Road Trip
Road Trip
Itinerary

There’s nothing better than the open road, a change of scenery, and a trip to Burbank, Media Capital of the World! So grab your keys, choose your playlist, and roll into the city where Hollywood happens and movies come to life.

 

From world-renowned film and TV studios, to day-trips to Los Angeles, Burbank offers charming neighborhoods, legendary film locations, family friendly experiences, and days by the pool at your favorite hotel.

 

Easy to arrive by car, it’s also amazingly simple to fly into the Hollywood Burbank Airport and start your fly-drive trip from here. Next to Hollywood, home to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood and adjacent to Universal Studios Hollywood, Burbank is the perfect way to experience LA!

 

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Stay at one of Burbank's Road Trip Hotels

For your Road Trip, we recommend a stay in one of Burbank’s cool motor court hotels for that road trip vibe. Choose from retro-inspired hotels like The Tangerine or Safari Inn with fun decor, or other favorites like Portofino Inn Burbank, Travelodge by Wyndham Burbank-Glendale, or Quality Inn Burbank Airport. All offer outdoor pools and extra safety precautions to make your stay comfortable. You'll find 18 hotels throughout Burbank including luxury boutique, family and pet-friendly hotels.

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Breakfast at Bea Bea's

You haven’t really been to Burbank before you’ve been to Bea Bea’s, known to be the most popular breakfast hangout in the city. For many years, chef Bea has been spoiling her local community with mouthwatering breakfast foods, including her much loved French toast (which comes in 17 variations) and her waffle, crepe and pancake creations (over 30 options).

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Self-Guided Mural Tour

Burbank is alive with trendsetting murals in all shapes and sizes. Download our mural map to help guide you to the beautiful outdoor artwork in each neighborhood.

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Lunch at The New Deal

The New Deal is a family-owned restaurant offering a modern take on nostalgic American recipes. Enjoy grass-fed, free range burgers, elevated grilled cheese and more when you stop in for lunch at this delicious spot in Magnolia Park.

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Fly to the Hollywood Sign with Orbic Air

You won’t get a better view of the iconic Hollywood Sign and you'll be amazed by miles and miles of Southern California’s legendary coastline as you take a helicopter tour with Orbic Air. The tour starts in Burbank’s own Hollywood Burbank Airport. Private tours are available.

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Dinner with a View at Castaway

Step into the multi-level patio to enjoy the unparalleled views over LA at beautiful Castaway. This is the place to go to enjoy a perfect California sunset. Rent out the patio or one of the restaurant’s many dining rooms for a final send off or networking event.

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Breakfast at Lou French on the Block

The warm, relaxed stop brings a little piece of France to Burbank. Stop in for a coffee and a delicious range of French pastries or if you're looking for something heartier they offer sandwiches, quiches & salads. The almond croissant is a must order item on their menu!

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Take the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood

See where Hollywood is made…from today’s biggest productions to iconic TV shows and movies, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood is a must-see! You’ll get to see iconic sets for your favorite TV shows including Friends and Big Bang Theory. Buy your tickets here.

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Grab a Randy's Donut

The most recognized Donut shop in the world, Randy’s has been consistently named one of the top donut shops in the country, as well as the most reviewed and highest rated donut shop on Yelp for 70 years.

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Take a Horseback Ride to Hollywood Sign

LA Horse Rentals offers once-in-a-lifetime horseback rides starting from Burbank to the iconic Hollywood Sign. See LA from a different perspective high in the hills of Griffith Park.

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Dinner at Bob’s Big Boy

You’re invited to go retro at the Classic Car Show every Friday night, and bite down on a legendary “Big Boy,” their sumptuous double-decker. Take-in the heady atmosphere of Hollywood dealmakers and studio stars, and be sure to sit in the booth where the Beatles dined on their first American tour.

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Breakfast at Porto's

Voted by Yelp users as the #1 place to eat in the United States, Porto’s will quickly become your go-to spot for fresh baked pastries, cakes and classic Cuban sandwiches while visiting Burbank. Make sure to grab some of their delicious pastries to go as a snack for the rest of your day.

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Go Retro in Magnolia Park

Explore the many vintage shops, specialty stores, antique markets, coffee shops and restaurants that call this quirky, retro neighborhood home. Be sure to visit Autobooks-Aerobooks where you’ll find all the books, magazines and DVDs you can imagine related to cars, motorcycles and airplanes.

