Need Help Getting Around California. Transportation Ideas? (Los Angeles, Orange: to rent, credit card)

[MOPS]

Hey All,
So this is only my second post on these forums so I am quite new here. I am 17 years old and will be traveling to California alone this summer in July.

I will be at Biola University for a conference, but after the conference I plan on taking a holiday for a couple days at either Six Flags Magic Mountain or Ventura, CA, maybe both if possible. So my first question is should I land in LAX Airport, or John Wayne in Orange County? On a map it tells me that John Wayne is closer to Biola but LAX is closer to SFMM and Ventura. So I was thinking to arrive at John Wayne and depart from LAX, but is that the best way? I have only been to California once, and used John Wayne but I was only in orange county area. So what do you think? Arrive in John Wayne, and Depart LAX or only use on of them?

The most difficult part and pretty much the reason why I am asking this question is I don't have a car, and nor do I have any drivers license. Yes I know this will make like a million times harder, but its the truth. I am also on a budget of course, and want to spend as little money as possible on transportation and lodging. So what is the best and most reasonable way to get from John Wayne Airport to Biola University? Is there public transportation? How long would that take me?

Then Is there public transportation between Biola University and SFMM and Ventura? I need a reasonable way to get there, but of course I don't want to spend unnecessary time traveling either. I am afraid I might have to suck it up and pay for a taxi, but hopefully there are cheaper ways. Any busses? I hope to go to both Six Flags and Ventura, although I probably won't have the time or money for both depending on my options, but is it easy to travel between SFMM and Ventura without a car. What is public transportation like in that area? Busses, Trains, Subways?

I also would need to know about transportation from either or both SFMM, and Ventura back down to LAX or John Wayne if that would be better airport for any reason.

I also want to know what is lodging like around the Six Flags Area and in Ventura? Are typical chain hotels like Days Inn, Holiday Inn, etc reasonable prices, or are those areas more expensive? Any reasonable options you are aware of?

I know this might be a lot, but I really need help, and any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

[humboldtrat]

Since you're 17 and don't have a drivers license, you'll find it hard to get a motel.

[saibot]

I can't help with transportation as I've never attempted long bus/train trips around town, but it's well known that public transit in the Orange County/LA area is not the best.

And maybe I'm wrong about this, but wouldn't arriving at John Wayne and leaving from LAX be more expensive, as it's two one-way trips instead of one round trip? Is there something special you want to see in Ventura? It's 2.5 hours by car from La Mirada, and I can only imagine that if you tried to do that on public transit--if such even exists--it would be a trip of pure torture.

Also, maybe it would be wiser to go in & out of John Wayne and find something that interests you in Orange County, instead of trying to go all the way out to the other side of LA. How about Knotts Berry Farm? It's in Buena Park, very close to La Mirada/Biola, and has some good roller coasters, though not quite as extreme as Six Flags. The beaches in OC are very good too.

Another recommendation, if you're set on Six Flags, is to make it a day trip. You don't need to spend two days there. It's really hot there in July, and one day at the park is enough for any reasonable person. That will save trying to find cheap accommodation in the area.

One more thought: if a lot of young students will be attending this conference, why not contact the coordinator of the event to find out if any activities are planned or could be planned for them. Maybe they could even connect you with other students who live in the area (and would have cars), who would like to go out to Six Flags or whatnot with a small group.

Another edit: You can look at Google Maps to see what bus routes are available. It's possible to take a bus from John Wayne to Biola, but it is not easy--takes 3-5 hours and involves multiple changes. No bus routes show up for Biola > Six Flags or Biola > Ventura. It's just too far and people here don't do that.

[MOPS]

Originally Posted by humboldtrat

Since you're 17 and don't have a drivers license, you'll find it hard to get a motel.

How come? Are you talking about a form of ID? I'd just use my passport.

[RosieSD]

Originally Posted by saibot

One more thought: if a lot of young students will be attending this conference, why not contact the coordinator of the event to find out if any activities are planned or could be planned for them. Maybe they could even connect you with other students who live in the area (and would have cars), who would like to go out to Six Flags or whatnot with a small group.

Yes! This is a good idea. As is the suggestion to investigate things to do closer to Biola. They may let you stay in the dorm for a few extra days (if you pay for it, of course).

Also, Biola has a webpage for students that links to all public transportation options from campus.

So, I'd start there:

https://studenthub.biola.edu/public_transportation

Their visitors page also gives the name of a shuttle from LAX to campus that gives discounts to students visiting Biola, but I'd check with the program you are attending first as they may very well have their own transportation arranged to and from one of the airports.

But, here's the link to the page on Biola's website that explains the airports ---

https://www.biola.edu/about/location/maps

Note the difference in mileage between LAX and John Wayne to Biola's campus is a difference of THREE miles. So, I would go with the airport where you can get the lowest price on airfare.

Finally, if Magic Mountain is your goal, then they also have directions for taking public transportation from various areas to the park on their website here:

https://www.sixflags.com/magicmounta...sit/directions

As someone mentioned, it may be difficult to rent a hotel room as a 17 year old, even if you have a credit card. So, before proceding with your plan, you might want to call a few hotels and ask about that part of your plan.

[nightlysparrow]

If you want to go to Ventura, check Metrolink. Metrolink trains go all over Los Angeles.

