The Ultimate Budget Itinerary for 1 Week in Los Angeles

I wouldn’t at all be exaggerating to say that Southern California is one of my favorite places in the world. Not only is it amazingly beautiful, with beaches, mountains, and lots of desert landscapes, but it’s full of diverse neighborhoods, all with their own unique characteristics and personalities.

I’ve been able to call it my home for the past several years now, and I still get excited visiting and re-visiting its many landmarks and neighborhoods. 

But as great as LA is, as you may know, it’s not the most budget-friendly place, and it’s not always the easiest to navigate as a visitor.

Between trendy restaurants, expensive sightseeing, and the time it takes to get around the city, your budget (and your energy) can max out quickly. But what most tourists overlook is that there’s actually a lot to do without paying a ton — and I’m including some of the best things in this week-long Los Angeles itinerary.

This LA guide covers the must-see spots that I genuinely love, take every out-of-town guest, and even return to on my own, too! I’ve also included a few places that tourists tend to miss. This itinerary will leave you with a well-rounded view of the city, from its cultural institutions, to its unique neighborhoods, and of course, some time at the beach — all while sticking to a budget.

Day 1: Getty Center, Venice, Santa Monica

MORNING

There’s no better way to start off a sunny week in LA than at some iconic, must-see sites.

We’re going to start off with some culture at the Getty Center, one of the top museums in the country and certainly in L.A. The museum is free, but parking is a steep $25.

Although, that number goes down to $15 after 3 p.m. if you’d rather rearrange the order of your activities.

The museum is open until 5:30 five days a week except Saturday (when it’s open until 8). It’s closed on Mondays.

This is a gorgeous museum with tons of paintings, photography, and other interesting art, some of which are by really acclaimed artists. It’s also in a beautiful building with a garden, park area, and a panoramic view of LA.

Although it’s free, reservations are required, and can be made here.

LUNCH/AFTERNOON

Now it’s time to head to the beach.

The Venice Boardwalk is … unique.

To be completely honest, there are much nicer beaches, which is why we’re starting off here. However, the boardwalk is definitely an interesting experience.

It’s filled with restaurants and vendors selling art, jewelry, clothing, and more. It’s also home to the famous Muscle Beach, street art, street performers, and a skate park. It can be a little overwhelming, veering into the sketchy territory, especially if you’re traveling alone, so just be prepared. 

When you’ve had your fill of the bustling Venice Boardwalk, take a walk down to the nearby Abbot Kinney Boulevard. This area is also filled with tons of stores and restaurants, with a more relaxing ambiance. 

Gjusta is a trendy bakery and cafe with delicious breakfast and lunch options. While it’s not the cheapest, it is really amazing quality and just so good. I had the fish and egg plate, which comes with labneh, capers, tomatoes, and Gjusta’s out-of-this-world bread. The whole menu looked amazing though (it’s a range of deli-style bagels and sandwiches, plates, salads, etc.) and I am dying to go back.

The Win-Dow is a cute, casual spot that’s also super affordable — as in, $4.25 for a classic burger. I may just be jaded after years of living out here, but that price sadly blows my mind, and since it has a handful of locations around LA, it’s become one of my go-to’s when I want something cheap, quick, and satisfying. I honestly prefer them to In-N-Out (controversial, I know), and you definitely shouldn’t skip the fries with a side of jalapeño house sauce.

LATE AFTERNOON/EVENING

After that, Santa Monica is just the next beach over, so head to another quintessential Southern California landmark — the pier. 

There’s a little amusement park here and a few food spots. I’ve never eaten here, but I do like walking along the pier and checking out the view.

The Third Street Promenade and Downtown area of Santa Monica is also really nice to walk through, do some shopping and grab a meal.

The beach here is beautiful and catching the sunset here is a surefire way to start off your week in Los Angeles well. 

Food options tend to be on the pricier end in Santa Monica.

But George’s Burgers (3101 Lincoln Blvd.) has affordable breakfast, burger, and sandwich options.

Tacos Por Favor (1408 Olympic Blvd.) is another popular option, as is Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery (1517 Lincoln Blvd.) although it closes at 4 p.m. 

