I took your input from my last draft and made a lot of changes. I will be based out of Dana Point. Yes I know I can’t depend on exact times and prices. It is just a guide and I am down to stray if the right adventure comes my way. I will be doing most of this with public transit and rideshares. If anyone wants to join for anything along the way just DM me.

Day 1:

• 2:45 PM | Queen Mary: I'll arrive in Long Beach for a hero shot from a distance. (Walk: 0.3 miles from the parking loop to the harbor railing).
• 3:15 PM | The "County Line" Drop: I'll get dropped off at the Seal Beach In-N-Out by a friend. I'm definitely grabbing some Animal Style fries and a shake before moving on.
• 3:20 PM | The Rideshare Hack to ARTIC: > 💡 THE HACK: By getting dropped off just over the county line in Seal Beach, I'll book an Uber from the Orange County side. This will successfully dodge the $15+ LA County exit surge fee. Uber usually has better real-time driver density near this specific county line. (Estimated Cost: $20 – $28).
• 4:00 PM | ARTIC Buffer: I'll arrive at ARTIC and grab a drink before the train. (Walk: 0.1 miles from drop-off to the platform).
• 5:56 PM | Amtrak Surfliner: I'll board the Southbound Train 590 at ARTIC. (Cost: $0 - Booked with Amtrak points!)
• 6:35 PM | SJC Arrival & Hotel Transfer: I'll step off the train at San Juan Capistrano. I plan to use Lyft here, as it historically has lower surge pricing at this station. (Estimated Cost: $15 – $20 straight to the Dana Point hotel).

Day 2:

• 10:30 AM | The Lazy Morning Bus: I'll walk 0.3 miles to PCH & Del Obispo to catch the OCTA Route 91 Bus North (Cost: $2.00).
• 10:45 AM | SJC Arrival: I'll walk 0.1 miles from the bus stop to the train tracks.
• 11:00 AM | Heavy Brunch at Trevor’s at the Tracks: We'll walk right in. I plan to order the Seoul Bowl and a White Russian. (The Coconut Carrot Cake will be a great audible if I have the room!)
• 11:45 AM | Mission San Juan Capistrano: I'll walk 0.1 miles directly across the street to the main gate and spend an hour exploring the historic stone ruins.
• 12:45 PM | Los Rios & River Street Marketplace: I'll stroll 0.4 miles around the dirt paths and outdoor market lanes.
• 1:30 PM | The Easy Ride Home: I'll take the OCTA Route 91 Bus South (Cost: $2.00) back to the hotel to wash up and change.
• 2:30 PM | The Free Trolley Move: I'll walk 0.1 miles to the PCH curb, take the Free Dana Point Trolley to the Ritz Carlton, then seamlessly transfer to the Free Laguna Beach Coastal Trolley.
• 3:15 PM | Arrive in Laguna: I'll head to South of Nick's. (Pro-tip: If you have a garment bag or extra stuff, hand it off to the host desk upon arrival).
• 3:30 PM | The Pre-Shoot Feast: I'll grab an early dinner at South of Nick's. I plan to ask for a half-order of the Birria Empanadas to start, and get the Seafood Chile Relleno (stuffed with Mexican prawns and lobster) as my main.
• 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM | Photo Session & Exploring: I'll walk ~0.8 miles across Heisler Park, Peppertree Lane, and Forest Ave for great photo ops.
• 6:50 PM | The Post-Shoot Rideshare: Because the free Laguna trolley stops at 6:00 PM, I'll open Obi/Curb to compare Uber and Lyft (whoever is closest wins). (Estimated Cost: $14 – $18 from downtown Laguna to the Dana Point Preserve).
• 7:20 PM | Quick Sunset Cliff Walk: I'll walk 0.5 miles out and back along the dirt cliffside boardwalk to catch the sweeping ocean views.
• 7:50 PM | The Early Trolley Home: I'll take the Free Dana Point Trolley (runs until 9:00 PM) straight back to the hotel to crash early.

