4-Day Shoestring Budget Itinerary for "M" in December 2023

1. Day 1: Explore Santa Monica
   10 minutes (1.3 miles) from Downtown Santa Monica

   In the morning, take a walk along Santa Monica Beach and enjoy the view of the Pacific Ocean. Visit the Santa Monica Pier in the afternoon and ride the Ferris wheel. In the evening, explore the Third Street Promenade and enjoy some live street performances.

2. Day 2: Hollywood and Griffith Park
   30 minutes (12.7 miles) from Santa Monica Beach

   Start your day early and hike up to the Hollywood sign in Griffith Park. In the afternoon, visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the TCL Chinese Theatre. In the evening, take a tour of the Griffith Observatory and enjoy the view of Los Angeles at night.

3. Day 3: Art and Culture in Downtown LA
   20 minutes (8.3 miles) from Griffith Observatory

   Visit The Broad museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art in the morning. In the afternoon, take a walk along the Grand Park and visit the iconic Walt Disney Concert Hall. In the evening, enjoy a performance at the famous Orpheum Theatre.

4. Day 4: Universal Studios Hollywood
   20 minutes (8.5 miles) from Downtown LA

   Experience the magic of Hollywood at Universal Studios Hollywood. Spend the entire day enjoying the thrilling rides, shows, and attractions. In the evening, head back to Santa Monica and enjoy your last evening at the beach.

Recommendations

If you have extra time, consider taking a day trip to Joshua Tree National Park or Malibu. Don't forget to check out some of LA's famous food trucks. For a budget-friendly option, try In-N-Out Burger or Kogi BBQ. To maximize your fun, download the app "Detour" and take an immersive audio tour of the city.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Santa Monica Pier (3 hours, $20)
• Griffith Observatory (2 hours, free)
• Hollywood Walk of Fame (1 hour, free)
• The Broad (2 hours, free with reservation)
• Universal Studios Hollywood (8 hours, $109)
• Food truck meal (1 hour, $10)
• Detour app (2 hours, $10)
• Total Estimated Costs: $169