Day 2: Little Tokyo, Pasadena

MORNING/EARLY AFTERNOON

Little Tokyo has become one of my favorite areas to explore in Los Angeles. It’s super historic, and one of just three remaining Japantowns in the U.S.

Now, it’s still a vibrant neighborhood, filled with so many shops selling Japanese gift items, clothing, and more. It’s a pretty small neighborhood, but it’s worth dedicating the whole morning too and staying for lunch.

Daikokuya and Honeymee

Especially if you like Japanese food, it’s a place you don’t want to miss. There’s an overwhelming number of options, but one highlight is Daikokuya, a relatively popular spot for delicious ramen and other Japanese classics that’s relatively affordable. Sushi Gen is also my all-time favorite for sushi. It’s a little pricier, but it’s great value.

For dessert, get some mochi from Fugetsu-Do Bakery Shop, which has been around since 1903. It’s a pretty small shop, and there can be a line, so give yourself some time.

All my favorite sightseeing, shops, and even more food recs are in this Little Tokyo guide.

If you want to go beyond Little Tokyo, it’s neighboring the Arts District.

This neighborhood was originally an industrial area until the 1970s when it was reclaimed by artists. This has made for an interesting atmosphere, to say the least. Now, it’s filled with street art and galleries. One of my favorites is Hauser & Wirth, which is free to visit (don’t skip their bookstore).

AFTERNOON/EVENING

Old Pasadena specifically is also one of my favorite places in the LA area, and an area that so many visitors skip. It’s not technically Los Angeles, but a separate city in LA County.

It’s about 12 miles (20-30ish minutes depending on traffic) away from the Little Tokyo/Arts District area, and is full of gorgeous Spanish-style architecture, historic buildings, and an amazing view of the nearby mountains. One reason I love it is because it’s just so nice to walk around — the vibe is always pretty relaxed, and I always stumble upon a new cool store I’d never visited before.

All my favorite things to do are in this Pasadena guide, but the Pasadena City Hall is super pretty and a great place to check out, as is Vromans, a really cool, iconic (and giant) bookstore. They’ve been open since 1894, and they also have a little wine and coffee bar if you’d like to hang out and read for a while.

The Pasadena Antique Mall is also seriously a treasure trove, if you’re looking for a unique souvenir.  

If you’d rather spend time in nature, the Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens is also located around here.

It’s open until 5 p.m. six days a week and is closed on Tuesdays. Reservations are required on weekends. Tickets are $29, but it is a really extensive garden, and the perfect place for a relaxing afternoon and taking lots of photos. You could easily spend a few hours here! Get more information here.

For an easy dinner, one of my reliable spots is Urth Caffe, which serves healthy-ish sandwiches, salads, and lots of baked goods. Their space is also cute, although it can often be pretty busy.

Day 3: Topanga Canyon, Getty Villa, El Matador State Beach in Malibu

MORNING/LUNCH

Topanga Canyon is a quaint, artsy town tucked away in the Santa Monica Mountains.

Head here in the morning and check out Topanga State Park if hiking speaks to you. Or, if shopping is more your speed, stop by Hidden Treasures.

This thrift store is packed full of funky clothing items, accessories, jewelry and a really impressive array of vintage items dating back to the 1940s and earlier.

Next, grab lunch at Endless Color, a cute, family-run spot that serves delicious made-from-scratch personal-sized pizzas during lunchtime

Also definitely grab a soft serve ice cream from Canyon Gourmet!

AFTERNOON

After lunch, head back down out of the hills of Topanga, and you’ll immediately find the coastline. While there are a bunch of beaches you can choose from (and some of the nicest beaches in SoCal), my favorite is El Matador State Beach.

It’s insanely beautiful thanks to its many rock formations, and it looks really natural and undeveloped.

After a couple of hours of hanging out at the beach, end your day at Getty Villa, which is about 30 minutes away.

MID-AFTERNOON

Like the Getty Center, the Getty Villa is free. Parking is $25, or $15 after 3 p.m., which is partly why this itinerary has you make it here mid-afternoon. Reservations are required here.

(If you’d rather head to both Getty locations in one day, you only have to pay for parking once. But keep in mind that it may take an hour or so to travel between locations). 

I didn’t visit the Getty Villa until a few years of living in California, and I was in disbelief that it took me so long to visit.

