Art and Adventure: How to Spend Three Days in Los Angeles
![An early rise for a hike to Griffith Observatory is rewarded with beautiful LA views](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/20x11/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/stocksy_txpdc679473hlm300_medium_547768.webp)
Three days in Los Angeles will always be a whirlwind affair. Hike semi-urban trails for city views, paddleboard along the Venice Canals, sample global cuisines at Grand Central Market – there are endless opportunities for surprise during your next Los Angeles adventure. To help you make the most of your time, we’ve curated an itinerary packed with all the ingredients necessary for an unforgettable vacation.
What is the best way to travel in LA?
Most travelers prefer to fly into the main air hub, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). And while renting a vehicle is always advisable when visiting the second-largest city in the US, recent improvements in public transport have made this great metropolis easier to navigate than ever before. Cab and ride-sharing services also offer a relatively inexpensive and convenient alternative – especially if you’re planning an evening of cocktails and care-free revelry.
Day one
1. Check in to a beach bungalow-inspired hotel
Hotel
![A light-and-airy lounge at Hotel June with wooden venetian blinds, sofa seating, and plenty of potted plants](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/374bbc6d.webp)
Hotel June has the perfect address for an urban adventure – it’s a short distance from LAX and only 4mi (6.4km) from Venice Beach. Inside the 250-room property – designed in the 1960s and revamped in 2020 – is a beach-chic aesthetic, bright and airy communal spaces, and rooms featuring plush Italian linens, white oak beds and Aesop toiletries. On the rooftop deck is a heated outdoor pool, firepits for cozy gatherings under the stars, and a poolside restaurant with a Baja-inspired menu, serving spicy cauliflower nachos and agave nectar-infused margaritas.
2. Paddleboard along the Venice Canals
Architectural Landmark
![One of the waterways that make up the Venice Canals, over which a small white bridge arches](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/2c4dtt0-1.webp)
Have a few extra hours to spare? Head to the beach for a pre-booked surfing lesson or rent a bike and explore the scenic Marvin Braude Bike Trail, a 22mi (35km) paved pathway that weaves along the coast, stretching between the beaches of Will Rogers State in the north and Torrance County in the south.
3. Eat fresh seafood by the beach
Restaurant, Wine Bar, Seafood
![A seafood platter with oysters, lobster and dips on ice](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/stocksy_txp614e5c43glm300_medium_1712353.webp)
A stone’s throw from Venice Boardwalk is Dudley Market, a restaurant and wine bar where locals soak up the relaxed atmosphere and dine on freshly caught seafood. It’s helmed by Conner Mitchell, and the understated décor exudes California cool, with exposed brick walls, wooden tables and an outdoor patio with beach views. Expect to feast on succulent oysters served on the half shell, whole fried fish, gourmet burgers and seasonal vegetables, paired with a bottle from the eclectic wine list.
Day two
4. Hike to the Griffith Observatory
Building, Museum, Park
![A hillside path flanked by foliage leads up to the white, domed Griffith Observatory](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/stocksy_txpdc679473hlm300_medium_743559.webp)
5. Search for hidden gems at a flea market
Market
![A woman shops at a flea market, behind her is a rack of furry coats and a sign reading All Vintage](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/stocksy_txpdc679473hlm300_medium_1460238.webp)
While LA might be known for retail destinations such as Rodeo Drive and Century City, the flea and vintage markets here offer some of the most exciting shopping in the city. Mingle with vintage sellers, emerging designers and bargain hunters at Los Feliz Flea, a free-to-attend market held each Saturday from 11am to 5pm in a trendy neighborhood bordering Griffith Park. Although it’s much more intimate than the sprawling Rose Bowl Flea Market, there are still plenty of treasures among the overflowing piles of vintage denim, stacks of vinyl records and assorted bric-a-brac. The market also has free parking and multiple food and beverage options if you need refreshments while shopping.
6. Bar hop in Los Feliz
Restaurant, American
![A whisky sour cocktail on a wooden table next to a brown clutch bag with a golden strap](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/stocksy_txpdc679473hlm300_medium_2548979.webp)
Day three
7. Eat like royalty at Grand Central Market in Downtown LA
Market, American, Dim Sum, Seafood, Street Food, Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-free
![Tourists and locals peruse the restaurant outlets at Grand Central Market with neon signs overhead](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/2bd2a6r-2.webp)
8. Explore the burgeoning Arts District
Architectural Landmark
![The white-and-blue façade of the Hauser & Wirth art gallery has a grand, arched entrance and cactuses in front](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/2ajdgch-1.webp)
The crown jewel of Downtown LA is arguably the Arts District, a neighborhood brimming with galleries, boutiques and restaurants, just a short drive or cycle from Grand Central Market. Make your way to the LA outpost of Hauser & Wirth upon arrival. The gallery, housed in a former flour mill, spans more than 100,000sqft (9,290sqm) and features exhibition spaces, an open-air courtyard, restaurant, and a public garden with herb beds and a chicken coop. After an afternoon of culture, make your last stop Perch, a rooftop restaurant and bar with some of the best views of Downtown LA. Reserve a table on their outdoor deck for dinner and bask in the last of the day’s sunshine, accompanied by a cocktail or bottle of wine.
Find out more and start planning your trip now by visiting discoverlosangeles.com
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