It’s a commonly held myth that you need a car to explore L.A but the reality is you don’t! Although renting a car can make life a little easier, the Metro and bus system in Los Angeles is a great way to navigate the city without ever having to get behind the wheel. We take a look at some of the must-see sights that you can get to from the Los Angeles metro…
Universal Studios Hollywood
You can visit the world-famous Universal Studios Hollywood on the L.A Metro if you get off at the stop called - you guessed it – Universal City/Studio City! You’ll find the stop easy to locate on the Red Line. Universal Studios Hollywood has always been a firm favourite with visitors to Los Angeles and now that they have opened a brand new all-immersive land devoted to Harry Potter, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, it promises to rival anything you’ll find in Orlando!
Universal CityWalk
Also at the Universal City/Studio City stop is the exciting Universal CityWalk, where you can find loads of amazing places to eat and drink right next to the park. Casual dining restaurants include Samba Brazilian Steakhouse and Lounge, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. and the iconic Hard Rock Café Hollywood. Alternatively, you can grab a Ben and Jerry’s, Starbuck Coffee or Cinnabon if you just want a light snack. It’s also a great place to head out to in the evening for a drink – try Howl at the Moon, where you can request songs from 2 incredible pianists who will sing and play anything you ask as you sip the iconic Hurricane cocktails!
Hollywood Walk of Fame
Hop on the Metro to Hollywood/Vine Station, just 2 stops along from Universal Studios Hollywood on the Red Line and you’ll find the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Spot Walk of Fame ‘Stars’ on the pavement for real-life stars like Britney Spears, Scarlett Johansson and Elton John as you stroll around the sunny streets of LA.
Madame Tussauds Hollywood
Los Angeles is the place to be if you want to spot celebrities but, if you don’t have any luck out in the real world, you can always hang out with the stars at Madame Tussauds. Get off at the Hollywood/Highland stop on the Red Line to visit the museum, where you can also see the Hollywood Bowl, TCL Chinese Theatre and the opposite end of the Walk of Fame.
Museum of Contemporary Art
If you love modern art, then L. A’s Museum of Contemporary Art is the perfect place to visit on your trip. Hop off the Metro at the Civic Center station on the Gold Line to explore MOCA’s current exhibitions and collections which include art from Hito Steyerl and Barbara Kasten.
LAX
One of the most convenient things about the LA Metro is that it connects directly to the airport, LAX via the Green Line. This is great news as it means even if you intend to hire a car for a later part of your trip, you can organise it later and don’t need to worry about picking it up at the airport.
Santa Monica Pier
One of the most iconic neighbourhoods in L.A., Santa Monica, is also accessible by Metro on the Blue Line. Rub shoulders with tourists and locals on the famous pier, where you’ll find plenty of places to drink, grab a bite to eat and also enjoy the amusement park. You can also check out the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium free if you purchase a GO LA Card. It’s a good idea to find out in advance if any festivals are taking place during your visit, as it’s worth timing your visit to coincide with them if you can: http://santamonicapier.org/fun/.
Beaches
There are plenty of opportunities to chill out in L.A, and none are better than a relaxing day spent at one of the amazing beaches in the south of the city. Long Beach and Redondo Beach are both accessible by the LA Metro, with Redondo on the Green Line and Long Beach on the Blue Line. Both areas boast more than just the beach, with plenty to do off the sand as well.
To take the L.A. Metro, you’ll need to purchase a TAP card for $1 which can then be topped up with a 1-day pass, 7-day pass and even a 30-day pass. A day pass costs $7 while a 7-day pass is $25. A 1-way trip is just $1.75.
Make further savings on your Los Angeles holiday by buying a GO LA Card in advance and save up to 55% on retail prices of attractions including Universal Studios Hollywood, Madame Tussauds, LEGOLAND California and many more!
Liked this post? You may also like…