Maybe the name should have clued me in, but I wasn’t expecting such an extravagant, gorgeous building, meant to actually emulate a Roman-style home.

The Villa is filled with art, sculptures and objects from Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Getting here around 3 doesn’t leave you a ton of time, since it closes at 5, but you’ll be able to see the majority of the museum and explore the garden area.

EVENING

When you’re ready for dinner, head to the nearby Broad Street Oyster Company, about 15 minutes from the museum.

This casual seafood eatery has now grown to include a number of other locations, but the Malibu spot is the original. It’s pricey, but in my opinion, worth it for a splurge meal while on vacation. I dream about the warm lobster roll with butter and the oysters Rockefeller. 

Day 4: The LACMA, The Grove, Highland Park

MORNING

Let’s start off the morning at the  Los Angeles County Museum of Art, or the LACMA, the largest art museum in Western United States.

Spend a couple hours perusing its giant art collection from around the world. Tickets are $25 (or $21 with a student ID), and they’re free after 3 p.m. for L.A. County residents, and for everyone on the second Tuesday of every month. 

AFTERNOON

After spending the morning at the museum, head to the Grove Farmers Market for lunch. It’s a shopping center just 5 minutes (1 mile) from the LACMA. It’s pretty ritzy, but it’s nice to just walk around and see for a little bit, as it’s an iconic LA site.

There are a few restaurants within the Grove, but I’d skip these and just head to the Farmers Market tucked right next to the shopping center. Not only does it offer way more variety, but it’s also been operating since 1934.

After lunch, head around 30 minutes away to Highland Park. This is one of the coolest neighborhoods in Los Angeles that so many visitors overlook, despite it being deeply historic and culturally rich.

It’s been undergoing a lot of gentrification in recent years, which has resulted in a lot of local businesses and families being pushed out, so try to be mindful of this dynamic when visiting, and prioritize its independent visiting shops and restaurants.

Spend the afternoon exploring Figueroa Street, the neighborhood’s main hub, and popping into the different shops that are there. Neighborhood staples include La Vecina, a cute neighborhood shop, and the long-running Mexican juice bar, Tropical Juice LA.

For dinner, Las Cazuelas Restaurant & Pupuseria is a family-owned local institution, that’s been serving Salvadorian food since the ’80s.

Day 5: Downtown LA

MORNING

Today is all about Downtown Los Angeles. 

Start at The Broad, a contemporary art museum that is notably free. You do have to reserve your tickets in advance, but I’ve reserved them right when I arrived, and had no problem. This museum is also home to the immersive Infinity Room.

This exhibit is much harder to get into, thanks to its immense popularity, so you will have to plan ahead if this interests you. Tickets for the Infinity Room are released on the last Wednesday of each month at 10 a.m. PT for admission the following month. Get more info here.

Since the museum isn’t huge, I’d just plan to spend an hour or so here.

From there, The Last Bookstore is another iconic DTLA spot. It’s a really extensive bookstore with a huge collection of both fiction and non-fiction, used and new.

It has some really cool displays perfect for photos, and has a really cozy atmosphere. I can always easily spend at least an hour here, and never walk out empty handed. 

AFTERNOON

For lunch, Grand Central Market is a staple of Downtown. It first opened back in 1917, and quickly became a reflection of the many immigrant communities that made up L.A. in the early 20th century.

Although it has since become more touristy (as in, gentrified), it’s still an iconic spot in LA with a ton of historic significance. There are also just lots of cuisines you can choose from, including Mexican, Thai, Japanese, German, Italian, and more.

I always love stopping here when I’m in the area.

Right behind it is the Angels Flight railway. Famous thanks to its appearance in “La La Land,” it costs $1 for a block-long, albeit, bumpy, ride.

This doesn’t particularly speak to me so I actually haven’t done this, but it is a popular activity, and definitely wallet-friendly.

From Downtown Los Angeles, Olvera Street is just about a mile away, and is such a hidden gem. This is another historic spot central to L.A. culture.

Part of El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument, this is the oldest district in Los Angeles.

Considered by some to be the birthplace of L.A., it was first established as a farming community in the 1700s. Olvera Street, a colorful Mexican marketplace, first opened in the 1930s.

