Bus it or drive to FIGat7th (Santa Monica, Culver City: house, transfer)

[new to LA]

Hi
I'm meeting a friend at FIGat7th in downtown on a Friday evening. I currently live on the west side. I was thinking of driving to downtown but I've heard parking is super hard. However, FIGat7th's website says there is ample parking at a structure that is at a walking distance.

I can easily take a bus to union station and then a cab from there to FIGat7th if you guys thinking walking around (to and fro to the parking structure) that area is not safe or the parking is still hard to find despite these structures.

Also, I think the cab fare to and fro from union station to FIGat7th should not be more than 40 dollars. correct me if I'm wrong.

[BRinSM]

what about the expo line? end of line is right across the street from there.

[ProjectMersh]

I am guessing cab fare from Union St to Fig & 7th would be about $10. So $20 round trip.

But you could also take the Red Line from Union St to Fig/7th.

The alternative that BRinSM suggested is nice in that once you get on the Expo Line there is no need to transfer or take a cab. You go up the escalator and you are right there.

Finally, I don't think the parking on a Friday night would be bad in that structure. Most of the parking is for the office towers which empty on a friday around 6pm. And yes the structure is right there...an easy walk. It is where Target shoppers (or those who come via car) park.

The bigger hassle would be driving to downtown on a Friday night. Parking once you get there not so hard (if you are willing to pay).

[dodgerclue]

Expo Line sounds like the best option. But if you wanted to drive, the parking won't be bad albeit expensive. The parking structure is fairly big so there will be plenty of spaces available. You'll just have to brave the Friday night traffic from west LA to downtown, and depending on what time you're in downtown, the local traffic can be a headache as well.

[new to LA]

or taking the 720 to West 6th and Hope street and then walking a few blocks?

[pwright1]

I would simply drive to the Culver City Expo metro station. Park there and catch the lightrail and get off at Metro Center and walk a block to Figat7th. Traffic will be a mess on the 10.

[saybanana]

If you do take the 720 bus, get off that Western/Wilshire station and take the train. Leaves every 10 minutes I think. Get off 7th metro station (8min ride) and take the Figueroa exit and cross the street. If you live in Westwood or Brentwood, the Culver City station is way out of the way just to drive and take a train. If it was Palms or something, I would do culver city.
I would just drive to DTLA and pay cheap parking for an evening unless you plan to really drink, then take transit.

[pwright1]

I live near Santa Monica, the 405 and Sawtelle in west LA. I go dt quite often. Even at that hr I simply hop on the 405 to the 10 and get off at Robertson. The station is right there. From my house to Robertson is no more than 10 min. Its a straight shot on the Expo line with no transfers. The 720 bus all the way to Wilshire and Western is simply too long of a ride especially during this time imo. Then get off the bus there and catch the subway?

[Social Democrat]

If you decide to drive, the parking structure near Fig is very safe. You can enter from 8th or 7th street and walk one block to Fig@7th. The structure is just north of Fig.

[kasuga888]

Just drive and pay for parking. Its prob more unsafe to ride and walk to/from public transportation in the middle of the night.