Girl’s Weekend in LA: 3 Day Itinerary 

With summer happening almost year round in California, a girl’s weekend in LA is ideal no matter what season it is. You can fill up your day with attractions or just lounge beachside and take in that vitamin sea. Growing up in LA (specifically Downtown Culver City) and being so spoiled with the weather and activities, I wanted to create a 3 day itinerary for you and your friends to enjoy this coastal city.  

I went on a little staycation with my friends to show you what a girl’s weekend in LA looks like. I also added other options to what I did so you can swap it out for another restaurant and/or activity on the itinerary. 

Day 1: Friday in Beverly Hills/ West LA 

Start off with Brunch in Beverly Hills or anywhere in the Westside. West LA is a central location and offers a variety of things to do as well. Your late morning can start off with coffee or brunch depending on what you like to do.

Urth Caffe Beverly Hills

Started the morning at Urth Caffe, it’s a little euro inspired cafe with all organic and natural ingredients. You know you’re in LA when you can order a latte with almond milk and no one gives you a side eye. The menu is endless, so many tasty options but I decided on the breakfast burrito and the Italian cappuccino. 

There is indoor and outdoor seating, but I would suggest sitting on the patio and enjoying the atmosphere. Urth Caffe is a celebrity hotspot so if that interests you then you definitely want to grab a table outside! They don’t take reservations so be prepared to wait a bit if you arrive for brunch.

Address to Urth Caffe 
267 S. Beverly Dr.
Beverly Hills, CA 90212 

Hours of Operation
Sunday – Thursday 7:00 am – 10:00 pm 
Friday – Saturday 7:00 am – 11:00 pm

Note: There are other locations all over LA. 
Parking: Metered street parking or self-park at this parking garage.

Stroll Rodeo Drive 

After a delicious brunch, we decided to go for a walk on Rodeo Dr. and get our steps in. Is it even a girl’s weekend in LA if you don’t make your way to the luxury palm tree lined streets? 

The one thing I enjoy about traveling is that you’re guaranteed to walk because everything is new to you. Beverly Hills is pedestrian friendly, unlike the rest of LA where a car is needed. 
Rodeo is known for its luxury shopping and high end restaurants. Though not everything there is expensive, you can find some affordable shopping options in small boutiques. I recommend starting your walk on Two Rodeo, it’s right across the street from the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.

Beverly Gardens Park  

Get an Instagram photo of the Beverly Hills sign at the Beverly Gardens before you and your girlfriends have a picnic. You can also just walk the beautiful grounds. There’s a beautiful lily pond and art sculptures and a walking path. Another great park is the Will Rogers park right across the street from the Beverly Hills hotel. It’s a scenic park offering the best ig photo opportunity!

Late Lunch at Jon & Vinny’s 

We weren’t ready for lunch since we were still full, so my friend and I had wine and an appetizer at Jon & Vinny’s. I love their restaurant, it offers great Italian food with a modern and relaxed vibe. if you’re in the mood for lunch then order their Bronx Bomber and their Marinara Braised Meatballs! Although, every option is equally as good.  

Address to Jon & Vinny’s 
456 N Bedford Dr
Beverly Hills, CA 90210 

Hours of Operation
Monday – Sunday 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM 
Note: Reserve a table because they are always busy here

Sprinkles Cupcakes & Ice Cream

In the mood for something sweet? Head to Sprinkles Cupcakes and pick up a cupcake or an ice cream cone! They have so many fun flavors and have gluten free and vegan cupcakes available too! A unique feature to the bakery is their cupcake ATM! It dispenses cupcakes and cookies 24/7.

Address to Sprinkles Cupcakes  
9635 S Santa Monica Blvd
Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Hours of Operation
Monday – Thursday 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM 
Friday – Saturday 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM 
Sunday 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM 

Parking Options in Beverly Hills 
All parking structures in Beverly Hills can be found here

Evening Activities 

 LACMA 

We recharged and freshened up, then went to LACMA to take a few photos of the Urban Light installation by artist Chris Burden. It’s located outside of the museum on Wilshire. It is so magical at night, the 202 restored cast iron antique street lamps make the perfect Instagram backdrop. I love visiting museums in other cities and countries, so I had to do it during this girl’s weekend in LA.

