Los Angeles is a very big city. There are so many things to do here that it can be hard to fit it all in. Especially, if you are only in town for 24 hours. One thing to keep in mind from the start is just how large the Los Angeles area is. The best thing to do make sure that you are not having to backtrack from one part of town to the other. I’ve created this One Day in Los Angeles Guide to help you get the most out of your visit to the city of angels.
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The cost of all of these activities can quickly add up. One of the ways to help make this more affordable is to purchase a GO City Los Angeles Card. That way you pay one flat fee upfront but it gives you access to the majority of the places on this list.
Save Up To 55% On Some of LA’s Hottest Attractions With a Go City LA Pass
Breakfast
Hank’s Bagels in Burbank or Aroma Coffee and Tea in Studio City are my suggestions for breakfast.
For the first attraction of your day, I recommend starting out with the Warner Bros Studio Tour. The GO Los Angeles card is ready to be used as of 9 am I recommend starting as soon as possible. There is a Starbucks in the lobby where you check in so you can grab some breakfast while you wait for the tour to begin.
The guided portion of the tour lasts for a little under two hours. It includes an up-close look at a real working movie lot. You will visit at least one backlot to see some outdoor sets as well as a visit to a soundstage to see a set from current productions.
For the last part of the tour, it is completely up to you how long you stay. This self-guided part of the tour includes access to the Central Perk set from Friends. The tour costs $73 but it is included with the GO City Los Angeles Card. Please note that you will need to make advance reservations for this tour. Let them know when booking if you will be using the Go City Los Angeles Card.
I recommend leaving Warner Bros by 12 pm so that you can make your way to your next destination. Hollywood is not too far of a drive from Burbank. Feeling hungry? Stop by In-N-Out for an affordable and delicious meal. Californians absolutely love this burger joint. The closest In-N-Out to Burbank and still on your way to Hollywood is located at 3640 Cahuenga Blvd, Los Angeles 90068.
If you don’t want burgers for lunch, I recommend the Smoke House restaurant or Porto’s Bakery.
After eating lunch head on over to Hollywood & Highland. You can park underground and start exploring one of the most famous neighborhoods in Los Angeles. On Hollywood Boulevard you’ll find the Walk of Fame. Home to several stars dedicated to various celebrities. Start out at the TCL Chinese Theatre and check out the hand & footprints of many stars like the cast of Harry Potter.
Tours of this famous movie theatre cost $18 but they are included with the GO Los Angeles Card so go ahead and check it out. The tour is under an hour time-wise. Call for up-to-date availability (323) 463-9576 or email tours@chinesetheatres.com.
Next door to the TCL Chinese Theatre is Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum. It costs $30 to get in but it is another place included with the GO Los Angeles Card. Stop in for some pictures with the stars. Attractions like this are great because you can control how long you stay.
Before you leave Hollywood behind consider also taking a tour of the Dolby Theatre which is home to the Oscars every year. The tour is $18 but again, included with the card as well. It is a 30 minutes long tour so again, an experience that won’t eat up too much of your time. Before you head back to your car be sure to go out into the shopping courtyard for pictures of the Hollywood Sign.
Within walking distance of OUE Skyspace is Angles Flight which Emma Stone & Ryan Gosling rode in the movie La La Land. For $2 you can take a roundtrip ride on the rail. If you’re feeling hungry I recommend taking Angels Flight to Grand Central Market. Another filming location from La La Land. At Grand Central Market there are around 88 different food vendors so everyone you’re traveling with should be able to find something they like to eat or snack on.
They recently opened up at Donut Man stand with the legendary strawberry donuts.
By this point in time, it should be getting a little late in the day. I recommend driving out to the Santa Monica Pier to see the Pacific ocean, try and catch the sunset, and use the GO Los Angeles Pass one more time to enjoy some of the rides. Present your card at the ticket booth when you arrive and you’ll receive an unlimited rides wristband.
For dinner in Santa Monica, I recommend Lula Cocina, Wexler’s Deli, Father’s Office, and Milo and Olive.
This is going to be a very long and exhausting day and it is sure to be filled with traffic but this one-day in Los Angles guide should help show you some of the best things that this city has to offer! If you did all of the attractions on this list without the GO City Los Angeles pass you would pay over $200.
I highly recommend using the card to get the most out of your visit. If you are able to stay longer consider getting a multi-day card so you don’t have to rush. It is not that much more to add an extra day or two to the card. All in all the card offers admission to 35 different attractions so you can build the itinerary that works best for you!
If you can get a multi-day pass that is the best to make sure you truly have time to enjoy everything. Universal Studios Hollywood is included with a three-day pass!
