Los Angeles & Vegas Itinerary - on a budget

Sylvia W
Mar 22, 2020
11 min read

written by: Sylvia Wong

I've been dreaming of visiting LA & Vegas for the longest time and in November 2019, I decided to take the plunge. With a whole lot of research and planning, the trip cost about RM 10,000 per pax for 12 days. Here is a breakdown of my expenses and itinerary for the trip.

Budget in RM (per pax) :

a) Flight - 2,400

- search for the most affordable flights using Google's flight search. We flew China Eastern Airlines

b) Travel Insurance - 216

- offered by Expedia when we booked our flight on their website

c) Accommodation - 3,000

- 4 days in Vegas for 1,100 & 9 days in LA for 1,900

d) Food - 1,100

- our meals mostly cost USD 10-20 per pax (cheap - mid-range restaurants). For budget eats, try to eat at food courts in malls, etc. There are also roadside vendors at certain places. For small eaters, you could share 1 main between 2 people as the portions are mostly larger than Asian sizes. Another way to save on food, buy groceries like cereal, milk, etc and have a hearty breakfast before heading out. Pharmacies like CVS also sell to-go food like sandwiches, pastas & salads that cost USD 5-8.

e) Transport - 750

- LAX to Vegas (by bus) - book ahead on Wanderu

- LAX airport to LA city (by bus) - buy tickets online @ FlyAway Bus

- Around Vegas (by bus) - Deuce and SDX (tickets bought at vending machines at various bus stop locations)

- Around LA (by bus & Uber) - Most people recommend driving in LA but I got around using their metro and buses. Only on 3 occasions did I need to use Uber. Using public transport meant a lot of walking which was fine since the weather was pleasant. Driving would mean less walking but I heard that traffic in LA is bad most of the time. Furthermore, parking & petrol is expensive (parking averages USD 10 per place). Using the metro only cost USD 25 for unlimited rides for 1-week. To ride the metro, just purchase a TAP card at any metro station.

- How to get from A to B - just type in your locations to Google map and choose public transport. It will tell you which train number to take, how long till the train arrives, when is the next train, etc. If you want to Uber, you can download the Uber app and link your credit card. Then type in your locations to see how much it'll cost.

f) Attraction tickets - 1,700

- I used Klook to search/purchase my attraction tickets. I've used them in many countries before and so far, they're reliable and house good quality attractions.

- In LA, definitely get the GoLA Card which offers admission to more than 35 popular attractions . Some of the activities need to be booked in advance, so please read the usage instructions carefully.

g) Dance - 140

- one of my lifelong dream is to attend a dance class in LA. In the end, I danced at Playground LA and Millennium. Classes cost about USD 17 and it's advisable to book 1-2 weeks ahead. To book, download the dance studio's app on your mobile & register for classes there. If you plan to walk-in, arrive 2-3 hours earlier to book your spot.

- For fans of Kyle Hanagami, Matt Steffanina, etc, they only teach Masterclasses at Millennium. However, these classes will only be announced 3-7 days in advance. So, if you're hoping to join a masterclass, do check out Millennium's instagram stories for updates.

h) US Visa - 700

i) Wifi - 170 (Ultrawifi)

Day 1: Arrive in LA - Bus ride to Vegas - Check into Hotel - Dinner

After landing in LA, I took a bus ride to Vegas. One thing to note, people in the States keep to their timing seriously, so be on time. Our bus declined boarding for 2 passengers who were just 5 mins late!

Once in Vegas, we checked into our hotel: Treasure Island . Loved the hotel as it is walk able distance to eateries, famous casinos, bus stops and the rooms were huge/clean. Most day tours also offer free pick ups from this hotel which is an added bonus. While they are many places to stay in Vegas, I would recommend staying in a hotel located on The Strip.

The Strip is essentially a 4-mile road where most of the action happens. All the big name hotels, casinos and entertainment outlets are located here and public transport is more accessible. We got around Vegas by bus (Deuce and SDX), or you can also get around with Uber/monorail.