If you’re interested in visiting LACMA, then click here to get your tickets. 
Note: The Urban Light installation is open 24/7 and free of charge. 

Address to LACMA 
5905 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90036

Hours of Operation
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM 
Wednesday – CLOSED
Friday – 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM 
Saturday – Sunday 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Parking at LACMA: 
Los Angeles County Museum of Art 
5905 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90036
Metered parking is available on Wilshire

Griffith Observatory 

After a quick photo op, we made our way to the Griffith Observatory where you can also hike up to the Hollywood sign. You can visit one of the many exhibits, watch a live show and look through one of their many telescopes. My friends and I went for the views. It has one of the best views of the Los Angeles’ skyline and visiting is free. Perfect if you’re on a budget!

Parking is $10/hr but with a group of your girlfriends, splitting it will make it cheaper. I suggest 2 hrs if you would like to take in the views and walk the grounds. You can also hike up and back down when you’re done. The hike is 2.1 miles long roundtrip, just bring your sneakers and you’re ready!

Address to Griffith Observatory 
2800 E Observatory Rd
Los Angeles, CA 90027

Hours of Operation
Monday – CLOSED
Tuesday – Friday 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM 
Saturday – Sunday 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Parking at the Griffith Observatory: Lots get filled quickly leading up to sunset, arrive 2 hours before if possible. Note: Phones get spotty signal, I recommend having a car. Calling an Uber or Lyft can get difficult and it’s not reliable.

Mrs. Fish

We ended the night at Mrs. Fish, a beautiful restaurant in the heart of DTLA. You would never expect the door to lead you through a staircase with beautiful bright art and into the restaurant that has large tanks with fish and other marine life hanging from the ceiling.

We ordered sushi and drinks, and sat at the bar since we didn’t have reservations. However, that wasn’t an issue because we were seated quickly. It’s a great restaurant for a weekend in LA with your girlfriends, also an amazing date night spot. I loved the atmosphere and the sushi was great!

Address to Mrs. Fish
448 S Hill St
Los Angeles, CA 90013

Hours of Operation
Sunday – Monday  CLOSED
Tuesday – Thursday 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Friday – Saturday 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM

Parking at Mrs. Fish: Valet parking is available, $13 (CASH) $14 (CARD)
Note: Make reservations here, weekends are busy.

Day 2: Saturday in Malibu, Palisades & Brentwood

A girl’s weekend in LA isn’t complete if you don’t have a beach day with your girlfriends! We explored Palisades, Malibu and Santa Monica for some fun in the sun. One thing I love about LA is the diversity in landscapes, you can hike a mountain then walk to the beach. Which is exactly what we did.

Hiking Temescal Canyon in the Palisades 

One of my favorite hiking trails is Temescal Canyon because you don’t need to be an avid hiker, I’m definitely not ha! It’s moderately challenging and the trail can be done in under 2 hours. We wanted to make time for everything on the itinerary so we opted for a 7AM hike. Make sure you layer up! When you first get there you’ll be freezing, but 20 minutes down the trail you’ll be sweating. 

When you make it to the top of the hike, you’ll be greeted by incredible views of the Pacific Ocean. You can also plan ahead and go early to see the sunrise. 

Address to Temescal Canyon Park
15900 E Pacific Coast Hwy
Pacific Palisades, CA 90272

Hours of Operation
Wednesday 6:30 AM – 9:00 PM 
Thursday – Saturday 6:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Sunday 6:00 AM – 10:30 PM

Parking at Temescal Canyon: $12 if you decide to park on the grounds of the canyon. 
There is free parking on the street Temescal Canyon or metered parking on Sunset Blvd.

