The city of Los Angeles sprawls vast and varied, a metropolis where film studios and food trucks, surfers and street artists, tech startups and taco stands all vie for attention across its 500 square miles.
While most visitors make a beeline for the Hollywood Walk of Fame or the Santa Monica Pier, the real LA exists in the spaces between these tourist magnets – in the coffee shops of Silver Lake, the galleries of the Arts District, and the family-run restaurants of Sawtelle.
This is a city that defies simple narratives. Yes, it’s the entertainment capital of the world, but it’s also home to the largest Thai population outside of Thailand, a burgeoning tech scene that rivals Silicon Valley, and more working artists than any other city in America. While the gleaming towers of downtown and the mansions of Beverly Hills catch the eye, LA’s soul resides in its neighbourhoods – each one a former town swallowed by the city’s endless expansion, each maintaining its own distinct character.
While 48 hours barely scratches the surface of this behemoth of a city, an alternative approach to LA can reveal layers of culture and creativity that most visitors miss. Forget about spotting celebrities or finding the best angle for the Hollywood Sign – this guide will take you through the LA that locals cherish, from specialty coffee roasters in converted warehouses to hidden hiking trails with panoramic views, from historic food markets to cutting-edge art galleries. Here is our alternative 48 hours in LA.
A Note On Transport
A note on transport: While LA’s reputation as a car-dependent city is well-earned, visitors can combine Metro rail lines, subways and buses, alongside ride-sharing apps and walking, to explore the city’s neighbourhoods.
We’ve structured this guide to minimise travel time, but you’ll still want to download both Uber and Lyft – surge pricing can vary significantly between the two. The Metro’s B (Red) and D (Purple) lines are particularly useful for downtown exploration, while the E (Expo) Line connects downtown to Santa Monica. If you’ve hired a car for your 48 hours in LA, similar timings apply to the suggested taxi rides.
Day 1: Echo Park To Silver Lake
Morning: Echo Park Awakening
Begin your LA story in Echo Park, easily reached by a short Uber ride from downtown hotels or the Metro 101 bus.
Start with breakfast at Honey Hi (open from 9am) where local produce meets thoughtful cooking in a sunny corner space. Their seasonal grain bowls and house-made gluten-free baked goods have earned a devoted following, while their breakfast sandwich – featuring pasture-raised eggs, local greens, and optional house-made chicken sausage – rivals any in the city for pure, unadulterated wholesomeness. Oh, and the beautifully smooth, rich coffees, using beans from local roasters, provide the perfect morning boost that will launch you into the city with a spring in your step.
You’ll also find drinks like the Merman – a deep green concoction which has become something of a cult classic hero around these parts. Made from fresh mint, banana, coconut, their house California almond & pumpkin seed milk and crunchy cacao nibs, it’s a bit like a mint chocolate chip ice cream in a glass, but with the added goodness of spirulina and chlorella, both of which are said to help with inflammation, detoxification, immune support – it’s all very LA, and very delicious it is, too.
Take that energy with you for a morning stroll around the lake, where vendors set up early selling elotes (Mexican street corn) and chamoy-covered fruit. The paddle boats might seem touristy, but there’s no better way to appreciate the downtown skyline rising behind the palm trees. If you’ve worked up an appetite, make a beeline for Burrito King Sunset or Guisados, two of Echo Park’s last-standing taco joints which open in the morning – after all, have you really been to the City of Angles if you haven’t had an LA taco at Echo Park?
Late Morning: Arts District Exploration
A 15-minute Uber ride or the DASH A bus brings you to the Arts District, where industrial warehouses have transformed into galleries, breweries, and some of LA’s most exciting restaurants. Start at Hauser & Wirth, where world-class exhibitions occupy a former flour mill. The complex’s garden, designed by Mark Bradford, offers a peaceful respite from the urban landscape.
Don’t miss the nearby Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA LA), which often showcases emerging local artists. The surrounding streets reveal an ever-changing gallery of street art – local tip: the most striking pieces often appear in the alleys between Traction Avenue and Merrick Street.
Lunch: Grand Central Grazing
Take the 10-minute walk to Grand Central Market, a centenarian food hall that perfectly encapsulates LA’s culinary diversity. While the market’s Instagram stars (Eggslut, McConnell’s Ice Cream) draw crowds, seek out Villa Moreliana’s carnitas tacos or the lesser-known Sarita’s Pupuseria for celebrated Salvadoran food.
Afternoon: Highland Park Haunts
Hop on the Gold Line (L Line) from Union Station – a 15-minute journey – to Highland Park, where Eastside LA’s artistic heart beats strongest. Start at Civil Coffee, where exceptional small-batch brews are served in a bright, airy space that’s become a neighborhood hub for creative locals. Browse the independent shops along Figueroa Street, where you’ll find everything from vintage clothing at Avalon Vintage to local art at The Pop-Hop Books & Print.
