While many people think of places like Hollywood and Beverly Hill when it comes to Los Angeles, the Downtown Los Angeles area is severely underrated and should be a stop during your first trip to Los Angeles. Downtown Los Angeles has some really awesome sites to see, places to eat, and interesting museums. Best of all, many of the things on this one day Downtown Los Angeles itinerary are free or inexpensive.
Want a guided tour to start out your trip and get acclimated to the city? Then check out Guru Walks for a free guided tour. You can book online to reserve your spot and pay what you wish when you get there. Check out the tours in Los Angeles here.
US Ghost Adventures is an awesome company that offers a variety of guided tours and haunted experiences across different cities in the United States. Visitors can learn the compelling history and stories of the paranormal and the city’s darker side. Make sure to check out the variety of tours offered in Los Angeles here. They are very affordable too!
Disclaimer: Thank you to the Grammy Museum and the Ice Rink at Pershing Square for hosting me on my visit. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no cost to you!
Table of Contents
History of Downtown Los Angeles
Los Angeles was founded in 1781 by a group of settlers who came from Mexico. The Downtown area was designed in a grid-like pattern that still exists today. During the Victoria era, the city exploded in population which led to the Golden Age of the 1920s.
The Golden Age saw the rise of buildings and businesses. After that period, many more apartments and office spaces were built. Present-day, the Downtown area has expanded to include many fun and exciting places to visit.
When to Spend One Day in Downtown Los Angeles
Los Angeles is the perfect place to visit any time of the year. It will be the most crowded during summertime. During the Holiday Season, Downtown will be decorated and have some special events, so winter can be a fun time to visit. Fall and Spring are less busy, so you will find the best prices then.
How to Get to Downtown Los Angeles
The two airports to fly into that are the closest to Downtown Los Angeles are Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Hollywood Burbank Airport. Flights are typically cheaper into LAX, but Burbank is closer to Downtown.
From Los Angeles International Airport
From LAX, you can opt to grab an Uber/Lyft or take the Flyaway Bus to Union Station. I highly recommend the bus as it is very easy and costs $9.75 each way. You can buy your tickets online or pay once you get to Union Station. To catch the bus, just head out to the pickup area at LAX and look for the flyaway bus signs. It typically comes every 30-60 minutes. The alternative option is to take a private transfer.
From Burbank Airport
It is also quite easy to get from Burbank Airport to Downtown Los Angeles. You can opt to hop on the Metrolink to Union Station which costs $6 each way. Tickets can be bought at the station or online. A Lyft/Uber will take about 30 minutes to get downtown or you can book a Private Transfer.
Transportation in Downtown Los Angeles
If you are just planning on visiting Downtown Los Angeles on this trip, do not bother getting a rental car. It is very easy to walk everywhere Downtown. There is also the Metro to get around, which costs $1.75 per ride. If you want to go anywhere outside Downtown, where the Metro does not go, you can easily take a Lyft or Uber.
Where to Stay in Downtown Los Angeles
TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best Los Angeles hotels here!
Los Angeles can be a very expensive place to stay, so expect to pay a minimum of $150 per night. I recommend staying in the Downtown area as it does have a ton of amazing hotels right in the middle of everything.
Some of the best Los Angeles include the following. *means it is one of my favorites.
- Hilton Checkers Hotel
- The Westin Bonaventure Hotel*
- Hotel Figueroa
- Freehand Los Angeles
- Omni Los Angeles
- Intercontinental Los Angeles Downtown
- DoubleTree by Hilton Los Angeles Downtown
- Biltmore Los Angeles*
- The Hoxton, Downtown LA
What to do During a One Day Downtown Los Angeles Itinerary
There are so many fun things to do during one day in Downtown Los Angeles. You can cram all of these things into one day, or opt to slow down and spend two days visiting these awesome sites. Want a tour but want to go at your own pace? Check out this DTLA Self-Guided Audio Tour. You could also do this Best of LA Tour.
GoCity Pass
GoCity offers a ton of different sightseeing passes for cities around the world. These passes allow you to visit the best of each city for one low price, rather than paying individually for each attraction. I have used it in several cities around the world and would recommend getting a GoCity pass! Check out the options for the Los Angeles GoCity pass here.
Breakfast at Pitchon!
Cost: $$
Hours: Mon-Fri: 7am-5pm, Sat-Sun: 8am-5pm
To start off this one day in Downtown Los Angeles itinerary, grab breakfast at Pitchon, one of the best French Cafes in Los Angeles. They serve a ton of delicious things to eat and have amazing French pastries too. The owners were originally from France, so everything is super authentic. My favorites are their crepe and quiche.
