5 DAY LOS ANGELES ITINERARY FOR FIRST TIMERS: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE & BEST THINGS TO DO!

LOOKING TO PLAN THE ULTIMATE 5 DAY LOS ANGELES ITINERARY?
5 DAY LOS ANGELES ITINERARY:
DAY 1: HIKE BEHIND THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN & THE GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY



SPOTTED WILDLIFE!
Wild Hummingbirds
Spotted whizzing in the flowers at the Griffith Observatory! Los Angeles is home to 3 types: The Anna, Allens and Californian hummingbird. They create a subtle “hum” from flapping their wings 60 times per second!
Incredibly, they are the only bird that can fly backwards and hover in place. They also play an important part in nature – pollinating plants and collecting nectar. Another brilliant destination to see wild hummingbirds is Costa Rica.

DAY 2: WALK OF FAME, MELROSE AVENUE, BEVERLY HILLS & RODEO DRIVE







Did You Know? Marilyn Monroe’s final resting place is at the ‘Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park and Mortuary‘ in Los Angeles, where many tourists visit to pay their respects.
Incredibly, the late Playboy founder Hugh Hefner bought the plot next to Marilyn’s grave for $75,000, stating “spending eternity next to Marilyn is too sweet to pass up!”. Marilyn was his first Playboy cover girl, and now both can be found side by side in this small, off the beaten track cemetery.
If you can, do try and add this into your Los Angeles itinerary.
DAY 3: UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD


DAY 4: TRANSFER TO SANTA MONICA, VENICE CANALS & VENICE BEACH



DAY 5: SURFING LESSON, RENT A BEACH CRUISER & SANTA MONICA PIER



WHERE TO STAY IN CENTRAL HOLLYWOOD
🏙️ Loews Hollywood Hotel
🏙️ Hotel 850 SVB West Hollywood
🏙️ Palihouse West Hollywood
WHERE TO STAY IN VENICE BEACH
🏝️ AIR Venice On The Beach
(where we stayed & would highly recommend!)
🏝️ The Kinney
🏝️ Venice Breeze Suites
GETTING AROUND LOS ANGELES
CAN YOU GET AROUND LA WITHOUT A CAR?

60%
Los Angeles is incredibly vast, and the majority of attractions are not within walking distance, and there’s little to no public transport. Make use of the abundant UBER drivers in LA. You need the app installed and internet when you’re out.
Tip: No need for cash. You tip and rate the driver via the App after the drop off has completed!

25%
Once dropped off by UBER, explore the area on foot!

5%
Rent an iconic ‘beach cruiser’ bike to cycle the boardwalk from Venice Beach to Santa Monica Pier!
ALL “KNOW BEFORE YOU GO” QUESTIONS
IS LOS ANGELES SAFE FOR TOURISTS?
WHAT ARE THE BEST MONTHS TO VISIT LOS ANGELES?
HOW MANY DAYS DO YOU NEED TO SEE LOS ANGELES?
HOW CAN I SPEND 5 DAYS IN LOS ANGELES?
WHERE SHOULD I GO FOR THE FIRST TIME IN LA?
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO GET TO LOS ANGELES?
LOS ANGELES USEFUL FACTS

American Dollar
£1 (GBP) = $1.24 (USD)
(figures as per 2025)

Vaccinations
Click here for United States of America vaccination recommendations. Always consult your local travel nurse for the latest advice.

Plug Adaptors
You will require an adaptor to suit Type A & B. Their standard voltage is only 120V.

Required Documents
UK citizens with a British passport must apply & be granted an ESTA before travelling to the USA. It costs $21. Apply only through the official Government website, there are dozens of fraud ‘third-party’ websites.

What To Pack
This all depends on the season. Pack plenty of layers and umbrella for LA’s wet season! If visiting in Spring / Summer, loose clothes, comfortable walking shoes, beach sandals, sun lotion and swimwear are essential.

Time Zone
Los Angeles is on Pacific Daylight time. It is 8 hours behind the United Kingdom.
CONCLUSION: 5 DAY LOS ANGELES ITINERARY

This blog post was written by Jordie Flain!
Founder of TheFlainsTravel.com
A travel-obsessed Sagittarius creating honest, easy-to-follow guides. Powered by tea, chocolate and a slightly concerning amount of tomato ketchup.
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