Los Angeles Public Transportation

Where is LA transit headed?

So how good is public transit in Los Angeles? Unfortunately, not as good as it was. At the turn of the century, Los Angeles had one of the most advanced and dedicated transit works not only in the nation, but in the world. Main rail lines came in and out of downtown from all compass directions, and trolley tracks branched out into all the neighborhoods.

Government subsidization of auto and rubber industries

Unfortunately, as a result of the auto industry and the rubber industry's (tires) advancements, and government subsidization of these industries, the rail industry was set back so far it couldn't recover. Roads were paved, rail tracks taken down, and the American consumer was made to rely on the car, and the pump. As a result, consumers were set to grow up in a dispersed infrastructure, with commuters locked behind four glass walls, out of contact with each other and the rest of the world.

Lack of public transportation insulates you from your neighbors

Sound harsh? Ask yourself how well you know your neighbors - the people on your street. Unlike European communities where it's tradition to go around and introduce yourself to all your neighbors, in Los Angeles people build tall fences and keep to themselves. This lifestyle could be a projection of people's daily commuting lives - spending hours behind tinted car windows instead of being amongst people on trains and trolleys, talking and interacting on their way to and from work and their daily activities.

Where is public transportation in Los Angeles headed?

Will public transportation in Los Angeles ever make a comeback? It certainly is trying to - with all the Metro lines being put in over the past decade, rail is making somewhat of a comeback. Unfortunately, the system is not profitable, and the average commuter already owns to cars. So the system is not replacing the auto, as the auto replaced the train over the past century. Instead, a radical shift in infrastructure will need to take place, replacing paved roads with rail once again. That day may never come - as we see visions of flying electric cars being more probable than the return of public transportation to Los Angeles in full force.

The Los Angeles bus network

The bus network, meanwhile, being able to use the paved roads built for the automobiles, is farther reaching than Los Angeles' rail network. However, it is not profitable either, and until recent improvements was unreliable, much slower than a car, and somewhat run down and dirty. Let's hope the improvements in the last couple years will continue, and the revival efforts of downtown Los Angeles will coincide with a renewal of transit infrastructure.

Los Angeles Metro System Resources

Train and Bus Timetables

The Los Angeles Metro System offers nearly 200 bus and rail lines to take you to your destination. Please visit MTA Timetables for detailed train and bus timetables for major stops along all Los Angeles routes.

Los Angeles Bus Map

Visit Metro Bus Maps for a map of bus lines in Los Angeles County.

Los Angeles Rail Map

Visit Metro Rail Maps for maps of rail lines (Metro Blue, Green, Red, and Gold lines) in Los Angeles County.

Carriers Outside Los Angeles

Visit Other Carriers for a list of other carriers providing public transit services in California.

Must See Places to Visit in Los Angeles CA That You Can Get to By Public Transportation - Update Published February 2, 2012

The city of Los Angeles (or the City of Angels) is the largest city in the State of California. Vast ranges of mountains, deep valleys, desert lands, forests, and the great Pacific Ocean surround Los Angeles CA. The city is famous for being the center of the world’s entertainment industry, forming the basis of its global status. The city is diverse, with nearly half of the population being born outside the USA.

While here, you will enjoy the temperate climate that the city enjoys for most of the year. In fact, you can easily spend a day at the beach in the middle of January and still get a healthy tan.

You Have Got to See Universal Studios Hollywood

When a place has its own convenient subway stop in Los Angeles CA, this is a huge deal. Universal Studios is colossal, and it features activities that will entertain your entire family throughout the duration of your stay.

To have the best experience, you should put a day aside and take a complete tour here, especially if you have your kids with you. This attraction has grown quickly since it opened to the public in 1915, after its owner, Carl Laemmle, began to charge visitors 25 cents to watch while filmmakers shot movies here. The theme park came about decades later in 1964, when the popular tram ride was unveiled. Since then, the tram ride has drawn over 80 million visitors, which makes it the major highlight of the park.

You can find the most thrilling theme park rides and shows here, as well as a real working movie studio that will captivate you. If you are a film buff, you will finally get to explore where Hollywood executives make movies, so be prepared to have a great time. Your kids will be talking about this attraction for a long time after they leave.

While you are there, you can experience the Special Effects Stage. Here, you will learn many of the secrets behind some of the biggest American blockbuster movies. You can also find some fun rides here, with roller coaster rides such as the Revenge of the Mummy Thrill Coaster, a ride that will get your heart racing by the end. You also get the chance to ride the Virtual Simpsons Roller Coaster and enjoy the animated world in the real world. At City Walk, you can enjoy a combination of attractions, including restaurants and shopping.