Day 3:

• 10:00 AM | Morning Beach Chill: I'll walk 0.1 miles across PCH onto the sand at Doheny State Beach for a quiet morning.
• 11:00 AM | The Short Hop Uber: I'll walk out to the hotel driveway with my luggage. I'll use Lyft, which often has better local availability and pricing for short hops within South OC. (Estimated Cost: $12 for a 10-minute drive to the SJC Amtrak Station).
• 11:25 AM | The Scenic Rail Connection: I'll board the Southbound Pacific Surfliner at SJC (Cost: $0 - Covered by Amtrak points!).💡 PRO-TIP: I'll make sure to sit on the right side of the train to watch the waves crash against the tracks as we pass through San Clemente!
• 12:08 PM | Oceanside Arrival & The Bag Hack: > 💡 THE HACK: Instead of dragging bags around, I'll walk 0.1 miles to a pre-booked LuggageHero or Bounce partner location near the station to drop my bags securely (Cost: ~$5 total).
• 12:15 PM | Top Gun House & Gelato: I'll walk 0.3 miles west toward the ocean to the famous Victorian cottage. I'll step inside to An’s Gelato (Gate D5) and order "The Checked Bag" flavor combo to eat on the porch.
• 12:45 PM | Oceanside Pier Walk: I'll walk next door to the pier entrance, doing the 0.6 miles total out to the very end of the historic wooden pier planks and back.
• 1:45 PM | Return to Station: I'll walk 0.3 miles back to the luggage drop to reclaim my suitcases, then head straight to the platform.
• 1:52 PM | Amtrak Pacific Surfliner South: I'll board my second train of the day bound for San Diego. (Cost: $0 - Covered by Amtrak points! Again, I'll keep that window seat on the right side for uninterrupted ocean views).
• 3:01 PM | San Diego Arrival & Hotel Transfer: I'll step off at Santa Fe Depot in downtown San Diego. Lyft has a direct partnership with SD transit and is frequently cheaper heading west to Point Loma. (Estimated Cost: $16 – $22 straight to the hotel to check in and relax).

I took your input from my last draft and made a lot of changes. I will be based out of Dana Point. Yes I know I can’t depend on exact times and prices. It is just a guide and I am down to stray if the right adventure comes my way. I will be doing most of this with public transit and rideshares. If anyone wants to join for anything along the way just DM me.

Day 1:

• 2:45 PM | Queen Mary: I'll arrive in Long Beach for a hero shot from a distance. (Walk: 0.3 miles from the parking loop to the harbor railing).
• 3:15 PM | The "County Line" Drop: I'll get dropped off at the Seal Beach In-N-Out by a friend. I'm definitely grabbing some Animal Style fries and a shake before moving on.
• 3:20 PM | The Rideshare Hack to ARTIC: > 💡 THE HACK: By getting dropped off just over the county line in Seal Beach, I'll book an Uber from the Orange County side. This will successfully dodge the $15+ LA County exit surge fee. Uber usually has better real-time driver density near this specific county line. (Estimated Cost: $20 – $28).
• 4:00 PM | ARTIC Buffer: I'll arrive at ARTIC and grab a drink before the train. (Walk: 0.1 miles from drop-off to the platform).
• 5:56 PM | Amtrak Surfliner: I'll board the Southbound Train 590 at ARTIC. (Cost: $0 - Booked with Amtrak points!)
• 6:35 PM | SJC Arrival & Hotel Transfer: I'll step off the train at San Juan Capistrano. I plan to use Lyft here, as it historically has lower surge pricing at this station. (Estimated Cost: $15 – $20 straight to the Dana Point hotel).

Day 2:

• 10:30 AM | The Lazy Morning Bus: I'll walk 0.3 miles to PCH & Del Obispo to catch the OCTA Route 91 Bus North (Cost: $2.00).
• 10:45 AM | SJC Arrival: I'll walk 0.1 miles from the bus stop to the train tracks.
• 11:00 AM | Heavy Brunch at Trevor’s at the Tracks: We'll walk right in. I plan to order the Seoul Bowl and a White Russian. (The Coconut Carrot Cake will be a great audible if I have the room!)
• 11:45 AM | Mission San Juan Capistrano: I'll walk 0.1 miles directly across the street to the main gate and spend an hour exploring the historic stone ruins.
• 12:45 PM | Los Rios & River Street Marketplace: I'll stroll 0.4 miles around the dirt paths and outdoor market lanes.
• 1:30 PM | The Easy Ride Home: I'll take the OCTA Route 91 Bus South (Cost: $2.00) back to the hotel to wash up and change.
• 2:30 PM | The Free Trolley Move: I'll walk 0.1 miles to the PCH curb, take the Free Dana Point Trolley to the Ritz Carlton, then seamlessly transfer to the Free Laguna Beach Coastal Trolley.
• 3:15 PM | Arrive in Laguna: I'll head to South of Nick's. (Pro-tip: If you have a garment bag or extra stuff, hand it off to the host desk upon arrival).
• 3:30 PM | The Pre-Shoot Feast: I'll grab an early dinner at South of Nick's. I plan to ask for a half-order of the Birria Empanadas to start, and get the Seafood Chile Relleno (stuffed with Mexican prawns and lobster) as my main.
• 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM | Photo Session & Exploring: I'll walk ~0.8 miles across Heisler Park, Peppertree Lane, and Forest Ave for great photo ops.
• 6:50 PM | The Post-Shoot Rideshare: Because the free Laguna trolley stops at 6:00 PM, I'll open Obi/Curb to compare Uber and Lyft (whoever is closest wins). (Estimated Cost: $14 – $18 from downtown Laguna to the Dana Point Preserve).
• 7:20 PM | Quick Sunset Cliff Walk: I'll walk 0.5 miles out and back along the dirt cliffside boardwalk to catch the sweeping ocean views.
• 7:50 PM | The Early Trolley Home: I'll take the Free Dana Point Trolley (runs until 9:00 PM) straight back to the hotel to crash early.

