Houston (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Break Room 86, Black Rabbit Rose).

Think of Level 8 as a maze of different worlds that connect via hidden doors and secret entrances (half the fun). Start with a drink at Mr Wanderlust, a lively piano bar and jazz lounge, before settling at one of the five restaurants for dinner. Finish by entering through the confessional booth of Sinners y Santos, a cathedral-inspired nightclub, for a drink and the chance to catch a live lucha libre wrestling match above the bar.

Level 8 is an expensive experience. If you want to end on something more authentic and low-key, swap it for a culinary tour of Koreatown.

Koreatown has one of the largest concentrations of nightclubs, 24-hour businesses, and restaurants in the country. For a premium Korean barbecue experience, dine at Park BBQ, Soowon Galbi for ribs, or Sun Ha Jang for duck.

If you can muster the energy, finish with a nightcap at Break Room 86 or The Normandie Club.

DAY FOUR

Finish your taste of LA at Santa Monica Pier, about 30-minutes by car from West Hollywood or Downtown LA.

Edging a quarter-mile into the Pacific Ocean, the pier at the end of Route 66 dates back to 1908 and is one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions. Unless you’re travelling with kids, skip the amusement park and head down to the boardwalk after a lap of the pier.

The melatonin-soaked Ocean Front Walk will take you on an interesting journey past the birthplace of the Southern California exercise craze, AKA the Original Muscle Beach, market stalls, skaters, and a generally eclectic mix of characters.

Encounter interesting characters along Santa Monica Pier.

It takes about 40 minutes to walk along the boardwalk from the pier to Venice Beach and the hanging Venice Sign. Grab a coffee at Great White cafe or deli fare at Bellissimo Venice before veering up the street to the Italian-inspired Venice Canals.

A 15-minute walk from the canals brings you to the final stop, Abbot Kinney Boulevard, for lunch. Browse the boutiques along the boulevard if time permits, then grab a bite from South End or The Butcher’s Daughter, before heading back to your hotel to check out.

The writer was a guest of LA Tourism, Fairmont Century Plaza and United Airlines.