Los Angeles is one of the most sprawling cities in the world; it seems like it goes on forever! It can be overwhelming when planning a trip to the LA area about what you should see. Here are a few things you shouldn’t skip, especially if it is your first trip to La La Land! Read on for our 36 hours in Los Angeles itinerary!
36 Hours in Los Angeles – The Hollywood Sign
For any first timers, you have to hike up to the Hollywood sign. There are so many different vantage points for this iconic sign: the streets of Hollywood, the Griffith Observatory and the hills around Lake Hollywood. But here is an insider’s tip for the best unobstructed view of the Hollywood sign, drive (or Uber because parking is scarce) to 3399 Deronda Drive, and then walk up the Mt Lee path (just behind the white fence, there is a door to enter on the left side of the fence) to this spot to have an amazing view of the sign.
And if you have time, continue up the short Mount Lee path to the top of the Hollywood sign for the best view in all of LA! The hike only took about 30 minutes for the shortest route, but there are several other longer routes if you want just a little bit more fresh air!
Where to Eat in Los Angeles
LA is a foodie city, everything from the cafes to the fine dining options are just top notch. Here are a few fun places we checked out!
Viale Dei Romani – LA Peer Hotel
For a fun night out in West Hollywood, head to Viale Dei Romani for Italian classics, made with SoCal ingredients.
We were treated to the Chef’s Tasting menu, which started with some fresh oysters, uni and snapper crudo. Next up was some roasted squid and bone marrow. Then we had some amazing pasta dishes and some grilled spiny lobster! We finished the meal with some sweet treats!
Bondi Harvest
LA is known for its healthy options, so we just had to try Bondi Harvest, a cozy Australian café serving up some amazingly healthy and tasty options! Tried our first turmeric latte and absolutely loved it! And when we paired that with an acai bowl and a crispy breakfast sandwich, it was the perfect way to start the day!
Health Nut
Any KUWTK fans out there? Well if you are, you have to head to Health Nut, near Calabasas. The salads are simple but very tasty! We tried the Kardashian favorite, the Chef Salad and the Mango Iced Tea. A nice quick lunch!
Sweetgreen
Continuing on the healthy kick, did you know that Sweetgreen is based in LA? We were lucky enough to visit the headquarters and one of the founders, Nick Jammet, gave a tour around the “Treehouse”, as they call it, and told us all about how they source their ingredients locally and why they put such an emphasis on seasonal ingredients.
In-and-Out
Another California based brand, In-and-Out, may sell cheeseburgers, but they also put an emphasis on their ingredients and the process in which they prepare the meals. Nothing is frozen, everything is cooked to order and as a result they have a cult following. So if you have never been, be sure to head to the location on Sunset Boulevard for that true LA experience.
36 Hours in Los Angeles – Universal Studios
No matter your age, you can have fun at Universal Studios! Between the rides, the world famous studio tour and the whole experience, it is a must see when you are in Los Angeles! When we visited we headed right to the studio tour where we were showed around their sound stages and back lot! We even got to see some Hollywood effects in real life: rain, a flood, an earthquake and a train crash! And after that we of course had to head to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, where we tried some butter beer and rode through Hogwarts! Definitely should be a must when you have 36 hours in Los Angeles.
Where to Stay in Los Angeles
There are so many different neighborhoods in Los Angeles to stay in; for our 36 Hours in Los Angeles we stayed at the Intercontinental Century City because we wanted to be close to Beverly Hills. Our room had an amazing view of the mountains and the Fox Studios. The spacious room, the wonderful service and the breathtaking views made for a very relaxing stay! We are big fans of Intercontinental, you can read all about our last stay in one, at the Carlton Intercontinental Cannes. And after this stay in LA we will definitely be back!
For more California vacation ideas be sure to read all about visiting Malibu and Santa Monica!