Day 3:

• 10:00 AM | Morning Beach Chill: I'll walk 0.1 miles across PCH onto the sand at Doheny State Beach for a quiet morning.
• 11:00 AM | The Short Hop Uber: I'll walk out to the hotel driveway with my luggage. I'll use Lyft, which often has better local availability and pricing for short hops within South OC. (Estimated Cost: $12 for a 10-minute drive to the SJC Amtrak Station).
• 11:25 AM | The Scenic Rail Connection: I'll board the Southbound Pacific Surfliner at SJC (Cost: $0 - Covered by Amtrak points!).💡 PRO-TIP: I'll make sure to sit on the right side of the train to watch the waves crash against the tracks as we pass through San Clemente!
• 12:08 PM | Oceanside Arrival & The Bag Hack: > 💡 THE HACK: Instead of dragging bags around, I'll walk 0.1 miles to a pre-booked LuggageHero or Bounce partner location near the station to drop my bags securely (Cost: ~$5 total).
• 12:15 PM | Top Gun House & Gelato: I'll walk 0.3 miles west toward the ocean to the famous Victorian cottage. I'll step inside to An’s Gelato (Gate D5) and order "The Checked Bag" flavor combo to eat on the porch.
• 12:45 PM | Oceanside Pier Walk: I'll walk next door to the pier entrance, doing the 0.6 miles total out to the very end of the historic wooden pier planks and back.
• 1:45 PM | Return to Station: I'll walk 0.3 miles back to the luggage drop to reclaim my suitcases, then head straight to the platform.
• 1:52 PM | Amtrak Pacific Surfliner South: I'll board my second train of the day bound for San Diego. (Cost: $0 - Covered by Amtrak points! Again, I'll keep that window seat on the right side for uninterrupted ocean views).
• 3:01 PM | San Diego Arrival & Hotel Transfer: I'll step off at Santa Fe Depot in downtown San Diego. Lyft has a direct partnership with SD transit and is frequently cheaper heading west to Point Loma. (Estimated Cost: $16 – $22 straight to the hotel to check in and relax).

I’ve taken in a lot of advice and research about the OC. I would love a final look at it. I will be based out of Dana Point. Yes I know I can’t depend on exact times with traffic. It is just a guide and I am down to stray if the right adventure comes my way. I will be doing most of this with public transit and rideshares. If anyone wants to join for anything along the way just DM me.

Monday, June 15

• 2:45 PM | Queen Mary: Arrive in Long Beach for a photo op under the iconic red/black smokestacks (0.3 miles walking).
• 3:15 PM | The Orange County Drop: Friend drives 15 minutes east to the Seal Beach In-N-Out (12341 Seal Beach Blvd).
• 3:20 PM | The Rideshare Request: Immediately open Obi or Curb to price-compare. Request a Standard Lyft or UberX (~$20–$28) to ARTIC. By starting the rideshare in Orange County instead of LA County, this bypasses the LA surge pricing. (Drive time: ~35 mins).
• 4:00 PM | ARTIC Buffer: Arrive at ARTIC. Plenty of buffer time to relax in the glass atrium and grab a drink.
• 5:56 PM | Amtrak Surfliner: Board the Southbound Pacific Surfliner Train 590 at ARTIC.
• 6:35 PM | SJC Arrival: Step off the train at San Juan Capistrano. Take a local Taxi or Curb (~$15–$20) to the hotel.