Malibu Farm Pier Restaurant For Breakfast 

We worked up an appetite and headed to Malibu Farm Restaurant. It’s one of my favorite Malibu restaurants because of the food, views and all around aesthetic. 

Address to Malibu Farm Pier Restaurant
15900 E Pacific Coast Hwy
Pacific Palisades, CA 90272

Hours of Operation
Monday – Friday 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM 
Saturday – Sunday 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM 

Parking at Malibu Farm Restaurant: $15 at the adjacent lot or free parking alongside PCH.Note: Reservations can be made for dinners only (4:30 til closing).

Palisades Village 

Ah Palisades, the second most affluent neighborhood in Los Angeles. If you love a laid back vibe with a hint of luxury then Palisades offers just that. The same owner of ‘The Grove’ and the ‘Americana’ owns Palisades Village. They are very similar but quite different at the same time. The village is a neighborhood outdoor mall with, but on a smaller scale. 

There’s also a theater (Bay Theater) and various dining options. There’s a grassy area where you can just sit and relax. My friends and I bought some coffee from Alfred’s, people watched and enjoyed the California sun. On the way back we stopped by one of the most scenic parks, Palisades park.

Address to Palisades Village 
15225 Palisades Village Ln
Pacific Palisades, CA 90272

Hours of Operation
Monday – Saturday 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM 
Saturday – 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM 

Bay Theater 
For movie tickets and more click here

Parking at Palisades Village 
Valet parking, street parking and garage parking are available

Lunch at Mendocino Farms 

We skipped out on lunch and decided to eat out at dinner. But I would recommend Mendocino Farms for lunch. Their menu is filled with a variety of soup, salad and sandwich options. It leans on the healthy side, they pride themselves in being fresh and flavorful! 

Address to Mendocino Farms 
11911 San Vicente Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90049

Hours of Operation
Monday – Sunday 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM 

Parking at Mendocino Farms  
Metered parking, garage parking as well as valet is available

Milk & Honey Spa Brentwood

We were so tired of all the exploring that we booked a massage at Milk + Honey to unwind. They have a beautiful space, we enjoyed getting into our robes and spending some quiet time in the beautifully designed waiting area. We then were escorted to our rooms where I received the ‘Signature Massage’. They offer other services, but we only went for a massage. This is a must for any trip, including a girl’s weekend in LA!

Address to Milk & Honey 
11826 San Vicente Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90049

Hours of Operation
Monday – Sunday 8:00 AM -10:00 PM 

Parking at Milk + Honey
Parking is tricky, mostly are 1 hr meters only and most services are one hour. You might need to park further away and walk.

Dinner At Reddi Chick BBQ At The Brentwood Mart 

We walked over to one of my favorite places for chicken tenders, Reddi Chick BBQ. It’s a little hole in the wall shop located inside of the Brentwood Mart. There is always a long line, trust me it is good and so worth waiting for. Growing up, I would visit this place and I still enjoy it to this day. 

Address to Reddi Chick 

225 26th St Ste 23
Santa Monica, CA 90402

Hours of Operation
Monday – Sunday 10:00 AM -7:00 PM 

Parking at Reddi Chick BBQ:
There is a parking lot as well as valet inside of The Brentwood Mart where Reddi Chick is located.

Day 3: Sunday in DTLA & Pasadena 

Our last day to this girl’s weekend in LA was spent exploring DTLA and Pasadena. The Art’s District is LA’s version of NYC. There’s so many great restaurants, it’s very walkable and has very unique stores. Most people who come to LA also forget about the beauty in Pasadena. A quiet neighborhood northeast of downtown, just 11 miles away is a green city with lush trees and a quaint shopping area.

Breakfast at Girl & The Goat  

The most aesthetically pleasing brunch place in DTLA’s Art District is at Girl & The Goat. It’s the perfect place for the last brunch on your girl’s weekend in LA. I got a chocolate croissant and a latte, since I knew we would be hitting up burger’s for dinner. Make sure to make reservations, this restaurant can get busy. 