One of Universal Studio Hollywood’s signature attractions has to be King Kong 360 3D. Get on this ride and be transported back to King Kong’s home, where you will experience the action that takes place before the famous ape makes his way into the modern world. You can also witness the ferocious battle that takes place between King Kong and a large 35-foot dinosaur. As a guest, you can also check out the new shooting locations that filmmakers use to meet the film production needs of today. Steven Spielberg was a consultant throughout the building of these sets. They replaced the world’s largest working movie studio lot after it experienced fire damage.

Other rides that can make your visit memorable include the Simpsons Ride and Shrek 4D. When you board one of the 24 motion simulation vehicles, it will whip you through a thrilling 6-minute ride through Springfield where you will meet characters from the show as you escape the evil plans of revenge that Sideshow Bob has in store for you and Bart.

Park designers utilized some of the latest technology in the creation of Universal Studios, including video projection systems that have four times the resolution that HDTVs offer.

The Shrek 4D ride uses a 3D filming technique known as Ogrevision, and when you ride this particular ride, you are actually be able to experience the action.

If you enjoyed the movie, Revenge of the Mummy, then you will definitely want a taste of the frightening experience offered by the ride of the same name. The ride will hurl you along twisting turns, while 18,000 watts of sound blares around you as you go through the Imhotep tomb. The ride uses psychological tricks to tap into your fear of the dark, insects, evil spirits and speed. There are many reasons that you will not forget this ride. There is also a Jurassic Park ride where dinosaurs come to life. When you experience this ride, you are able to get a feel of what it might have been like to be prey for a prehistoric creature.

If you have always dreamed of being a part of a cyber war, then the Terminator 2 ride has awesome special effects that can throw you right into the action.

If your family seeks harmless fun, and you guys do not like to be frightened, then you should check out The Adventures of Curious George ride. Any sunny Los Angeles California day is ideal for this fun activity. All you might need is a change of clothes, since you will probably get wet. The play area features 500 gallons of water.

You can also battle friends with water guns and foam balls as you enjoy a warm afternoon with your family. If you are planning a day here, you should make a point to get there early so you do not lose a lot of time at the gate. You should also take the Studio Tour first in order to beat the crowds. After that, you can later work your way through the rest of the park.

The simplest way to get to Universal Studios Hollywood by metro is to take the Red Line to the Universal City stop. Here, you will cross the street to get to the free shuttle that will take you to the main entrance of Universal Studios Hollywood. It is also advisable to have a map of the park. You can use that map to decide which attractions that you want to see. If you want to view the live shows as well, you will need to plan your route around their set schedules.

Disneyland

Many people visit Disneyland Park and Disney’s California Adventure Park with their families every single time they visit LA. Downtown Disney, which is situated between these two parks, is where you will get to eat, shop and dine as you get to experience the best family fun Los Angeles has to offer.

A Los Angeles CA staple, Disneyland Park is the original Walt Disney theme park. Attractions such as Dumbo the Flying Elephant are a favorite with both modern kids and older generations. You will feel a lighthearted thrill as Dumbo begins his flight, and you get to control the aerial adventure using a joystick. You can lift up towards the clouds and navigate throughout the open sky simulation. While it may be difficult to take photos, you will find a replica of the Dumbo gondola that you can use for the ideal snapshot backdrop.

If you consider yourself a scalawag, the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, will enchant you by transporting you back to the days when pirates ruled the high seas. At nighttime, you will float past the Blue Bayou Restaurant as fireflies light the way for you, as you sail deeper into the caverns. You may even catch sight of Captain Jack Sparrow as he drunkenly dodges those pursuing him.

The Haunted Mansion ride is another incredible attraction that both adults and children will enjoy. However, if you or the kids are afraid of the dark or scare easily, then you may want to think twice about this ride. You do not want it to be more frightful than it is delightful.

For those of you who enjoy exploring the ocean, the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage will suit you well. You will love this submarine voyage. Sit at one of the portholes and gaze at the underwater curiosities as your submarine dives beneath the water’s surface. You will also get to watch deep-sea divers in their search for exotic fish. You will have to hang on as the submarine dives further into the deep to avoid a coming sea storm, and then follow Marling as he searches for his son while going through a myriad of aquatic wonders.

You could also opt to take in the show on the shore, where familiar seagulls are perched on the buoy. Another alternative is the Observation Outpost at the end of the dock where you get to see the high-definition video version of the voyage through the onboard sub cam, particularly meant for those who want to avoid enclosed spaces or underwater trips, and would rather not get into the submarine.

The Disney California Adventure Park is another theme park that covers 55 acres and neighbors Disneyland Park. Here, you get to enjoy five themed areas including Sunshine Plaza, Paradise Pier, Hollywood Backlot Pictures, Bugs Land and Golden State. You also get to ride the California Screamin’ roller coaster, and then fly over some of the biggest sites you will find in Los Angeles CA during your adventure.

