There’s a lot to see in Hollywood, but a week is not a necessary requirement for the main attractions. You can visit the well-known streets, take some photographs, and taste the local food in just one or two days. If you stay for a longer period of time, then you have the opportunity to go to the theme parks, see the museums, and enjoy the views from the hilltops.
What you decide to see will have a bearing on your schedule since some places can be seen in just one or two hours while others will take up most of the day. You also have to take travel time into account because of the possibility of traffic delaying you.
An effective plan will enable you to get the most out of each day by first selecting your main destinations and then choosing a place to stay that makes travelling easy. Using a Hollywood hostel in Los Angeles that travellers can access as a base may help you to keep your accommodation costs down while still having time for sightseeing.
How to Plan Your Time Around Hollywood’s Major Attractions
Planning your time can help you see Hollywood’s main attractions without feeling rushed. Each place needs a different amount of time, so it helps to plan your visits based on your interests and schedule. Here are some simple tips to help you organise your trip.
1. How much time should you allocate to Hollywood?
The amount of time you’ll need is going to depend on your plans; it’s possible to see a number of well-known places in a day. But if you have three days, then you’ll have more opportunity to explore at a relaxed pace.
Here is a simple guide:
- One day, visit Hollywood Boulevard, see the Walk of Fame, and take photographs at the nearby landmarks.
- Over two days, you can visit the Griffith Observatory, stop off at some local food establishments, and take some time to explore the surroundings.
- For three days, you can spend a full day at Universal Studios Hollywood or include additional outdoor activities.
- If you want, take all the time you need, visit the museums, and explore other areas of Los Angeles.
It is not necessary to include every attraction on a single visit. Instead, choose the ones that interest you most and leave room for breaks.
2. Spend two to three hours exploring Hollywood Boulevard.
A good place to start is Hollywood Boulevard. You can stroll along the Hollywood Walk of Fame and take photographs at the well-known landmarks; you can also visit the shops and cafés en route.
Allow yourself two to three hours if you want to take a relaxed visit. If you wish to eat nearby or spend a longer time at a particular attraction, then add some extra time.
To make your visit easier:
- Wear comfortable walking shoes.
- Make sure that your phone or camera is ready for taking photographs.
- Choose a number of places that you would like to see before your arrival.
- Allow some time for eating and for short breaks.
The area tends to be crowded, so starting your visit early might help you avoid some of the crowds. When you intend to see a number of places, combine the ones that are close together in order to cut down on travel time.
3. Spend two to four hours at the Griffith Observatory.
The Griffith Observatory is famous for the views it provides of Los Angeles and the Hollywood Sign. Once you’ve walked around the grounds, you can see the city and take in the displays inside the building.
The time you should plan is between two and four hours, according to your interests. If all you want to do is take some photographs and stroll around the premises, a shorter visit will be sufficient. However, you’ll need to spend more time if you wish to see the exhibits or go to a planetarium show.
A hostel near Griffith Observatory could be suitable for people who wish to visit this site. It is advisable to check the distance and the time it will take to get to the observatory before making a reservation.
Keep these points in mind:
- Before you leave, please check the opening hours.
- Leave extra time for traveling and for parking.
- Take water with you if you plan to walk.
- It would be better to go later in the day if you want to see the city.
The observatory building is usually closed on Mondays, although the grounds could still be accessed. It is advisable to check the official Griffith Observatory visitor page before making your visit.
4. Allocate a whole day to visiting Universal Studios Hollywood.
Universal Studios Hollywood takes longer than most of the other attractions in Hollywood. The rides, the shows, the themed areas and the queues can keep you occupied for the whole day, so it is advisable to allocate one full day if the park is a primary reason for your visit.
Get there early and work out which rides or shows are most important to you; this will enable you to plan your time without having to rush from one area to another.
Before your visit:
- Look at the park’s opening and closing times.
- Look at the details of the review and any rules regarding bookings.
- First decide which attractions you would like to visit.
- Set aside time for eating and for resting.
- Look into the various transport options available for your journey back.
The park’s operating hours may vary depending on the date and season, so it’s a good idea to check the official Universal Studios Hollywood hours calendar before you visit.
If getting to the park is your top priority, then you should consider staying nearby. Although a Hollywood hostel in Los Angeles can make it easier to plan your day, you should compare the route and the total travel cost before making your booking.
5. Arrange your days around your travel time.
Since Hollywood is within a big city, journeys may take longer than anticipated. Although two places might appear near to one another on a map, public transportation can have an effect on your timetable.
Organise the visits by area, and combine a trip to Hollywood Boulevard with visits to the surrounding attractions. If you want to stay until sunset, then schedule a separate portion of the day for the Griffith Observatory.
A simple two-day plan could look like this:
Day one
- In the morning, walk down Hollywood Boulevard.
- In the afternoon, visit some of the nearby attractions and stop to have lunch.
- In the evening, why not relax in a café or explore the surrounding area?
Day two
- In the morning, you should go to the Griffith Observatory.
- In the afternoon, take a walk around the premises and look at the exhibits.
- During the evening, have your dinner and then go back to your accommodation.
If Hollywood Universal is one of the places you’ve got on your list, then treat it with its own day and don’t include too many other attractions in that schedule.
6. Select a form of accommodation that suits your plans.
The amount of time you spend travelling can be influenced by the type of accommodation you choose. Although a cheaper room rate might seem like it could save you money, it may not do so if you have to pay higher amounts for transport every day.
Before you book, make sure to compare the location and the total price. Living in a cheap Hollywood hostel in Los Angeles might help you keep your budget under control and at the same time save money for tickets, meals, and local travel.
Check these details before you decide:
- What is the distance between the property and your main attractions?
- Is there public transport available nearby?
- Is the bathroom in the room private or shared?
- Is luggage storage available?
- Is the price including taxes and any other charges?
- What are the rules regarding check-in and cancellation?
If the Griffith Observatory is one of your top priorities, then a hostel near it could be useful. Nevertheless, you should compare its position with that of your other destinations, since staying near one attraction might mean having to make longer journeys to reach another.
Don’t forget to carefully look at the room details as well, since the photos won’t show all the facilities or will not explain how the shared areas function.
7. Make sure your budget and schedule are realistic.
Having a clear budget enables you to decide how many attractions you can see. Before you travel, work out the total of the costs for accommodation and all other planned expenses.
You will be able to cut down on your expenses by selecting just a few major attractions rather than paying for each activity, and you can also lower your transport costs by walking between nearby sights.
Staying at an inexpensive hostel in Hollywood could leave you with more money left over for other activities. You should compare the full price of each accommodation rather than making your choice on the initial rate alone.
Make the schedule you have each day as flexible as possible. The queue might take longer than anticipated, or you might wish to spend more time at a place that you enjoy. Rather than filling in every hour, leave gaps between the different activities.
Conclusion
In one or two days, you’ll be able to see a number of the major Hollywood attractions, but if you have three days, you have more freedom to explore at your own speed. Reserve a full day to visit Universal Studios Hollywood, spend a few hours at Griffith Observatory, and combine the other nearby sights to save time.
When choosing where to stay, take your plans, budget and transport requirements into account. A cheap hostel in Hollywood will help you to keep your expenses down, whereas a hostel near Griffith Observatory would suit a timetable that emphasizes views of the city. Before deciding on a booking, you can look at the location and facilities provided by the Hollywood Highland Hotel & Hostel. A bit of planning will enable you to spend less time travelling and more time enjoying the places you have come to see.
