Three-Day Family-Friendly Itinerary in Los Angeles, CA

  • Day 1: Santa Monica Pier
    10 minutes (1.3 miles) from Downtown Santa Monica

    The Santa Monica Pier is a landmark and popular attraction located in Santa Monica. It’s known for its amusement park, beautiful beach, and various attractions for tourists and locals to enjoy.

  • Day 2: Universal Studios Hollywood
    19 minutes (10.5 miles) from Santa Monica Pier

    Universal Studios Hollywood is a film studio and theme park that lets visitors experience the magic of Hollywood. You can take studio tours, enjoy thrilling rides, and catch live shows.

  • Day 3: Griffith Observatory & Hollywood Walk of Fame
    31 minutes (11.8 miles) from Universal Studios Hollywood

    Griffith Observatory is an iconic Los Angeles attraction that offers breathtaking views of the city and the cosmos. Visitors can explore the exhibits, observatory, and planetarium shows. Afterward, head to the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame and find your favorite celebrity's star on the sidewalk.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Santa Monica Pier (2-3 hours, free)
  • Universal Studios Hollywood (6-8 hours, $109-139 per ticket)
  • Griffith Observatory (2-3 hours, free)
  • Hollywood Walk of Fame (1-2 hours, free)
  • Total Estimated Costs: $218-278 per person

Transportation

Los Angeles has a public transportation system known as Metro, which includes buses and trains. It is recommended to purchase a TAP card for easy and affordable rides. While driving is an option, traffic can be heavy during peak hours. The estimated travel costs are around $20-30 per day for public transportation and $30-50 per day for car rental if needed.

Useful tips

If you have more time, consider visiting other popular attractions such as the Getty Center, Rodeo Drive, or the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. If you have less time, you may want to skip Universal Studios and focus on the other attractions instead.

Airports

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the primary airport in Los Angeles located 17 miles southwest of downtown LA. Other nearby airports include Bob Hope Airport (BUR) in Burbank and Long Beach Airport (LGB) in Long Beach.

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