Union Station
Cost: Free
Hours: 24 hours
Upon arrival in this one day in Downtown Los Angeles itinerary, your first stop will be Union Station, the main hub of transportation throughout Los Angeles. Make sure to take a peek at the main hall for its awesome architecture. There are sometimes tours offered you can take, so check out the website here for more information.
Olvera Street, Little Tokyo, & Chinatown
Cost: Free
Hours: Varies
After breakfast, spend some time wandering around Olvera Street, Little Tokyo, and Chinatown. All three neighborhoods are a ton of fun and have unique things to do.
Olvera Street contains Hispanic-themed shops and food stalls. I highly recommend Cielito Lindo for some of the best taquitos you’ll ever have.
Little Tokyo has some delicious Japanese bakeries and food stalls as well. At the edge of Little Tokyo is the Japanese American National Museum which has a really cool Japanese-style pavilion. Inside the museum, it goes over 130 years’ worth of history about Japanese Americans.
Chinatown contains even more dining and shopping options. It is the place to go if you want delicious Chinese food or are looking for some tea. Also in Chinatown is the infamous Philippe the Original, known for its French dip sandwiches.
City Hall
Cost: Free
Hours: Mon-Fri: 8am-5pm
Many people may not realize that you are able to climb to the top of the Los Angeles City Hall for some views of Downtown. Visitors just have to check in at the front desk, ask for a visitor’s pass, and then for directions to the tower. It is all free to visit! You will be able to take in views of Downtown as well as the Hollywood Sign.
Lunch at Grand Central Market
Cost: $
Hours: Varies by Stall
Grand Central Market is the perfect place to grab lunch, especially if you have a larger group. It is home to 40 stalls with a variety of food options. My favorites include Horse Theif BBQ, Eggslut, Golden Road, and DTLA Cheese and Kitchen. No matter what, you cannot go wrong with anything you get. I recommend visiting a few stalls and splitting the food to be able to try more things.
Angel’s Flight
Cost: $1
Hours: 6:45am-10pm
After getting your fill of food, head back up the hill by taking a ride on Angel’s Flight. You may recognize this from the movie La La Land. This funicular takes visitors back up to the top of the hill for only $1! It is a quick ride but offers fun views of the area as you ride. It is definitely a must-do when spending one day in Downtown Los Angeles.
Bradbury Building
Cost: Free
Hours: 9am-5pm
The Bradbury Building is a quick stop to see during your one day in Downtown Los Angeles. This spot built in 1893, has been a popular filming spot throughout the years and is a National Historic Landmark. It is known for its 5 stories of ornate ironwork stairs. One of the more popular movies filmed here was blade runner. There is also a fun bar at the top of the building.
The Last Bookstore
Cost: Free
Hours: 11am-8pm
The Last Bookstore is a popular used and new bookstore in Downtown Los Angeles. It is the largest of its kind in California and is also known for its infamous and unique displays of books. It is a popular Instagram spot due to these displays. Plan to spend a bit of time wandering the store, especially if you are a book lover.
The Broad
Cost: Free
Hours: Tues-Thurs: 11am-8pm, Fri: 11am-5pm, Sat-Sun: 10am-6pm, Closed Mondays
The Broad is a FREE modern art museum you should visit during your one day in Downtown Los Angeles. While it has a ton of amazing art installations, it is mostly known for its Infinity Mirror room! You can reserve tickets online for this exhibit and for the museum itself ahead of time. On less busy days you can sometimes grab walk-up tickets to the Broad, but I recommend making reservations so you are not disappointed.
Walt Disney Concert Hall
Cost: Free and Up
Hours: Varies
The Walt Disney Concert Hall is a unique building in Downtown Los Angeles. It was designed by Frank Gehry and is home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic. They offer many concerts throughout the year and host other special events.
If classical music is your thing, you may want to see a show at the Walk Disney Concert Hall. If you do not have time, you can also walk around the outside of the building or head up to its rooftop garden to take in views of Downtown Los Angeles.
The Grammy Museum
Cost: $18
Hours: Wednesday-Monday: 11am-5pm, Saturdays: 11am-6pm, Closed Tuesday
The Grammy Museum is the perfect stop for any music lover. Located in the LA Live area of downtown next to the Crypto Arena, plan to spend a little over an hour visiting the museum. It goes through some of the history of music and the Grammys as well as covers the Latin Grammys. I enjoyed seeing the Michael Jackson jackets from the ages.