Address to Girl & The Goat 
555-3 Mateo St Ste 300
Los Angeles, CA 90013

Hours of OperationSunday 10:00 AM-2:00 PM 
Monday – Thursday 5:00 PM-930PM
Friday – Saturday 5:00 PM-11:00 PM
Sunday – 10 AM–2 PM, 5–9:30 PM

Parking at Girl & The Goat
Street parking and valet parking is available 
Note: Breakfast & Brunch is only available on Sundays | Reservations can be done here

Afternoon At The Broad Museum 

If you love art museums then you’ll enjoy The Broad Museum showcasing contemporary artwork. They have immersive exhibits and unique installations throughout the two level space.  My favorite was the Yayoi Kusama Mirror Room, which is a room filled with LED lights where you can take photos. You only get 1 minute in there so take advantage! 

It takes about two hours to see the entire museum. A fun activity if you don’t have much time. Admission is free, click here for your tickets. If you plan to visit theYayoi Kusama Mirror Room, you will have to reserve your free tickets here. 

Address to The Broad Museum   
221 S Grand Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Hours of Operation
Thursdays 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM 
Saturday – Sunday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM 
Monday – Closed 
Tuesday – Wednesday 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM 

Parking at The Broad Museum To enter the museum’s parking structure, enter on 2nd St. between Hope St. and Grand Ave. For more information and rates, click here.

Shopping At One Colorado Pasadena 

We left the museum and headed to One Colorado, a quaint outdoor mall nestled in a 19th century building in Old Pasadena. It’s filled with al fresco dining and beautiful little alleyways with all kinds of shopping. We love it because it doesn’t feel like you’re in LA. It’s the perfect escape from the bustling city. We browsed the shops and enjoyed the breeze. We didn’t stop at any restaurants, we saved our appetite to eat at the most unique In N Out in California!

Dinner at In N Out 

To conclude our girl’s weekend in LA, we went to grab a double double from In N Out. And not just any In N Out, but the one near LAX where you sit beneath the planes that are landing on the tarmac. It’s pretty incredible how close one can get. We crossed the street to the unofficial park that’s just a large patch of grass and brought picnic blankets to sit out and enjoy the best views of the planes landing. 

Address to In N Out 
9149 S Sepulveda Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90045

Hours of Operation
Monday – Sunday 10:30 AM – 1:00 AM 

Parking at In N Out
They have a parking lot and street parking is also available.

Transportation in LA 

Public transportation is not known to be the best in LA. It’s usually dirty and can be dangerous at the moment with homeless people sleeping on the buses and trains. If you’re trying to stay on a budget, it could work but just make sure you plan ahead and look at the maps and schedules available here. 
Get rates and day passes here!

The best way to see everything without wasting time is by renting a car. Parking can always be found, just make sure to read all the street signs and carry cash incase you need to pay at a parking garage. I recommend renting from Enterprise or Hertz.

FAQ’s 

1. When is the best time to visit Los Angeles?
   – Spring-Fall, Winters can be cold and worth visiting, but you won’t get the best weather.
   
   
   

2. Is LA expensive? 
   – Short answer is yes. In comparison to other cities, you will see it most in accommodation and food. Do your research and plan ahead to stay on budget and/or to get an idea of how much you’ll be spending in the three days. 
   
   
   

3. Is Los Angeles safe?
   – LA is safe but just like any other big city, crime does happen. It mostly takes place in areas known to be dangerous. Tourists and visitors are mostly safe if they stay within the areas mentioned above. Note: always be aware of your surroundings! 
   
   
   

4. What is the weather in LA like?
   – Sunny year round with some rain in the winter months, but nothing that lasts too long. 
   
   
   

5. Should I Rent a Car in LA?
   – YES! If you want to save time and have the flexibility to see everything then yes. Everything in LA is spread out and if you only have three days then you want to spend your time wisely. 
   
   

6. Where Should I Stay?
   – Stay in West LA because it is central to everything, making it easier to get around. However, if you plan to do most things based around a certain neighborhood then stay in that neighborhood. Make sure to always book your stay ahead of time.