What are the top things to do in Los Angeles for a first visit?

First-timers usually build a day around Griffith Observatory for the Hollywood Sign view, the Hollywood Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theatre, and Santa Monica Pier for the sunset. Add the Getty Center for art and Malibu for the coast. Plan a second day for Anaheim's Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm, and a stop at In-N-Out Burger in between.

How many days do I need to see Los Angeles and Southern California?

Three days covers the L.A. icons and a coastal day to Santa Monica and Malibu. Add a full day each for Disneyland and a theme-park loop (Knott's Berry Farm or Six Flags Magic Mountain). A chauffeured itinerary removes the driving so you fit more into each day without the traffic fatigue.

Is it worth a car service instead of renting a car in L.A.?

For visitors hitting multiple neighborhoods — Hollywood, Santa Monica, Malibu, Anaheim — a flat-rate car service beats rental-hassle, parking fees and L.A. traffic. There's no need to navigate unfamiliar freeways or find paid parking at every stop, and groups fit comfortably in a Sprinter van.

How far is Disneyland from Los Angeles?

Disneyland in Anaheim is about 26 miles and a 45–60 minute drive from downtown L.A., depending on traffic. Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park is ten minutes from Disneyland, making the two an easy pair in one day. Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia is roughly 40 minutes north of L.A.

Can a chauffeur wait while we visit Griffith Observatory or Disneyland?

Yes. Hourly (as-directed) service keeps the vehicle and chauffeur dedicated to your group for the day — drop-off at the gate, no parking search, and a ride waiting when you're ready to leave. It's the standard choice for families and groups doing multiple stops.

What should I eat that's uniquely Los Angeles?

In-N-Out Burger is the quintessential L.A. fast-food stop — order the double-double Animal Style. Raising Cane's 'One Love' chicken fingers are a newer cult favorite. Beyond that, the city's taco culture (try Guisados or Leo's Tacos Truck), Koreatown BBQ and Santa Monica seafood define the local table.

Visitor guide · Los Angeles & Southern California

Things to do in Los Angeles & Southern California

A chauffeur's guide to the stops worth planning a trip around — the Hollywood Sign view at Griffith Observatory, the stars on the Walk of Fame, the Santa Monica pier, the Malibu coast, the big-three theme parks and the cult eats no SoCal visit is complete without. With logistics, parking tips and how to string them into one easy day.

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Los Angeles icons

The postcard stops every first visitor wants — the Hollywood sign skyline, the observatory sunset and the stars under your feet on Hollywood Boulevard. Close to each other, but a long walk apart; a chauffeured loop turns them into one easy afternoon.

Griffith Observatory & Griffith Park

Views & science · Los Feliz

Free admission to one of the most photographed views in California — the Hollywood Sign, downtown L.A. and the Pacific on a clear day. Arrive before sunset for parking; weekends the lot fills by mid-afternoon. The planetarium shows are ticketed, the grounds are free.

griffithobservatory.org

Hollywood Walk of Fame & TCL Chinese Theatre

Landmark · Hollywood Boulevard

More than 2,700 stars line Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street. The Dolby Theatre (home of the Oscars) and TCL Chinese Theatre sit at the heart of it. Traffic and parking on the Boulevard are notoriously slow — most visitors prefer a curbside drop-off over self-driving.

walkoffame.com

The Getty Center

Art & gardens · Brentwood

Free admission (parking charged) to Richard Meier's hilltop campus — art, architecture and the tram ride up the hill are worth the trip alone. Sunset over the 405 from the garden terrace is a local ritual. Reservations recommended on weekends.

getty.edu

The coast — Santa Monica & Malibu

Where the city meets the Pacific. Santa Monica's pier and Third Street Promenade are walkable and family-friendly; Malibu is the scenic escape up PCH for beaches, seafood and mountain-backed coastline. Both are an easy flat-rate run from anywhere in the basin.

Santa Monica Pier & Third Street Promenade

Beach & boardwalk · Santa Monica

The Pacific Wheel, arcade and end-of-Route-66 sign mark the pier; the Promenade three blocks inland is the open-air shopping and dining strip. Weekends bring crowds and premium beach-lot parking — a drop-off at the pier entrance skips the search entirely.

santamonicapier.org

Malibu beaches & Malibu Pier

Coastal escape · Malibu

Zuma, El Matador and Carbon beaches line the 21 miles of scenic coast. Malibu Pier restaurants sit over the water, and the drive up PCH is half the experience. Note: PCH closures and weekend traffic are common — leave the driving to a chauffeur and enjoy the views.

visitmalibu.com

Theme parks & attractions

Southern California's big-three theme parks are spread across Orange County and the Valencia hills — Disneyland and Knott's are minutes apart in Anaheim, Six Flags Magic Mountain is a freeway north. Groups and families almost always book a Sprinter or SUV so no one has to navigate or park on a long day.

