I had to run some errands downtown today and meet up with a friend in LA's historic enclave, Pasadena, for dinner. I thought I would take along my camera and show people what it's like taking transit in LA, as opposed to driving it. I took the Rapid Metro bus to Union Station from Monterey Park, the bustling New Chinatown in the eastern part of LA.
Hope you enjoy the tour!
So like I said, I had to run some errands downtown, and this was the neighborhood I started out in. This is the birthplace of Downtown LA's most recent renaissance called the Old Bank District. The first new loft conversions took place here in 2000. Downtown LA has come a long way since 8 years ago.
You can see the corner construction fence up. That's a critical mixed-use project called The Medallion that will connect the Old Bank District neighborhood to the Civic Center and Little Tokyo.
Here's a closer look at the corner.
A peek over the fence shows slow but firm progress.
This is going to be a pretty fair sized project when it's completed.
One of my favorite casual restaurants in Downtown LA! Blossom Vietnamese restaurant. If you're ever in town, you gotta drop by. It's at Main/Winston.
This is a dark pic, but it shows continued adaptive-reuse conversions in Downtown LA as obsolete historic offices/hotels become beautifully restored residential loft buildings. These two are the Rowan and Rosslyn.
Simpson Property Group | Dwell in Satisfaction (Used to be the Security Bank building)
Okay...so I was done with my errands, and now it's time to head on over to Pasadena to meet with my friend. I'll enter through the Pershing Square station.
On the train heading toward Union Station.
I need to transfer to the Gold Line.
Union Station is truly one of LA's urban jewels. It's also the second busiest transportation hub after LAX in Southern California!
So let's catch that Gold Line train...This way...
Can you see why Union Station is the second busiest after LAX? :yes:
The Union Lofts making a statement in Union Station.
Coming up to the Gold Line platform.
The train arrives.
A little wait before departing.
Hey, that's Metro's headquarters back there!
A quick look at Downtown LA as we leave it for Pasadena.
First station, Chinatown.
A train yard.
TODs are becoming quite popular now.
Getting off at Del Mar station in Pasadena.
Del Mar Station, another major TOD in the Metro rail system.
I really like how they designed the layout of this station.
Nice apartments and restaurants a part of this TOD.
Isn't Pasadena beautiful? You can see the San Gabriel Mountains in the back.
Close up shot.
Old Pasadena district
After dinner and it's dark outside!
Pinkberry perhaps?
Neon signs add some nice touch to historic buildings.
It's time to hop on the bus back home.
But before we go, here's one last shot of Pasadena City Hall.
Hope you enjoyed the tour of LA! (Without even getting in the car!)
Welcome to City-Data.com forum! Make sure to register - it's free and very quick! You have to register before you can post and participate in our discussions with 700,000 other registered members. User profiles and some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your free account you will be able to customize many options, you will have the full access to over 15,000 posts/day about local topics and you will see fewer ads. 
Linear Mode
