Los Angeles City Walk Guide
Schwarz
Los Angeles City Walk Guide - City of Angels, Sun & Screen
Home of the USA's opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where Hollywood, sunshine, and surf create dreams.
🏟️ World Cup Viewing Guide
Venue: SoFi Stadium
- 📍 Located in Inglewood, approximately 20 minutes from Downtown LA
- 🏟️ Capacity: 70,240 | Built at $5.5 billion, the most expensive stadium ever constructed
- ⚽ June 12, 2026: USA vs Paraguay (opening match)
- 🚇 Take Metro C Line to Century Freeway Station, then free shuttle bus
- 💡 Stadium features a translucent ETFE canopy with LED grow lights for the grass pitch
- 🍔 Stadium dining: LA classic burger $15, craft IPA $14
🚶 Day 1: Hollywood — Heart of the Dream Factory
Morning: Hollywood Walk of Fame → TCL Chinese Theatre
⭐ Start at the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where over 2,700 star-shaped plaques line Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street. Find your favorite stars — from Marilyn Monroe to Jackie Chan.
🎬 The forecourt of TCL Chinese Theatre features nearly 200 celebrity handprints and footprints in cement. This 1927 theatre is Hollywood's most iconic premiere venue, with distinctive Chinese-inspired architecture.
🍜 Lunch Recommendations:
- In-N-Out Burger (Sunset Blvd) — California's most famous fast food chain, Double-Double burger approx. $5
- Pink's Hot Dogs (La Brea Ave) — Legendary hot dog stand since 1939, signature Chili Dog approx. $7
Afternoon: Hollywood Sign → Griffith Observatory
🏛️ Head to Griffith Observatory for the classic view of the Hollywood Sign and panoramic views of the entire Los Angeles basin. Free admission; Samuel Oschin Planetarium shows $7.
🌿 For the active, hike from the observatory toward the Hollywood Sign — about 3 miles round trip, spectacular at sunset.
Evening: Sunset Strip → Comedy Club
🌃 Sunset Strip is synonymous with LA nightlife. The 1.7-mile stretch is packed with bars, music clubs, and neon signs. Birthplace of The Doors and Guns N' Roses.
🎭 Catch a show at The Comedy Store ($20-35), which launched careers of Jim Carrey, Dave Chappelle, and countless others.
🍜 Dinner Recommendations:
- Musso & Frank Grill — Hollywood's oldest restaurant (1919), classic American steak and martinis, mains $30-60
- Kogi BBQ Truck — Famous Korean-Mexican fusion truck, short rib tacos $12/3
🚶 Day 2: Santa Monica → Venice Beach → Beverly Hills
Morning: Santa Monica Pier → Beach Walk
🎡 Santa Monica Pier is the terminus of Route 66. The Pacific Park Ferris wheel is an LA landmark. Fresh fish and chips at the pier ($12).
🏖️ Walk south along Santa Monica Beach — 1.5 miles to Venice Beach. The Venice Boardwalk features muscle beach fitness buffs, street artists, and the most "LA" atmosphere anywhere.
🎨 Don't miss the Venice Canals — hidden waterways lined with elegant villas and garden bridges, a serene contrast to the boardwalk chaos.
🍜 Lunch Recommendations:
- Santa Monica Seafood — Fresh oysters $3 each, clam chowder $12
- Gjusta (Venice) — Bakery + deli + coffee, avocado toast $14, artisan sandwiches $16
Afternoon: Beverly Hills → Rodeo Drive
💎 Beverly Hills is one of the world's wealthiest cities. Stroll Rodeo Drive with its Chanel, Gucci, and Cartier flagships. Even without shopping, the palm trees and boutique windows make for perfect photos.
🏛️ Visit The Getty Center — free admission world-class museum (parking $20). Van Gogh's Irises and Monet's Haystacks are highlights. The Richard Meier-designed building gleams white against LA's blue sky.
Evening: Downtown LA (DTLA)
🌃 DTLA has experienced a renaissance. The Broad (free, reservation needed) showcases contemporary art. The Walt Disney Concert Hall is a Frank Gehry architectural masterpiece.
🍜 Dinner Recommendations:
- Grand Central Market (since 1917) — Multi-ethnic food hall, Eggslut egg sandwich $12, Tacos Tumbras a Tomas $3 each
- Bottega Louie — Italian restaurant + patisserie, artisanal macarons $3 each, lobster lasagna $32
🚶 Day 3: Pasadena → Getty Villa → Malibu
Morning: Old Pasadena → Norton Simon Museum
🏛️ Old Pasadena is LA's most European-style neighborhood with red-brick buildings, indie coffee shops, and antique stores. The Norton Simon Museum ($15) houses Raphael, Rembrandt, and Degas masterpieces.
🍜 Lunch Recommendation:
- Porto's Bakery (Glendale) — Cuban-style pastries, Papa Rellena $1.50 each, Cuban sandwich $8
Afternoon: Getty Villa → Malibu Beach
🏛️ The Getty Villa is J. Paul Getty's ancient Greek and Roman art museum (free, reservation needed, parking $20). Modeled after a Roman villa, the courtyard gardens and mosaic floors are breathtaking.
🌊 Drive to Malibu along the Pacific Coast Highway. El Matador State Beach is California's most photogenic beach with massive sea-sculpted rock formations.
🍜 Dinner Recommendations:
- Nobu Malibu — Celebrity-favorite Japanese restaurant, miso black cod $42 (book 2 weeks ahead)
- Malibu Seafood — Fish and chips $15, stunning sunset views from the patio
🍜 LA Must-Eat List
| Food | Recommended Spot | Price |
|---|---|---|
| In-N-Out Burger | Citywide | $5-8 |
| Tacos | Guisados / Kogi Truck | $4-12 |
| Hot Dog | Pink's Hot Dogs | $7-10 |
| Avocado Toast | Gjusta / Sqirl | $14-16 |
| Korean BBQ | Park's BBQ | $30-50/person |
| Sushi | Sugarfish | $30-50/person |
| French Pastries | Bottega Louie | $3-10 |
| Acai Bowl | Malibu Poke | $14 |
🚄 Transportation Guide
- ✈️ Arrival: LAX (FlyAway bus $10 to downtown, Uber approx. $35-50 to Hollywood)
- 🚇 Metro: B/D/E Lines cover major attractions, single ride $1.75, Day Pass $3.50
- 🚗 Driving: LA is a car city, rental $30-60/day, Turo or Hertz recommended
- 🚕 Uber/Lyft: Most common way to get around, typical fare $10-25
- 🚌 Big Bus Tour: $49/day covering Hollywood → Santa Monica → DTLA
💡 Practical Tips
- 💰 Budget: Budget $120-180/day (rental $30 + food $40 + attractions $30), Mid-range $200-300/day
- 🏨 Recommended areas: Hollywood (central to attractions), Santa Monica (beach vibes), DTLA (transit hub)
- 🌡️ Best seasons: Year-round sunshine; Mar-May and Sep-Nov ideal; June World Cup 20-28°C
- 📱 Essential apps: Waze (navigation must-have), Uber/Lyft, Yelp (restaurants), Postmates (delivery)
- 💳 Payment: Cards everywhere; tipping culture (restaurants 15-20%, taxis 10-15%)
- 🎫 Savings: Go Los Angeles Card $79/day includes 35+ attractions
- ⏰ Time zone: PST (UTC-8), daylight saving PDT (UTC-7)
- 🏥 Safety: Tourist areas safe; avoid walking alone in South Central at night
- 🅿️ Parking: Most malls and attractions have lots $5-20; check street parking time limits