LA ITINERARY // my spontaneous trip transformed into your ultimate guide
If you’ve read my other blog post about how I am the ultimate planner, you’d probably be shocked to know that I planned absolutely nothing for my trip to LA. It’s not that it was a sudden decision to go to LA. It had been on the calendar for months. I just didn’t get around to mapping it out, and in a weird unexplainable way, I didn’t care to. I hadn’t been on a vacation in literal years. As much relief as planning can give you, it can also stress you out when you don’t adhere to the schedule you meticulously outlined. I decided to risk the “stress” of not knowing what I was going to do each day rather than the stress of being frustrated when things didn’t go as planned.
I had SUCH a great time in LA and felt relieved waking up each day going with the flow. I didn’t need to set an alarm to make sure I woke up early enough for something I planned weeks ago but didn’t actually feel like doing once the day arrived. I experience enough of that in my day-to-day life so it was cool not to have to worry about that during my vacation.
Now, why would I convince you guys to have no plan while also wanting you to find my itinerary useful? Because I am not expecting or asking you to follow it to a T. I made sure not to create a day-to-day schedule and just categorized things by where to stay, things to do, and what to eat. I know it doesn’t feel like an itinerary without a specific schedule, so this is more like a guide than an itinerary if we want to be technical. I just want to encourage you to find your balance in planning and flowing.
Day 1 includes some suggestions for settling in but the rest of the stay is up to you. If something on the itinerary really excites you, maybe you pencil it in for one of your days in LA. But if you find a day when you have some time to pass by, this is a handy resource to peek at to see if any of the activities inspire you. So with that, let’s gooooo!
DAY 1
Arrival + Explore Your Hotel
This is the only day where I will make a suggestion – I wouldn’t plan much for arrival day. Personally, I’m usually exhausted from traveling. Also, depends so much on what time of day you arrive. Not having much planned for arrival day makes a delayed flight less annoying. This is a great day to just explore your hotel, rest up for the days ahead, and give your body a chance to adjust to the jet lag. On the flip side, if you’re only staying for 3-4 days, you could use this time to check out some spots instead of cramming it into the rest of your trip. Whatever works best for you!
Midway Car Rental | Pick Up Your Car
If you want to rent a luxury car, reserve this at least a week in advance. We booked our rental a day or 2 before, but they were out of luxury vehicles when we got there so we had to take what was left. A dodge charger. And they gave us a slight discount for not being able to get the car we wanted, but we had to ask for this discount. Do yourself the favor of booking at least a week in advance.
I loved that they provided a shuttle to and from the airport.
Be sure to factor in valet + parking costs for your trip. For us, we knew we’d be driving around A LOT so it was cheaper than us calling Ubers to and from every destination.
Dream Hotel | Check into Your Hotel + Explore
Check out my video review on IG + TikTok!
@giovannaposce Dream Hotel was perfect! It was clean, service was great, and vibes were all there. I’d recommend if you’re planning a visit to Hollywood…. See more
We had a few things in Hollywood to attend, so this location was great for us. This wouldn’t be my first choice if you’re traveling with kids, as the hotel seems to cater to more of a night life vibe. I’m not super into night life myself but the hotel was still a great stay for me (as an adult) LOL. I heard this is a popular location that celebrities and influencers stay at. While we were there, Sephora was hosting a group of beauty influencers here for an event.
They even have a rooftop restaurant that turns into a club at night! And the famous TAO is right next door.
We booked early enough that our rate came out to $245/night which included their $45/night resort fee. Keep that in mind if you book through Hotel Tonight or airbnb, because they do not include that cost and you’ll have to pay it when you arrive to the hotel. If you’re renting a car, be sure to factor in valet at $60/night.
THINGS TO EAT
The Linden | Best Thing I Ate in LA
Check out my video review on IG + TikTok!
Get the Waygu Pie. Shoutout to my cousin @anastasiamarieb for suggesting this spot. It was by far my favorite restaurant that I went to in LA. The chef is from NY so I understood why I quickly fell in love. If the sound of African-American, Caribbean, Jewish and South Asian influences intrigues you, you’ll love this spot.
Little Dom’s | Best Pancakes in LA
Check out my video review on IG + TikTok!
Get the blueberry pancakes!!
College Boy Cheesesteaks | Late Night Bite
I didn’t get a chance to check this out while I was in LA and it’s one of my biggest regrets. BUT I’m still recommending them because Philly has my heart and I can look at those cheesesteaks and know they taste like home. Double check their IG to make sure they’re open before you go, but they tend to be open late night!
Happy Ice | Sweet Treats
Check out my video review on IG + TikTok!
Another Philly-based favorite. We call it water ice, yall call it Italian Ice. But Happy Ice has brought Philly water ice to LA. If you’re looking for a sweet treat, check them out!
In-N-Out | Popular Cali Burger Spot
Check out my video review on IG + TikTok!
If you’ve ever had a great burger in your life, you won’t be impressed by In-N-Out. BUT, I still think it’s worth checking out so you can weigh in on the big debate! It’s also probably the cheapest meal you’ll have during your trip.
Here’s my recap on In-N-Out:
@giovannaposce I’ve been before but had to pay in-n-out another visit since it’s been a while! It’s worth a try. 🍔😋 What’s your fave chain burger? #lafo… See more
Fruit Cart
You’’ll catch them all throughout LA. We got some fruit at a cart outside LACMA. Everything tasted fresh and sweet!
