7-Day Shoestring Budget Itinerary for Calabasas, California

• Day 1: Malibu - Head to Malibu and take a stroll along the famous Surfrider Beach or go on a hike in Malibu Creek State Park. For lunch, check out Malibu Seafood or Paradise Cove Beach Cafe. End the day with a relaxing evening at El Matador State Beach.
• Day 2: Santa Monica and Venice Beach - Start the day with a visit to Santa Monica Pier for some classic LA views. Browse the shops and grab a bite to eat at the Third Street Promenade. Head to Venice Beach for an afternoon of people-watching and window-shopping. End the day with a sunset bike ride on the Venice boardwalk.
• Day 3: Getty Center and Beverly Hills - Spend the morning at the Getty Center, a top-rated art museum with breathtaking views of the city. After lunch, head to Beverly Hills for some window shopping on Rodeo Drive. End the day with a walk through the Beverly Gardens Park.
• Day 4: Hollywood - Start the day with a hike to the top of Runyon Canyon for great views of the city. After lunch, take a walk on the Walk of Fame and visit TCL Chinese Theatre. End the day with a trip to Griffith Observatory for stargazing.
• Day 5: Universal Studios and CityWalk - Spend the day at Universal Studios and take a stroll through CityWalk for some dining and shopping. Catch a movie at Universal CityWalk's 19-screen theater.
• Day 6: Downtown LA - Spend the morning at The Broad, a contemporary art museum, and grab lunch at Grand Central Market. Afternoon visit to the Walt Disney Concert Hall and the beautiful Bradbury Building. End the day with a sunset view of the city at OUE Skyspace LA.
• Day 7: Calabasas and Topanga - Spend the day exploring the local area. Start by hiking in Topanga State Park and then stop by the Leonis Adobe Museum to learn about local history. Spend the afternoon wandering The Commons at Calabasas for shopping and outdoor dining options.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Malibu (4-6 hours, Free)
• Santa Monica and Venice Beach (6-8 hours, Free)
• Getty Center and Beverly Hills (6-8 hours, Free)
• Hollywood (5-7 hours, Free)
• Universal Studios and CityWalk (8-10 hours, $109 per adult one-day ticket)
• Downtown LA (8-10 hours, Free)
• Calabasas and Topanga (6-8 hours, Free)
Total Estimated Costs: $109 per person for Universal Studios ticket

Transportation

Calabasas and surrounding areas are best explored by car. You can rent a car at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) or Burbank Bob Hope Airport (BUR). Uber and Lyft are also popular options for getting around the city. Expect some traffic during peak hours and budget for parking fees at museums and other popular tourist destinations.

Useful Tips

If you have extra time, consider taking a day trip to Joshua Tree National Park or Solvang, a charming Danish town. If you have less time, skip Universal Studios to save on costs or combine days to squeeze the itinerary into a shorter trip.

Airports

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the closest airport to Calabasas (about an hour's drive) and is one of the busiest airports in the world. Burbank Bob Hope Airport (BUR) is a smaller airport and is also an option for those traveling to Calabasas (about 30 minutes away).