Is this plan realistic?

Question

2 days in La with a rental car during the early summer. Is this plan realistic and is it fun or should we swap anything out?

Day 1

*Griffith Park

*Warner bros studio

*Late lunch in Malibu

*Santa Monica pier around sunset

Day 2 (potentially with a hop on hop off bus?)

*chinese theatre

*sunset blvd

*beverly hills + rodeo

*the grove/farmers market

Extra details:

I’ve been before but my partner hasn’t so want them to see the classics but also don’t want to be too tourist trappy

Answer

Your 2-day Los Angeles itinerary is doable, but keep in mind that LA traffic is very unpredictable, especially in the early summer when tourism peaks. Planning realistic travel times between locations is key to making this trip enjoyable rather than stressful.

Day 1: Griffith Park, Warner Bros. Studio, Malibu, and Santa Monica Pier is ambitious but feasible if you start early.

Griffith Park: Early morning is ideal to avoid crowds and get great views of the Hollywood sign. Allocate 1.5–2 hours for a short hike or viewpoint stops.
Warner Bros. Studio: Tours generally take 2.5–3 hours. Consider booking the earliest tour to avoid rushing.
Malibu lunch: Travel from Burbank/Studio City area to Malibu can take 45–60 minutes, depending on traffic. Factor in time to eat and possibly stroll a beach.
Santa Monica Pier at sunset: Sunset is roughly 8:00–8:15 PM in early summer. Malibu to Santa Monica is usually 30–45 minutes but could take longer with traffic. This makes for a long day, so plan for downtime or snacks in the car.

Day 2: Touring Hollywood, Sunset Boulevard, Beverly Hills, and The Grove is more relaxed, and a hop-on/hop-off bus can help avoid parking headaches, but note that traffic can still slow you down.

Chinese Theatre & Walk of Fame: Plan 1–2 hours to walk around and take photos. Morning is better for lighter crowds.
Sunset Boulevard drive: Consider driving portions rather than stopping at every point to save time.
Beverly Hills + Rodeo Drive: Allocate 1–1.5 hours to stroll and window shop. Parking can be tricky, so plan ahead.
The Grove/Farmers Market: Midday or late afternoon is ideal. The Farmers Market is touristy but fun for quick bites and local snacks.

Suggestions for improvement:

Consider starting Day 1 very early (around 7 AM) to fit Griffith Park and the Warner Bros. Tour comfortably before heading to Malibu.
For Malibu lunch, choose one or two spots instead of trying multiple stops to avoid feeling rushed.
Sunset at Santa Monica Pier is achievable but be ready for a long day; you could consider shifting the pier to mid-afternoon if sunset isn’t essential.
Day 2 could be made more relaxed by prioritizing either Hollywood sights or Beverly Hills/The Grove to avoid feeling rushed.
Be mindful of parking—some areas (like Rodeo Drive) have limited options, and using the hop-on/hop-off bus in Hollywood can save time.

Overall, the itinerary hits classic LA highlights and balances touristy must-sees with iconic experiences. With careful timing and some flexibility, your partner will get a full LA experience without the trip feeling completely rushed.