Gracias Madre | Vegan Eats
I came here without knowing they were vegan. Honestly I was disappointed because I had my mind on a beefy meaty taco and instead got some combination of beans and mushrooms. However, if you’re vegan or mentally prepared for a vegan meal, the flavors were outstanding and you’ll definitely enjoy your meal!
Belles Beach House | Venice Beach
Check out my video review on IG + TikTok!
Hawaiian Food that didn’t have any strong cultural flavors to me. The flavors were subtle enough that this would suit even the pickiest eaters. Surely a something-for-everyone kinda spot.
Superba Food + Bread | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner + Late Night
We came here for a group dinner so our menu was curated for us and shared family style. Everything was tasty and I loved the outdoor seating area! Felt like you were in a tropical paradise! The first scene in my LA Itinerary promo video on IG and TikTok captures the aesthetic here 😍
Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles | Believe the Hype
Check out my video review on IG + TikTok!
@giovannaposce Roscoe’s was the perfect way to start my day 😋 It’s a must to include them in your LA itenerary. Full review has been posted on my blog li… See more
Taste’s like the chicken was fried by your down south Auntie. Read my full review here!
Crustacean | Lunch Spot
Check out my video review on IG + TikTok!
@giovannaposce Lunch date at @Crustacean Beverly Hills? Don’t mind if I do 🦀🍜 #thingstodoinla #lafoodie #losangeles #seafood #baltimorefoodie #phillyfoo… See more
This is a classic spot! They also have $39 lunch specials M-Th if you’re aiming to be bougie on a budget. It’s a great way to end a stroll on Rodeo Drive. The garlic noodles are their staple and I also loved the kalrabi ceaser salad – I’ve never had anything like it!
THINGS TO DO
ART
Sean Kelly Gallery | MUST SEE Contemporary Exhibition!!
Check out this contemporary group exhibition before July 27th!!! Featuring my favorite artist Taj Poscé (😉) along with fourteen other global artists working in painting and sculpture. Curated by LA-based collector and producer Michael Sherman.
The Getty | Here for the Views
The exhibits inside are great, but the views traveling to and around the museum alone are worth the visit.
LACMA | Los Angeles County Museum of Art
I really enjoyed the exhibitions here although we didn’t have time to see everything ☹️ My favorite was probably the Chocolate Room in Ed Ruscha’s exhibition!
TOURISTY THINGS
Walk of Fame
I personally wasn’t too excited about this and we spent less than 5 minutes here. It’s a bit dirty and probably not like what you’ve seen on TV. But if you’re excited about walking among the stars – check it out!
See The Hollywood Sign
Here’s a guide on where you can get the best views of the Hollywood sign. We decided to go up to the Griffith Observatory. We didn’t actually go in – we just drove up, parked our car, walked up the hill, took a photo, and left. That was all we needed for our photo but definitely take a look at the guide for all of your options to see the sign up close and from afar.
The Grove
Cool shopping option not nearly as bougie as Rodeo Drive, but this is fun for shopping around and grabbing some bites to eat. I ended up eating at Nordstrom Cafe while here and grabbing an ice cream cone from one of the shops I can’t remember the name of.
BEVERLY HILLS
You have to spend a day in Beverly Hills if you want to see California in the way you’ve seen it in the movies. Hollywood is cool but it’s much more in line with an inner city, little bit dirty kinda vibe. BH is going to give all the bougieness your heart desires.
Crustacean | Lunch Spot
Check out my video review on IG + TikTok!
and the full description above.
Rodeo Drive
If you’ve budgeted for splurging, this is the place to do it! They have every high end designer you could think of. It’s a cool spot to stroll even if you aren’t shopping. This is a great area to see the streets lined with palm trees!
NIGHT LIFE
Club on top of Dream Hotel (I don’t think it has a name?)
One of the perks of staying at Dream Hotel is that guests get free access to the rooftop! The vibe will depend on the DJ, of course. I wasn’t a fan the first night but I loved the DJ the second night.
BEACH DAY
Bike Rental | Favorite Activity in LA!!!
It was a little chilly during my visit so I didn’t even get in the water. But this was super relaxing. I was nervous that I might’ve forgotten how to ride a bike but luckily I picked it right back up! If I lived by a beach I would do this every single day. I love that they have bike paths so it wasn’t as overwhelming as I thought it would be! We biked from Venice Beach to Santa Monica, met some friends, and they drove us back to our car in Venice. I recommend doing this during the day. Could be sketchy once it gets a dark out. We used the Metro Bikes so that we could pick them up from one stop and drop them off at the other and it was super cheap. I think less than 10 bucks if I’m not mistaken!
We checked out Belle’s Beach House for Lunch!
HEADING HOME
I encourage you to catch a redeye back home. That’s what we did. So we had a full day to explore. We checked out Inglewood because we loved the Insecure TV series LOL
Most hotels allow you to check your bags when you checkout. If you have a rental, you can just drive around with your luggage for the day.
If you made it this far, thanks for trusting my guidance on mapping out your stay. Be sure to share this post with your travel buddies and follow me on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube for more travel recommendations and foodie finds!
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