Tuesday, June 16

• 9:00 AM | Departure: Walk 0.1 miles to catch the OC Bus Route 1 North ($2.00).
• 10:30 AM | Frozen Banana: Stroll Balboa Island and grab a dipped banana at Sugar ’n Spice (0.7 miles total walk).
• 11:15 AM | The Ferry: Walk to the Balboa Island Ferry ($1.50) for the bay crossing.
• 11:45 AM | Transit South: Take an Uber/Lyft (~$20-$25) or hop back on the OC Bus Route 1 South ($2.00) to ride down the coast to Laguna Beach.
• 1:00 PM | Lunch at Nick’s Laguna Beach: The Order: Prime Rib Dip and the legendary Warm Butter Cake.
• 3:30 PM | Transit Inland: Uber/Lyft from Laguna Beach inland to San Juan Capistrano (~$18-$25).
• 4:30 PM | History Inland: Explore the Mission San Juan Capistrano and Los Rios District (0.2 miles walking between sites).
• 6:00 PM | Sunset Transit: Take the Route 91 Bus ($2.00) directly to Dana Point Harbor for the sunset walk (1.0 mile loop).
• 9:00 PM | Final Trolley: Catch the free Dana Point Trolley back to the hotel.

Wednesday, June 17

• 9:00 AM | Morning Zen: Walk 0.1 miles to Doheny State Beach. Sit in the sand, get toes in the water, and relax.
• 2:45 PM | Transit Prep: Board the OC Bus Route 1 North ($2.00). The enclosed bus keeps hair and outfit protected from the coastal wind before a scheduled photoshoot.
• 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM | The Photo Shoot: Meet the photographer. Walk roughly 0.6 miles total across Heisler Park, Peppertree Lane, and Forest Ave.
• 7:30 PM | Celebration Dinner: Walk 0.1 miles to an oceanfront reservation at Las Brisas (Taste of Las Brisas menu).
• 9:30 PM | The Luggage Run: Request an Uber with an "Add-a-Stop" (Las Brisas ➡️ Hotel to grab bags ➡️ SJC Station). Expect ~$20–$30.
• 10:30 PM | Station Arrival: Arrive at SJC.
• 11:36 PM | The Night Train: Board Amtrak Surfliner Train 796 south to San Diego. Take a late-night rideshare (~$10–$15) from Santa Fe Depot to check in at the hotel in Point Loma.

I’ve taken in a lot of advice and research about the OC. I would love a final look at it. I will be based out of Dana Point. Yes I know I can’t depend on exact times with traffic. It is just a guide and I am down to stray if the right adventure comes my way. I will be doing most of this with public transit and rideshares. If anyone wants to join for anything along the way just DM me.

Monday, June 15

• 2:45 PM | Queen Mary: Arrive in Long Beach for a photo op under the iconic red/black smokestacks (0.3 miles walking).
• 3:15 PM | The Orange County Drop: Friend drives 15 minutes east to the Seal Beach In-N-Out (12341 Seal Beach Blvd).
• 3:20 PM | The Rideshare Request: Immediately open Obi or Curb to price-compare. Request a Standard Lyft or UberX (~$20–$28) to ARTIC. By starting the rideshare in Orange County instead of LA County, this bypasses the LA surge pricing. (Drive time: ~35 mins).
• 4:00 PM | ARTIC Buffer: Arrive at ARTIC. Plenty of buffer time to relax in the glass atrium and grab a drink.
• 5:56 PM | Amtrak Surfliner: Board the Southbound Pacific Surfliner Train 590 at ARTIC.
• 6:35 PM | SJC Arrival: Step off the train at San Juan Capistrano. Take a local Taxi or Curb (~$15–$20) to the hotel.

Tuesday, June 16

• 9:00 AM | Departure: Walk 0.1 miles to catch the OC Bus Route 1 North ($2.00).
• 10:30 AM | Frozen Banana: Stroll Balboa Island and grab a dipped banana at Sugar ’n Spice (0.7 miles total walk).
• 11:15 AM | The Ferry: Walk to the Balboa Island Ferry ($1.50) for the bay crossing.
• 11:45 AM | Transit South: Take an Uber/Lyft (~$20-$25) or hop back on the OC Bus Route 1 South ($2.00) to ride down the coast to Laguna Beach.
• 1:00 PM | Lunch at Nick’s Laguna Beach: The Order: Prime Rib Dip and the legendary Warm Butter Cake.
• 3:30 PM | Transit Inland: Uber/Lyft from Laguna Beach inland to San Juan Capistrano (~$18-$25).
• 4:30 PM | History Inland: Explore the Mission San Juan Capistrano and Los Rios District (0.2 miles walking between sites).
• 6:00 PM | Sunset Transit: Take the Route 91 Bus ($2.00) directly to Dana Point Harbor for the sunset walk (1.0 mile loop).
• 9:00 PM | Final Trolley: Catch the free Dana Point Trolley back to the hotel.

