Los Angeles Business Hours Guide
Banks, shops, restaurants, studios, and business hours in the City of Angels
⚡ Quick Answer
Most businesses in Los Angeles operate Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM (PST/PDT). Retail shops typically open 10 AM - 9 PM daily, banks close at 5-6 PM weekdays, and the entertainment industry follows studio hours (9 AM - 6 PM) with production schedules varying widely. LA's 24/7 culture means many services never close.
Los Angeles operates on a unique business rhythm shaped by three major industries: entertainment, technology, and finance. Unlike East Coast cities with rigid 9-to-5 schedules, LA embraces flexibility — tech startups in Silicon Beach might start at 10 AM, while film studios run on strict union hours.
The city's sprawl creates distinct business districts with different vibes: Downtown LA keeps traditional banking hours, Santa Monica runs on tech startup time, and Hollywood operates around production schedules. Add in LA's car culture and traffic patterns, and you'll find many businesses adjust hours to avoid rush hour chaos.
This guide covers standard business hours across LA's major sectors, from banks and retail to studios and restaurants, plus the 24/7 services that keep the city running around the clock.
🏢 Standard Business Hours
| Business Type | Weekday Hours | Weekend Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banks | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Closed (some Sat 9-2) | Drive-thrus may open earlier |
| Corporate Offices | 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM | Closed | Tech companies more flexible |
| Retail Shops | 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM | 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM | Malls often close at 10 PM |
| Restaurants | Varies (11 AM - 10 PM typical) | 10 AM - 11 PM | Many open later on weekends |
| Government Offices | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Closed | DMV by appointment only |
| Post Office | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Sat 9-12 (some locations) | Major branches open longer |
| Gyms | 5:00 AM - 11:00 PM | 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM | 24/7 options common |
| Grocery Stores | 6:00 AM - 12:00 AM | 6:00 AM - 12:00 AM | Many 24-hour locations |
🎬 Entertainment Industry Hours
LA's entertainment industry operates on strict union-regulated schedules for crew but maintains flexible hours for executives and creatives.
🎥 Film/TV Production
- Studio Hours: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM (executives)
- Production: Varies widely (12-14 hour days common)
- Call Times: Often 6:00 AM - 7:00 PM
- Lunch: 1:00 PM (strictly enforced)
- Friday Wrap: Often earlier (3-4 PM)
🎵 Music & Entertainment
- Record Labels: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Recording Studios: 24/7 (by session)
- Talent Agencies: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
- Casting: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Post-Production: Flexible, often late hours
💻 Silicon Beach Tech Hours
LA's tech scene (concentrated in Santa Monica, Venice, Playa Vista) follows West Coast startup culture with flexible hours and remote-friendly policies.
Typical Tech Startup Schedule
- Core Hours: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (when everyone's expected in office)
- Flexible Start: Anytime 8-10 AM accepted
- Late Workers: Many stay until 7-8 PM
- Remote Work: Hybrid common (2-3 days office)
- Fridays: Often half-days or fully remote
Note: Larger tech companies (Google, Snap, TikTok) maintain more traditional 9-6 schedules but with extreme flexibility and remote options.
🚗 How Traffic Shapes Business Hours
LA's notorious traffic significantly impacts when businesses operate and when people actually work.
⚠️ Rush Hour Reality
- Morning Rush: 7:00-10:00 AM
- Evening Rush: 4:00-7:00 PM
- Average Commute: 30-60 minutes each way
- Impact: Many start work 10 AM to avoid traffic
- Result: Offices often busy until 7-8 PM
💡 Adapted Schedules
- Early birds: 7 AM start, 3 PM finish
- Traffic avoiders: 10 AM start, 7 PM finish
- Hybrid workers: Office 2-3 days/week
- Meeting times: 10 AM - 4 PM optimal
- Lunch meetings: Often longer (traffic buffer)
🌙 LA's 24/7 Culture
Unlike many cities, Los Angeles has extensive 24-hour services across the city.
Always Open in LA
- ✓ Many grocery stores (Ralphs, Vons)
- ✓ 24 Hour Fitness locations
- ✓ CVS/Walgreens pharmacies
- ✓ In-N-Out Burger (some locations)
- ✓ Gas stations (most)
- ✓ LAX airport
- ✓ Emergency services
- ✓ Some diners (Canter's, Fred 62)
🍽️ Restaurant & Dining Hours
| Type | Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cafes | 7:00-11:00 AM | 11:00 AM-3:00 PM | Closed or limited |
| Casual Dining | 8:00-11:00 AM | 11:00 AM-4:00 PM | 5:00-10:00 PM |
| Fine Dining | Weekend brunch | Limited | 5:30-10:00 PM |
| Food Trucks | Varies | 11:00 AM-2:00 PM | 5:00-9:00 PM |
LA Dining Culture: Brunch is huge (10 AM - 2 PM weekends), dinner starts later than East Coast (7-8 PM common), and outdoor dining is year-round.