Visiting LA? Where to go? What to do? Ask here

[BigKing]

Haha! Yeah I've lived in two different places in the past 4 years while working in Downtown LA so I know how to get around without a car pretty well. I actually carpool to work now but that might change when they change the carpool lanes on the 110 to toll lanes. Did everyone hear about that? The 10 and 110 carpool lanes are now going to be like the 91 fasttrack lanes and you are going to have to pay quite a bit to use them.

EDIT: Mods, when the thread has run its course, maybe merge it with the Visiting LA thread in case somebody asks again at a later date? I think there might even be some info in there that I've posted before.

First off, thanks for the details on leaving from Long Beach. I owe you a drink down here sometime. I'm on Pomona/Division so I'm sure we are close.

I usually take the 105 to the 110 since I pick my buddy up in Lakewood but we took the 405 to the 110 since we ll left from HB last Thursday. Noticed the toll road signs being put up and simply could not believe it. I have one that my work pays for since I work in both South OC and the IE, but I'm not so sure how they are going to react to at least 45 charges hitting the account at non-work hours.

 

[Buddy The Elf]

First off, thanks for the details on leaving from Long Beach. I owe you a drink down here sometime. I'm on Pomona/Division so I'm sure we are close.

I usually take the 105 to the 110 since I pick my buddy up in Lakewood but we took the 405 to the 110 since we ll left from HB last Thursday. Noticed the toll road signs being put up and simply could not believe it. I have one that my work pays for since I work in both South OC and the IE, but I'm not so sure how they are going to react to at least 45 charges hitting the account at non-work hours.

No worries man.. Yeah I'm on 3rd and Redondo. I used to live over by second street but I found a sweet deal on the place I have now. If you play roller hockey, there is a rink at bayshore park on bayshore and ocean. They have pick up at 10am Saturdays until the league starts in June.

 

[Ron*]

We're taking the Metro from Fullerton, it leaves at 9:45 and takes about an hour. My buddy has it all figured out if you want to meet us there.

EDIT: Seeing as your screen name is Maynard (tool?) and you have a picture of a drum kit I think you'd have fun rolling with us.

Where does the 9:45 from Fullerton end up? How close to Staples?

 

[The Butcher]

Where does the 9:45 from Fullerton end up? How close to Staples?

It ends up at union station and then we will take a subway to Staples. Supposedly the Metro has only one or two stops, then it's directly to Staples center. The whole deal should take about 1 hour.

Join us!

 

[dabeechman]

I live in Northridge. I'm taking the 101 South, exit Lankershim, park at the Universal Metro station and take the Red Line to 7th Street/Metro Center, walk approx. .5 miles to Staples. Total Roundtrip Cost: $3.00

From Chatsworth, it doesn't look like Metrolink runs on the weekends. You can either drive to the Orange line (bus) station at Warner Center and take the Orange line to the North Hollywood redline station and get on the red line there (exit 7th/metro, follow my instructions on my prior post from there). Or you can go directly to the Red Line station at North Hollywood. It looks like both have parking. Look at the links below for the locations. The orange line runs about every 15-20 mins and red line every 12 mins. It should take you about 45 mins on the Orange line and 25 mins on the red line.

Orange line time table and map:

http://www.metro.net/riding_metro/bus_overview/images/901.pdf

Red line time table and map:

http://www.metro.net/riding_metro/bus_overview/images/802.pdf


It looks like for the Orange line, you buy your ticket at the station. I think you can buy a tap card from the vending machines and get a day pass which would cover you for the red line. Otherwise, you'll need to buy a ticket for the Orange line and the Red line individually.

Thanks guys. REALLY appreciate it.

 

[Ron*]

It ends up at union station and then we will take a subway to Staples. Supposedly the Metro has only one or two stops, then it's directly to Staples center. The whole deal should take about 1 hour.

Join us!

I sent you a PM, I didn't realize its only one train...when I rode it a few years ago working in L.A., they had trains every 30 minutes or so.

I want to get there earlier, so I'm gonna wing it. I'm sure I can find parking at 7 a.m. I'm in section 334 row 13 if you want to say hi.

 

[ninjastache]

I am frequently on the MTA Bus system, along with any other bus systems in LA... I recommend to just avoid the MTA website all together and use Google maps for directions/instructions on which busses to take.. It gives you a few options, and you can visually see the routes that are being taken, before you commit to one.

I took the liberty to map it out from Santa Ana to Staples Center, and i got this
http://g.co/maps/tkg68

I recommend the 4th option (orange line to union station). Once there you can take either the Red line or Purple line, (subway), and get off on 7th and figueroa.. once there you can either walk south from 7th and figueroa to staples center (11th and figueroa) Seems a lot easier than waiting for the blue line.

Hope i was able to help, I also recommend seeing if there's an earlier route than that. just to make sure you're there on time, in case there's any hic-ups along the way.

