LA area May 28-June 1 itinerary guidance

Question

Traveling to CA for family trip this May/June (starting in SF, then taking a couple of days to drive to LA area). It'll be myself and my two adult kids, ages 24 & 21. We will have a rental car but are open to using rideshare and/or public transportation when that makes more sense. Looking at staying in Hollywood/W. Hollywood/Beverly Grove areas, particularly The Garland, Holiday Inn Express & Stes Hollywood WoF, Hilton Garden Inn LA/Hollywood, The Adler, or Beverly Laurel.

Looking mostly for advice on whether the following activities will fit into our time frame:

Universal Studios theme park (I know this park is small but we are fans so will probably allow most of one day)

Warner Bros studio tour (We are open to Paramount and Sony as well -- I know that's overkill but we are movie buffs)

Museum of Motion Picture Academy

We'll likely walk the Hollywood WoF but don't plan on needing much time there.

Venice Beach and/or Santa Monica Pier

Highland Park for vintage shops

The Grove

We love local bookstores so will plan on The Lost Bookstore and any other recommendations. Also enjoy game/video game stores if you have favorites.

We are going to Anaheim for 2-3 days after checking out of LA area hotel for some time at Disneyland. That'll likely be June 1-3.

Thank you for any feedback on whether this is too ambitious and perhaps what you suggest to group together per day.

Answer

Your May 28–June 1 LA itinerary is absolutely doable, and the fact that you’re movie buffs makes this itinerary especially fun. With 4 full days (May 28 afternoon/evening through June 1 morning), you can comfortably fit Universal, one studio tour, several neighborhoods, museums, and some beach time—without rushing.

Below is a structured, realistic plan, grouped by geography to minimize traffic headaches and keep things enjoyable. I’ll also include tips on where to stay based on your plans, plus recommendations for bookstores and game shops.

HOTEL LOCATION GUIDANCE

Because nearly everything you’re doing is in Hollywood / Studio City / Burbank / Beverly Grove, your preferred hotel areas are all good. The Garland (in North Hollywood) is especially good for Universal because it has a shuttle. Beverly Grove is most convenient for museums and shopping, with plenty of walkable dining.

Best for Universal + Studio Tours: The Garland or Hilton Garden Inn LA/Hollywood.
Best for dining + central location: Beverly Laurel or Beverly Grove in general.
Best value in Hollywood: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Hollywood WoF or The Adler.

HOW MANY ACTIVITIES CAN YOU FIT?

Your list fits nicely into three activity-heavy days plus one relaxed day. Universal takes almost a full day even though the park is small. Studio tours take about 2–3 hours. Other attractions are straightforward to pair together.

Here’s a realistic 4-day plan.

DAY 1 (May 28) — Arrival Day + Hollywood Basics

Depending on what time you arrive from SF, keep things simple and nearby:

Walk Hollywood Walk of Fame — quick pass-through, no more than 45–60 minutes.
Chinese Theatre / Dolby Theatre — great photo ops, very close to many hotels.
Bookstore nearby: Larry Edmunds Bookshop — fantastic for film books and memorabilia.
Dinner in Hollywood or Thai Town.

If you have more energy, The Grove is an easy evening stop from Beverly Grove–area hotels.

DAY 2 (May 29) — Universal Studios FULL DAY

You’re fans, and late May can be crowded. To get your money’s worth, dedicate most or all of the day (9am–6pm typically).

The Garland is ideal because of shuttle service.
Do “Studio Tour” first or last; middle of day gets long lines.
Super Nintendo World and Harry Potter areas will take time.

Evening options: CityWalk for dinner, or head back and relax near your hotel.

DAY 3 (May 30) — Studio Tour + Motion Picture Museum + The Grove

This is a classic “film-lover day.” Warner Bros is the most popular studio tour and very close to Universal, but you can also choose Paramount (more old-Hollywood) or Sony (intimate and very informative).

Morning: Warner Bros Studio Tour (2.5–3 hours). Start around 9 or 10am.
Lunch in Burbank (excellent casual food scene, Magnolia Blvd).
Afternoon: Academy Museum of Motion Pictures — allow 2–3 hours. Great exhibits, Oscars collection, and rooftop views of the Hollywood sign.
Evening: The Grove + Farmers Market for dinner and stroll.

You could even add a quick walk on LACMA’s Urban Light, since it’s right next door.

DAY 4 (May 31) — Beaches + Highland Park + Bookstores

This day is busy but fully manageable because you’re jumping between westside and eastside destinations.

Morning — Santa Monica + Venice
- Santa Monica Pier: 30–60 minutes
- Venice Beach Boardwalk: casual walk
- Abbot Kinney shops (trendier, fun for 20-somethings)
Afternoon — Highland Park
- York Blvd vintage shops
- Record stores + creative boutiques
Bookstore Recommendation: The Lost Bookstore (Highland Park) — excellent choice.

Video Game / Game Shops

Lost Levels Arcade & Gaming (Pasadena or Claremont) — retro arcade + store.
Game Realms in Burbank — beloved by collectors.
House of Secrets (Burbank) — comics, graphic novels, collectibles.

You can visit Game Realms after Warner Bros or on Day 4 after Highland Park since it’s in the same general region.

DAY 5 (June 1) — Check Out + Drive to Anaheim

No major activity planned for this morning. Enjoy breakfast near your hotel, maybe stop by a bookstore you missed, then head to Anaheim before the peak of late-morning traffic.

Drive time 45–90 minutes depending on the time of day.
Good time to settle into Disneyland resort mode.

IS YOUR PLAN TOO AMBITIOUS?

No — with this grouping, it’s actually very balanced. Universal takes one full day, but the rest are flexible and can be adjusted easily. You have only one cross-city day (beaches + Highland Park), and even that is perfectly manageable with a car.

SUMMARY OF WHAT FITS WELL IN 4 DAYS