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6-Day Los Angeles to Las Vegas Road Trip: Beaches, Hollywood, and the Vegas Strip

Viewed by 235 travelers

Day 1: Beach & Boardwalk

Santa Monica / Venice, USA on August 30, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast — Urth Caffé (Santa Monica)

Casual cafe known for organic coffee, pastries, and a healthy breakfast menu; good spot to fuel up before a seaside stroll. Check typical open times (often 7am+).
USD15, 45m

9:00am

Santa Monica Pier & Third Street Promenade

Classic beachfront pier with rides, small aquarium exhibits, and the nearby pedestrian Third Street Promenade for shopping and street performers; great intro to SoCal beach culture. Pier is open year-round; individual attractions may vary.
USD0, 1h30m

11:00am

Venice Beach Boardwalk & Muscle Beach

Eclectic outdoor promenade with performers, vendors, murals, and the famous outdoor gym; walk the boardwalk to see Venice’s unique vibe and canals a short distance inland. Boardwalk is open daily but vendor hours vary.
USD0, 1h30m

1:00pm

Lunch — The Albright (Santa Monica Pier)

Seafood-focused casual lunch spot on the pier with fresh shellfish and local fish favorites; walk-in friendly and scenic. Typical lunch service midday; lines possible on weekends.
USD25, 1h

3:00pm

Stroll Third Street Promenade / Santa Monica Shops

Open-air mall with boutiques, street performers, and coffee stops — a relaxed afternoon for shopping or people-watching before sunset. Stores generally open by 10am and close late afternoon/evening.
USD0, 1h30m

6:30pm

Dinner — Blue Plate Taco (Ocean Ave)

Casual, beachfront Mexican eatery with Baja-style tacos and margaritas; sit outside to enjoy ocean views at sunset. Typical dinner hours 5pm–10pm but check seasonal times.
USD30, 1h30m

Day 2: Downtown Culture

Los Angeles, USA on August 31, 2025

8:30am

Breakfast — Grand Central Market (DTLA)

Historic downtown food hall offering a huge variety of vendors from egg sandwiches to pupusas; perfect for sampling different LA flavors. Market hours typically start around 8am, but vendor hours vary.
USD12, 45m

10:00am

The Broad Museum

Contemporary art museum with an impressive permanent collection and rotating exhibitions; free general admission but reservation recommended. Typically opens mid-morning (often 10–11am); check current hours and reserve free timed entry if possible.
USD0, 1h30m

11:45am

Exterior Tour — Walt Disney Concert Hall

Iconic Frank Gehry-designed stainless-steel building; a short self-guided exterior tour is great for architecture photos and a quick look inside the public spaces. Guided tours may run on select days and times—verify availability.
USD0, 30m

1:00pm

Lunch — Bottega Louie

Popular upscale-casual Italian spot with pastries and a lively market feel — ideal for a mid-day sit-down in the heart of DTLA. Expect moderate waits at peak times.
USD30, 1h

3:00pm

Griffith Park Hike & Griffith Observatory

Hike a short trail in Griffith Park for views of the Hollywood Sign, then visit Griffith Observatory for displays and skyline panoramas; the observatory is a must for sunset or evening city lights. Observatory hours vary (often closed Mondays, opens mid-day other days) — check before you go.
USD0, 3h

8:00pm

Dinner — Park’s BBQ (Koreatown)

Top-rated Korean barbecue in Koreatown for a lively, communal dinner with premium meats and sides; a great way to experience LA’s multi-ethnic dining scene. Reservations recommended for evenings.
USD40, 1h30m

Day 3: Hollywood & Studios

Los Angeles, USA on September 1, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast — Musso & Frank Grill (Hollywood)

Historic Hollywood restaurant offering classic American breakfasts in an old-school setting — a cinematic start to your Hollywood day. Opens early for breakfast; check specific hours.
USD20, 45m

9:00am

Hollywood Walk of Fame & TCL Chinese Theatre (exterior)

Stroll the Walk of Fame and see celebrity handprints at TCL Chinese Theatre; quick photo stops and a chance to soak up Hollywood Boulevard’s energy. Street area is open daily but attractions have separate hours.
USD0, 1h

11:00am

Universal Studios Hollywood

Major theme park with rides, shows, and the Studio Tour that showcases working backlots; plan a full day for best value and to experience popular rides. Park hours vary by season—typically open from mid-morning to evening; buy tickets in advance to skip lines.
USD140, 6h

1:00pm

Lunch — Inside Universal (multiple outlets)

Eat inside the park (options like Three Broomsticks or Jurassic Café) to maximize ride time and convenience. Prices are park-level premium.
USD20, 45m

7:30pm

Dinner — Universal CityWalk or Return to Hollywood

CityWalk offers many dinner options (e.g., Vivo Italian Kitchen) with lively nighttime atmosphere, or return to Hollywood for quieter dining. CityWalk stays open late but individual restaurants vary.
USD30, 1h30m

Day 4: Drive to Vegas

Los Angeles → Las Vegas, USA on September 2, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast & Checkout

