Here are some great tips for a 3-day itinerary in California. Here’s how to get the most out of your trip, even if you’re short on time.
Starting tip for your California travel itinerary
California is a stunning state with many incredible cities to visit. But because your itinerary is so short, only 3 days, we think it’s best to choose one of the main tourist cities there: San Diego or San Francisco, or even Los Angeles.
And since most tourists are enchanted by Los Angeles, for this article we’ve settled on it for your 3 days in California. But feel free to choose the destination that best suits you and your tourist profile.
Itinerary in California: Los Angeles
When you arrive in Los Angeles, you’ll find a city where almost everything refers to the world of cinema and entertainment. So the golden tip is to start observing the streets, houses and monuments as soon as you leave the airport. It’s all very beautiful and themed.
If you have a rental car – a service we find indispensable on a trip to Los Angeles and all of California – it’s even easier to take in the beauty of the neighborhoods you pass through.
Morning and afternoon: Day 1
Once you’ve settled into your hotel and had a good breakfast, our tip is to head to the city’s most popular area: Hollywood. In this area, you’ll find some of LA’s main tourist attractions. So, get your camera ready, because there will be plenty of great shots to post on your social networks and keep as a souvenir.
Among the attractions in Hollywood, the ones we consider to be unmissable are:
- The Walk of Fame: which displays the stars of entertainment artists who have marked generations.
- Madame Tussauds Museum: where wax statues of various world personalities are exhibited.
- Dolby Theatre: the theater that hosts the Academy Awards.
- Highland Center Shopping Mall: perfect for lunch or a delicious afternoon coffee.
- TLC Chinese Theatre: with more than 100 years of existence, this theater has screened the most important films in the history of cinema.
- Hollywood Sign: one of the main postcards of Los Angeles, as well as a place from where you can get a unique view of the city.
- Important tip: California is a state that has many tourist cities, with museums, attractions and tours. So, regardless of where you go there, always buy the tickets in advance. We buy everything on this website that has the best price.
Night: Day 1
After a morning and afternoon of walking and sightseeing, we reserved the evening of this first day for something quieter and more relaxing. Depending on the neighborhood you’re staying in, head to a restaurant for dinner and try some of the local cuisine.
There are many magnificent gastronomic establishments in Los Angeles, so your choice will depend on your budget and taste. But be aware that there are many in areas such as West Hollywood, Melrose Ave and Hollywood Blvd.
Morning: Day 2
For this second day of your Los Angeles itinerary, we’ve set aside a few hours in the morning to enjoy some of the city’s main beaches. There are 3 of them that stand out:
- Santa Monica Beach: this is a beach with a long stretch of sand, lots of sportsmen along the shore and an incredible pier (where the Santa Monica Ferris wheel is).
- Venice Beach: has a busy boardwalk, crystal-clear sea and people who skateboard or surf.
- Malibu Beach: Malibu is a region with several cinematic beaches (Surfrider Beach, Zuma Beach and El Matador State Beach). There, you will have many relaxing moments in a unique setting.
Afternoon: Day 2
After relaxing on one of LA’s beaches, return to the hotel, rest for a while and get ready to discover new attractions in the afternoon. Two of them that are perfect for any type of itinerary are Griffith Park and the Grifitth Park Observatory.
Griffith Park is located between some mountains and is perfect for visiting on a sunny afternoon. As well as having a very nice, panoramic view of the city, there is an observatory there, with an extensive exhibition on astronomy and science.
Our tip is to try to go to the park in the middle of the afternoon, so you can enjoy the sunset from there. The photos are beautiful and the atmosphere is extraordinary. We’re sure you’ll love it. If you want, take the opportunity to see what the Griffith Observatory is like. Remember that entry to the park is free, but you have to pay to enter the observatory.
Night: Day 2
We can’t finish these tips for a 3-day itinerary in California without recommending an evening tour of the famous Rodeo Drive. Considered one of the best-known streets in the USA, it can easily be found in Beverly Hills.
Here you’ll find stores selling famous brands such as: Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Giorgio Armani, BVLGARI, Burberry, Celine, Valentino, Versace, Yves Saint-Laurent, Fendi, Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren, Prada, Chanel, Salvatore Ferragamo, Tiffany & Co and Lacoste.
Even if you don’t want to buy anything, a stroll down Rodeo Drive is almost an obligatory stop on a trip to Los Angeles.
- Important tip: to make the most of your trip to California, staying in the best tourist cities is essential. So, if you want, check out our article explaining the main cities and how you can save a lot on accommodation.
Morning and afternoon: Day 3
The third and final day of your trip has arrived. And for it, we’ve set a morning and afternoon at one of Los Angeles’ movie studios: Universal Studios Hollywood or Warner Bros. Hollywood.
The former allows you to see the sets, shows and characters from several famous series and films. To buy your ticket for this tour at the lowest price, just click here. On the other hand, The Warner Bros. Hollywood tour allows you to take a guided tour which explains all the secrets of filming movies (such as Harry Potter and Wonder Woman) and series (such as Big Bang Theory and Friends).
Whatever you choose, believe me, these studios are magnificent and offer unique experiences for your trip. Have fun.
Night: Day 3
To enjoy this evening of your 3-day itinerary in Los Angeles, choose from the many bars and nightclubs in the city. For good drinks and conversation, Seven Grand or Good Times at Davey Wayne’s are great choices. If you want to party until the wee hours, Exchange Nightclub is worth a look.
Save on tickets to paid attractions in California
There are many free tours in California that are excellent, but there are also some paid tours – such as museums, amusement parks etc. The good news is that you can buy tickets for all of California’s attractions much more cheaply.
The best way is to buy your tickets online, always BEFORE you travel. Tickets are always cheaper than at the box office and you can travel with them safely without running the risk of them being sold out. The cheapest place we’ve found so far is this website.
It’s the world’s biggest website for tickets and tours. It has all the amusement park tickets, tours, excursions and even transfers. It’s the cheapest and most reliable place we’ve found so far.
Save money on your trip to California:
Saving money: do you want to plan your trip while making the most of your budget? Be sure to read our article on how to travel to California cheap, with all the tips to save the most, while still enjoying it!
Car: if you are thinking about renting one this is the best website. It compares the price at all rental companies and finds unbeatable prices. You can save up to 30%!
Mobile chip: we always use this chip. It’s electronic (eSIM), you install it instantly and you can use your cell phone’s Internet anywhere in the world.
Travel insurance: medical care in another country is very expensive and it is extremely important to take out travel insurance for any trip abroad. This is the website we always take out our insurance on. Reliable and at a good price.
Transfer: do you need one from the airport to the hotel? Find out here how to book and for the lowest price!