Take a stroll down York Boulevard, where vintage shops and family-run panaderias coexist with natural wine bars. End your exploration a little south at Gold Line Bar, a stylish vinyl bar from the team behind In Sheep’s Clothing Hi-Fi. Their carefully curated music selection and excellent cocktails make it the perfect spot to watch the neighbourhood transition from day to night.
Evening: Silver Lake Sunset
A quick Uber ride (or slightly longer Bus 81) takes you to Silver Lake. While the neighbourhood’s gentrification is well documented, pockets of authentic LA still thrive. Have dinner at Pine & Crane, where Taiwanese classics meet California produce. Their mapo tofu and three-cup chicken have earned a devoted following among LA’s notoriously fickle foodies.
End your night at Hyperion Public, a neighbourhood bar that somehow manages to feel both vintage and current. Their back room often hosts local comedy shows and indie music acts that you won’t find in tourist guides.
Day 2: Venice To Culver City
Morning: Venice Ventures
Start your second day in Venice Beach – take an Uber or Lyft from your hotel, as morning traffic can be unpredictable. Begin with breakfast at Great White, where the coastal Australian-inspired menu perfectly matches the neighbourhood’s laid-back surf vibe. Their breakfast burrito, filled with curry-spiced cauliflower and house-made hot sauce, reinvents a California classic.
Explore the Venice Canals, best visited in the morning light when residents paddle board through the waterways. While the area’s Hollywood Hills vacation rentals might draw celebrities, these tranquil canals offer a glimpse into a more grounded LA lifestyle.
Late Morning: Thai Town Treasures
A half hour cab ride brings you to Thai Town, where LA’s vast Thai community has created a vibrant cultural enclave. Head to Sapp Coffee Shop – don’t let the humble name fool you. This no-frills spot serves some of the city’s most authentic Thai cuisine, from boat noodles rich with morning glory and pork crackling to jade noodles topped with barbecue pork and crab meat. While you wait for a table, explore the surrounding markets where locals shop for fresh makrut lime leaves, Thai basil, and hard-to-find snacks.
Afternoon: Miracle Mile Meanders
A 20-minute ride brings you to the Miracle Mile, where LA’s premier museums line Wilshire Boulevard. While most visitors flock to LACMA or the La Brea Tar Pits, the Craft Contemporary offers a more intimate art experience. Their exhibitions celebrating modern craft and design showcase LA’s role in contemporary making cultures.
From here, it’s a short ride to Japan House Los Angeles in Hollywood & Highland, where rotating exhibitions explore Japanese design and technology. The resident restaurant, Uka, holds a Michelin star, if you’re feeling like an early dinner.
Evening: Culver City Conclusions
End your LA adventure in Culver City’s Arts District, reached via Uber or the Metro E Line. Begin at Citizen Public Market, a renovated 1920s building now housing some of LA’s most innovative food concepts.
For dinner (if you didn’t eat at Uka, that is) secure a spot at another Michelin-starred joint, n/naka, where Chef Niki Nakayama’s modern kaiseki restaurant represents everything exciting about LA’s current food scene. That’s if you can get a reservation, of course…
Finish with drinks at Oldfield’s Liquor Room, where pre-prohibition cocktails meet California ingredients in a space that feels unchanged since Raymond Chandler’s day.
Transport Tips
- Purchase a TAP card for Metro trains and buses (available at all Metro stations)
- Metro day passes can be cost-effective if you’re making multiple journeys
- Late-night transport relies heavily on ride-sharing apps
- The Metro E Line (formerly Expo) is particularly useful for downtown-to-beach trips
- During rush hour (7:00-10:00 and 16:00-19:00), Metro trains often beat car journey times
- Obviously, wherever we’ve said ‘ride’, you could also drive.
The Bottom Line
Los Angeles defies easy categorisation or quick exploration. These 48 hours merely hint at the city’s depth, skipping many of its headline attractions in favour of the neighbourhoods and venues where Angelenos actually spend their time. This sprawling metropolis rewards those willing to venture beyond the obvious, revealing itself slowly through morning coffees, midday skate sessions, afternoon art galleries, and evening cocktails in neighbourhoods tourists rarely visit.
While you won’t see everything – nobody ever does in LA – you’ll experience a slice of the city that makes locals fall in love with it daily. Just remember: in LA, the journey between destinations often holds as much interest as the destinations themselves, so keep your eyes open and be ready to make unexpected stops.
A January 2025 Update
Please note that this guide was written before the recent wildfires in the city. An official statement from Discover Los Angeles reads: “Tourism is a vitally important way to support our community as we come together to help those who have been impacted by the wildfires. On behalf of the 540,000 Angelenos working in tourism, we welcome you to visit our City of Angels. The majority of LA’s landmarks, attractions, restaurants, and hotels are open and safely welcoming guests. We urge visitors to be mindful of impacted areas and to travel responsibly. #WeLoveLA”
