After arriving and dropping bags at your accommodation, kick off your first LA morning with coffee and pastries at TOMS Espresso Bar on Abbot Kinney before wandering the colorful boardwalk. Rent bikes near Venice Canals for a peaceful ride through the historic waterways, then pause at Muscle Beach to watch the morning fitness scene and browse quirky surf shops along the promenade.
Head north along the beachfront to explore Abbot Kinney Boulevard's boutiques and street art, then grab a light lunch and craft cocktails on the rooftop patio at The Otheroom for skyline views. Continue into Santa Monica to ride the historic Santa Monica Pier carousel and test your balance on the beachside paddle boards from Blueline Surf & Paddle, finishing with sunset drinks at the lively outdoor tables of The Bungalow Santa Monica.
Wind down your first LA day with dinner at the laid-back seafood spot The Lobster overlooking the pier, then stroll the waterfront promenade toward Pico Boulevard to catch live music and people-watching at the open-air Third Street Promenade entertainment pockets. Finish with craft cocktails in a cozy speakeasy setting at The Varnish or rooftop nightcaps at The Penthouse at The Huntley, enjoying skyline views and a relaxed vibe that bridges your beach afternoon into a calm evening.
Start your day with a hearty brunch at Musso & Frank Grill, the storied Hollywood restaurant where classic LA history feels alive, then stroll the Walk of Fame spotting famous names and the handprints at TCL Chinese Theatre. Wander up to the eclectic shops and vintage finds along Hollywood Boulevard and hop into a guided tour of the historic El Capitan Theatre before grabbing a coffee at Groundwork Coffee Co. to fuel an easy hike toward Griffith Park later in the afternoon.
Spend the afternoon exploring the cinematic side of LA: tour the immersive exhibits at [Hollywood Museum](https://www.google.com/search?q=Hollywood+Museum+los+angeles+for+5+days+from+April+2st+with+friends%2C+first+visit%0A+official+site) inside the historic Max Factor Building, then stroll to nearby Hollywood & Highland for shopping and great views of the Hollywood sign from the terrace. Later, take a scenic ride up to [Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round](https://www.google.com/search?q=Griffith+Park+Merry-Go-Round+los+angeles+for+5+days+from+April+2st+with+friends%2C+first+visit%0A+official+site) for a quick nostalgic stop before hiking a short, paved route to Griffith Observatory to arrive in time for golden-hour views and the planetarium show.
After sunset at the observatory, descend toward Hollywood for dinner and nightlife: savor inventive small plates and a local wine list at Osteria La Buca, then wander to The Broadway Hollywood Rooftop for skyline cocktails under the stars. Cap the night with live indie music or a comedy set at The Hotel Cafe, where the intimate room and rotating local acts make for a relaxed, memorable end to your day.
Begin with a cultured start at The Broad, arriving early to admire the contemporary collection and Yayoi Kusama installations before the crowds, then grab a quick coffee and pastry at Walt Disney Concert Hall's Patina Restaurant Group cafe. From there, walk through the architectural highlights of Bunker Hill to the nearby [Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)](https://www.moca.org/) for rotating exhibitions, and linger in the museum's sculpture garden or grab a mid-morning snack at the MOCA cafe as you plan an afternoon crossing to the Miracle Mile.
After a morning of contemporary art, head to The Petersen Automotive Museum to admire iconic cars and immersive design exhibits, then stroll the Miracle Mile to explore rotating installations at The Craft Contemporary and pop into the boutique shops along La Brea Avenue. Finish the afternoon with a relaxed late lunch and people-watching on the terrace at Joan's on Third before crossing over to the nearby [La Brea Tar Pits and Museum](https://tarpits.org/) for a quirky, hands-on paleontology experience that bridges your downtown cultural crawl with the rest of the day.
As twilight falls, wander into the revitalized Arts District for dinner at Bestia, where house-made pastas and a lively industrial dining room set the tone, then stroll the murals and pop into Hauser & Wirth's gallery shop for late exhibits and cocktails. Afterward, head back toward downtown for rooftop views and craft cocktails at Perch LA, soaking in the skyline and reflecting on a day of museums before ending the night with a relaxed nightcap at the speakeasy-style Dead Puppets Society.
Drive north along the Pacific Coast Highway and start your morning with ocean views and a light breakfast at Malibu Farm Pier Café, then stroll the pier and watch local surf breaks roll in. Continue to the nearby El Matador State Beach for a scenic walk among sea caves and stacked rock formations, and pause at Point Dume for a short cliffside trail with panoramic views before a leisurely lunch further up the coast.
After a morning of sea caves and cliffs, cruise north along the coast to explore the gardens and antiquities at The Getty Villa, wandering its Roman-inspired galleries and seaside terraces before grabbing a Mediterranean-inspired lunch at the Villa's Olive Grove Café. Later, continue the scenic drive with a stop at Zuma Beach for a relaxed walk or beach volleyball, then pull off to browse artisanal goods and oceanfront views at Malibu Country Mart before catching golden-hour light along Pacific Coast Highway as you head back toward town.
As the sky deepens, head back toward town and stop for a relaxed seaside dinner at Nobu Malibu (reserve ahead) to savor elegant Japanese-Peruvian dishes with oceanfront views, then wander the nearby bluff path for salt-air night breezes. Afterward, detour to Nicholas Canyon Beach for a quiet moonlit stroll, or, if you prefer a livelier close to the day, drive into nearby Malibu Lumber Yard for craft cocktails and people-watching on the outdoor patio to toast a day of coastal exploration.
Ease into your final LA morning with pastries and specialty coffee at [Alfred Coffee (Melrose Place)](https://alfred.la/) before wandering the nearby indie boutiques and vintage racks along Melrose Avenue for last-minute gifts and retro finds; don't miss the colorful murals for a quick group photo. After a browsing spree, enjoy a farmer-fresh brunch at Original Farmers Market at The Grove-sample artisanal cheeses, fresh juices, and tacos from the stalls-then stroll the adjacent outdoor shopping lanes at The Grove to pick up any final souvenirs before you collect your bags and head toward the airport.
Spend a leisurely afternoon exploring the stylish shops and people-watching lanes of West Hollywood's Sunset Strip, then duck into the design-forward boutiques and vinyl shops along Melrose Avenue's shopping corridor for last-minute fashion finds. Pause for a relaxed late lunch and tasting flight at Smorgasburg LA (seasonal) or, if the market isn't on, head to the vibrant stalls of Grand Central Market's lesser-known vendors for bold tacos and craft coffee before collecting luggage and making your way toward the airport.
For a final nightcap before your flight, savor inventive small plates and craft cocktails at E.P. & L.P.'s rooftop lounge where you can soak up skyline views and reminisce about the trip; follow with late-night tacos and an upbeat vibe at Trejo's Tacos for a flavorful, casual meal near the hotel. If you prefer something mellow, settle into the cozy leather booths and vinyl soundtrack at The Roger Room for classic cocktails, then take a quiet moonlit walk through the restored gardens at Plummer Park (if time allows) before collecting luggage and heading to LAX, capped with one last group photo under the city lights.