72 Hours in LA: The Perfect Weekend Itinerary

Los Angeles is more than just palm trees and movie stars — it’s an epicenter of car and motorcycle culture, a mecca for petrolheads from around the world. If you're obsessed with horsepower, torque, vintage chrome, or café racer aesthetics, LA delivers like few cities can. In this 72-hour itinerary, you’ll burn some rubber, fuel your soul, and caffeinate like a local — all while soaking up the sights that make LA a high-octane dream.

Let’s ride.

Day 1: Cars, Curves, and Caffeine

Morning:

• Espresso Kickstart at Menotti’s (Venice) Before the revs begin, grab a flat white or cortado from Menotti’s Coffee Stop. It’s got old-school charm and serious barista cred — the perfect vibe to ease into your day.

• Mulholland Drive Cruise One of LA’s most iconic roads, Mulholland Drive is where movie magic and motorsport history collide. Carve through the curves with views of the Hollywood Hills, city skyline, and maybe even a supercar or two pulling up alongside you.

Lunch:

• Lunch at Gjusta (Venice) A little gritty, a lot delicious — Gjusta serves up smoked fish plates, prime sandwiches, and eclectic Cali fare. Park your two-wheeler next to a Tesla or a Triumph and feast.

Afternoon:

• Deus Ex Machina (Venice) A must-visit for motorcycle lovers. More than just a custom bike shop, Deus is a café, gallery, and moto-lifestyle hub. Grab a second espresso or a local brew and browse the bikes, gear, and gearheads.

Evening:

• Dinner at Scopa Italian Roots Slide into a leather booth, order a Negroni, and fuel up on elevated Italian-American dishes. It’s stylish but not stuffy — think Ducati-meets-Don Draper.

  
  

Day 2: Museums, Machines & Sunset Rides

Morning:

• Coffee at Verve Coffee Roasters (Downtown LA) Start your day in DTLA with something bright and citrusy from Verve. Their coffee program is as dialed-in as a track-day suspension.

• Petersen Automotive Museum Buckle up. With rare Bugattis, hypercars, and Hollywood’s most iconic rides, The Petersen is a car enthusiast’s paradise. Don't miss the Vault Tour — it’s basically sacred ground.

Lunch:

• Grand Central Market (DTLA) Go classic with a pastrami from Wexler’s Deli, or venture global with tacos, Thai, or Berlin-style currywurst. Tons of indoor parking — a rare LA luxury.

Afternoon:

• Griffith Observatory via Mulholland Make the climb to Griffith Observatory and catch panoramic views of the cityscape, mountains, and — on a clear day — the Pacific. The ride up is just as memorable as the destination.

Evening:

• Dinner at Musso & Frank Grill (Hollywood) Classic Hollywood swagger. Whether you’re riding in a café racer or a vintage 911, this place makes you feel like James Dean for a night.

Day 3: Performance, Passion, and Pacific Breezes

Morning:

• Breakfast & Coffee at Bike Shed Moto Co (Arts District) Part hangout, part museum, Bike Shed LA is the city’s new moto-epicenter. Sip espresso among Triumphs, Indian Scouts, and custom builds — then maybe book a tattoo appointment or a haircut if the mood strikes.

• Porsche Experience Center LA (Carson) Shift your morning into overdrive at the Porsche Experience Center. Take the wheel of a GT3 or Cayenne Turbo on the track, learn vehicle dynamics from the pros, or nerd out at the Porsche heritage gallery.

Lunch:

• Lunch at Porsche PEC's Restaurant 917 Overlooking the track, Restaurant 917 offers elevated California cuisine with a front-row seat to the action. The food is as refined as the machines outside.

Afternoon:

• The Nethercutt Collection (Sylmar) Tucked away in the San Fernando Valley is one of the finest vintage car collections on earth. Think pre-war Rolls-Royce, Duesenbergs, and meticulously restored mechanical musical instruments. It’s classy, elegant, and absolutely jaw-dropping.

Evening:

• Malibu Canyon Run (Decker, Stunt, Tuna) End your trip with a twilight canyon blast through Malibu’s famous roads. Twisties, elevation changes, and cinematic views of the Pacific. This is the moment you’ll remember.

• Dinner at Nobu Malibu Cap it off in style. Ocean breeze, A-list sightings, and the best black cod you’ll ever eat.

  

  
  

Final Thoughts: LA’s Fuel-Fed Soul

72 hours in LA for car and motorcycle lovers is barely enough — but it’s the perfect primer. From museum masterpieces to canyon-carving roads, third-wave coffee to track-ready experiences, this is a city that lives and breathes machines.

Whether you’re on two wheels or four, LA will leave your heart racing and your tires warm.