Vegas Strip (picture credit: Getty Images)

Room at Treasure Island Hotel (picture credit: Agoda.com)

Day 2: Instagram landmarks & Las Vegas North Premium Outlets

There are so many things to do in Vegas, not just gambling. For one, the hotels in Vegas are mostly replicas of famous world landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower & Gondolas of Venice. The architecture in Vegas is just so over the top, an instagram photo hunt is a must! For a list of Insta-worthy places, check out this blog.

After taking countless pictures, I went on a shopping frenzy at Las Vegas North Premium Outlets. They have over 175 designer stores like Coach, Lululemon, Kate Spade, etc. Six hours later, I was a happy girl with a hole in her wallet.

Venice Canal @ The Venetian Eiffel Tower @ Paris Hotel

All smiles @ Las Vegas North Premium Outlets

Day 3: Day Tour (Lower Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend & Lake Powell)

The third day was spent on a day tour to 3 natural wonders in Arizona. It was a 5-6 hours journey from Vegas and I booked mine through Klook. The tour guide was informative/entertaining with breakfast and lunch provided. Going with a local guide made the spots that we saw that much more interesting and memorable.

Lower Antelope Canyon

My pictures don't do this place justice. You just have to see it for yourself!

Horseshoe Bend

Lake Powell

Day 4: Las Vegas Sign - Buffet Lunch - Bus to Los Angeles

After 3 days, it was time to bid goodbye to Sin City. Before we left , we managed to capture a photo with the iconic Las Vegas Sign and stuffed ourselves with a buffet. Vegas is legendary for its buffets which are bang for the buck and feature plenty of mouth watering dishes. Here is a list of buffets to check out.

Tip: Most hotels in Vegas give out coupons to their guests. These coupons are mainly for food and alcoholic beverages so be sure to check them out. Our hotel provided a Buy 1-free-1 coupon for their buffet and man was it worth every penny!

Las Vegas Sign

Buffet @ Treasure Island Hotel. Pizza, Pasta, Sushi, Fried Chicken, Cheesecake, Chocolate Dipped Strawberries...RM60 per pax with the Buy-1-Free-1 Promo.

Day 5: Brunch at Denny's - Shopping @ Figat7th & Target

LA's attractions are quite spread out so staying near public transport would be ideal. I stayed in Koreatown at an Airbnb and the metro station was just a 15 mins walk away. If your budget permits, I recommend staying at The LINE Hotel which is just opposite the Wilshire/Normandie metro station.

Our first day in LA was quite chill as we were tired from all the travels. We started off with brunch at Denny's, a chain serving American diner fare. Next, it was shopping at Figat7th and Target. While they are many Target stores, we went to the one at South La Cienega as it was one of the biggest in the area. Basically, Target is just a normal department store much like Aeon in Malaysia. However, you can find so many food, toiletries, makeup, clothes, etc items that you can't find in Malaysia. To save money and time, you can buy food items for breakfast to eat at your accommodation.

Left to Right: Brunch at Denny's, California Dreaming Mural located next to Chinese Laundry Shoes @ South La Cienega Blvd (the mural is a few doors away from Target)

Left to Right: Raspberries (USD 2.99 per pack) & Almond Milk (USD 3.2 for 1.9L), Dragon Drink @ Starbucks inside Target

Goodies from Target

Day 6: OUE Skyspace - Sweetgreens - Warner Bros Studio Tour - Daikokuya Ramen

Day six started at OUE Skyspace: an observation deck with panoramic views of LA. Besides killer views, there is also a clear glass slide from the 70th to 69th floor of the building. After OUE, we had lunch next door at Sweetgreen, an eatery serving delicious salad bowls.

OUE Skyspace

Sweetgreen - Serving up delicious & filling salads

After lunch, we Uber-ed to Warner Bros studio for a tour of their film sets, props, etc. The tour is included in the Go LA card but you must book in advance through email. The whole tour lasted about 3 hours (2 hours guided tour and 1 hour self tour). The experience was super fun and informative with various movie secrets/tricks shared. Personally, the highlight of the tour was taking pictures and sipping coffee at the FRIENDS sitcom set which was filmed mostly in Warner Bros studio.

