Taking a trip to Los Angeles had always been on my travel wish list. The palm trees, iconic movie landmarks, and beachside sunsets seemed like scenes straight out of a movie—literally! So when the opportunity came to plan a summer getaway, we knew it was time to make it happen.
This trip to Los Angeles was extra special because it was a family vacation, and I’m someone who loves planning everything in advance. From the daily itinerary and outfit choices to our carry-on packing list and attraction tickets—I organized it all ahead of time. And now, I’m excited to share every detail with you: the total cost, our planning checklist, daily activities, and honest tips we learned along the way.
👉 If you’re curious about what I wore during the trip, check out this post: How I Chose the Right Outfit for LA Activities.
Why We Planned Our Trip to Los Angeles in the Summer
We traveled to LA in July 2025, right in the middle of the summer holidays in the United States. As parents, we always try to align our vacations with school breaks, and this trip to Los Angeles was perfectly timed with our kids’ time off.
Summer can be a busy and expensive season, but we were able to fit the trip into our budget by planning ahead. We chose LA not only because of its famous attractions but also because it offers something for everyone: theme parks, beaches, shopping, and iconic city views.
Meanwhile, we also wanted to explore the city as a family—something that felt fun, a bit spontaneous, but still under control (thanks to planning!).
Budget and Costs of Our Trip to Los Angeles
One of the biggest questions people have when planning a trip to Los Angeles is: how much does it cost? Let’s break it down:
✈️ Flights
- From: Dallas/Fort Worth to Los Angeles (LAX)
- Cost per person: $196 round trip
- Total for 4 people: $784
- Booked: 3 months in advance
We used a travel deal alert app to find affordable tickets and booked during a promotional window.
🏨 Accommodation
- Where we stayed: Dream Scape (entire apartment)
- Cost per night: $195 (4 nights = $780 + $80 to parking)
- Pros: Spacious apartment with all utilities, next to supermarket and restaurants.
- Cons: 20 – 40 min from the main tourist attractions, depending on traffic.
Weekday traffic is very heavy, although the price and space are worth it, it takes longer to get to the main tourist attractions.
🚗 Transportation
- Rental car for 4 days: $416
- Gas and parking: $173
- Tip: Renting a car in LA is highly recommended! Public transportation is limited, and LA traffic is unpredictable.
🎢 Attractions & Tickets
- Universal Studios tickets (4 people for 2 days): $658
- Warner Bros Studio Tour (2 people): $156
- Riot Games (2 people): $49
- Other attractions: Free (Santa Monica Pier, Hollywood Blvd)
We purchased Universal tickets online, which allowed us to skip some of the lines.
🍔 Food & Dining
- Average per day for 4 people: $45
- Favorite restaurants: Fogo de Chao (Santa Monica)
- Savings tip: We bought snacks and drinks at a grocery store for the hotel and theme park days.
🛍️ Extras
- Parking, souvenirs, snacks, and tips: ~$260
Total estimated cost of our trip to Los Angeles: $4,250
We chose to spend a bit more on tickets and souvenirs, but depending on the type of trip you want, it’s definitely possible to save by enjoying many of the city’s free attractions.
Our Planning Checklist
Planning is what made this trip to Los Angeles smooth and enjoyable. Here’s our checklist:
- ✅ Choose travel dates and trip duration
- ✅ Book flights and hotel
- ✅ Rent a car
- ✅ Research and buy attraction tickets
- ✅ Create a day-by-day itinerary
- ✅ Plan outfits and pack accordingly
- ✅ Print or save confirmation emails
- ✅ Prepare snacks and entertainment for the kids
- ✅ List essential documents and backup plans
👉 Want a printable version? Download our free Travel Planning Checklist PDF.
Our Itinerary: What We Did Each Day
Having a daily itinerary helped us avoid stress and enjoy each moment. Here’s a breakdown:
Day 1 – Arrival, Check-In, Santa Monica & Venice Beach
We arrived in Los Angeles in the morning but could only pick up our rental car around noon. After that, we stopped for lunch at Chick-fil-A and then followed our plan to explore Santa Monica and Venice Beach.
The Santa Monica Pier is a quick visit, but totally worth it. There are restaurants, souvenir shops, street performers, a small amusement park, and a stunning ocean view. And yes—you have to dip your toes in the Pacific Ocean at least once! Just be prepared: even with the summer heat, the water was freezing.
On our way back, we passed through Venice Beach, which felt more like a proper swimming beach. During the day, it was vibrant and beautiful, and it actually reminded me a lot of some Brazilian beaches. However, one thing I missed was the beach kiosks we’re used to in Brazil—where you can grab cold drinks and snacks right by the water. That’s something LA beaches just don’t offer.