Disneyland & Disney California Adventure

Theme park · Anaheim

The original Disney parks, about 45 minutes south of L.A. off the 5. Park-hopper days start early and end late; dedicated Mickey & Friends parking is a tram ride from the gates, so a curbside drop-off saves a leg of the journey. Reserve park dates and download the app before you go.

disneyland.disney.go.com

Knott's Berry Farm

Theme park · Buena Park

America's first theme park — roller coasters, the Old West Ghost Town and the famous boysenberry treats. Ten minutes from Disneyland, so the two pair into a single Anaheim day-trip loop. Less crowded mid-week; expect big lines on summer weekends.

knotts.com

Six Flags Magic Mountain

Theme park · Valencia

The coaster capital — 20+ roller coasters for thrill-seekers, about 40 minutes north of L.A. on the 5. Built on a hillside, so expect walking and heat; a dedicated chauffeur means a cool ride home when the park closes. Flash Pass pay-per-ride skips the longest lines.

sixflags.com/magicmountain

Iconic L.A. eats

Two cult fast-food institutions no SoCal visit is complete without — both best reached without hunting for parking, and perfect for a quick stop between sights.

In-N-Out Burger

Burgers · Multiple L.A. locations

The West Coast burger institution — fresh, never-frozen patties and the not-so-secret menu (Animal Style, protein style, Neapolitan shake). Lines wrap the building at peak; the Sunset & Orange location near Hollywood is a tourist stop in itself. Order the double-double Animal Style.

in-n-out.com

Raising Cane's — One Love

Chicken fingers · Multiple L.A. locations

Cane's serves one thing — chicken fingers — with its famous Cane's sauce, and the brand's 'One Love' mantra is posted in every store. The Hollywood and Koreatown locations stay packed late; a curbside pickup keeps the sauce warm for the ride to your next stop.

raisingcanes.com

Planning your day — frequently asked questions

What are the top things to do in Los Angeles for a first visit?: First-timers usually build a day around Griffith Observatory for the Hollywood Sign view, the Hollywood Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theatre, and Santa Monica Pier for the sunset. Add the Getty Center for art and Malibu for the coast. Plan a second day for Anaheim's Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm, and a stop at In-N-Out Burger in between.
How many days do I need to see Los Angeles and Southern California?: Three days covers the L.A. icons and a coastal day to Santa Monica and Malibu. Add a full day each for Disneyland and a theme-park loop (Knott's Berry Farm or Six Flags Magic Mountain). A chauffeured itinerary removes the driving so you fit more into each day without the traffic fatigue.
Is it worth a car service instead of renting a car in L.A.?: For visitors hitting multiple neighborhoods — Hollywood, Santa Monica, Malibu, Anaheim — a flat-rate car service beats rental-hassle, parking fees and L.A. traffic. There's no need to navigate unfamiliar freeways or find paid parking at every stop, and groups fit comfortably in a Sprinter van.
How far is Disneyland from Los Angeles?: Disneyland in Anaheim is about 26 miles and a 45–60 minute drive from downtown L.A., depending on traffic. Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park is ten minutes from Disneyland, making the two an easy pair in one day. Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia is roughly 40 minutes north of L.A.
Can a chauffeur wait while we visit Griffith Observatory or Disneyland?: Yes. Hourly (as-directed) service keeps the vehicle and chauffeur dedicated to your group for the day — drop-off at the gate, no parking search, and a ride waiting when you're ready to leave. It's the standard choice for families and groups doing multiple stops.
What should I eat that's uniquely Los Angeles?: In-N-Out Burger is the quintessential L.A. fast-food stop — order the double-double Animal Style. Raising Cane's 'One Love' chicken fingers are a newer cult favorite. Beyond that, the city's taco culture (try Guisados or Leo's Tacos Truck), Koreatown BBQ and Santa Monica seafood define the local table.
Do you offer transfers from LAX to these attractions?: Yes — we run flat-rate transfers from LAX, hotels and residences to Griffith Observatory, Hollywood, Santa Monica, Malibu, Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm and Six Flags, with flight tracking on airport pickups and a confirmed price before you ride.

See it all, without the driving

Flat-rate transfers or full-day hourly chauffeur service to Griffith Observatory, Hollywood, Santa Monica, Malibu, Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm and Six Flags — your chauffeur handles the traffic and parking so you spend the day seeing L.A., not circling it.

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