 

[The Tikkanen]

The website truly is an awful piece of garbage. I tried to look at where I can go in OC to Union Station and the drag down menus don't work. So to clarify there is 2 trains from Fullerton-either 7 am or 945 am? No other options from Orange County? And when do we need to be back on the train to return?

 

[Butch 19]

The website truly is an awful piece of garbage. I tried to look at where I can go in OC to Union Station and the drag down menus don't work. So to clarify there is 2 trains from Fullerton-either 7 am or 945 am? No other options from Orange County? And when do we need to be back on the train to return?

The Metrolink website is usually prety good... oh well..

My handy dandy Metrolink (paper) schedule shows Metrolink train #661 leaving Fullerton at 9:54 AM. You cannot buy tix on the train - get there by 9:35 or so and get tix at vending machine (there is no ML ticket agent in Fullerton station - only an Amtrak agent). Train arrives at LAUS (Los Angeles Union Station) at 10:40.

See post #4 above for how to navigate from LAUS to Staples Center.

ML return to Oceanside leaves LAUS at 4:40 PM. So lots of time after the game. (well, hopefully no 3 OT and all)

I'm guessing Amtrak may have earlier return train towards San Diego, but they are more $$ thah ML. But to save some time it may be worth your while. (maybe try Amtrak schedule online or when you arrive at LAUS, see the Amtrak tix office for Sunday schedule).

Good Luck!

 

[The Tikkanen]

The Metrolink website is usually prety good... oh well..

My handy dandy Metrolink (paper) schedule shows Metrolink train #661 leaving Fullerton at 9:54 AM. You cannot buy tix on the train - get there by 9:35 or so and get tix at vending machine (there is no ML ticket agent in Fullerton station - only an Amtrak agent). Train arrives at LAUS (Los Angeles Union Station) at 10:40.

See post #4 above for how to navigate from LAUS to Staples Center.

ML return to Oceanside leaves LAUS at 4:40 PM. So lots of time after the game. (well, hopefully no 3 OT and all)

I'm guessing Amtrak may have earlier return train towards San Diego, but they are more $$ thah ML. But to save some time it may be worth your while. (maybe try Amtrak schedule online or when you arrive at LAUS, see the Amtrak tix office for Sunday schedule).

Good Luck!

I'm starting to realize why I don't use public transportation around here. I've used it in Chicago, Toronto and Barcelona and it was easier than this. OK Butch, you're confusing me. If I leave from Fullerton I need to return to Fullerton. Are you saying I have to go to Oceanside?

 

[Butch 19]

I'm starting to realize why I don't use public transportation around here. I've used it in Chicago, Toronto and Barcelona and it was easier than this. OK Butch, you're confusing me. If I leave from Fullerton I need to return to Fullerton. Are you saying I have to go to Oceanside?

No, no, no... The train's final destination is Oceanside (so when you see this on train or in station, you know it's the OC train), you get off at the Fullerton station.


(ML trains going to OC have different destinations)

 

[The Tikkanen]

No, no, no... The train's final destination is Oceanside (so when you see this on train or in station, you know it's the OC train), you get off at the Fullerton station.


(ML trains going to OC have different destinations)

Got it, thanks. I might try this from now on to King games if it's easy.

 

[lakings41]

Got it, thanks. I might try this from now on to King games if it's easy.

http://tickets.amtrak.com/itd/amtrak


I see different times. I'm leaving at 8:15 and arrive at 8:50 from Fullerton.

 

[Rorschach]

Buddy the Elf easily has my vote for Public Transportation Poster of the Year.

...and its not even close.

I heard from other teams fans on this board that he's just lucky. Since the put this on the Internet, it must be true.

 

[SLang]

Theres a trip planner on the Metrolink website that worked pretty well for me.

 

[Butch 19]

http://tickets.amtrak.com/itd/amtrak


I see different times. I'm leaving at 8:15 and arrive at 8:50 from Fullerton.

That's likely possible. Amtrak and Metrolink are totally different train systems.

But they share the same track / route.

Check pricing also. Amtrak is more $$ than ML (you can buy Amtrak tix on train, but it is more $ than buying tix at station)

Compare trains for schedule times for what works better for you.

 

[Cup 4 the Kings]

Also, ML has a special going right now. An unlimited weekend pass for $10! When you get to the station to buy tix, select "Special" for ticket type and it should give you the $10 option. Hope this helps you guys out!

 

[The Tikkanen]

Paid the extra money and used Amtrak (got a free Danish on the train), very easy, fast and convenient. Once we got to Union Station the majority of King fans we saw were also confused on which ticket to buy to use the Metro Link to take us to Staples. The system needs to be over hauled. I want the train that takes me closest to Staples Center should be an option! Then after we bought the $5 ticket we walked through the turn style where you apparently didn't even need a ticket cause nobody checked. Then coming back another issue-which slot do we go to to return to Fullerton. So we ask one of the workers and he says it's #11. We look at our ticket to see if it says #11 anywhere on there and it does not, I guess you're just supposed to know. Still, a good experience, I think I have it down now and I won't hesitate using it for future games or even Dodger games. The real problem was once we got to Staples Center the Kings and their Captain apparently were not prepared to play hockey.