For dinner, we went to Daikokuya Ramen in Little Tokyo which is well-known for it's flavorful broth and springy noodles. We had to wait 30 mins for a seat but it was definitely worth it!

FRIENDS Cafe Set

Yummy Yummy Mocha

picture credit:

californiathroughmylens.com

Day 7: Hollywood Walk of Fame - TCL Chinese Theatre - LINE Friends Store - In & Out Burger - Melrose Ave - Dance @ Playground LA

Hollywood Walk of Fame is a place where celebrities are immortalized in plaque stars on the sidewalks. To get here, just search for "TCL Chinese Theatre" in Google maps or stop at Hollywood/Highland metro station. This stop will get you to the main part of the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Other things to do in this area are souvenir shopping (fridge, t-shirts, caps, etc) and visiting the TCL Chinese Theatre where many movie premieres have been held. Furthermore, if you're a fan of LINE characters like me, you can pay a visit to the LINE store opposite the street from TCL Chinese Theatre.

For lunch, we checked out California's popular burger joint: In-N-Out Burger. Honestly, their burgers and fries were just mediocre but the price is cheap and service was fast. Overall, the place is worth a try.

My teenage year idols: Britney Spears & Destiny's Child

LINE Friends Store

In-N-Out Burger Joint

After lunch, we hopped over to Melrose Avenue, a street lined with hip boutiques, thrift stores and cafes. For girls, you can visit the famous Glossier and Reformation store here. There are also many insta-walls around this area like the Pink Paul Smith Wall. As for cafes, Alfred Tea Room, Urth Cafe and Carrera Cafe are the more popular ones.

For dancers, consider taking a class at Playground LA which is located in Melrose. All you have to do is check out their schedule and book in advance for the classes you want to join. Bookings can be made through their app..details here.

Left to Right (at Melrose): Alfred Tea Room, Pink Paul Smith Wall, Carrera Cafe

Playground LA Dance Studio

Day 8: The Broad Museum - Panda Express - The Last Bookstore - Millennium Dance Complex - Jinya Ramen - Marshalls

Even in an expensive city like LA, there are still FREE attractions to visit. One of them is the Broad Museum which houses many instagrammable art pieces. Entry to the museum is free but tickets must be booked in advance on their website. To view Yayoi Kusama's wildly popular Infinity Mirror Room, you have to separately reserve a spot through the Ipad kiosk in the lobby once you enter the museum.

Another place to visit without spending a dime is The Last Bookstore, a charming 2-story bookstore filled with used & new books/vinyl records that you can leisurely browse. There is also a photogenic tunnel made of books where you can pose.

The Broad Museum (middle: Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Mirror Room)

Lunch @ Panda Express - The American equivalent of economy rice

The Last Bookstore

In the evening, I made my way to Millennium to catch a class with Hamilton Evans and it was truly an unforgettable experience. Although class was hard, the vibe from the teacher and students was infectious and positive.

After dancing, dinner was at Jinya Ramen nearby. I highly recommend this place! Their ramen noodles are so springy and the soup broth flavorful. Don't forget to order their fried chicken as well. Next to Jinya, there is a store called Marshall's which sells various off-season branded items at crazy discounts. Both Jinya Ramen and Marshall's have branches all over LA, so even if you're not dancing at Millennium, be sure to check them out elsewhere.

With Hamilton Evans @ Millennium Dance Complex - Where Justin Timberlake, Selena Gomez, Usher, etc have all danced

Jinya Ramen @ Ventura Blvd - Mouth-watering Ramen & Fried Chicken

Day 9: Abbot Kinney - Venice Beach - Santa Monica Beach/Pier

Day 9 was all about sun, sea and chill vibes. We started the day at Abbot Kinney, one of the hippest street in LA. Here, there are many popular cafes like The Butcher's Daughter, Cha Cha Matcha, Blue Bottle Coffee, etc . Grab a leisurely brunch at any one of the cafes before heading to Venice Beach.

