Is this plan realistic?

Question

2 days in La with a rental car during the early summer. Is this plan realistic and is it fun or should we swap anything out?

Day 1

*Griffith Park

*Warner bros studio

*Late lunch in Malibu

*Santa Monica pier around sunset

Day 2 (potentially with a hop on hop off bus?)

*chinese theatre

*sunset blvd

*beverly hills + rodeo

*the grove/farmers market

Extra details:

I’ve been before but my partner hasn’t so want them to see the classics but also don’t want to be too tourist trappy

Answer

Your 2-day Los Angeles plan is ambitious but generally doable if you are comfortable with some driving and time management. LA traffic is famously unpredictable, especially on major routes like the 101, I-405, and Pacific Coast Highway, so building in extra travel time is key.

Day 1:

Griffith Park: A good start in the morning. You can hike a short trail or drive up to Griffith Observatory for views of the Hollywood Sign and LA skyline.
Warner Bros Studio: Tours take 2–3 hours. Book tickets in advance to secure your preferred time slot. Consider parking nearby to avoid extra driving.
Late lunch in Malibu: Depending on traffic from the studio, the drive to Malibu can take 45–60 minutes. A casual spot near the coast is ideal, but leaving some buffer is important to avoid being rushed.
Santa Monica Pier around sunset: Sunset is usually around 8:00–8:15 pm in early summer. Malibu to Santa Monica is roughly a 45-minute drive without traffic, but plan for at least an hour to account for evening traffic.

Day 2 (hop-on hop-off bus is optional):

Chinese Theatre & Hollywood Blvd: Can be done in the morning. Walking around is straightforward, but parking can be tricky, so allow extra time.
Sunset Blvd / Beverly Hills / Rodeo Drive: Driving is manageable, but these areas can be slow due to traffic and sightseeing cars. Consider skipping or shortening stops if pressed for time.
The Grove / Farmers Market: A nice lunch or snack stop. Parking is available but can fill up, so mid-morning or early afternoon is best.

Additional tips:

Traffic will be your biggest time constraint, so avoid tight schedules between widely separated attractions.
If your priority is “classic LA,” your plan covers the essentials. However, Malibu lunch and Santa Monica on the same day may feel rushed if traffic is heavy.
Using a hop-on hop-off bus on Day 2 can save some driving stress, but you may lose flexibility to explore specific spots at your own pace.
Consider moving Malibu to Day 2 if you want a more relaxed coastal experience, or swapping one Hollywood-area attraction for a museum or gallery to avoid excessive tourist traps.

Overall, your plan is realistic but will require careful timing and flexibility, especially with LA traffic. If you are okay with a fast-paced schedule and mostly sightseeing from the car or short walks, it will be fun and covers the highlights for someone experiencing LA for the first time.