The exhibits are constantly rotating, so make sure to check the website for the most up-to-date information on the exhibits. Outside of the exhibits, the Grammy Museum hosts various events and shows throughout the year.
Go Ice Skating at Pershing Square
Cost: $20 admission which includes skate rental
Hours: Varies, but in general 11:30am-9:30pm
If spending one day in Downtown Los Angeles in the wintertime, work up an appetite for dinner by ice skating in Pershing Square! This seasonal rink typically runs between Thanksgiving and New Years. Visitors will want to make reservations online ahead of time in order to ensure a spot.
The area is nicely decorated and will have many Holiday decorations. Some days, there will be live music, holiday crafts, and even sledding. Each skating session is an hour, so make sure to plan accordingly in conjunction with your dinner reservation.
Dinner at Otium
Cost: $$$
Hours: Sun-Thurs: 5pm-9pm, Fri-Sat: 5pm-10pm, Closed Mondays
Otium is one of my absolute favorite restaurants and is worth the splurge. This small plate restaurant always has the best mouthwatering dishes and cocktails. The menu changes seasonally, so be prepared for a new experience each time.
Hit up the Bars
Cost: $
Hours: Varies by Bar
Downtown Los Angeles is full of some really awesome and unique bars. From rooftop bars to themed bars, you cannot go wrong with grabbing an after-dinner drink. The following are some of my favorites.
- Clifton’s Republic: This popular venue sometimes has a cover charge. Each floor is themed differently and offers a variety of entertainment. I recommend the tiki bar on the top floor, but make sure to make reservations.
- The Edison: The Edison has Prohibition vibes to it and is known for its absinth cocktails. Note they do have a dress code!
- Shoo Shoo Baby: This bar has a very chill vibe with tons of tables. It does not feel too loud or crowded, so it is a great place to chill for a bit.
- Broken Shaker: Located at the top of the Freehand Hotel, this bar offers views of downtown Los Angeles and a ton of interesting and unique cocktails.
Other popular bars include The Burrow, 7Grand, Upstairs at the Ace, Broadway Bar, and Limericks Tavern.
More Than One Day in Downtown Los Angeles
If you have more than one day in Downtown Los Angeles, make sure to check out these places too!
Go on a Food Tour
Cost: $$
Hours: Varies
Food tours are a fun and exciting way to explore the food scene in a city. A food tour in Downtown Los Angeles is no exception and is the perfect thing to add to your itinerary if you have more than one day in Downtown Los Angeles. The one we went on lasted a couple of hours and we stopped at 5 places plus got a tour of Downtown as we went along.
Eat at Woodspoon
Cost: $$
Hours: Tues-Fri: 11am-3pm, 5pm-10pm, Sat: 1pm-10pm, Closed Sun-Mon
Woodspoon is a yummy Brazilian restaurant located in Downtown Los Angeles. It is a blend of African, Indian, and European influences that makes for some pretty delicious options. They do a lot of small plates, so plan on ordering a few things and sharing them.
Nimbus Coffee
Cost: $
Hours: Wed-Sun: 8am-2pm
Nimbus Coffee is a must-visit stop for any Harry Potter fan. All of the drinks and light bites to eat have a Harry Potter theme to them and the cafe is decorated with Harry Potter decor. You can also do delivery and pick up orders.
Final Tips for One Day in Downtown Los Angeles
You can easily spend more than one day in Downtown Los Angeles, especially if you want to check out some of these date ideas. You can also head over to Hollywood and explore the film history of Los Angeles or head to the west side to get to know the funky beach neighborhoods like Venice. If you have even more time, head up the Central Coast to San Francisco! No matter what, you can find plenty to do in Los Angeles.
Other Things to do in Los Angeles
No matter what, Los Angeles is such a fun city to visit. There are fun things to do at any time of the year. Winter in Los Angeles offers some unique experiences that can also be budget-friendly. Want to learn more about Los Angeles? Check out these posts about the fun to be had in Los Angeles during all times of the year.
- Best Things to do on your First LA Visit
- Cheap Things to do in Los Angeles
- Date Ideas in Los Angeles
- Best Places to Eat in Los Angeles
- Fall in Los Angeles
- Winter in Los Angeles
- Things to do in DTLA
- Things to do in Hollywood
