Check my 4 day Los Angeles itinerary?

Question

From June 17-20 I will be traveling from Minneapolis to LA for the first time with my 14 and 15 year old granddaughters and their dad. The plane lands at 10:40 AM on Tuesday and we fly out on Friday at 5:40 PM. We are staying at the Hampton Inn in Santa Monica and will have a car. The girls want to swim in the ocean, see the Hollywood sign and go to Harry Potter at Universal Studios but they are also curious about art, science and history and food. I need help determining if this itinerary is realistic and if it sounds good to the experts. So grateful for your help!

Tuesday

* We plan to spend the afternoon at Manhattan Beach and have dinner somewhere in the area.

Wednesday

* Not sure the timing will work but it would be great to get all these things in today because they seem to be clustered together: Walk of the stars, the Hollywood sign and trail, Universal Studios.

* We plan to leave at 8:00 AM to arrive at the Observatory by 9 AM so we can take a photo of the Hollywood sign. We’d also like to walk the trail for a while, but only as long as the asphalt holds out.

* Somewhere in here we’d like to check out the Walk of the Stars…

* Spend the rest of the day at Universal Studios. Is it reasonable to plan to do the above and still arrive at Universal by 11 AM?

* Dinner and music at The Baked Potato. The girls are young, but they’re band kids and love music and the website says all ages welcome. Is this a good idea? What time should we arrive if we plan to have dinner and see the 8 PM set?

Thursday

* Leave at 9 AM to arrive at the Huntington Library by 10 AM and spend the day there. I'm hoping this will be the centerpiece of the trip. I think they will enjoy the house, the art, the library, the gardens and the restaurants, but if I’m wrong and they wear out I’ll need an alternative activity. Ideas? Or we could just go back to swim at Santa Monica Pier where we plan to have dinner.

Friday

* Our plane leaves at 5:40 PM so we probably need to be at the airport by 3 PM to drop off the car, I'd like to take the kids to the Getty in the morning. If we arrived when it opens at 10 and left at 1:30 would that be enough time to visit the art, do you think?

I really appreciate your input and would welcome additional suggestions or advice.

Maureen

Answer

Your 4-day Los Angeles itinerary is ambitious but can be feasible with careful planning, especially since you have a car and are staying in Santa Monica. Here’s a detailed breakdown and advice on timing, logistics, and alternatives for your family trip.

Tuesday – Arrival and Manhattan Beach

Landing at 10:40 AM gives you plenty of time to pick up your rental car, drive to Santa Monica, and then head south to Manhattan Beach. Spending the afternoon there is perfect for letting the girls relax and swim in the ocean after the flight. For dinner:

Manhattan Beach Pier area has several family-friendly options like The Strand House or Simmzy’s.
Try to leave the beach by 5:30–6 PM to avoid traffic back to Santa Monica.

Wednesday – Hollywood and Universal Studios

This is a very packed day. Here’s a realistic approach:

Leave Santa Monica at 8:00 AM to arrive at Griffith Observatory by 9 AM for photos of the Hollywood Sign. You can walk a short portion of the trail (Bridal Path or Mt. Hollywood trail) in 30–45 minutes if the heat is tolerable.
Drive down to the Hollywood Walk of Fame afterward. Parking can be tricky, so budget at least 45–60 minutes for the walk and photos.
Expect to arrive at Universal Studios around 11–11:30 AM if traffic is light. This gives you roughly 5–6 hours in the park before dinner.
The Baked Potato: For the 8 PM set, plan to arrive around 7 PM to secure seating and order food. It’s an excellent experience for young musicians, but keep in mind it can get crowded.

Note: Doing all three morning activities and arriving at Universal by opening is tight. If you want more park time, consider skipping the Walk of Fame or keeping the Hollywood trail very short.

Thursday – Huntington Library

Leaving at 9 AM to arrive by 10 AM is perfect. Plan for 3–4 hours exploring the gardens, house, library, and art galleries.
If the girls get tired, alternative activities include:

Nearby Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena (smaller, manageable in 1–2 hours)
Relaxing at Santa Monica or Venice Beach in the afternoon
Local casual lunch and light exploring around Old Town Pasadena

Dinner back at Santa Monica Pier is ideal for combining food, casual stroll, and ocean views.

Friday – Getty Museum and departure

Arrive at the Getty at opening (10 AM). With 3–4 hours, you can comfortably see highlights of the art collection, sculpture gardens, and some of the architecture.
Leave Getty by 1:30 PM to ensure you reach LAX by 3 PM for car drop-off and check-in for your 5:40 PM flight.

Additional Tips

Traffic in LA is unpredictable; always budget extra travel time, especially when going from Santa Monica to Hollywood or Universal.
Use ride-sharing or park at the start of trails to avoid excessive walking in crowded areas.
Keep sunscreen, hats, and water handy for outdoor activities.
Flexibility is key—if Universal Studios is your priority, shorten Hollywood morning activities or do a photo stop from a viewpoint without hiking.

Overall, your itinerary balances beach, theme park fun, culture, and sightseeing well. With minor adjustments and awareness of LA traffic, your family should have an enjoyable and memorable trip.

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