Lakewood, California: A 4-Day Travel Itinerary

• Day 1: Visit Local Attractions
  Start the day at the Lakewood Center Mall, which has over 200 stores, restaurants and a movie theater. After lunch, head to the Long Beach Museum of Art to enjoy the art and a breathtaking ocean view. End the day with a walk around the beautiful El Dorado Nature Center.
• Day 2: Relax and Unwind
  Spend the day at the Cerritos Sculpture Garden and see the unique sculptures. Then head to the Gondola Getaway and take a romantic ride through the beautiful canals of Naples Island. In the evening, go to the Bixby Knolls First Fridays Art Walk and enjoy the local art, music and food.
• Day 3: Explore Nearby Cities
  Take a day trip and visit Disneyland Park in Anaheim, which is only a 20-minute drive away. After a fun day at Disney, head to Downtown Fullerton and enjoy its vibrant nightlife.
• Day 4: Food and Culture
  Start the day with a delicious breakfast at The Nest Kitchen + Taps. Then visit the Museum of Latin American Art to get a glimpse of Hispanic culture. End the day with dinner at Los Compadres Mexican Restaurant - a local favorite.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Lakewood Center Mall (2-3 hours, free)
• Long Beach Museum of Art (2-3 hours, $10-15)
• El Dorado Nature Center (1-2 hours, free)
• Cerritos Sculpture Garden (1-2 hours, free)
• Gondola Getaway (1-2 hours, $40-60)
• Bixby Knolls First Fridays Art Walk (2-3 hours, free)
• Disneyland Park (whole day, $100-150 per person)
• Downtown Fullerton (2-4 hours, costs vary)
• The Nest Kitchen + Taps (1-2 hours, $10-20)
• Museum of Latin American Art (2-3 hours, $10-15)
• Los Compadres Mexican Restaurant (1-2 hours, $10-20)
• Total Estimated Costs: $350-500

Transportation

While places are relatively close to each other and walkable in Lakewood, for day trips, it's best to rental a car. Expect downtown parking to be expensive, so consider parking at a park-and-ride and using public transportation to explore.

Useful Tips

For shorter trips, consider skipping the day trip to Disneyland and spending that time exploring more of Lakewood. Alternatively, those with more time should visit other nearby destinations such as the famous Venice Beach Boardwalk in Santa Monica or go hiking in Runyon Canyon Park.