Quick hotel checkout breakfast — pick a local cafe or grab-and-go to hit the road early and avoid heavier traffic out of LA. Confirm checkout time with your hotel.
USD15, 30m

8:00am

Drive I-15 East toward Las Vegas

Drive is approximately 4–4.5 hours direct; expect heavier traffic departing LA and possible construction delays. Plan for rest stops and refreshments en route.
USD0, 4h30m

10:30am

Optional Stop — Calico Ghost Town (Barstow)

Historic mining town turned tourist attraction with shops and short exhibits; a nostalgic stop to break up the drive. Typical hours are morning–late afternoon; small admission fee may apply.
USD10, 45m

1:00pm

Lunch — Barstow or Primm (route)

Stop for a quick lunch at a highway diner or outlet mall food court to stretch legs and refuel before the final stretch into Nevada. Timings depend on stop location.
USD15, 45m

3:30pm

Arrive & Check-in — Las Vegas Hotel

Check into your chosen Strip or downtown hotel, drop bags, and refresh. Most hotels offer check-in from mid-afternoon; early check-in depends on availability.
USD0, 45m

7:30pm

Evening — Fremont Street Experience

Vibrant downtown light and music experience with street performers, vendors, and nightly light shows; ideal for people-watching and a different Vegas vibe from the Strip. Free to enter; some venues charge for attractions.
USD0, 2h

8:00pm

Dinner — Carversteak or Jaleo at The Cosmopolitan/caesars (suggested)

Choose a memorable Vegas dinner — either high-end steak or tapas by a celebrated chef to mark your arrival night. Reservations recommended for evenings.
USD60, 1h30m

Day 5: Vegas Strip

Las Vegas, USA on September 3, 2025

8:30am

Breakfast — The Henry (Cosmopolitan) or similar

Comfortable breakfast spot on the Strip with a full menu and good coffee to prepare for a big day of sightseeing and shopping. Typical hours open early to mid-morning.
USD20, 45m

9:30am

Bellagio Conservatory & Fountains

Free floral displays inside Bellagio’s conservatory and the iconic fountain show outside; a classic Las Vegas photo opportunity and serene start to the day. Conservatory open daily; fountain shows run regularly—check times for the day.
USD0, 45m

11:00am

High Roller Observation Wheel (LINQ)

Large observation wheel offering 360-degree Strip and valley views in climate-controlled cabins; rides take about 30 minutes and are great midday. Typical ticketed attraction with cabins scheduled every 30 minutes—book ahead for desired times.
USD35, 45m

1:00pm

Lunch — Lotus of Siam

Widely acclaimed Thai restaurant off-strip, known for Northern Thai specialties and considered one of Vegas’s best dining finds — arrive early or expect a wait. Open for lunch and dinner but hours can vary.
USD30, 1h

3:00pm

Pool / Relax or Shopping at Forum Shops / Fashion Show Mall

Unwind at your hotel pool (many resorts reserve cabanas) or stroll high-end shopping centers along the Strip for a more relaxed afternoon. Pool hours typically morning to early evening; mall hours usually late morning–evening.
USD0, 2h

6:00pm

Pre-show Dinner — Mon Ami Gabi or similar

Enjoy a pre-show dinner at a Strip restaurant with easy access to evening entertainment; reserve a table to avoid waits. Most restaurants serve dinner from early evening through late night.
USD40, 1h30m

8:00pm

Evening Show — Cirque du Soleil or Headliner

Catch a headline show (Cirque du Soleil, comedy, or residency act) for a signature Vegas night of production-level entertainment. Ticket prices and showtimes vary nightly—book in advance.
USD120, 2h

Day 6: Scenic & Depart

Las Vegas, USA on September 4, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast — Eggslut (Cosmopolitan) or hotel

Quick, high-quality breakfast sandwiches and coffee to start an active morning before heading to Red Rock Canyon. Most breakfast spots open early; hotel breakfast may be convenient if you’re short on time.
USD12, 30m

8:30am

Drive to Red Rock Canyon

Short drive west of the Strip to a scenic conservation area offering a 13-mile scenic loop, short hikes, and stunning rock formations — ideal for morning light photography. Red Rock typically opens around sunrise to sunset; entrance fee commonly charged per vehicle.
USD15, 3h

12:00pm

Return to Hotel & Lunch

Head back to the hotel to freshen up and grab a relaxed lunch—In-N-Out or a hotel restaurant for convenience before checking out. Hotel checkout is often mid-afternoon; confirm your hotel’s policy if you need late checkout.
USD15, 1h

2:00pm

Pack, Checkout & Head to Airport

Finish packing, check out, and allow ample time for airport security and traffic—plan 1–2 hours to reach McCarran/Las Vegas Harry Reid International depending on location and time of day. Confirm shuttle or parking arrangements with your hotel.
USD0, 1h30m

4:00pm

Departure

Fly out or continue onward travel; if you have an evening flight, consider a final short stroll on the Strip or last-minute souvenir shopping. Airport and flight times vary—arrive early for domestic flights (recommended 2 hours).
USD0, N/A
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