How to Spend 48 Hours in Los Angeles (Perfect Weekend Guide)

Planning a 2-day trip to Los Angeles sounds easy, that is, until you start thinking about just how massive the city is, and how real traffic can be. But don't freak out just yet, you can still squeeze in all the highlights without completely losing your mind (not to mention your parking spot). The truth is, in just 48 hours, you can take in the beaches, cruise down the famous streets, and hit up the must-see attractions, all with a little bit of planning that actually works. This 2-day guide to LA is all about keeping things simple, keeping things quick, and making it all actually doable, no crazy, unrealistic schedules, no running around like a character in a movie montage.

Day 1 covers key things to do in Los Angeles, including breakfast at The Griddle Cafe, a walk on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and lunch at Philippe The Original.

The Griddle Cafe is situated in the middle of Sunset Boulevard in LA. The place is famous for massive pancake servings that'll keep you going till lunchtime. They come piled high on big old plates. The menu's full of tasty treats like red velvet pancakes and some of the thickest French toast you've ever seen. The café opens its doors bright and early for breakfast. You can sit inside or out; either way, it's a pretty comfy spot. The good news is the kitchen whips up everything fresh, so there's a good chance you'll get to watch your breakfast come together. The best part? No reservations needed, swing by and grab a table as a walk-in.

The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a major draw along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street in LA. Over 2,700 glittering brass stars plaster the sidewalk, each one bestowing the name of a famous entertainer. The stars are set into the ground in a fancy black terrazzo; it really does add to the overall glamour. As far as opening hours go, the Walk is open 24/7, so feel free to drop by at your leisure. Best of all, it's free to visit and take a stroll. The street performers add to the lively atmosphere.

Philippe The Original has been a staple on the Downtown LA scene for a long time; in fact, it's been around since a pretty impressive 1908. The place is a classic American sandwich joint, with the famous French dip sandwich being the real star of the show. It's got all the makings of a traditional sandwich. Roasted meat, juicy and tender, is then dipped in meat juices before being served up. You can pick up beef, pork, or turkey sandwiches, or even go for a bit of everything. You can also add a side of potato salad or pickled eggs to round things out.

Disneyland Park is a real treat for the family (or even just for yourself). It’s situated about 40 clicks outside of LA in Anaheim. If you're interested in history, you might know it opened its doors on a sunny July day back in 1955, all thanks to the vision of Walt Disney himself. The park is split into themed areas like Adventureland, Tomorrowland, and all the rest. One thing you'll spot straight away is the iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle, right bang in the center of the action. For all intents and purposes, you're going to need a ticket to get in, and so the park sticks to its opening and closing hours like the pro it is. Roller coasters, dark rides, and boat rides are all part of the fun, as well as a whole bunch of shops and places to grab a bite to eat.

Downtown LA is the heart of the city and its central business district, too. This is the place where you'll find some of the world's top financial offices, world-class cultural attractions, and some of the best public spaces in LA. The Grand Central Market is a food hall on steroids, a huge indoor marketplace that's basically a foodies paradise. Then there's the Walt Disney Concert Hall, a real showstopper of a building that was designed by some very clever architect named Frank Gehry. You can get around this part of town pretty easily using the metro or bus. It's also got a load of old and new buildings, some of them really historic and some of them humongous skyscrapers.

The Little Door Bistro is down on a little street called West 3rd in LA. This is where you can go to get a taste of French and Mediterranean grub. Their outside courtyard is really pretty, with tables all set up in a sort of garden setting. They like to use what's in season when they create their menu, so it's always changing a bit. You can get a great meal there at dinner time, but the service only operates in the evenings. Because the place is pretty small, you'd best be sure and book ahead of time.

Day 2 includes top Los Angeles attractions such as breakfast at Eggslut, views from Griffith Observatory, and lunch at The L.A. Cafe.

Eggslut calls home at Grand Central Market in Downtown LA, where it's been since 2011. Their egg-centric menu is all about breakfast, and boy, they do it well. Take the Fairfax sandwich, for instance. You get scrambled eggs, some gooey cheddar cheese, sweet caramelized onions, and, for good measure, a drizzle of spicy sriracha mayo. And then there's the ever-so-popular Slut dish: a coddled egg swimming around in a bowl of creamy potato purée in a jar. You order at the counter, wait for a min, then pick up your grub. There's no dedicated seating, just grab a spot in the market hall if there's one free. Eggslut starts serving breakfast in the morning, but be prepared to wait in line during peak hours. And one more thing: they make each dish fresh as you order it, so forget about pre-prepped food here.