To this day, it’s filled with vendors, shops, sit-down restaurants, plus more casual eateries and street food for dinner or an afternoon snack.

If you’re more in the mood for Chinese food instead, the historic Chinatown neighborhood is also steps away, and although many of its galleries and shops close by the late afternoon, it has a number of long-running places open for dinner, like Yang Chow. Get the slippery shrimp!

Day 6: Melrose Trading Post, Studio Tour, Griffith Observatory

MORNING

Every Sunday, the Melrose Trading Post returns for one of the best, if not the best, shopping experiences around.

Located at Fairfax High School, this marketplace features around 275 vendors selling clothing, decor, art, jewelry, household items, and more. There are even live bands performing and food trucks to grab lunch at.

Tickets are $6 plus a $2 booking fee, but your ticket supports arts programming at the high school. Get more information and purchase your tickets here.

Next, I will warn you, is the priciest excursion on this week in Los Angeles itinerary. But trust me when I say that going on a studio tour is one of the coolest “Hollywood” experiences you can get. 

AFTERNOON

For the Warner Brothers tour in Burbank, tickets are $73, and includes stops at a number of notorious filming locations, exhibits focused on DC heroes and villains, as well as a recreation of the iconic Central Perk set from “Friends.”

The Paramount Studio tour in Hollywood is also a great option for history buffs. It was the location for numerous classics ranging from “Psycho,” “Godfather,” and “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” just to name a few. 2-hour tours are $65.

Warner Brothers studio tour (left) and Paramount Pictures

Since both tours are similar in price and length, I’d choose based on which movie, series, or franchises you’re most interested in. That’s the studio which will likely interest you more. 

EVENING

The Griffith Observatory is a gorgeous planetarium situated on a hill overlooking the famous Hollywood sign. Entrance to the observatory is free, as is parking (as long as there isn’t a show at the nearby Greek Theater).

You’ll just have to walk about a mile up to the observatory. The walk is only slightly uphill and is on a paved sidewalk.

Alternatively, there’s also a bus that stops across the street and only costs about 50 cents last I checked. It will take you right to the entrance. There’s parking near the observatory, but it’s paid. There are also a number of other hiking trails to explore around here if that’s your thing.

The observatory is a really cool building with a number of interesting space-related exhibits.

Planetarium shows are an additional fee. I’d recommend grabbing a quick dinner at the cafeteria here and enjoying it outside around sunset, and then head back down to your car before it gets dark. They do, however, stay open til 10 p.m., if you want to hang out longer and stargaze.

Also keep in the mind that the observatory is closed on Mondays.

Day 7 – Newport Beach and Laguna Beach

MORNING

Okay, I know this isn’t technically LA, but some of the country’s best beaches are just an hour away, so they’re well worth a day trip during your week in Los Angeles.

Stop by the beautiful Newport for the morning. Pirate’s Cove is my favorite beach in Newport, because of its calm water, and cliffs that look like they belong in Greece, but it’s pretty small and can get packed, so I recommend stopping by earlier. If you’d rather sightsee, you could even take a quick ferry ride over to Balboa Island for the morning.

AFTERNOON/EVENING

If you’re going to be in Orange County, you can’t skip Laguna Beach. Although it’s a bit of a hike from Los Angeles (it can take an hour-1.5 hours with traffic), I promise it’s unmissable. It’s one of my all-time favorite places in the world, thanks to its unreal beaches, and artsy town filled with shops and restaurants (get all my recs for things to do in this guide).

If possible, I like to park at the Montage Resort’s public parking area. It’s probably the cheapest parking situation in Laguna, unless you’re able to find a free spot further down the main road.

The path behind the hotel leading down to the beach, known as Treasure Island Beach, is lined with gorgeous landscaping and has a ton of amazing photo opportunities. Its view of the beach below doesn’t get any better!

A little further down the main road, Thousand Steps Beach and Table Rock are smaller and seem more hidden away. The steps are a bit of a workout, but more than worth it, I promise.

It can be hard finding low-cost dining options in Laguna, but it’s not impossible.

Coyote Grill, right near Thousand Steps and Table Rock beaches, is a casual Mexican spot with an ocean view (31621 Coast Highway). Closer to downtown and the main beaches is Pizza Bar. Try the lemon ice!

