How to Spend a Weekend in Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California, is home to Hollywood, movie stars, beaches, and mountains. It’s one of the most popular cities in America, and there is so much to do.

There are so many famous places to see and trendy places to try. It can seem overwhelming to figure out what to do in a short amount of time. ​

My parents recently moved outside LA, to Orange County, and I frequently fly “home” for weekend visits. Here are a few things I have done during quick trips out to California:
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Read my other quick-trip guides for California, here. Including Hollywood, Orange County, and Palm Springs!

​Visit One of California's Oldest Areas -

San Juan Capistrano is a spot often overlooked by many tourists. It is a bit out of the center of Los Angeles and Hollywood located in Dana Point, but it is well worth a visit. 

It is home to the oldest incorporated street in the state, Los Rios Street, which is arguably one of the cutest streets in L.A. too!

Exploring San Juan Capistrano.

​The Mission was once an agricultural and religious center founded back in 1776. You can tour the church, go shopping, have high noon tea, and hop on the train in and out of town.

Learn more about this historic area here!

Getting tea at The Tea House on Los Rios.

Shopping on Los Rios Street.

​Spend a Day in Hollywood - 

Some of the most famous landmarks in Los Angeles are in Hollywood. You can spend days and days exploring here and only scratch the surface of movie, music, and celebrity memorabilia. All the most touristy things can be squeezed into one busy day.

​Read a more detailed guide on spending one day in Hollywood here!

Here’s how I recommend exploring Hollywood in one day in driving order:

• See the Hollywood Sign
  • Of course, people know the Hollywood sign high up in Beverly Hills, but most don’t know that it is extremely difficult to get to due to its location in the neighborhood of multi-million dollar homes. Check out my guide on “How To See The Hollywood Sign” here!
• Griffith Observatory 
  • Although I haven't been yet, this is high on my list for my next visit to get the best view of the city and learn about this famous research center.
• Walk the Walk of Fame
  • Start on the east side and walk down the famous street of Hollywood stars toward the Chinese Theater to see the handprints and imprints before circling back and walking on the other side of the street back to see more! 
• Go to Beverly Hills and Drive Rodeo Drive
  • Drive this famous street and search for celebrities. Maybe even do a little shopping if you have the money!
• Santa Monica Pier
  • We had every intention to end our day here, but we didn’t quite make it. Again, I will have this on my list for the next trip! We really wanted to ride the ferris wheel, play some carnival games, and enjoy a dinner looking out over the water.

The Hollywood Sign!

The Walk of Fame.

Beverly Hills.

​Read a more detailed guide on spending one day in Hollywood here!

Photo from www.santamonicapier.org

Shopping on Lido Island at Newport Marina.

​Go Shopping in Newport Beach

Explore ​Lido Island and do some local high-fashion shopping. Get lunch at Billy’s On the Beach before driving over to Balboa Island or Fashion Island to keep the shopping going before spending the afternoon at the beach in Newport Beach.

Los Angeles’s Best Beaches

There are plenty of great beaches to visit in Los Angeles, and this is not a complete list, but these are ones I've visited that I enjoyed:

*Personal warning: California beaches are a bit windy and the water is always cold. If you are used to East coast or Florida beaches, these are very different.*

Very cold on march 23rd, 2021.

On the pier at Newport Beach.

• Newport Beach - as mentioned above, this is a great, lively beach with a nice pier, just like the next one on this list.
• Huntington Beach - great for taking a surfing lesson. This is my parents' favorite beach. It goes on for miles and miles so it's hard not to find a spot.
• Crystal Cove - a chill beach spot with cute cabins and restaurants all around. Check out Shake Shack (not the chain) above the beach and enjoy a great burger and shake. Continue reading for more places to eat as well!

Shake Shack at Crystal Cove.

Where to Eat: 

Plan a really special dinner and splurge on some of the highest quality meals you might ever enjoy at these places. There are always trendy new spots popping up, but these ones have been around for years, so I feel I can recommend them without issue:

Family dinner at La Brisas.

• La Brisas, Laguna Beach - Sit right near the water and enjoy some California dishes with a Mexican twist. Reservations are highly recommended especially for outdoor seating!
• Mastro’s, Newport Beach and Costa Mesa - My parents frequent this restaurant for business trips and family celebrations. It is an upscale steakhouse where they frequently see Real Housewives and saw Kim Kardashian once! Reservations can be made on their website here. 

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• Off Vine, Hollywood - Right near The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a precious restaurant called Off Vine serving light, fresh food in an adorable restaurant. Go for lunch or dinner any day of the week and brunch on the weekends!

Lunch at Off Vine.

I hope this helps you plan a trip to Los Angeles and the surrounding areas!

If you are looking for a quick road trip from L.A., check out my guide “48-hours in Palm Springs and Joshua Tree” for a fun desert adventure!

Checkout my other California Guides below: