What changes the plan
Start with the part of the trip that cannot move: a meeting, a performance or a family visit. Add the hotel options around that anchor, then compare the complete journey rather than distance alone. Include parking, the walk from the garage and time to find the correct entrance. A hotel that looks central on a map may not be convenient for your particular schedule.
Group optional visits into a small geographic area for each day. If the morning is around Hollywood, resist adding a distant coastal lunch just because both names are famous. Keep one optional stop that can be dropped without losing a prepaid reservation. Check current travel estimates near your actual departure time; a remembered journey from another trip is not a reliable timetable.
Separate the car decision from the hotel decision. Compare overnight parking costs, the days you actually need a vehicle and alternatives for evenings when nobody should drive. Confirm baggage storage if check-out and departure are far apart. These small arrangements often matter more than adding another attraction to the map.
