Ultimate One-Day Self-Driving Tour of Los Angeles

What should you do in LA if you only have 1 day to spend? This one-day driving tour will give you a glimpse of the top LA sights from Hollywood to Venice Beach. It assumes you have your own car or a rental car for the day. If it’s summer, start in Hollywood to end up in Venice for sunset on the beach. Conversely, if it’s winter and the sun is setting at 4 pm, do the tour in reverse and start at the beach, concluding in Hollywood after dark.

A Hop On-Hop Off City Sightseeing Tour is also available for those without a car, providing access to most of the same locations without the need for driving.

Without exiting the car, the drive will take about 1.5 to 2.5 hours, depending on traffic; however, you can stop at various attractions along the way and still complete this route in a day.

So let’s get started exploring Hollywood!

01. Walking Around Hollywood & Highland

While we wouldn’t necessarily recommend staying at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, it’s worth a visit to this historic landmark as a starting reference.

Kick off your morning with breakfast at Mel’s Drive-In, located one block east on Highland just south of Hollywood Blvd, or grab a bagel at the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf across from the hotel. Don’t forget to compare your hand and footprints with those of your favorite stars in the forecourt at TCL (Grauman’s) Chinese Theatre.

Although many shops in the Hollywood & Highland shopping center won’t open before 10 or 11 a.m., stroll past the iconic Dolby Theatre, where the Oscars are held, and up to the Babylon Courtyard. Remember to glance down at the Hollywood Walk of Fame while walking to spot your favorite entertainers’ stars.

Choose the escalator for an easier ascent, or take the stairs for a chance to enjoy how the architects framed the view of the Hollywood Sign as you climb. The Babylon Courtyard features giant elephant sculptures above a three-level shopping ring. Make your way to the viewing bridges at the back for a perfect photo opportunity with the Hollywood Hills as your backdrop.

02. Driving Through Hollywood

Return to your car and drive east on Hollywood Blvd, passing notable landmarks like the El Capitan Theatre. This historic theater, restored by Disney, screens films while the Jimmy Kimmel Live! show is taped in the nearby Entertainment Center.

Adjacent to the dinosaur-topped Ripley’s Believe It or Not, you’ll also see the original Max Factor factory, which now houses the Hollywood Museum. Continuing east, you will pass the American Cinematheque at the historic Egyptian Theatre and the Art Deco building that once housed Frederick’s of Hollywood, now the oldest restaurant, Musso & Frank Grill, on your left.

At the intersection of Hollywood and Vine, look for metered street parking to snap a picture of the Capitol Records building. Afterward, head south on Vine Street and make a right onto Sunset Boulevard. As you navigate, you’ll find Amoeba Music, a renowned shop for hard-to-find music, including an extensive vinyl and tape collection.

Choose either route for your journey west to the ocean:

• Route A: Travel west via Museum Row on the Miracle Mile and the La Brea Tar Pits.
• Route B: Head west through the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood.

03. Route A via the La Brea Tar Pits and the Museum Mile

Continue down Sunset to La Brea, turning left until you reach Wilshire. Upon reaching Wilshire, turn right to enter Museum Row on the Miracle Mile featuring various attractions, including the Craft and Folk Art Museum, the visually striking Petersen Automotive Museum, and the infamous LA County Museum of Art.

Park near Hancock Park to visit the Page Museum and the La Brea Tar Pits. If parking is scarce, head right on Fairfax and loop back to Wilshire for alternative parking solutions. Expect to see active excavations and possibly join daily tours around 1 p.m.

Optional Detour: Enjoy lunch at the LA Farmer’s Market or next-door at The Grove.

Proceed west on Wilshire to visit Rodeo Drive.

04. Route B via West Hollywood

If you opt not to turn left at La Brea, continue along Sunset through the iconic Sunset Strip. Look for well-known venues like the Comedy Store and Laugh Factory, where numerous famous comedians showcased their talent.

As you enter Beverly Hills, Sunset becomes a winding road guarded by hedges, obscuring multi-million-dollar mansions. Look for the famous Beverly Hills Hotel on your right. You can detour left onto Rodeo Drive for renowned shopping.

05. Rodeo Drive on the 1 Day LA Tour

At the end of Rodeo Drive, you’ll find high-end designer boutiques. Rodeo Drive culminates at the Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire Hotel, with options to circle back to Sunset or continue west on Wilshire.

If you prefer, continue on Wilshire towards Rodeo Drive. Parking is available on Rodeo and nearby streets, including structures that offer complimentary parking for one or two hours.

Rodeo Drive features glamorous shops across three blocks before transitioning back into a residential neighborhood with elegant mansions as you return to Sunset Blvd. Turn left on Sunset heading west.

Sunset provides a scenic route to the beach, while Wilshire presents a more urban atmosphere of retail and commercial buildings.

06. To Santa Monica via Sunset Boulevard

While taking Sunset, you’ll see UCLA on the left; make a detour through the campus if it interests you. Upon passing Will Rogers State Historic Park, veer left onto Chautauqua Drive as Sunset veers right. If missing Chautauqua, continue along Sunset directly to the beach—it will add several miles to your trip.

Chautauqua leads you to the ocean; turn left onto the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). From here, follow the inclines and signs towards Santa Monica.

Parking options include structures adjacent to Santa Monica Place with 90 minutes of free parking, $1 for the next hour, and $1.50 per 30 minutes after that. Various local lots offer similar rates.

07. To Santa Monica via Wilshire

To reach Santa Monica via Wilshire, take this route through Beverly Hills and Century City, turning left onto 4th Street, proceeding to Broadway for parking at Santa Monica Place.

If time is of the essence and traffic is light, you may prefer this route. From Wilshire, you can take the 405 Freeway South and exit onto the 10 Freeway west toward 4th Street.

08. Exploring Santa Monica

Enjoy complimentary parking for the first 90 minutes at Santa Monica Place or other nearby city parking lots, which also offer restrooms.

As you exit towards Broadway and the Third Street Promenade, head left to reach the Pier, where you can find the Santa Monica Pier featuring rides, an aquarium, eateries, and breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean.

Third Street Promenade boasts numerous shops and restaurants along with street performers, particularly during the summer months and weekends. For a budget-friendly snack, check out Wolfgang Puck Pizza at the food court.

You might find a helpful Walking Map of the Third Street Promenade for your exploration.

09. Venice Beach

Retrieve your car from the Santa Monica Place parking structure and navigate to Main Street to explore shops, galleries, and restaurants in Venice Beach. Once at the traffic circle on Windward, look for a suitable parking area, with prices ranging from $3 to $15.

From Windward, stroll down the boardwalk filled with vendor stalls and street performers, wrapping up your day with a sunset dinner at the Sidewalk Café. For a more affordable option, grab a snack at a Venice Beach kiosk while finding a spot on the beach to enjoy the view.

As evening approaches, head towards the airport if you have a late flight, or return to Hollywood for a drink at one of the Roosevelt’s many bars or restaurants.

If you have the energy, discover one of LA’s vibrant Top Dance Clubs or Comedy Clubs.