Discover LA & Disneyland

This trip requires a rental car, pick up at the airport, and head towards Santa Monica Pier. You will have great views of the Pacific Ocean, street performers, and great food.

• Tip: Water Grill has a great outdoor seating patio. The food is seafood-focused and delicious.

Drive the Pacific Coast Highway to Long Beach. Follow the iconic PCH south for ocean views, cliffs, surf towns, and beach pullovers.

Check in to the Renaissance Newport Beach.

• Take a Hollywood Hills tour. It’s the best way to see the city and gain insights into the homes of the stars.

• Hollywood Walk of Fame: A classic stroll among the stars. It’s touristy, chaotic, but a must-do at least once (especially for Old Hollywood fans).

• Grauman’s TCL Chinese Theatre: Handprints, history, movie premieres. It’s the most iconic movie theater in the world and dripping with Hollywood lore.

• Have a late lunch at Grand Central Market, a historic LA food hall with everything: tacos, Filipino bowls, ramen, donuts, coffee. It’s a delicious crash course in LA’s cultural diversity and across the street from Angels Flight. (Angels Flight is a short, quirky incline railway from 1901. It’s fun, cheap, and one of LA’s cutest historic landmarks.)

• Drive to the Original Farmers Market on Fairfax, a historic open-air market with global eats, and shop at The Grove next door. Tons of food options and a fun place to wander. Grab dinner from Danny Trejo Tacos and great merch to bring home as a souvenir.

Joshua Tree

Joshua Tree National Park is about 2.5 hours from Newport Beach, so leave early!

Visit popular areas like the Hall of Horrors, known for slot canyons and otherworldly rock formations.

Joshua Tree feels like another planet, with breathtaking surreal landscapes, giant boulders, twisting Joshua trees, and incredible photo ops.

Palm Springs

Palm Springs is a Mid-Century Modern dreamland. Bold colors, mountain backdrops, and iconic architecture.

• Look up a self-guided real estate driving tour to see the homes of Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra.

• Stop to explore neighborhoods, visit classic Palm Springs shops, cafés, and The Trixie Motel. Trixie is campy, fabulous, and unapologetically pink. Grab some merch and enjoy the hyper-stylized design that makes the motel Instagram-famous.

• Want to get your crystal shop-meets-cosmic glam fix? Stop by Spellbound Sky, a vibe-forward, mystical boutique that’s a favorite among creatives and spiritual explorers.

Leave Newport Beach early to drive to Disneyland and drop the rental car off on property. There is no need for a rental car.

• Tip: Schedule an Uber to transfer you to the airport on the day of departure.

Drop luggage off at Disney’s Grand Californian. The concierge will hold luggage until the room is ready.

The park has big headliner rides, incredible food, and sets the tone for a high-energy, fun first day. Plus, Grand Californian has a private entrance directly into the park.

Must-do attractions

• Radiator Springs Racers: One of Disney’s best rides (do it early before lines spike or make sure to get lightning lanes to enjoy shorter wait times).

• Web Slingers, A Spider-Man Adventure: Interactive and super fun.

• Guardians of the Galaxy Mission BREAKOUT!: Wild, energetic, and worth a re-ride.

• Incredicoaster: High-speed coaster with awesome views.

• Soarin’ Around the World: Relaxing, scenic, and a perfect midday ride.

• Eat at Pym Test Kitchen in Avengers Campus. It's playful, with oversized foods, creative drinks, and great seating.

• Don't miss the World of Color Nighttime Show for a breathtaking mix of water, light, music, and Disney storytelling.

Day 5: Disneyland Park, the original magic

An iconic, nostalgic experience that feels different from anything in Orlando. Staying at hotels on property allows early entry to the parks. Enter through Downtown Disney or the main gates.

Disney classics:

• Peter Pan’s Flight

• Alice in Wonderland (unique to Disneyland!)

• Storybook Land canal boats

• Matterhorn bobsleds (also unique!)

• Star Wars fans head to Galaxy’s Edge to ride Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Rise of the Resistance (a must-do; use Lightning Lane if possible). Grab a Ronto Wrap, you won’t regret it.

• Other food options: Blue Bayou, Café Orleans, or Hungry Bear.

• Make sure not to miss Pirates of the Caribbean (longer, better, more atmospheric than the Florida version), Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, Tiki Room (grab a Dole Whip!).

• Disneyland Fireworks / Fantasmic! There’s nothing like fireworks over Sleeping Beauty Castle.

• Maybe stop at the Hearthstone Lounge for a late drink or dessert.

Day 6: Park hopping & resort time

You’ve seen the big attractions. Today is about favorites, relaxing, and savoring the resort. Take advantage of the hotel’s stunning pools or book a spa treatment.

Park-hop based on favorites or what was missed.

Don't forget to hop on the Monorail, walk through Downtown Disney, check out the other Disney Hotels, drink fun cocktails at Trader Sams, grab beignets, shop, or relax on your balcony.

Return to Grand Californian, and enjoy a couple more minutes in the gorgeous lobby before heading home the next day.