If you’re looking for something more upscale for your last night, Nick’s Laguna Beach is really good. Nick’s has a number of locations sprinkled throughout Southern California. For sunset, definitely get a drink and an appetizer at the Cliff. It has one of the best views in the city.

Where to stay in LA

As we talked about earlier, LA is pretty spread apart.

Since you’ll probably spend most of your time traveling across the county, it’s hard to say which location would actually be most convenient for you to stay in. 

Both through this itinerary and in your other research, if there’s a certain neighborhood or area you’d like to spend more time in, then find a hotel or Airbnb there. Venice and Santa Monica are definitely popular options, and will allow you to maximize your beach time.

They’re also walkable areas, making it easy to grab breakfast in the morning, or explore nightlife. However, it can definitely be harder to find affordable places to stay in these neighborhoods. (Click that link for a run-down of top LA neighborhoods with some affordable hotel recs!)

HI Los Angeles is a highly-rated hostel just a block from the ocean in Santa Monica, if you’re okay with not having a private room. There are dorm rooms available with four, six, and eight beds, and they’re divided by men and women. Book your stay a block from the Santa Monica pier here.

West Hollywood is a somewhat central location known for its vibrant nightlife.

The Banana Bungalow West Hollywood Hotel & Hostel is one of the most affordable options available, and is close to the airport as well as other destinations like the LACMA. It even includes parking and breakfast. (If you end up renting a car, finding accommodation that includes parking will make your life much easier.) Get more information and book here. 

Staying in Downtown Los Angeles would also be convenient, as it is relatively close to a lot of the destinations in this itinerary and plenty of food options. 

Libra Hotel is in the heart of Koreatown — parking is available and costs $20 a night. Book here.

How to get around Los Angeles

It’s true what they say, Los Angeles is a city made for driving.

I’ll be the first to admit that it can be difficult navigating at times. While this is definitely one of my least favorite parts about LA, unfortunately it is the reality of this area. 

It doesn’t have to deter you from visiting though!

Renting a car will be your easiest and most cost-effective bet for a week here. Check out information about renting a car at LAX here. Turo is another popular car-rental option.

Ubers can definitely be pricey, especially when traveling longer distances, and public transportation doesn’t have the most reliable reputation. But if you’re up for it, utilizing public transportation is definitely doable, and is the most budget-friendly option.

Is 1 week long enough in LA?

Los Angeles has soo much to see and do, that a week barely scratches the surface.

And as I mentioned, most landmarks are fairly spread apart from each other.

Even if something doesn’t look far away on a map, or is only 20 miles or so away, keep in mind that with traffic, this could still easily mean an hour or more on the road.

Worst traffic times are generally from around 7:00 a.m. to around 10 a.m. and then 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. so you’ll want to plan accordingly. 

With that all in mind, especially for your first time here, 1 week is the perfect amount of time to check out most of LA’s top landmarks, get to sample some of the city’s amazing restaurants with nearly every cuisine, visit world-class museums, see architecture and lots of other sightseeing activities.

If you have less time though, you’ll just have to prioritize which activities or destinations interest you the most, and go from there. 

Where else to visit in Southern California

If you have another couple days you can add on to your trip, I’d highly recommend taking a drive up to Santa Barbara. It’s one of California’s prettiest beachside towns. It typically takes two hours or so to get there from L.A. 

If you head another 40 minutes to an hour north, you’ll reach Solvang, the Danish capital of the U.S. This town is cute, kitschy, and so much fun, if you love picturesque towns filled with bakeries, cute shops, and lots and lots of wineries.

Alternatively, you could drive two hours south to spend a couple days in San Diego.

Palm Springs and Joshua Tree are also two to three hours east, but, I probably wouldn’t recommend this option if you’re visiting during the summer, as temperatures frequently soar into the hundreds out there.

If you’re looking for somewhere even closer that you could even make an easy day trip — plus that’s much more affordable — consider visiting Long Beach.

It’s definitely on the chiller side compared to the rest of LA, and it’s full of soo many great restaurants, bars, and vintage shops.

Beverly Hills is another great day trip option that’s surprisingly doable on a budget.

What else do you want to know ahead of your LA trip?

Let me know and happy travels,

Tess

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