How to Spend One Day in Los Angeles, California

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Want to know how to spend one day in Los Angeles? You’re in the right place.

Los Angeles is the 2nd largest city in the United States. It covers about 500 square miles. It is one of the cultural and entertainment capitals of the world, with something to be experienced on every corner.

That can make it a little overwhelming if you’re only going to spend one day in Los Angeles and need to plan an itinerary.

We plan it so you don’t have to! Here is our recommended itinerary on how to spend one day in LA.

One Day in Los Angeles Itinerary

Grab Breakfast at Republique

Home of Hollywood, visitors to LA sometimes hope for something a little theatrical. If that’s the case, start your morning at Republique.

You know this Californian-French cuisine will provide some of the best pastries you’ve ever had. The menu contains all of your favorites: french toast, waffles, and avocado toast. There will also be some menu items you’ve never heard of before, but when eating at Republique…

Republique’s building was originally constructed in 1929 by Charlie Chaplin and used as Chaplin’s office. It has been serving LA in different capacities since, and now is one of the best breakfast spots in the city.

Weekends here can get very busy, but if your 1 day in LA lands on a weekday, you’ll enjoy a slower experience.

But if you’re looking for a more traditional and more affordable breakfast place, I recommend checking out Breakfast by Salt’s Cure. These are pancakes so good, they aren’t served with syrup. 

After Breakfast Marvel at the Exhibits in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art

After leaving Republique, you’ll go west a couple blocks and hit the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

The LACMA is the largest art museum in the Western United States, housing over 150,000 pieces. The first thing you’ll see are the mesmerizing outdoor art installations. Then you’ll head inside and purchase a ticket ($25 for adults, $10 ages 3-17, $21 for seniors and students).

Inside the museum, the LACMA has made it a priority to show art from all cultures, times, and places. Currently, the exhibits on display include Afro-Atlantic Histories, Coded: Art Enters the Computer Age, and Another World.

You won’t be able to find a better way to spend a few of your 24 hours in Los Angeles. 

Shop ‘Til You Drop at Rodeo Drive

Your next stop will be Rodeo Drive. You’ll continue west again for about 10 more minutes until you hit Beverly Hills. Then you’ll know you’ve made it.

Rodeo Drive is Los Angeles’ principal upscale shopping district. Starting its reputation in 1961 when Fred Hayman opened Giorgio Beverly Hills at 273 Rodeo Drive, many other luxury brands have followed suit to make Rodeo Drive what it is today.

There are over 100 internationally recognized brands housed by buildings worthy of architectural marvel. Whether you’re visiting Rodeo Drive to purchase a new wardrobe or just to window shop, it’s a stop you need to include in your Los Angeles one day trip.

Eat Lunch at 208 Rodeo Restaurant

Can’t get enough of Rodeo Drive? Good! Stay and eat lunch at one of its delectable restaurants.

Feeling once again like a movie set, 208 Rodeo serves its guests atop the stairs on Rodeo Drive’s cobblestone street. It’ll be a meal you won’t forget.

208 Rodeo has been serving Rodeo Drive since 1991 and is a place where you can get your favorites, like a Caesar salad, salmon, or nachos, with a high-end twist. If you are dining in, they ask their guests to keep their stay to 90 minutes.

Now we also wanted to include an option for those who reached their shopping timer, don’t worry, we get it, and we will get you off of Rodeo Drive.

Gogo’s Tacos is one of the best grab-n-go options in Los Angeles. They have a classic Mexican food menu with all the essentials plus some fun extras, i.e. tater tots.

If you’ve got a big group, they have a Feed the Fam Pack. The whole family needs to eat well if you’re only here for one day in Los Angeles.

Time for Some LA Sightseeing

After lunch, you’ll need to fit some sightseeing into your one day in Los Angeles.

For movie fans, you’ll find your afternoon activity on Hollywood Boulevard. Find your favorite stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, witness the TCL Chinese theater, and stop in at Madame Tussauds Hollywood, the infamous wax museum.

To mix sightseeing with a little nature, make your way to the Griffith Observatory. Poke your head into the beautiful building to see space in a new way, then venture out into Griffith Park. Take the trail that leads you to a view of the iconic Hollywood sign.

1 day in Los Angeles requires a lot of walking, so be sure to bring some good shoes!

Go on a Warner Brothers’ Studio Tour

Seeing the Warner Brothers’ Studio is one of the best ways to delve into Hollywood’s movie industry.

The Studio has four tour options you can choose from. The Studio Tour takes visitors behind the scenes of the working studio where Warner Bros have been making magic for over 100 years. The guided tour lasts for an hour, then you will have 2 hours to roam around the premises on your own. It is $70 for adults, $60 for children, and $58 for residents.

The Classics Tour option focuses on black and white fan favorites and the Warner Bros Golden age of film. This also includes 3 hours self-guided and guided material.

The Studio Tour Plus is a brand new tour option. The tour starts in the deluxe lounge where you can stock up on refreshments before delving into the fantastical movie industry. After a couple hours of an extensive tour, lunch is provided in the infamous Central Perk Cafe from Friends. Adult tickets are $150, children are $129, and residents are $126 and the tour lasts about 4 hours.

Now, if 4 hours doesn’t seem like enough to you, the Deluxe Tour is going to be where you’ll want to put your dollar. This tour includes everything from the Studio Tour Plus, with a few added perks. You’ll still get to visit Central Perk Cafe and enjoy a snack and drink, but your lunch will be served in the Commissary Fine Dining Room.

You won’t regret adding this to your one day in Los Angeles itinerary.

Click here to book the most popular tour option.

Experience Little Tokyo Through Dinner at Sushi Gen

Los Angeles’s Little Tokyo has the largest Japanese-American population in North America. It is known for its food and cultural experiences.

Sushi Gen is one of those culinary experiences you need to have when spending one day in LA.

Open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner, you can order authentic Japanese food through their extensive menu. 

There are a number of sushi options, but sometimes raw fish isn’t for everyone, I get it. Sushi Gen has got you covered either way. You can order a beef or chicken teriyaki dinner instead!

In such a diverse city as LA, eating French cuisine for breakfast, Mexican or American for lunch, and Japanese for dinner makes up the perfect menu for one day in Los Angeles.

Enjoy the Energy at Santa Monica Pier

Instead of spending your night lit by strobe lights in a club, end your one day in Los Angeles the only way you can, under the lights of Santa Monica Pier’s Ferris wheel.

This is one of my favorite things to do in Los Angeles and has been a California staple since the pier was built in 1909. Originally a municipal pier built for the city, Santa Monica Pier has become an icon where humanity merges with the natural world. 

You can’t go wrong with those ocean views and the sound of the waves as you play on the pier.

Getting on the pier is free, so if you’re just there to sit and enjoy the views and some people-watching, it’ll be a very inexpensive event for you. You can purchase tickets for rides, purchase some dessert, and maybe get a few souvenirs if you want to have the full Santa Monica experience.

You’re definitely going to want to go back to your hotel and get a good night’s sleep after that busy one day in Los Angeles. From art museums to shopping to a late night walk near Santa Monica Pier, you’ve been all over the city seeing some of the best it has to offer.

That’s a lot of work!

So pat yourself on the back, then start planning your next trip to LA, because we know how addicting this city can be.