Wednesday, June 17

• 9:00 AM | Morning Zen: Walk 0.1 miles to Doheny State Beach. Sit in the sand, get toes in the water, and relax.
• 2:45 PM | Transit Prep: Board the OC Bus Route 1 North ($2.00). The enclosed bus keeps hair and outfit protected from the coastal wind before a scheduled photoshoot.
• 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM | The Photo Shoot: Meet the photographer. Walk roughly 0.6 miles total across Heisler Park, Peppertree Lane, and Forest Ave.
• 7:30 PM | Celebration Dinner: Walk 0.1 miles to an oceanfront reservation at Las Brisas (Taste of Las Brisas menu).
• 9:30 PM | The Luggage Run: Request an Uber with an "Add-a-Stop" (Las Brisas ➡️ Hotel to grab bags ➡️ SJC Station). Expect ~$20–$30.
• 10:30 PM | Station Arrival: Arrive at SJC.
• 11:36 PM | The Night Train: Board Amtrak Surfliner Train 796 south to San Diego. Take a late-night rideshare (~$10–$15) from Santa Fe Depot to check in at the hotel in Point Loma.

I’m visiting from Alabama for the first time. I’ve taken in a lot of advice and research about Los Angeles. I would love a final look at it. I will be based out of WeHo. Yes I know I can’t depend on exact times with traffic. I will be happy if I pull of 75% of it. It is just a guide and I am down to stray if the right adventure comes my way. I will be doing most of this with public transit and rideshares. If anyone wants to join for anything along the way just DM me.

Monday, June 22

• 8:01 AM | Depart San Diego: Train 769. Sit on the LEFT side for the best ocean views.
• 11:13 AM | Arrive at LA Union Station: Drop heavy bags at Amtrak baggage claim. They are now safe and out of the way.
• 11:30 AM | Meal 1 (Langer’s): Take the Metro B (Red) Line from Union Station to Westlake/MacArthur Park ($1.75, 3 stops / 8 mins). Walk across the street. Order the #19.
• 1:00 PM | Little Tokyo Stroll: Metro B Line back to Union Station, then the Metro A Line 1 stop ($1.75) to Little Tokyo. Explore Japanese Village Plaza and the Arts District.
• 3:30 PM | The Extraction: Metro A Line back to Union Station. Retrieve bags and meet up with a local friend at the passenger pickup curb.
• 4:30 PM | Airbnb Arrival: Get dropped off at WeHo Airbnb #1. Take a solid two hours to recharge.
• 6:30 PM | The Black Dahlia House: Friend drives East into Los Feliz. Grab photos of the Sowden House exterior (5121 Franklin Ave) on the way up the mountain.
• 7:00 PM | Drive to Griffith Observatory: Arrive early to secure parking. Walk ~0.3 miles around the terraces.
• 7:20 PM | The Hollywood Sign: Occupy the West Terrace while the sun is behind you for maximum clarity.
• 7:50 PM | The DTLA Skyline: Move to the South/Front Terraces to capture the "Golden Glow" hitting the skyscrapers.
• 8:08 PM | Official Sunset.
• 8:15 PM | Depart: Leave immediately to beat post-sunset traffic heading down the mountain.
• 8:45 PM | Meal 2 (Alcove Cafe): 1929 Hillhurst Ave. Order at the counter and grab a patio spot.
• 10:45 PM | The Sunset Strip Walk: Park at the Airbnb, walk to Chateau Marmont. Walk 0.6 miles Westbound past The Whisky and The Viper Room to return directly to the accommodation.

