If you want a city that has it all, where the creative ambition meets the beach vibes, and you can find inspiration and famous people in every corner, go and spend at least one day in LA!
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The U.S. has many iconic cities, but none have the charm and the impact that LA has. For many of us, that’s where the famous people live, the ones that we see in music videos and movies, so it has an aura of glamour and exclusivity that’s incredibly enticing for travelers. Every creative person has dreamed of moving there and sitting in the fancy cafes to work on that script that will make them famous. It’s easy to get infected with the creativity and ambition of so many young creators that the city draws.
But there’s so much more than that in LA, and if you only have a day to explore it, you can visit both the iconic sights as well as some hidden gems. Even if it sounds cliché, visiting the big studios or the Walk of Fame is quite a unique experience, but you should also leave some time for other experiences. And it doesn’t matter what kind of traveler you are, LA caters to everyone! From solo travelers to couples, families, digital nomads, and especially, culturally curious explorers.
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What you’ll need to know before visiting LA
LA and its microclimates
Aside from the movie stars and big studios, LA is famous for how varied its weather can be. If you drive around for a bit, you’ll notice it, as you pass from a foggy and cool area to a sunny and hot one in less than an hour. For example, the coastal areas, like Malibu and Santa Monica, are cooler and breezier, and often even foggier, especially in the mornings. Meanwhile, on the same morning, you can find warm and nice weather in Hollywood, but a terrible dry heat in Pasadena.
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Why is LA traffic so different?
If there’s a universal problem with big cities, it is probably the traffic. And the traffic in LA is especially infamous. But, unlike other areas like New York, the main problem is not the congestion, but how spread it is. For example, instead of getting stuck in 2 miles of city gridlock, you’ll be stuck in over 20 miles of freeway. Also, the rush hour lasts well over an hour. Instead of being from 5-6 PM, it starts at 3 PM and ends at 7 PM. Locals usually get used to the patterns and use apps like Waze or Google Maps to check for jams in real time.
Getting around in LA
Knowing about the traffic, you might consider whether it’s worth renting a car. It actually is, even with the downsides. LA is built for cars. So if you want flexibility and to go faster from one place to the other, especially if you’re only spending a day in LA, you’ll need a car. Which leads you to a different problem, which is parking.
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In LA, there’s a strong valet culture, and you’ll find them everywhere, even in casual restaurants or cafes. You can sometimes evade them and park on side streets, especially if they’re trying to scam you into paying $20 for only an hour. But in some areas where parking is hard, you’ll have to resign yourself, and even tip them afterwards.
As for different options to move around, some areas are walkable, like Santa Monica, Venice, or West Hollywood, but you’ll have to ride-share everywhere else. Don’t trust the public transit; it’s slowly improving, but as of 2025, the buses are slow, and the metro rail is good only for specific routes, and not citywide.
A Day in LA: Iconic Spots with a Twist
Is the Walk of Fame worth it?
According to the locals, no, not really. Even for the people who have been there at least once, it might feel like a tourist trap, with crowds, aggressive street performers, and vendors pushing tours. This doesn’t mean you should skip it entirely; it’s fine passing by if it’s your first time in LA, you’re into film and celebrity history, or you just want that “I’ve seen it in the movies moment". But if you want a more authentic LA experience and are limited in time, you can skip it.
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The best views of LA
If you want to see as much of LA as you can in only one day, you have to stop at one of the best viewpoints in the city. And, if you ask both locals and travelers, you’ll find that the best three are the Griffith Observatory, the Runyon Canyon, and Mulholland Scenic Drive.
- The Griffith Observatory: Is a very iconic hilltop observatory with science exhibitions and telescopes. It has amazing views, and it’s free to enter! Plus, you’ll recognize it from many movies and series, from La La Land to BoJack Horseman. On the cons, parking can be chaotic, especially on sunsets, and since it’s such a major tourist spot, it’s always quite crowded.
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The Runyon Canyon: This is a bit harder to reach, as you’ll have to hike for a bit to get there. It’s pretty popular, and you’ll find many fitness people with their dogs going up and down on any given day, but more on the weekends. Don’t forget to bring water, and put on sunscreen as there is no shade on the whole route.