Toy Story Mania is great for the kids. They can aim at targets using the Spring-Action Shooter. A ride in a swiveling carnival car will take them through the portal to the world of toys. At Practice Games, the kids will prepare for the actual competition, and then they will move onto Ham and Eggs where they will be blasting at barnyard targets using eggs.

Rex and Trixie’s Dino Darts will have the kids throwing darts at targets in the primeval world that is full of lava balloons and volcanoes. Green Army Men Shoot Camp is where you use virtual baseballs to break plates; and Buzz Light Year’s Flying Tossers is where kids can toss rings at the heads of little green aliens. Woody’s Rootin’ Tootin’ Shootin’ Gallery makes the shooting a little more challenging, as players are able to shoot at bull’s-eyes that pop up as they go along.

If you are up for some thrills, the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror will give you the adrenaline rush you are looking for. As you go through the attraction, there will be props from episodes of the original version of the Twilight Zone television series. You should probably leave any loose belongings behind or pack them in a secure bag that you can easily keep close to you if you are planning to ride this ride.

You should probably know that Disneyland is some distance from Downtown Los Angeles CA, and is actually located in Anaheim. To get to Disneyland, you just have to take the express bus from downtown Los Angeles CA that will get you to Disneyland. The bus leaves every 30 minutes for most of the day, and the ride there will take you about 1 ½ hours to get there. You could also take the MTA number 460 that will get you there in one hour, and then switch to the OCTA number 43, though this will cost you more.

The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Garden

The Los Angeles Zoo has been around since 1966. It is a popular must-see attraction, and one of the best sights that Los Angeles California offers. This zoo is home to over 1100 mammals and species numbering 250. It is the only place in LA where you can see this many types of animals in one exhibit.

The botanical garden is also quite extensive, and there are over 800 plant species and 7,400 individual plants. There is also the camp gorilla reserve along with sea life cliffs. These sites are both fun and educational. You can also be sure that the entire family will have a great time while they are here, with various activities that will appeal to every member. Attracting 1.3 million visitors every year, the zoo also has shows that your entire family will enjoy.

One way that you can really enjoy the zoo is to visit at night with your favorite social group for an all-night indoor experience. During your experience, you can tour the zoo after dark and enjoy a pizza. You guys can also participate in hands-on animal activities, and enjoy a continental breakfast in the morning while you interact with some of the Zoo’s ambassadors.

You could also choose a more adventuresome option and have a Creature Camp Out. The excursion will begin with a special tour of the hundreds of animals that call the zoo home and then end up at the base camp, where your tent will be waiting. You camp out overnight, and then in the morning you can take part in activities such as a guided walk and a special animal encounter after you have enjoyed your complimentary continental breakfast. Everyone gets a souvenir Creature Camp Out t-shirt to remind them of their visit.

The Tom Mankiewicz Conservation Carousel is an amazing addition to the zoo experience that appeals to visitors of all ages. You will see wooden features that artists carved and painted by hand, to represent the animals that live at the Zoo. If you appreciate art and nature, then you should enjoy the exquisite painted artwork that represents the flora and fauna that you will find in California. The World of Birds show is an excellent show that allows you to see the Californian birds of prey as well as other rare exotic birds in close up view and performance.

At Muriel’s Ranch, you can touch the goats and sheep and other friendly animals in this animal contact area of the zoo. You can also groom the animals with brushes and treat them like your pet. This environment provides a great opportunity for your kids to experience live animals and share that fun experience with their friends and classmates who might have only seen these animals on TV or in books.

The California Condor Rescue Zone is a fun play space that is great fun for children 6 years old or older. Here, the kids get to discover what it takes to protect the condors of California, as well as the role that the zoo plays in saving this species.

Neil Papiano's Play Park is located in the upper zoo beside the perimeter road, and consists of climbing structures with animal themes and large play gyms that the kids will enjoy. There is also a toddler area for those under five, and a large picnic area where the whole family can have some food and fun as you take in the picturesque, grass landscape and water misters. The play park has a special design that is accessible to all children who are visiting the zoo, including those with medical or physical challenges, so that nobody misses the fun.

The Camp Gorilla Reserve is a definite highlight in this zoo. You get to see these creatures in a very cozy habitat, as you learn more about their lifestyle. The reserve resembles the gorillas’ native environment in West Central Africa, and is complete with brush, trees, and flowers, gorilla climbing opportunities and shady retreats, so that the creatures will always feel at home. The Reserve covers a three-quarter acre area and completes the Great Ape Forest of the zoo.

While most visitors to the zoo will focus on the animals, you should make sure you take some time and appreciate the botanical bounty surrounding the animal residents. You will find the zoo at the northeast corner of Griffith Park. If you are trying to get there by bus, take the Metro number 96 bus to get to the zoo. The zoo is open every day of the year except Christmas, and regular hours are from 10 am to 5 pm. Even if you are only going to LA to visit family, if you are going to Los Angeles, you should always take the time to try to visit something worth remembering.