Los Angeles June 2025

Question

Hi - we are two adults and one 15 yo teen. We are coming to California for the first time ever. We are going to have 2 full days in LA (3 nights at hotel) before heading to north and stay the last night and day before departure somewhere near LAX Airport. I would like to ask comments and suggestions about our itinerary. Our budget for hotel is about 300$ per night and we will have a rental car. We are not interested in visiting studios or amusement parks.

We would be more than happy, if it would be possible (or is it utopia in LA) to walk to an evening restaurant (no fine dining or big restaurant chains, preferably bistro style, street food, mexican etc) near hotel. We are interested in local wines and breweries, and small coffee roasters. Some would say that we are looking for hipster atmosphere but keeping in mind our teenager.

Hotel: According to previous posts here, I am considering Royal Palace Westwood, but is there restaurants nearby? Hotel Covell seems nice, but is out of our budget. The Grove would be nice if we were only adults? Los Feliz-Silver lake, where to stay and quite expensive? Santa Monica, what is the atmosphere nowadays, more like resort hotels? Other suggestions?

Day 1 (Sunday): Hollywood walk of fame, original farmers market, sunset bulevard, something else? Visiting the Monkish Brewing Torrence (husband´s suggestion), los feliz/silver lake nice areas to walk and have a coffee where?, Griffith observatory before sun set

Day 2 (Monday): Bike rental Santa Monica-Venice beach and canals in the morning/noon, lunch somewhere there, then driving through Mullholland drive, Getty center views/garden?, Hollywood hills (our son has watched some cool bicycle videos there , but I don´t know where exactly), Beverly Hills, something else?

Last night/day: we will arrive around 3 p.m. to Los Angeles. To stay in some LAX airport hotel (which one?) or to stay and chill in Hermosa beach (which hotel)? Some other place near LAX? We have to be at the airport 2 p.m.

Roadtrip plan: Malibu-Santa Barbara-Carmel (hotel)-San Fransisco (hotel)-Napa-Sacramento(hotel)-Lake Tahoe-Mono Lake-Bishop(hotel?)-Los Angeles.

Answer

Your LA itinerary is ambitious but doable with a rental car. Here’s a detailed breakdown and suggestions considering your interests in hip/hipster areas, good coffee, local breweries, and walkable restaurants.

Hotels:

Royal Palace Westwood: Centrally located, good budget-friendly option. Westwood Village has casual restaurants, cafes, and a few wine spots, though evening walking options are somewhat limited compared to Silver Lake or Venice.
Los Feliz / Silver Lake: Trendy, hipster vibe, lots of boutique coffee shops, small bistros, and street food. More expensive, but worth it for walkable dining and atmosphere. Ideal if you want to explore on foot in the evenings.
Santa Monica: Resort-like feel, more touristy, lots of chain hotels, but beach access is excellent. Evening dining is varied; you can find bistros and casual spots, though parking and traffic can be tricky.
The Grove / Hollywood: Great for adults, shopping, and restaurants, but less convenient with a teenager who may prefer more casual experiences.

Day 1 (Sunday): Hollywood & West LA)

Start at Hollywood Walk of Fame – quick stroll, optional TCL Chinese Theatre visit.
Original Farmers Market – casual lunch or snack options, diverse food stalls.
Drive along Sunset Boulevard, see Sunset Strip.
Monkish Brewing in Torrance – excellent for local beer lovers, maybe plan for afternoon visit.
Griffith Observatory for sunset – great city views; consider arriving 1 hour before sunset to find parking.
Optional coffee stop: Los Feliz – Intelligentsia Coffee or Square One Coffee for hipster vibes and teen-friendly atmosphere.

Day 2 (Monday): Santa Monica / Venice / Hollywood Hills)

Morning bike rental: Santa Monica – Venice Boardwalk, Venice Canals. Plenty of casual lunch options along Abbot Kinney Boulevard (hipster boutiques, cafes).
Afternoon drive: Mulholland Drive – scenic overlooks, consider Hollywood Hills overlook for cycling inspiration spots.
Getty Center – gardens, architecture, city views. Allocate at least 1.5–2 hours.
Beverly Hills – drive through or quick stop at Rodeo Drive area; easy walking for photos and casual browsing.

Evening / Local dining suggestions:

Silver Lake / Los Feliz: Sqirl, Ostrich Farm, Little Dom’s (Italian bistro), Mohawk Bend (brewery + food), HomeState for Tex-Mex tacos.
Westwood: Simon’s or Yankee Doodle for casual options.
Santa Monica: Blue Plate Taco, True Food Kitchen, or casual beachside cafes.

Last night / day near LAX:

LAX area: Hyatt Regency LAX, Courtyard by Marriott LAX, or Embassy Suites. Easy airport access, short Uber ride.
Hermosa Beach / Manhattan Beach: Beach vibe, walkable restaurants, boutique cafes. Example hotels: Shade Hotel Hermosa Beach or Beach House Hotel Hermosa. Consider parking and Uber/taxi time to airport.

Given you need to be at LAX by 2 p.m., staying close to LAX (Inglewood / El Segundo hotels) is more practical than Hermosa Beach for your last night.

Roadtrip plan comment: Your SF to LA route via Malibu-Santa Barbara-Carmel-SF-Napa-Sacramento-Tahoe-Mono Lake-Bishop-LA is feasible, but ensure you allocate enough driving time between stops. Coastal Highway 1 is scenic but slower. Booking hotels in advance is recommended, especially in Carmel, Napa, and Tahoe in June.

Overall, your itinerary is well-paced and mixes hipster neighborhoods, iconic sites, and scenic drives, while balancing teen-friendly activities.