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Lunch at Larry's Chili Dog

Regularly named one of the best places in California for classic chili dogs, this old-school, walk-up eatery serves hot dogs and burgers with creative toppings. Walk up to the window and enjoy your meal on their large patio. It’s also been the backdrop for TV and films including an episode of The Office where Michael Scott tries to buy a hot dog with his watch.

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Spend the day at Universal Studios Hollywood

Experience a behind-the-scenes look of a real working studio, where more movies and television shows have been filmed than any other lot in the world. Plus, don’t miss The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Fast & Furious Supercharged, and more. Grab your tickets here. Be sure to also spend time at the acclaimed CityWalk right outside the theme park.

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Dinner at Smokehouse

Dine where “La La Land,” “Argo,” and “Get Shorty” were filmed at the renowned Smoke House Restaurant, a favorite watering hole of the studio set. George Clooney is a big fan, and he named his production company after this legendary prime rib restaurant, also famous for their amazing garlic bread.

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Before you head out on the next leg of your SoCal road trip, stock up on treats and car snacks at Burbank's famed Handy Market, one of the few remaining family owned supermarkets around, with a celebrity clientele and devoted following. Happy trails!

Fun Day Trips Near Burbank
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Explore the Winding Roads of Mulholland Drive

Mulholland Drive originates less than two miles from Burbank and winds its way past some of LA’s most expensive celebrity homes all the way to the Pacific Ocean. The inspiration for numerous songs and films, driving Mulholland Drive is also the best way to see spectacular views of the Los Angeles basin, take in some hiking at such star-studded trails as Runyon Canyon, Franklin Canyon Park, and for views of such iconic destinations as the Hollywood Bowl, Griffith Observatory, and Skirball Center.

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Cruise Down Hollywood Boulevard

Take a drive down legendary Hollywood Blvd. World famous for TCL Chinese Theatre, the El Capitan, Musso and Frank’s, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and Hollywood & Highland. From Hollywood & Vine to La Brea, you’ll find a day’s worth of activities that will give you a true Hollywood experience.

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Spend the Afternoon at The Grove

This world-renowned shopping, dining and entertainment destination features top restaurants and stores. A beautifully designed space, guests can enjoy an old-fashioned trolley ride and magnificent dancing fountains. Right next door is another must-see attraction, The Original Farmers Market, featuring more than 100 gourmet grocers, specialty retailers and restaurants serving cuisine from around the world. Image provided by Discover LA.

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Take a Break in Malibu

Soak in the sun and the ocean breeze by spending the day on one of Malibu's beautiful beaches. Just head west to enjoy over 27 miles of scenic landscapes. There are plenty of picturesque beaches to check out including some of our favorites: El Matador State Beach, Malibu Lagoon State Beach, Westward Beach and Paradise Cove.

Continue Your California Road Trip
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Need a break from driving? Take Pacific Surfliner to Santa Barbara on a day trip with daily service from Hollywood Burbank Airport train station. Upon arrival, enjoy Santa Barbara’s upscale boutiques and restaurants offering local wines and seasonal fare. Plus, Santa Barbara is a great base to explore the wineries of the Santa Ynez and Santa Maria valleys. Book your ticket at www.pacificsurfliner.com

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Paso Robles is two hours from Santa Barbara and is known for its wineries and olive groves — another great wine tasting destination.

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Or head east from Burbank to Palm Springs, just a two-hour drive. Idyllic Palm Springs is home to the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, and known for its mid-century modern flair, burgeoning art scene, lively hotel pools, and the aerial tramway.

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An hour east of Palm Springs is Joshua Tree National Park. There you can walk or hike among the lunar landscape, climb the towering rock walls, or simply soak up the tranquility of the desert.

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If you’re looking for the ultimate nature experience, Yosemite National Park is just four hours north of Burbank in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains. It’s famed for its giant, ancient sequoia trees, and for Tunnel View, the iconic vista of towering Bridalveil Fall and the granite cliffs of El Capitan and Half Dome.

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For the ultimate West Coast experience, take Pacific Coast Highway and cruise up the coast for five hours to San Francisco. Stop in at the many beautiful beaches and coastal hotspots that are peppered along the drive including Hearst Castle, Carmel, Pebble Beach, Monterey and Big Sur.

Please call or visit the website of destinations listed on this itinerary, as COVID-19 precaution measures may have affected opening times.