For a first trip to Los Angeles, plan at least four days, choose one base (Hollywood or Downtown for Metro access, Santa Monica for the beach) and group sights by area instead of crossing the city daily. Metro's base fare is $1.75 and you never pay more than $5 a day or $18 in seven days; the City of Los Angeles hotel tax is 14%. The Getty Center is free with a reservation (parking $25), and Griffith Park access is free.
Quick plan (our recommendation)
This is an editorial suggestion built from official sources, not a trip we took. See the weekend itinerary for a two-day version.
- Day 1 — Hollywood and Griffith: Walk of Fame, Hollywood/Highland, then Griffith Observatory (closed Mondays).
- Day 2 — Westside: Getty Center in Brentwood, then Santa Monica and Venice.
- Day 3 — Downtown: Union Station, Grand Central Market, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Arts District.
- Day 4 — Flex: Pasadena by A Line, Malibu by car, or a rest day.
What it costs (verified figures only)
| Item | Figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel tax (City of Los Angeles) | 14% | Other cities (Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Pasadena, Malibu, Culver City) are separate; ask your hotel. Source: LA Office of Finance. |
| Metro base fare | $1.75 per ride | Never more than $5 per day or $18 per 7 days with TAP fare capping. Source: LA Metro. |
| TAP card | $2 | Per Discover Los Angeles; you can also tap a phone wallet or contactless card. |
| LAX FlyAway bus | $12.75 one-way | Union Station or Van Nuys; tap a contactless card or the app; cash not accepted. Source: LAWA. |
| Getty Center | Free admission | Reservation required; parking $25 per car, $15 after 3 p.m., $10 after 6 p.m. Source: Getty. |
| Griffith Park | Free access | Paid parking is closest to the Observatory. Source: Griffith Observatory. |
Getting here and around
From LAX you can ride Metro's C or K Line to the LAX/Metro Transit Center and take a free shuttle between the station and the terminals (LA Metro), or take the FlyAway bus to Union Station or Van Nuys. Metro rail has A, B, C, D, E and K lines; Discover Los Angeles notes B Line stations at Hollywood and downtown access on the A, B, D and E lines. See transportation.
When to go
NOAA's 1991–2020 normals put August highs at 76.7°F at LAX and 84.0°F downtown, with almost no rain from June through September; January–March are the wettest months. The best-time guide has the full two-station table. The 2028 Olympic Games run July 14–30, 2028 (LA28).
Safety and practical tips
Los Angeles is earthquake country; the Earthquake Country Alliance publishes preparedness guidance. Carry water in summer and check venue hours before you go. This guide does not publish crime or safety rankings.
What this guide does not cover
We do not rate individual hotels or restaurants and we do not claim first-hand visits; see the editorial policy.