Before heading to our apartment for check-in, we stopped at Target to buy snacks for our theme park days, a few groceries for breakfast and dinner, and some essentials we didn’t pack.
Once we got to the hotel, we had a quick meal and took the rest of the day to rest, recover from the time difference, and prepare for the adventures ahead.
Day 2 – Universal Studios hollywood & Super Nintendo World
On our second day, we woke up early, had a big breakfast, and left the hotel about 1.5 hours before the park opened.
We were lucky to park close to the elevator leading to CityWalk, which gave us time to explore the area, take some relaxed photos, and head into the park early to buy our Mario bands. As soon as the gates officially opened, we went straight to Super Nintendo World to start the fun.
It was such a fun and magical day—especially for the kids. We explored different themed areas, enjoyed the rides, and made unforgettable memories. By 5 PM, everyone was happily exhausted. We picked up a pizza from Little Caesars, our go-to budget-friendly dinner spot, and went straight back to the apartment to rest.
Day 3 – Hollywood Blvd, Walk of Fame, Beverly Hills and Warner Bros Studio Tour
We started our third day with a stroll down Hollywood Blvd, where we took photos of the Hollywood Sign and explored the Walk of Fame and Chinese Theatre. We had fun finding the stars of our favorite celebrities, and if you want to look up specific names and locations ahead of time, check out walkoffame.com.
There are also plenty of souvenir shops in the area—some overpriced, but still fun for browsing or picking up a keychain or magnet.
Afterward, we drove through Beverly Hills to check out the city’s most glamorous neighborhood and made a quick stop at Rodeo Drive, home to some of the most luxurious brands in the world.
@ExperienceFirst
In the afternoon, we had our Warner Bros Studio Tour, and honestly—it blew us away. It’s not as hyped as other attractions, but it ended up being one of our favorite experiences. We visited real filming locations, took amazing pictures in sets like Friends and The Big Bang Theory, and saw original costumes from DC superheroes and Harry Potter movies. Highly recommend it!
Day 4 – Universal Studios hollywood & Super Nintendo World, and Riot Games
For our final full day, we went back to Universal Studios, just for a short and relaxed visit. Our goal was to take pictures with a few characters we had missed and walk around without the pressure of going on every ride.
We tried to ride Mario Kart again, but unfortunately, it was down for maintenance. Still, we had a great lunch at the Mario-themed café and enjoyed browsing the gift shops one last time.
In the afternoon, we split up. My older son really wanted to go to Riot Games to watch a live Valorant championship, so my husband took him while I stayed at the apartment with our younger son. It was a nice moment of rest and gave me time to pack, recharge, and get ready for our departure.
Bonus: Departure Day
On our last morning, we had a peaceful breakfast together and packed everything before our 11 AM checkout. Since we had a few more hours before our flight, we took one final drive around Beverly Hills and Hollywood, said goodbye to the city, and then headed to the airport.
We had lunch at the terminal and waited for our flight back home—tired but so grateful for the experience.
What We Packed (and What We Should Have)
Packing for a summer trip to Los Angeles with kids requires strategy!
👉 You can see my full carry-on guide here: 10 Smart Ways to Pack a Carry On Without Stress.
What Worked:
- Outfits planned by activity and location
- Extra sunscreen and hats
- Snacks and water bottles
- Layers for cold indoor AC
What We Forgot:
- Reusable tote bags for shopping
- Small bag for the park (I ended up having to buy one)
Tools and Apps That Helped Us
Technology made our trip to Los Angeles easier and more organized:
- Apple Maps / Google Maps: For driving and walking directions
- Airline app: Check-in, gate changes
- Universal Studios Hollywood app: Ride wait times and map
- Notion: For saving our itinerary and restaurant list
- Apple Watch: I tracked over 20,000 steps on some days!
Tip: Have everything downloaded before your flight so you’re ready offline.
Final Tips for Anyone Planning a Trip to Los Angeles
Planning a trip to Los Angeles with kids? Here are our top tips:
- Buy attraction tickets in advance to save time and money
- Plan your driving times carefully to avoid rush hour
- Bring snacks, water, and a power bank everywhere
- Alternate busy days with slower ones, especially with young children
- Wear comfortable shoes and light clothes, but always carry a jacket for AC indoors
Meanwhile, don’t be afraid to change your plans—some of our favorite moments were unplanned walks and surprises along the way.
Conclusion: Was Our Trip to Los Angeles Worth It?
Absolutely! Our trip to Los Angeles was memorable, exciting, and filled with great family moments. It wasn’t just about checking off tourist spots—it was about exploring new places together, building memories, and learning how to travel as a team.
Would we do it again? Yes, but maybe with a longer stay next time. We didn’t get to visit the Warner Bros. Studios or Malibu, so they’re on our list for the future.
👉 Planning a trip to LA? Let me know if you have any questions—I’d love to help!
