Based on “The Perfect 4 Days in Los Angeles, According to Locals”
Los Angeles stretches far from the Pacific coast to the foothills, from neon-lit boulevards to tucked-away canyons. In just four days, you can taste its contradictions, feel its pulse, and still leave wanting more.
Day 1: Venice to Silver Lake
Begin at the Venice Canals, where pastel houses and arched pedestrian bridges evoke a quiet European escape in the heart of L.A. Walk slowly, pause at a bench, let the reflections ripple. Then head east to Abbot Kinney Boulevard boutique shops, design-forward cafés, and street murals that change with each block. Lunch at a storefront serving green chutney pizza (yes, that’s a thing), then wander into Silver Lake.
In Silver Lake, locals gravitate toward indie bookstores, record shops, and hidden stairways that climb hillside alleys. Dinner might be served at a family-run eatery, followed by craft cocktails in a dimly lit lounge.
Day 2: Art & Altitude
Catch sunrise views from Griffith Observatory, looking down at the city’s sprawl, the Hollywood sign perched overhead. Stroll through Los Feliz, exploring art galleries, vintage shops, and local cafés. In the afternoon, drive up Mulholland Drive for sweeping vistas of the San Fernando Valley and beyond.
Evening brings you back to the heart perhaps a rooftop dinner in Hollywood, the city glowing below, the desert horizon flashing gold at golden hour.
Day 3: Downtown Reinvented
Downtown L.A. is a collage of eras: Art Deco theaters, modern tech hubs, alleys filled with murals, skyscrapers rising beside retro façades. Explore the Broadway corridor, where historic theaters await rediscovery. Visit The Last Bookstore, with winding shelves and hidden nooks.
For lunch, sample the countless flavors of the Grand Central Market, then wander to the Arts District or the Fashion District to discover emerging creatives and local design studios. Cap the day with dinner in Little Tokyo or the nearby Arts District fusion menus, communal tables, bold plating.
Day 4: Pacific & Palisades
Drive west toward Santa Monica Pier and the beach. Rent a bike and roll the strand to Malibu, inhaling salt air, stopping at hidden coves. Lunch can be fresh fish tacos by the surf or elevated seafood in a beachside restaurant.
In the late afternoon, head back inward to Pacific Palisades / Brentwood for a sunset hike or evening walk in the hills. For your final dinner, pick a place with a view the ocean, the hills, or the city lights glowing below.
