Beat the Los Angeles Traffic
There’s nothing worse than sitting in a car for hours on end trying to get to your destination. Travelers find this happening in Los Angeles more than anywhere else. The busy freeways can make for an exhausting, stress-filled commute. Here are some ideas to see things without sitting in the bumper to bumper madness.
Flyaway buses are becoming the way to get around the area. For just $8, these buses connect Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) with Downtown Los Angeles ( about 35 minutes travel time) Santa Monica (about 40 minutes) and Hollywood (1 to 1-1/2 hours). These buses leave from the arrival level of each terminal. Look for the green signs. You can get tickets online or on board the bus, and they do accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express!
For public transportation, check out Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority, or Metro, for only $1.75 fare or $7 for unlimited day passes. $25 will get you a weekly pass. In Santa Monica the Big Blue Bus company will get you around for only $1.
Flyaway shuttle buses let you off at Union Station. This is Los Angeles’s main rail terminal, and was built in 1939. The architecture is worth a look, and you can get quick access to hotels from here.
In Hollywood the Flyaway bus ends near the Metro Red Line Subway stop at Hollywood & Vine. You can also depart at the intersection of Hollywood Blvd and Highland Ave, for super quick access to the Chinese Theatre, Dolby Theatre, and the Hollywood Museum.
A couple miles away is West Hollywood, or WeHo as they call it. It is an awesome walking area during the day and you can find sizzling nightlife in the evening. Check out the Sunset Strip, Santa Monica Blvd, or just do some window shopping at some designer boutiques.
You can rent bikes or take a cycling tour of Hollywood and Beverly Hills, go celebrity hunting on a stars’ homes tour, or go all out on the 32-mile “LA in a Day” tour that will take you from West Hollywood to the ocean.
Head to the beaches of Santa Monica and Venice on the Flyaway Bus…it will take you to the Civic Center area, with plenty of things within walking distance. Check out the ocean, hop on some rides at Santa Monica Pier’s amusement park, or just get in some people watching.
The Big Blue Bus will get you to Bergamot Station where art lovers can check out an array of galleries.
Venice is another place for outdoor fun, relaxing on the beach and people watching. Jim Morrison once called this his home, and for good reason. There is plenty to see and do, and you can get here easily from Santa Monica by taking the Metro bus 733 down Ocean Ave and Main Street, or you can take a relaxing and energizing walk on the beach for about a half-hour and you will be there.
Within a few years, the Expo Line will be fully completed and travelers can go from Downtown LA to Santa Monica station in about 45 minutes.