Tuesday, June 23

• 9:45 AM | The Hybrid Route: Call a short Uber/Lyft to the Culver City E-Line Station (~$10–$15). Tap transit card to hop on the Metro 33 Bus Westbound ($1.75) straight down Venice Blvd.
• 10:45 AM | The Grease Bleachers: Venice High School. Walk the south perimeter.
• 11:15 AM | Transit to the Sand: Walk back to Venice Blvd. Catch the Metro 33 Bus or a Veo/Spin scooter (~$5) straight west until it dead-ends near the canals.
• 11:40 AM | The Venice Canals & Boardwalk: Walk the historic canals, then the Boardwalk. Snap photos of Muscle Beach and the skatepark (~1.5 miles walking total).
• 1:00 PM | World Cup Fan Zone: Take 30 minutes to explore the Venice Beach 2026 World Cup pop-up and footprint.
• 1:30 PM | High Rooftop Lounge: Hotel Erwin. Grab a midday mocktail/cocktail and take in the panoramic views of the "Venice" sign.
• 2:30 PM | Coastal E-Bike Cruise: Rent a Veo/Spin e-bike (~$8–$15) near Hotel Erwin. Ride the paved Marvin Braude Bike Trail north on the sand for 15–20 minutes directly into Santa Monica (~3 miles).
• 3:00 PM | 3rd Street Promenade: Walk the pedestrian-only blocks and explore the FIFA Fan Festival atmosphere.
• 4:00 PM | Meal 1 (Santa Monica Seafood): 1000 Wilshire Blvd. Eat the Signature Crab Cakes.
• 5:30 PM | The Pier & Pitch Deck: Walk 0.6 miles south to the Pier. Hit the "End of the Trail" sign and spend an hour at the World Cup Pitch Deck activation.
• 7:15 PM | Palisades Park: Walk directly off the pier into the park. Walk north to the rustic Redwood Pergola for a completely unobstructed ocean view.
• 8:08 PM | The "Postcard" Sunset: Watch the sun dip below the horizon from the bluffs.
• 8:15 PM | The Ferris Wheel Lights: Stay at the Pergola. The massive Pacific Park wheel will trigger its neon lighting sequence.
• 8:30 PM | The Single-Seat Escape: Walk inland to Santa Monica Blvd & 4th Street. Board the Metro 4 Bus Eastbound ($1.75). It cruises cleanly down the boulevard straight to West Hollywood, completely bypassing the $40+ nighttime rideshare surge.
• 9:45 PM | Meal 2 (Dan Tana’s): 9071 Santa Monica Blvd. Drop day bag at the Airbnb first. Order the Chicken Parmigiana. (Pro-tip: Call to book 6-10 days out).

Wednesday, June 24

• 9:30 AM | Airbnb Transfer: Uber/Lyft (~$8) to transfer luggage from WeHo Airbnb #1 to WeHo Airbnb #2.
• 9:45 AM | Transit to Beverly Hills: Uber/Lyft to the estate (~$12-$15).
• 10:00 AM | Greystone Mansion: Explore the grounds of the most-filmed estate in LA history.
• 11:15 AM | Transit to Miracle Mile: Uber/Lyft down to the museum (~$15-$20).
• 11:30 AM | Petersen Automotive Museum: Hit the Hollywood Gallery (Batmobile, DeLorean, Ecto-1).
• 12:15 PM | Meal 1 (Tacos 1986): Walk 0.1 miles to 8410 W 3rd St. Order 1 Adobada Taco and 1 Mulita.
• 1:30 PM | Official Check-In & Rest: Walk 0.8 miles back to the second Airbnb. Take a 5-hour power nap.
• 5:00 PM | The "Final Girl" Horror Walk: Walk through the local neighborhood (~1.5 miles total) to see the actual houses used for Nancy's House (A Nightmare on Elm Street) and Laurie Strode's House (Halloween).
• 9:00 PM | Rideshare to Hollywood: Take Waymo or Uber/Lyft (~$18) to 6667 Hollywood Blvd.
• 9:30 PM | Meal 2 (Musso & Frank Grill): Book Booth #3 in the Old Room (the Marilyn Monroe booth). Order Fettuccine Alfredo and a Martini.
• 11:30 PM | Late Night at The Eagle LA: Uber/Lyft/Waymo (~$20) to Silver Lake nightlife.
• 12:45 AM | Return to Airbnb: Uber/Lyft (~$15) back to WeHo.