[RosieSD]

Originally Posted by MOPS

How come? Are you talking about a form of ID? I'd just use my passport.

Hotel policies often prohibit minors from checking in without an adult. Even if you have a passport and credit card.

The tricky part is you'll be able to make reservations online, but when you get there, and they look at your passport and see your age, they may turn you away.

So, you will want to verify ahead of time that there won't be a problem when you go to check in. If you go to the Six Flags site, they have a list of hotels near the park. Get that and call a few to double check.

When my daughter was your age, and wanted to visit colleges by herself, I *sometimes* could call hotels as her parent, explain the situation, and arrange payment over the phone. So, you may want to get your parents to call the hotels for you and give that a try. No guarantees, but it might help if you are having trouble finding a hotel near Six Flags that will let you check in as a minor without an adult.

[MOPS]

Originally Posted by saibot

I can't help with transportation as I've never attempted long bus/train trips around town, but it's well known that public transit in the Orange County/LA area is not the best.

And maybe I'm wrong about this, but wouldn't arriving at John Wayne and leaving from LAX be more expensive, as it's two one-way trips instead of one round trip? Is there something special you want to see in Ventura? It's 2.5 hours by car from La Mirada, and I can only imagine that if you tried to do that on public transit--if such even exists--it would be a trip of pure torture.

Also, maybe it would be wiser to go in & out of John Wayne and find something that interests you in Orange County, instead of trying to go all the way out to the other side of LA. How about Knotts Berry Farm? It's in Buena Park, very close to La Mirada/Biola, and has some good roller coasters, though not quite as extreme as Six Flags. The beaches in OC are very good too.

Another recommendation, if you're set on Six Flags, is to make it a day trip. You don't need to spend two days there. It's really hot there in July, and one day at the park is enough for any reasonable person. That will save trying to find cheap accommodation in the area.

One more thought: if a lot of young students will be attending this conference, why not contact the coordinator of the event to find out if any activities are planned or could be planned for them. Maybe they could even connect you with other students who live in the area (and would have cars), who would like to go out to Six Flags or whatnot with a small group.

Another edit: You can look at Google Maps to see what bus routes are available. It's possible to take a bus from John Wayne to Biola, but it is not easy--takes 3-5 hours and involves multiple changes. No bus routes show up for Biola > Six Flags or Biola > Ventura. It's just too far and people here don't do that.

Well using both John Wayne and LAX might be a little more expensive but not much because I'd just book multiple destinations on a say expedia or orbitz for example and it would narrow down the price. Maybe like $50-100 extra maximum. I am not too worried about that anyway because I will be flying from JFK Airport which is a major airport in the country, so airfares shouldn't be too much of a problem.

I actually have contacted the coordinator of the conference, and we will actually be going to Knotts Berry Farm one day. I am sure it will be fun, and we will spend another day at the beach. However I guess I could ask if the coordinator had any recommendations with ways to go to SFMM after or if she could connect me with other teens in town that would like to go.

However Six Flags has MUCH MUCH MUCH more intense roller coasters. Its not even comparable. Thats why I really want to go. Its the thrill capital of the whole country, LOL. Anyway its always a place I wanted to visit and I might not have another chance in a LOOOONNNG time to even go to California. I only planned on spending one full day there, but I meant the extra day if I was going to both Six Flags and Ventura. Also I probably will still need a overnight place regardless so I can catch my flight back home the next day.

Unfortunately yes there is a very special reason why I want to go to Ventura. Its not about beaches or anything like that. What it is is that I have some very very close friends that I consider my favorite people in the whole world that live there, and I very rarely get to see them. Again it might be many years before I get another chance to go to California, so I'd like to take advantage and see my close friends there.

As I said before I will probably have to choose either Six Flags or Ventura, but I am hoping I can work something out in order to do both. If I end up only choosing one, I am not sure which one I plan on doing. I'll make a final decision after I explore transportation options and all circumstances.

[saibot]

Can't your friends in Ventura come out to see you? Knowing that you don't have a car or any reasonable way to get over to see them?

[MOPS]

Originally Posted by RosieSD

Yes! This is a good idea. As is the suggestion to investigate things to do closer to Biola. They may let you stay in the dorm for a few extra days (if you pay for it, of course).

Also, Biola has a webpage for students that links to all public transportation options from campus.

So, I'd start there:

https://studenthub.biola.edu/public_transportation

Their visitors page also gives the name of a shuttle from LAX to campus that gives discounts to students visiting Biola, but I'd check with the program you are attending first as they may very well have their own transportation arranged to and from one of the airports.

But, here's the link to the page on Biola's website that explains the airports ---

https://www.biola.edu/about/location/maps

Note the difference in mileage between LAX and John Wayne to Biola's campus is a difference of THREE miles. So, I would go with the airport where you can get the lowest price on airfare.

Finally, if Magic Mountain is your goal, then they also have directions for taking public transportation from various areas to the park on their website here:

https://www.sixflags.com/magicmounta...sit/directions

As someone mentioned, it may be difficult to rent a hotel room as a 17 year old, even if you have a credit card. So, before proceding with your plan, you might want to call a few hotels and ask about that part of your plan.

Thanks, I will definitely look into Biola's website. No the conference doesn't have arranged transportation. They were very clear about that which is one of the reasons I asked here actually.

I'll definitely look into all those websites, thanks.