Start with Griffith Observatory in Griffith Park if you can get there before full dark; it’s of the best first-day orientation stops in the city, and the view does a lot of the work for you. Park at the observatory lot if you’re lucky, but on a busy Sunday expect to use the shuttle or the lower lots and walk up. Admission to the building is free, though planetarium shows cost extra, and the observatory itself usually stays open late enough for sunset hanging around. Give yourself about 90 minutes to wander the terraces, look back over downtown, and get your bearings on the sprawl.
From there, head down to The Dresden in Los Feliz for dinner. It’s classic LA in the best way: old-school booths, warm lighting, and the kind of place where locals go when they want something unpretentious after a day out. Expect roughly $30–50 per person depending on cocktails and entrees, and it’s a good idea to arrive hungry rather than lingering too long in line if it’s a Sunday evening. If you have the energy after dinner, swing by Barnsdall Art Park in East Hollywood for a quick hilltop pause; it’s usually quiet after sunset, with a mellow, artsy feel and a nice look back toward the city. Then finish with LACMA Urban Light on the Miracle Mile, which is easy to appreciate after dark and makes a perfect last stop—just a 20–30 minute photo break, and then you can head back without overdoing the first night.