Perched on the south slope of Mount Hollywood in glorious Griffith Park, the Griffith Observatory is the place to go. They've been open to the public since 1935, and the good news is that getting into the actual building is free. You can take in the stunning views of LA and get a glimpse of the iconic Hollywood Sign while you're there, too. There are even public telescopes for gazing at the stars on clear evenings. And did we mention the helpful exhibits on all things astronomy and space? If you drive, parking's available in a nearby lot or on the street. Hours are pretty standard, just check the times before heading over. Weekends are peak traffic days, mind you, and you can also get there by car or public transport.

The L.A. Café sounds like your run-of-the-mill casual diner, right? Wrong. This place in Downtown LA packs in all the American diner classics (sandwiches, burgers, and yes, even breakfast items) plus more. You hit the counter with your order, take a seat when you can, and they dish out the grub: pastrami sandwiches and fluffy omelets. They're open all day, every day, from morning to night, in fact. They do have a little seating inside, and they also offer takeout options if you're on the go. Same hours every day, so no need to worry about that. Plus, it's right in the heart of Downtown, so you can pop by and see some other attractions while you're in the area

Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills is the crème de la crème of shopping in LA. This street's been home to the likes of Gucci, Prada, and Louis Vuitton for ages, and it's a luxury shopper's paradise, spanning three whole blocks. And the best part? You don't have to pay a single fee to window shop to your heart's content. Wide sidewalks and landscaped gardens make it a breeze to stroll along, and parking's available in nearby structures. Just keep in mind that it can get packed out on weekends, so plan. You can get there by car or public transport, easy as can be.

Santa Monica Beach is out in the Pacific Ocean, right next to Downtown LA. You can take a nice long stroll along the beach, it's a few kilometers long, and the view just goes on forever. The good news is that getting to the beach is free, and you can get there by walking or even biking; the area's got all the paths you'd need. Plus, just in case, there are lifeguard stations all along the beach. And if you're looking for something to do, the Santa Monica Pier is just a stone's throw away, not to mention there are restrooms and parking right around the corner. Bottom line, the beach is open whenever the sun is up. That's part of what makes it such a favorite; locals and tourists alike all love coming here to hang out. Nice big waves or sunshine, it all depends on the season, of course.

Bottega Louie's got a great spot on South Grand Avenue in Downtown LA. It's the perfect place to grab some Italian food or a French treat. The whole place is nice and airy with high ceilings and big open rooms. They've got a pretty simple menu, but it's got all the good stuff: pasta, pizza, and all sorts of seafood dishes. And of course, there's a whole other counter over there with all sorts of sweet treats like macarons and desserts. So, can you do in or take out? Either way is good, they're open for lunch and dinner, and you can even make a reservation if you want to sit down, just let them know! Plus, the kitchen will give you a choice of a standard menu. Best part of all, even when it's super busy at night, it’s definitely worth a visit.

Tips:

• Starting your day early helps you avoid getting stuck in traffic in LA, a nightmare.
• Before you set off, have a look at real-time traffic conditions on your app to see where the bottlenecks are.
• If you're planning to eat at a super popular restaurant, it's a good idea to book a table well in advance.
• You'll be doing a lot of walking at the attractions, so pack some comfy shoes.
• And don't forget to keep some cash handy for those parking meters and small vendors.
• When parking is tough, ride-sharing is a good option in busy areas.
• Double-check the opening and closing hours for the place you're visiting so you're not stuck waiting outside.
• Buying tickets online for places like Disneyland will save you heaps of time at the gate.
• Staying hydrated is super important when you're out at the Santa Monica Beach.
• Plan your route ahead of time to avoid getting caught up in traffic on the way between places.
• If you're headed to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, try to steer clear of peak hours.
• A portable charger for your phone is a lifesaver for long days out.
• Be sure to follow the parking rules in city areas, or you might find yourself facing a fine.
• When you're visiting Downtown LA, public transport is a good option.
• And you never know when a cool breeze might roll in from the coast, so keep a light jacket handy for those evenings.

In a nutshell, Los Angeles offers a well-planned mix of food, sightseeing, and iconic places to visit in LA across two days.

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