Thursday, June 25

• 9:00 AM | Hollywood Sign Photo Op: Private vehicle ride to Beachwood Drive residential viewpoint.
• 9:30 AM | Warner Bros Studio Tour: Standard Studio Tour (Backlots, Batmobiles, and the Friends fountain).
• 1:00 PM | Cobra Kai Dojo Drive-By: 5223 Lankershim Blvd. Brief photo stop at the exterior facade.
• 1:45 PM | Meal 1 (Bob’s Big Boy): 4211 W Riverside Dr, Burbank. Request the "Heat Booth" (De Niro/Pacino filming site). Order The Big Boy Combo. (Leaving Burbank by 2:30 PM to avoid SoFi Stadium USMNT match traffic).
• 3:15 PM | Academy Museum of Motion Pictures: Explore "Stories of Cinema".
• 4:45 PM | The Grove & Farmers Market: Walk 0.5 miles from the museum to explore the open-air retail and historic stalls.
• 5:30 PM | Return & Rest: Return to Airbnb for a 3-hour power nap to recharge.
• 8:45 PM | Gym Class Party at Hi Tops WeHo: Walk 0.6 miles from the condo. The USMNT match at SoFi concludes around 9:00 PM; expecting high-energy post-match crowds in the area.
• 11:00 PM | The Abbey Food & Bar: Walk 0.2 miles for a 20-minute people-watching stop in the courtyard.
• 11:30 PM | Return to Airbnb: Walk 0.5 miles back to the condo.
• 11:45 PM | Meal 2 (Rooftop Canter’s Delivery): Order Corned Beef Hash & Eggs via DoorDash (~$28 + fees). Take it straight to the Airbnb roof for a private skyline view.

Friday, June 26

• 9:00 AM | Airbnb Check-Out & Transit: Rideshare to Union Station. Check Waymo first; it often beats Uber/Lyft Friday morning surge prices (~$35–$45).
• 10:00 AM | Luggage Drop: Check bags with Amtrak using the Sunset Limited ticket. Unburdened for the heist.
• 10:30 AM | The Angelino Heights Horror Run: Rideshare (~$10–$15) to Carroll Ave. Shoot the Charmed House and the Thriller House. Walk 0.4 miles down the hill to Bellevue Ave.
• 11:15 AM | Toretto’s "Tuna on White" Photo Op: Bob’s Market (1234 Bellevue Ave). Grab a drink to support the owners, snap exterior photos.
• 11:45 AM | Westin Bonaventure: Rideshare (~$12–$16) to the Financial District (404 S Figueroa St). Walk into the lobby to check out the iconic architecture.
• 12:15 PM | The Ghostbusters Lobby: Walk 0.3 miles East to The Biltmore (506 S Grand Ave). Find the Sedgewick Hotel lobby.
• 12:45 PM | Meal 1 (Eggslut): Walk 0.2 miles. Exit the Biltmore and ride Angels Flight ($1) down into Grand Central Market. Order "The Fairfax".
• 2:00 PM | Grand Ave & City Hall: Walk 0.4 miles North up Grand Ave through the "Cultural Corridor." Enter City Hall (200 N Spring St), go through security, take the elevator to the 27th-floor Observation Deck (The Daily Planet).
• 3:30 PM | World Cup Fan Zone: Walk 0.4 miles North to El Pueblo de Los Angeles. Immerse in the Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Fan Zone.
• 5:00 PM | Meal 2 (Philippe The Original): Walk 0.8 miles North up Alameda Street. Order the Beef French Dip with hot mustard.
• 6:30 PM | VIP Metropolitan Lounge: Walk 0.1 miles across the street back into Union Station. Retrieve bags, head to the 2nd-floor lounge for private showers and free snacks.
• 10:00 PM | The Escape: Board the Amtrak Sunset Limited and roll out of Los Angeles.

I’m visiting next month and after checking out of my Airbnb while waiting on my train home I figured I would spend time around Union Station. After ride-sharing from WeHo I will go ahead and check my bags. I will be sticking strictly to daytime hours between 11:30 AM and 6:00 PM.

I’ve mapped out a highly specific route to hit some cinematic spots and the World Cup Fan Zone, but I want a local reality check. Should I walk these, or bite the bullet and ride-share all of it to avoid sketchiness?

Here are my specific walking legs using ride-share from the station to some:

• Walk 1 (Angelino Heights to Echo Park): Walking down Carroll Ave (the Thriller House) over to Kensington Road (Bob's Market / Fast & Furious house). It's about a 15-minute walk through the residential neighborhood.

• Walk 2 (Financial District to Civic Center): Starting at the Biltmore Hotel (5th & Grand) and walking North on Grand Ave past The Broad / Disney Concert Hall to get back toward El Pueblo/Union Station. I’ve researched that Grand Ave is the safest/cleanest North/South corridor to avoid the freeway underpass sketchiness. Is this accurate?