At Venice, visit the skate park and be vowed by skateboarders performing flips/tricks. You can also join the fun by renting roller skates or bicycles at Jay's Rentals. Meanwhile, the boardwalk is lined with various street performers and shops selling knick knacks/souvenir tees.

Next to Venice lies Santa Monica Beach & Pier where Forrest Gump was filmed. Here, stroll along the pier and visit the amusement park for some family fun. After the beach, head to Third Street Promenade, an outdoor mall and eatery area with many street performers.

Lunch @ Butcher's Daughter & Matcha @ Cha Cha Matcha

Venice Sign

Venice Beach

Pacific Park - Amusement park @ Santa Monica Pier

Day 10: Beverly Hills - LACMA - Original Farmers Market / The Grove

One of the cleanest places in LA has got to be Beverly Hills where upscale boutiques line the street and luxury vehicles aplenty. Start the day off at this area with a picture of the iconic Beverly Hills sign and palm trees street ( the street is nearby the sign...so just google Beverly Hills sign to locate it). Next, stroll down Rodeo Drive to shop/ogle at the various luxury boutiques. While we were there, Louis Vuitton was having a pop-up exhibition to commemorate their 160 years history.

Beverly Hills Sign & Palm Trees at a road nearby

Louis Vuitton Exhibition @ Beverly Hills

If you're a fan of the arts, consider visiting LACMA. If not, you can still drop by to snap a picture of the Urban Light art installation which is open to public 24/7. During the day, this installation of many street lamps pops against the clear blue sky while at night, it lights up beautifully.

For foodies, one place to visit is The Originals Farmers Market which houses multiple food vendors under one roof. This place is so diverse, I even saw a stall selling "roti canai" and "satay"! After stuffing yourself, visit the adjacent outdoor mall, The Grove. This outdoor mall is home to many curated specialty stores and hosts many events, especially on weekends.

Urban Light - Art installation @ Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)

Christmas Decor @ The Grove (popular outdoor mall in LA)

Cheesecake Factory @ The Grove: Chicken Spaghetti, Cheesecake & Lasagna

Day 11: Universal Studios

LA and its surrounding areas are home to many amusement parks. For the adrenaline junkie, there is Six Flags. For others, there's Universal Studios and Disneyland. I chose to visit the former as it is much cheaper and seemed to have more rides suited to adults. Also, entrance to Universal Studios is included in the GoLA pass, making it even more worth it!

Although I've visited Universal Studios in Florida, Singapore & Osaka, I find this Universal Studios to be the most fun. The attractions I particularly enjoyed are: The Hollywood Studio Tour and The Special Effects Show. Do plan to spend the whole day here so come early and plan your visit in advance.

Tip: Download the "Universal Hollywood" app on your phone to map out your itinerary in the park. Additionally, you can check on live waiting times for each ride while in the park.

Simpson's KrustyLand & Harry Potter World

Setting a stuntman on fire @ Special Effects Show

Don't miss this one: World Famous Studio Tour

Day 12: Madame Tussauds - Hollywood Hills -Griffith Observatory

We spent our last full day in LA by visiting Madame Tussauds where we rubbed shoulders with life-like celebrity figures. In the evening, we joined a hiking tour to view the famous Hollywood sign. This tour includes a 2 hour walk. It was enjoyable because you get to slowly admire LA's beautiful skyline and learn about LA's culture/life through a friendly local guide. However, for those whom are unable to walk much, they are other places/options available if you just want to view the Hollywood sign.

After the walking tour, our day ended at Griffith Observatory, a planetarium set atop Griffith Park. At the planetarium, do not miss the live viewing of Tesla coil: an electrical circuit invented by Nikola Telsa in 1891 that promised free electricity for all. Try to visit the observatory slightly before dusk, so you get to enjoy both day & night scenery of LA.

Tip: All activities done on Day 12 are included in the GoLA card. For the hike, advance reservation is needed.