 

[BigKing]

Metro worked great for my group; we will definitely use it next season for Saturday night games. Of course, one of my friends was late as usual so we had to scrap taking the bus and drove to downtown Long Beach. Took Ocean but was unaware of the gay pride parade going on so the street was blocked and we ran into traffic. Wound up getting the last train that could get us there before noon but then the game didn't start until 12:15 so it didn't matter.

My friends and I were a little perplexed as to why we bought tickets both times since nobody bothers checking but hey...we are doing our part!

 

[TonySCV]

I agree... the red line was a breeze. Parked in North Hollywood and zipped over to 7th St. Metro. You can connect to the blue line and go one stop to Pico, but on weekends trains run every 15 mins, and it only takes 15 minutes to walk from 7th St. to Staples, so we just did that. 50 minutes from the NoHo parking lot to the front door at Staples.

 

[Buddy The Elf]

Just FYI.. tickets for the Metro AND Metrolink (Metro and Metrolink are two different things) are done on the honor system. Believe me, you do not wan the embarrasment and fine that comes along with not paying your fare. The Metrolink does have a conductor who usually makes his way through the whole train during the course of the trip but that means when you get on halfway down the line, he may have already been through there. Then on random station stops for the Metro (Blue, Red, Purple, Gold etc), sherrif cops will be waiting at the exit and checking tickets. Sometimes they get on the train too.

As far as what train to take from Union Station, both the Red and Purple will stop at 7th/Metro. If you buy a Metrolink Ticket, you don't need to buy a ticket to get on the Red Line. if you ride the Amtrak, you do. As far as where to find what platform to stand on for your Amtrack/Metrolink train at Union, after riding for a while, you will get used to where they are located as they are usually on the same platform. There is a sign above each tunnel leading to the platform that lists the time and destination of that train. There is also a giant screen in the main lobby that shows all the train departures. That is just a heads up for the future.

 

[SLang]

Metrolink was awesome yesterday. I live in Huntington Beach but grew up/parents are in Pasadena. Needed them to watch our little girl so we went to Pasadena, dropped her off, parked in the structure at the Mission Rd. stop in South Pasadena, and took the Gold Line to Union Station. From there we went down to the Red/Purple line - there was a train sitting there waiting. Hopped on and 5 minutes later were leaving the 7th Street station for the 4 block walk to Staples.

We went early, like 9:30, so I was concerned about the return trip, since I knew everyone would be leaving Staples at once. My fears were unneeded, though. Coming back, there was a train just waiting at 7th Street, hopped on, back to Union, Gold Line train just waiting to Pasadena, and back in the car. Whole trip took about 35 minutes.

Props to Metrolink.

 

[Butch 19]

Metrolink was awesome yesterday. I live in Huntington Beach but grew up/parents are in Pasadena. Needed them to watch our little girl so we went to Pasadena, dropped her off, parked in the structure at the Mission Rd. stop in South Pasadena, and took the Gold Line to Union Station. From there we went down to the Red/Purple line - there was a train sitting there waiting. Hopped on and 5 minutes later were leaving the 7th Street station for the 4 block walk to Staples.

We went early, like 9:30, so I was concerned about the return trip, since I knew everyone would be leaving Staples at once. My fears were unneeded, though. Coming back, there was a train just waiting at 7th Street, hopped on, back to Union, Gold Line train just waiting to Pasadena, and back in the car. Whole trip took about 35 minutes.

Props to Metrolink.

If you were in South Pas, you were on the Metro Gold Line (the light rail train and bus system that serves LA county).

Metrolink is the regional train that several several countys (Ventura, San Bernadino, Orange, Riverside, even San Diego [Oceanside]) - and most terminus stations are 40+/- miles from Los Angeles Union Station.


It sounds confusing because it is... One of the organizations should have picked a different name.

 

[SLang]

If you were in South Pas, you were on the Metro Gold Line (the light rail train and bus system that serves LA county).

Metrolink is the regional train that several several countys (Ventura, San Bernadino, Orange, Riverside, even San Diego [Oceanside]) - and most terminus stations are 40+/- miles from Los Angeles Union Station.


It sounds confusing because it is... One of the organizations should have picked a different name.

LOL, I thought they were all the same myself. Whatever though, worked great!

Maybe I shoulda just said "props to my tax dollars".

 

[Abooch68]

Potential Ranger fan coming in for game 6 if both teams make it to the dance. Anybody wanna give me a place to stay? haha