48 Hours in LA: How to Spend the Perfect Weekend in Los Angeles

Two days, endless sunshine, and a city that never does anything halfway—Los Angeles is ready to sweep you into its fast-paced, star-studded rhythm.

Los Angeles is an amazing city in California with a population of 3.8 million people. It is home to some famous areas, such as Hollywood, Santa Monica, and Downtown. The film industry is obviously a huge part of The City Of Angels, but LA is also famous for its year-round sunshine and (you guessed it) its awful traffic. In 48 hours, you can still cram in some of the major sights, try some of that famous Cal-Mex food, and even squeeze in some beach time. This guide is designed to help you make the most of 2 days in LA without any hassle, with real places and clear steps to follow, so you can enjoy this incredible city without wasting a second.

Day 1 includes breakfast at The Griddle Cafe, a visit to Santa Monica, lunch at Bottega Louie, and exploring Beverly Hills.

The Griddle Cafe on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood is a real treat, and we mean really big pancakes. They serve up mouth-watering dishes like "Golden Ticket" pancakes loaded with butterscotch chips and brown sugar. Their menu is a regular old breakfast joint with eggs, hash browns, French toast, and some pretty fancy coffee drinks.

Things can get pretty hectic inside, especially on weekends, so you'll want to get there early to snag a seat. And those portions? They're bigger than the standard LA breakfast size, so be ready to roll up your sleeves. They've even been on TV for their over-the-top meals, all thanks to their trusty big griddle cooking their famous pancakes.
Address: 7916 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046, United States

Santa Monica is a quintessential LA coastal city with the Pacific Ocean along the west side of downtown Los Angeles. You've got to visit the Santa Monica Pier, it's got the famous little amusement park called Pacific Park, and this super cool solar-powered Ferris wheel. The beach goes on forever, managed by LA County, and if you're feeling adventurous, try the Marvin Braude Bike Trail, which goes straight along the ocean and hooks up with Venice Beach. Third Street Promenade has all the shopping and entertainment you could want, from street performers to retail stores, and don't even get us started on the access to the beach and the parking. Ocean Avenue has got you covered. This city has been around since 1886 and is a major tourist destination.

Bottega Louie is one of those cool restaurants that also happens to be a bakery and a patisserie, all rolled into one. The inside is pretty cute with high ceilings and marble surfaces. They’ve got this open dining space that's just great for people watching. You can grab a bite of Italian goodness: wood-fired pizzas, handmade pastas, seafood plates, and they’ve also got a bakery counter selling all sorts of tasty treats like macarons in tons of flavors.

Cakes and pastries are baked on the premises. They've been around since 2007 and quickly became famous for those desserts. They're open for lunch and dinner daily, and they can get pretty busy. The eatery uses all sorts of imported Italian ingredients in its cooking: olive oil, cheeses, and cured meats.
Address: 700 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90017, United States

Beverly Hills is this posh little city nestled right inside Los Angeles, and it’s like the ultimate luxury shopping and residential experience. Rodeo Drive is definitely the highlight with all the big brand stores like Gucci, Prada, and Louis Vuitton; it's like Christmas in here. And you can expect pretty strict zoning laws to keep those residential areas low-key; they want to keep it classy in here.

Beverly Gardens Park on Santa Monica Boulevard is a really nice touch, too; it’s got that famous Beverly Hills sign. And get this, Beverly Hills has its own police and fire departments separate from Los Angeles, it's like it has its own little city within the city. And it's also been the filming location for a gazillion movies and TV shows.

Griffith Observatory sits perched on the southern slope of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park, where it's been a fixture since 1935. The place is a real treat; not only does it offer free public access to its astronomy exhibits, but the building itself is pretty cool too, featuring a bunch of telescopes, a planetarium, and displays that get you pumped about space science. You might even recognize the place from that 2016 movie La La Land; it was one of the locations they used for filming. And if you're into architecture, you'll be treated to some great views of the city and that famous Hollywood Sign from the observatory. The Samuel Oschin Planetarium throws on some pretty cool shows using advanced projection tech, and they run pretty much daily. The observatory's pretty easy to get to, just hop on in by car or on public transport, and there's loads of parking just nearby.

71Above is a pretty great restaurant that's sitting pretty high, all the way up on the 71st floor of the US Bank Tower in Downtown LA. Not only that, but it's one of the highest restaurants in the west of the Mississippi, so you know you're going to get some great views of the city from in there. And that’s not all, the dining room is pretty impressive too, with massive floor-to-ceiling glass windows that let the city lights just pour in.

