7-Day Shoestring Budget Itinerary for Burbank, California

• Day 1: Start your trip by visiting the Burbank Farmers’ Market, the perfect spot to grab some healthy snacks and find artisan crafts. Next, head over to the Stough Canyon Nature Center to take in some stunning views of the Verdugo Mountains. End the day with a visit to the Burbank Town Center for dinner and shopping.
• Day 2: Spend the morning at Wildwood Canyon Park, hiking the Hollywood Hills Trail for spectacular views of the Hollywood Sign. Have lunch at Tony’s Deli, a Burbank staple since 1958. In the afternoon, visit the Animation Academy for a behind-the-scenes look at Disney animation. Finish the day with dinner at Larry’s Chili Dog.
• Day 3: Start the day with a visit to the Burbank Aviation Museum for a glimpse into Burbank’s aviation history. Then, head to the Burbank AMC Theaters to catch a movie. After lunch at Pinocchio’s Italian Restaurant, walk along Magnolia Boulevard for some thrift store shopping. End the day with a visit to the Warner Brothers Studio Tour.
• Day 4: Head to downtown LA for a day trip. Visit Grand Park for some outdoor relaxation, then head up to the Griffith Observatory for a breathtaking view of the city. After lunch at The Original Pantry Café, visit the LA Museum of Contemporary Art for some modern art appreciation. End the day with dinner at The Boiling Crab.
• Day 5: Visit the Autry Museum of the American West for a look into western culture and art. Have lunch at the Burbank Joe’s, a family-owned restaurant known for its breakfast. Then, head to the Burbank Skate Park for some outdoor fun. End the day with a visit to Pickwick Bowl for some late night bowling.
• Day 6: Spend the morning at Burbank Empire Center, a shopping center with many discount stores. Have lunch at Los Amigos Restaurant for some authentic Mexican food, then head over to the Valley Skate Park for some more outdoor fun. End the day with dinner at Joselito’s Mexican Restaurant.
• Day 7: Visit DeBell Golf Course, which offers beautiful views of the mountain ranges. Have lunch at The Castaway Restaurant, with an elegant view of the city. In the afternoon, visit the Burbank Creative Arts Center for some inspiring works of art. End your final day with a dinner at the Smoke House Restaurant, a historic Burbank spot.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Burbank Farmers’ Market (1-2 hours, free)
• Stough Canyon Nature Center (1-2 hours, free)
• Burbank Town Center (2-3 hours, cost of shopping/dinner)
• Wildwood Canyon Park (2-3 hours, free)
• Tony’s Deli (1 hour, $10-$20)
• Animation Academy (1-2 hours, $20-$30)
• Larry’s Chili Dog (1 hour, $5-$10)
• Burbank Aviation Museum (1-2 hours, free)
• Burbank AMC Theaters (2-3 hours, cost of movie)
• Pinocchio’s Italian Restaurant (1 hour, $15-$25)
• Magnolia Boulevard (2-3 hours, cost of shopping)
• Warner Brothers Studio Tour (3-4 hours, $75-$100)
• Grand Park (1-2 hours, free)
• Griffith Observatory (2-3 hours, free)
• The Original Pantry Café (1 hour, $10-$20)
• LA Museum of Contemporary Art (2-3 hours, $15-$25)
• The Boiling Crab (1 hour, $20-$30)
• Autry Museum of the American West (2-3 hours, $10-$15)
• Burbank Joe’s (1 hour, $10-$20)
• Burbank Skate Park (2-3 hours, free)
• Pickwick Bowl (2-3 hours, $20-$30)
• Burbank Empire Center (2-3 hours, cost of shopping/lunch)
• Los Amigos Restaurant (1 hour, $10-$20)
• Valley Skate Park (2-3 hours, free)
• Joselito’s Mexican Restaurant (1 hour, $10-$20)
• DeBell Golf Course (2-3 hours, $30-$50)
• The Castaway Restaurant (1-2 hours, $25-$50)
• Burbank Creative Arts Center (1-2 hours, free)
• Smoke House Restaurant (1 hour, $15-$30)
Total Estimated Costs: $381-$655

Transportation

While Burbank is a fairly walkable city, you may need to consider public transportation or a rideshare service to get to some of the farther locations on this itinerary. The Burbank Bus and the Metrolink are both options to consider for affordable transportation around the city. Rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft are also widely available.

Useful Tips

If you have extra time, consider taking a day trip to nearby attractions such as Universal Studios Hollywood or Griffith Park. If you have less time, consider condensing some of the daily activities into half-days or visiting only the top few locations on the itinerary. Finally, remember that most of the locations on this itinerary are free or low-cost, making it a great option for those on a shoestring budget.

Airports

Burbank has its own airport, the Bob Hope Airport (BUR), located less than 5 miles from the city center. LAX (Los Angeles International Airport) is also an option, located about 30 miles away. However, BUR is the preferred airport for most travelers as it offers more direct flights and is less crowded than LAX.