SoFi, Malibu, and Getty Villa in one day?

Question

Hi all! I'm planning to fly into LAX to visit SoFi stadium for a midday preseason game (~1PM PST kickoff) in August. The game is on a Sunday. I don't want to stay in L.A. overnight. I plan to arrive a few hours before the game and take a late flight back home (my options are a ~7pm departure or a ~12 AM departure).

After the game, I'd love to drive to Malibu on Highway 1 and visit the beach for a bit. Time permitting, I'd also like to visit the Getty Villa (hoping it will re-open by the time I visit!).

Ideally, I'd like to take the 7PM departure back home, but I have never been to L.A. and I've heard that LAX is a beast to navigate. I also plan to rent a car at the airport, so I want to make sure I have enough time to return it and go through security. I do have TSA pre-check, but that doesn't always help at busier airports.

Is my itinerary overly ambitious for a one-day trip? Any and all thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

Answer

Your plan to visit SoFi Stadium, Malibu, and the Getty Villa all in one day is extremely ambitious, especially given Los Angeles traffic and the logistics of LAX. While it's technically possible, there are several factors that make this itinerary tight and potentially stressful.

Key Considerations:

Traffic: LA traffic is unpredictable, even on a Sunday. Driving from Inglewood (SoFi Stadium) to Malibu via Highway 1 can take anywhere from 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on traffic. From Malibu to LAX, expect another 1–2 hours minimum. Evening traffic near the airport can be heavy.
Game Timing: A 1PM kickoff usually ends around 4:30PM, factoring in stadium exit and parking delays. It’s unlikely you'll leave SoFi before 4:45–5:00PM.
Getty Villa: Located in Pacific Palisades, roughly halfway between Malibu and LAX. A quick visit might be feasible if you spend only 30–45 minutes there, but longer visits (1–2 hours) would be unrealistic before your flight.
LAX Departure: For a 7PM flight, you’d want to be at the airport by 5:30–6:00PM for domestic flights with TSA pre-check. Returning your rental car and going through security will likely take 30–45 minutes minimum, leaving almost no time for a beach or Getty Villa visit.

Alternative Suggestions:

Consider skipping one of the locations — either Malibu or Getty Villa — to make the day less rushed.
Alternatively, plan a later flight, like your 12 AM option, which gives you ample time to visit the beach and Getty Villa after the game without feeling rushed.
Prioritize what’s most important to you: if the beach and Getty Villa experience are key, a late-night flight is the only realistic option.
Use a navigation app to check real-time traffic and plan buffer time; LA traffic can turn a 30-minute drive into 90 minutes unexpectedly.

Practical Itinerary with a 12AM Flight:

Arrive at LAX mid-morning, pick up rental car.
Head straight to SoFi Stadium for 1PM kickoff; game ends ~4:30–4:45PM.
Drive to Malibu beach (~1–2 hours depending on traffic), enjoy sunset or beach time.
Visit Getty Villa in late afternoon/evening (~30–60 min), if open.
Return rental car at LAX around 10:30–11:00PM, check in, and go through TSA for your 12AM departure.

In summary, attempting this itinerary with a 7PM flight is not recommended unless you’re comfortable skipping or significantly shortening stops. A late-night flight makes it feasible, allowing you to enjoy LA without constant stress about missing your plane.

SoFi, Malibu, and Getty Villa in one day?

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