• Walk 3 (El Pueblo to Little Tokyo): Walking from the Fan Zone (LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes / Olvera St) down to the Japanese Village Plaza (1st & Central). Roughly a 10-minute walk.

• Walk 4 (Little Tokyo to Chinatown border): Walking from Little Tokyo North up Alameda St to eat at Philippe The Original (1001 N Alameda).

• Walk 5 (Philippe to Union Station): Just crossing Alameda St to get back into the station for my evening train.

My main questions for locals:

1. ⁠Are any of these specific stretches notorious for unpredictable encounters during the day?
2. ⁠Is Grand Avenue still the absolute best corridor to walk North through DTLA?
3. ⁠Are there any specific streets or blocks I should strictly avoid when moving between El Pueblo, Little Tokyo, and Union Station?
4. ⁠Thanks in advance for the advice!

I am coming to SoCal for the first time from Alabama on Amtrak for the NASCAR race on the base in San Diego. I plan to spend a week in the OC before and a week in WeHo after sightseeing all the different areas. I would love recommendations. Even better if anyone is ever free week days and wants to join me as I attempt my challenging itinerary without a car.

I’m visiting next month from Alabama. I plan to take one day and go from West Hollywood to Santa Monica and make it my base. I really want to see the views from the overlooks at Point Dume. But is it worth all that trouble or should I stick to Venice and Santa Monica for that day?

I’m visiting next month from Alabama. I plan to take one day and go from West Hollywood to Santa Monica and make it my base. I really want to see the views from the overlooks at Point Dume. But is it worth all that trouble or should I stick to Venice and Santa Monica for that day?

I’m visiting next month from Alabama. I plan to take one day and go from West Hollywood to Santa Monica and make it my base. I really want to see the views from the overlooks at Point Dume. But is it worth all that trouble or should I stick to Venice and Santa Monica for that day?

Code: ge6gspn2aw

Hey everyone, coming into town for the NASCAR San Diego weekend in June and trying to dial in our Friday schedule. We’re staying on Coronado Island at the Marriott Resort & Spa and have tickets for the races on the Navy base.

We really want to squeeze in a quick trip to the San Diego Zoo on Friday morning, but we want to make sure we aren't setting ourselves up for a traffic or security nightmare.

Here is our ideal timeline:

• 9:00 AM (Opening): Arrive at the Zoo. We’re keeping it highly targeted—making a beeline for the meerkats, trying to see the giant pandas, and doing the Guided Bus Tour to rest our legs.
• Early Afternoon: Leave the park, cross the bridge back to the Marriott on Coronado to grab our clear bags, and drive to our base parking.
• The Hopeful Goal: Clear military base security and be inside the track by 2:00 PM to watch the Cup Series Practice.
• The Absolute Deadline: We must be in our seats at Turn 3 by 4:00 PM for the green flag of the Craftsman Truck Series race.

Is this realistic? Factoring in the time it takes to leave the Zoo, Friday afternoon Coronado bridge traffic, and the strict military security at the gates, can we actually make that 2:00 PM practice? Or should we just plan on taking our time and arriving closer to the 4:00 PM race?

Any tips on bridge traffic or what to expect at the Navy base gates would be hugely appreciated!

Hey everyone, coming into town for the NASCAR San Diego weekend in June and trying to dial in our Friday schedule. We’re staying on Coronado Island at the Marriott Resort & Spa and have tickets for the races on Naval Air Station North Island.

We really want to squeeze in a quick trip to the San Diego Zoo on Friday morning, but we want to make sure we aren't setting ourselves up for a traffic or security nightmare.

Here is our ideal timeline:

• 9:00 AM (Opening): Arrive at the Zoo. We’re keeping it highly targeted—making a beeline for the meerkats, trying to see the giant pandas, and doing the Guided Bus Tour to rest our legs.
• Early Afternoon: Leave the park, cross the bridge back to the Marriott on Coronado to grab our clear bags, and drive to our base parking.
• The Hopeful Goal: Clear military base security and be inside the track by 2:00 PM to watch the Cup Series Practice.
• The Absolute Deadline: We must be in our seats at Turn 3 by 4:00 PM for the green flag of the Craftsman Truck Series race.

Is this realistic? Factoring in the time it takes to leave the Zoo, Friday afternoon Coronado bridge traffic, and the strict military security at the gates of Naval Air Station North Island, can we actually make that 2:00 PM practice? Or should we just plan on taking our time and arriving closer to the 4:00 PM race?

Any tips on bridge traffic or what to expect at the North Island gates would be hugely appreciated!