Visiting the city using public transit?

[ffknight918]

The second time I visited LA I took the rail everywhere. Took the Green Line from LAX to Imperial/Wilmington, transferred to the Blue Line, transferred to the Red Line at 7th St/Metro Station, then got off downtown at MacArthur Park near my friends apartment. I had to go some training academy place near Dodger Stadium(on Stadium Way) for a meeting, but my friend drove me. However, the next day I took the Red Line to Union Station, then a Dash Bus to the LA Personnel Dept for my interview. Passed my LAFD interview and had to come back a few hours later. Took the Dash Bus to LA Mall for lunch and came back with no problem.

So I really had no problems getting around, but I was downtown most of the time. The first time I was there in January, I went all over. However, I was hanging out with some friends who had a car.

I've only used it for one trip though. So I'm not sure if it happened to be a good or bad day. I'm sure the locals on here would have better info.

[BreaOC]

You were asking about the parking for the Pasadena stations. Sierra Madre Villa Station, Del Mar Station, Fillmore Station, and Lake all offer parking. Allen and Memorial Park do not. Del Mar has free parking, Fillmore and Sierra Madre Villa charge for priority parking, Lake charges a fee for all parking. This all according to the Metro's website. Metro Gold Line Map
Also, the trains run on a set schedule, like most public train systems do. Under normal conditions, a.k.a. 99% of the time, they are on time.

[cyrusjul]

Thank you so much about all these tips! I can't wait for my public transit adventures tomorrow. It is great to see Los Angeles having these public transportation options.

Also I already did the Huntington gardens (awesome) and I am planning to visit the Getty Museum on friday.

So I am thinking this, taking the Gold line and visit chinatown, and maybe little tokyo or koreantown? And probably then walking along the business district area (where all the skyscrapers are located) or maybe going to west Hollywood?

and BRinSM thanks for those wonderful day tips aswell! Thank you everyone.

[capoeira]

Originally Posted by cyrusjul

So I am thinking this, taking the Gold line and visit chinatown, and maybe little tokyo or koreantown? And probably then walking along the business district area (where all the skyscrapers are located) or maybe going to west Hollywood?

This site is useful for deciding where to go:


Experience LA : Downtown Los Angeles, Chinatown, Broadway Corridor, East LA, Figueroa, Little Tokyo, El Pueblo de Los Angeles


Experience LA : Los Angeles Hollywood Area, Koreatown, Thai Town, Chinese Theater, Kodak Theatre, Hollywood Bowl

[nickdahammer]

Originally Posted by ffknight918

The second time I visited LA I took the rail everywhere. Took the Green Line from LAX to Imperial/Wilmington, transferred to the Blue Line, transferred to the Red Line at 7th St/Metro Station, then got off downtown at MacArthur Park near my friends apartment. I had to go some training academy place near Dodger Stadium(on Stadium Way) for a meeting, but my friend drove me. However, the next day I took the Red Line to Union Station, then a Dash Bus to the LA Personnel Dept for my interview. Passed my LAFD interview and had to come back a few hours later. Took the Dash Bus to LA Mall for lunch and came back with no problem.

So I really had no problems getting around, but I was downtown most of the time. The first time I was there in January, I went all over. However, I was hanging out with some friends who had a car.

I've only used it for one trip though. So I'm not sure if it happened to be a good or bad day. I'm sure the locals on here would have better info.

I've experienced the same thing: easily able to get from Long Beach to downtown everyday for work. Then off to Hollywood or Universal Studios (I have yet to drive to Universal OR Staples- why would anyone put themselves through the hassle, if given a choice?). I have never had a bad experience on ANY MTA train and I have taken them hundreds of times, so I'm missing something here. Contrary to what the Bus Riders Union claims, that the trains are the exclusive domain of well-off, white commuters, it is actually a pretty equal propostion, at least on the Blue Line.

Then you have posters saying that the trains are filthy, late, unreliable and that no one in their right mind would ever go anywhere near one.

Businessmen, single moms, bangers, workers, tourists all sharing a Blue Line train? Yep, life in the big city.