Trip Order

Question

I am flying into LAX for a work event on a Saturday. We will be in the LA area starting early morning Friday and leave the area on Sunday (Sunday departure time is flexible). i am trying to figure out the best order for the rest of the trip. Friday we plan to check out the Santa Monica pier area, possibly do a bike ride in that area, and then see some other Hollywood touristy sites (group of 4 adults, none have been to LA previously). We will have Sunday-Wednesday for full day activities, flying out of LAX on Thrusday morning. We are looking at the following: Palm Canyon Nature Preserve, Palm Springs area tramway, Joshua Tree National Park, Disneyland, San Diego/La Jolla/Torrey Pines. Totally aware it might be too much, we are typically up early out the door and pack in as much as we can during the days, but I need to figure out the best order for these considering we are leaving from and returning to LAX. We have previously been to Joshua Tree and are open to possibly skipping that, we have done San Diego previously as well, but hope to get back there for a visit this trip. My husband and I are also open to skipping Disney, but I think the other couple will do Disney either way. We are currently debating if we get a "central" Airbnb in the Long Beach area and do short day trips (ok with the driving) or do a split stay somewhere that makes sense.

Answer

Given your early arrival on Friday and desire to see a lot while minimizing driving stress, a combination of strategic day trips and split stays makes sense. Since you’re flying in and out of LAX, you’ll want to cluster activities geographically to reduce back-and-forth driving, especially with the LA traffic.

Friday (Arrival Day)

Since you’re arriving early Friday, it makes sense to stay relatively close to the airport or in Santa Monica/West LA for your first day of activities. Your plans to check out Santa Monica Pier, ride bikes along the beachfront, and see Hollywood tourist sites are well suited for this day.

Start with Santa Monica Pier and a bike ride along the beach path.
Then drive to Hollywood Boulevard to see the Walk of Fame, TCL Chinese Theatre, and maybe the Hollywood sign viewpoint.
Return to your hotel in Santa Monica, West LA, or even near LAX depending on hotel choice and parking convenience.

Saturday to Wednesday (Full Days)

Since you’re planning several destinations—Palm Springs, Joshua Tree, Disneyland, and San Diego—it’s best to split the trip into two base locations: LA area and either Palm Springs or San Diego for part of the trip.

Option 1: Split Stays

Saturday: Drive to Palm Springs area (~2 hours from LA). Visit Palm Canyon Nature Preserve and take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Overnight in Palm Springs.
Sunday: Head to Joshua Tree National Park if desired, then return to Palm Springs or drive back toward LA if skipping Joshua Tree. Overnight in Palm Springs or central LA/Long Beach.
Monday: Disneyland day. Stay in Anaheim for convenience to minimize walking long distances after a full day at the park. If some adults skip Disney, they can explore nearby Downtown Disney or relax at the hotel pool.
Tuesday: Drive to San Diego (~2–2.5 hours from Anaheim). Explore La Jolla, Torrey Pines, and possibly Balboa Park. Overnight in San Diego.
Wednesday: More San Diego exploration or beach day. Return to LA in the evening (~2–2.5 hours) to be ready for Thursday morning departure from LAX.

Option 2: Central Base (Long Beach / Central LA)

Saturday: Palm Springs day trip (~2 hours each way), early morning departure, return evening.
Sunday: Disneyland day trip (~45 min–1 hr from Long Beach), or have some skip Disney while others go.
Monday: San Diego day trip (~2–2.5 hours each way). Start early and plan for a full day.
Tuesday: Optional Joshua Tree day trip (~2 hours each way). Or take a rest/relaxing day closer to Long Beach.
Wednesday: LA local day—Griffith Observatory, Getty Center, Venice Beach, Santa Monica if missed Friday. Return to LAX-area hotel for Thursday departure.

Recommendations:

Split stays minimize long drives and allow you to enjoy destinations more fully without fatigue. For example, staying one night in Palm Springs and one or two nights in Anaheim for Disneyland is efficient.
If you prioritize fewer hotel changes, a central LA or Long Beach base is feasible but expect long drives and early mornings for full-day trips.
Traffic consideration: LA area traffic is heaviest morning 7–10 AM and evening 4–7 PM. Try to start day trips outside of these times to avoid delays.
Consider early departure times for San Diego and Palm Springs to maximize time on-site and reduce stress.

Overall, a split-stay approach—Santa Monica/West LA first night, Palm Springs next, Anaheim for Disneyland, and optionally San Diego for the remaining days—will give you a packed but manageable itinerary while minimizing long back-and-forth drives.

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