Now, the food, they do a seasonal tasting menu there, so that's a good way to experience the best of what's on offer. They focus on using some premium ingredients like seafood and local produce. It's a real treat if you're into dining out. Just be prepared to book ahead as it’s a pretty popular spot, and for good reason.
Address: 633 W 5th St, 71st floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071, United States

Day 2 places to visit in LA include breakfast at Jack's N Joe, exploring Venice Beach, lunch at The L.A. Cafe, and a full visit to Disneyland Park.

Jack's N Joe is a little breakfast spot that's a stone's throw away from USC, down in LA. Their menu is all about getting creative with pancakes, yes, you can get Oreo pancakes and banana macadamia nut ones too. But it's not just pancakes they're serving up, oh no, they've also got eggs Benedict, omelets, and breakfast burritos all on offer. The portions are huge, we mean massive, and everything's made to order in the kitchen.

The vibe's super casual indoors, and they always seem to have a steady stream of people popping in for a morning bite. No surprise, it's a favorite with USC students, and is right there on Figueroa Street. And just a little icing on the cake, they've even been featured on some of the local food TV shows for their pancakes and their signature breakfast combos.
Address: 2498 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90007, United States

Venice Beach is one of LA's most famous beaches, and for good reason. It's on the west side of LA, right along the Pacific Ocean. The Venice Beach Boardwalk is a bit like a shop-lined promenade and has street performers pulling in the crowds. There's Muscle Beach Venice, which is basically an outdoor gym where the superfit spot is to be seen.

Then there's the Venice Skate Park, a concrete skate park right near the sand. You also get designated volleyball courts and cycling paths. Just nearby are the Venice Canals, which are a bit of LA history dating back to 1905, and you can actually walk along them. Venice Beach gets millions of visitors every year and is probably one of LA's most happening spots.

The L.A. Cafe is located in Downtown LA and is always open. It's the sort of place that's happy to serve you up everything from sandwiches to burgers to pasta and breakfast all day long. Inside, it's just like any old diner: counter service, a bunch of seats, you get the picture. So what can you get? How about a club sandwich? An omelet? Chicken? The portions are massive, and the comfort food options are endless; it's no wonder this place has been a fixture in the Spring Street area for so long. Whether you want to eat in or take it away, The L.A. Cafe is always happy to oblige.
Address: 639 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90014, United States

Disneyland Park is in Anaheim, about 40 km from Downtown LA. And it's been around since 1955; Walt Disney himself put it together. The place is split up into all sorts of different themed lands: Adventureland, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, and the list goes on. Then you've got the likes of Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Haunted Mansion; all the big hitters. Parades, character meetups, and shows are all part of the routine.

And if that's not enough, Disneyland Resort is also home to Disney California Adventure Park and a bunch of hotels. With timed entry tickets and all that now, it's one of the most visited theme parks in the world, with millions of people passing through every year.

The Arts District is where Downtown Los Angeles meets Little Tokyo on the East side. This place has got some serious history; its roots were in the industrial game with old warehouses and factories. Over the years, they've turned the whole place into a buzzing cultural hotspot with loads of galleries, studios, and all sorts of cool creative spaces. There's street art galore plastered all over these buildings, big murals and all sorts of eclectic designs. This place is full of character, independent shops and cafes, boutique stores, and even some of the more unique design places to explore. The ICA LA, that’s the Institute of Contemporary Art, is based here. Loads of the buildings have been converted into fancy loft-style apartments, and the area hosts loads of art walks and community events to keep you coming back all year round.

Bestia serves some top-notch Italian grub and is tucked away in the Arts District of Downtown LA. First opened back in 2012, Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis started it all off. Word on the street is that their house-made charcuterie, wood-fired pizzas, and handmade pasta are to die for. They change the menu up regularly, so you can get all sorts of tasty things on there, like bone marrow, cavatelli, or a classic Neapolitan-style pizza.

The place itself has some serious industrial style going on, all exposed brick and high ceilings; the whole 9 yards. Bestia has been getting rave reviews from the food critics, and that's the way it’s been for years. Probably best to get a reservation in advance, though, as the place is pretty popular. They're really keen on seasonal ingredients and proper Italian cooking techniques over there.
Address: 2121 E 7th Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90021, United States

In a nutshell, this guide covers all the best things to do in Los Angeles in 48 hours. It includes everything from beaches, famous streets, to popular restaurants. You can easily visit Santa Monica, Venice Beach, and Griffith Observatory. Make sure to plan your time well and follow this simple list to enjoy all the amazing attractions in Los Angeles.

Stay close to LA’s top attractions with comfort and value—secure your room at Bevonshire Lodge Motel today.