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Mulholland Scenic Drive: This winding road goes through all of the Santa Monica Mountains and the Hollywood Hills. It’s perfect for a more dynamic experience, and you won’t have to do any hikes. But it is a bit confusing, so keep an eye on the GPS or you will get lost, and not all overlooks have parking or signage.
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Get lunch in the Getty Villa
Getty Villa is one of the most underrated gems that you’ll find in LA. This villa is the sister museum to the Getty Center, but it doesn’t feel quite like a museum, and more like a time machine that will take you to ancient Rome and Greece, but with the Malibu breezes and Pacific views. It actually is a recreation of a Roman villa, specifically the Villa dei Papiri in Herculaneum, which was buried and preserved by Mount Vesuvius.
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Once there, you can explore the exhibitions, including unique pieces like frescoes from Pompeii and statues of Hercules, or visit the gardens. If you’re lucky, you can catch an event like the Villa Theater Lab, with small performances and dramatic readings of ancient plays. And, after such a long morning exploring LA, you’ll surely want to eat. There is an indoor and a patio area designed for dining, with a Mediterranean menu, or you can order to go and eat outside in the common areas.
Explore Disneyland on a budget
One of the most famous places in LA that you can visit! It’s not inside the city per se, but close enough to include it in your possible itinerary! You don’t even need to have children to spend an afternoon in Disneyland enjoying yourself. The parks aren’t free to enter, but there are ways to make your visit more affordable, especially if you go later in the day or during the week. Exploring them as an adult can be incredible fun, without the kiddie rides or the usual tantrums. And, if you think that going to the park is expensive, here are some tips to save money on Disneyland:
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Get a discounted evening ticket: If you plan your visit for the afternoon, you can get discounted tickets and enter the park after 3 PM. Going on a weekday will also mean cheaper tickets and fewer crowds.
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Bring your own food and water: Unsurprisingly, food in Disneyland is expensive, and often not worth the cost. So bring snacks and a refillable water bottle.
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Avoid the souvenir traps: Just do yourself a favor, and try not to buy too much merch inside the park. You can either not enter the gift shops or set a budget for souvenirs.
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Art Galleries you can’t miss
If you’re interested in the more artistic side of LA, and want to see a bit of it in the day you’ll be spending there, there are two underground galleries that you have to visit.
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Thinkspace Projects: For many new artists who are world-famous, this was one of the first places that exhibited their art. The style is completely different from a classic museum, with more street art, pop surrealism, and subculture aesthetic. On top of that, the curation feels visceral, with pieces that are emotional and politically current.
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Superchief Gallery LA: This warehouse-style gallery is more known for its large-scale immersive installations, often with provocative pieces that look to push the boundaries of traditional art and mediums. You’ll even find digital and tattoo artists there, although the shows are usually grouped by themes
Where to eat in LA
You had lunch in the Getty Villa, but you’ll soon be hungry, and LA has a lot to offer in the food scene. From street food to Michelin star restaurants, there are options for all kinds of palates and budgets.
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Guerrilla Tacos: What once was a humble taco truck is now a beloved spot where locals and tourists get quick and delicious lunches for an affordable price. Most tacos cost around $5-8, and there are a lot of creative combinations to try, using seasonal and local ingredients.
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Howlin’ Ray’s: It’s located in Chinatown, and the lines tend to be large, but trust the locals, they know where it’s worth eating. The menu is simple yet well-executed, and the spicy fried chicken is a testament to that.
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n/naka: Only in a place as multicultural as LA can you find this kind of restaurant. Its chef, Niki Nakayama, is an expert in modern kaiseki, transforming a meal into a masterpiece that combines traditional Japanese techniques with California produce. But you’ll have to make your reservation months in advance, and the experience will cost around $250 per person.
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Final Words
A day in LA will pass you fast, as the city has so much to offer. If possible, try staying for longer and give each area the time it deserves. There are so many more places, both iconic and hidden, that you can explore, and more art and creative spaces that you can visit in a week. And that’s part of LA’s charm, that no matter how many times you visit it, there’s always something new to see.