Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
For Santa Monica or Venice, catch the free Shuttle C bus to the
LAX Transit Center
(
hour). The center is the hub for buses serving all of LA. If you're headed for Culver City,
catch Culver City bus 6 ($1, 20 minutes). For Manhattan or Hermosa Beach, hop aboard
Beach Cities Transit 109 ($1), which also stops at Lot G. For Redondo Beach head to Lot
C and hop aboard the Metro Local 232 ($1.50).
BICYCLE
Most buses have bike racks, and bikes ride for free, although you must securely load and
unload them yourself. Bicycles are also allowed on Metro Rail trains except during rush
hour (6:30am to 8:30am and 4:30pm to 6:30pm Monday to Friday).
CAR & MOTORCYCLE
Unless time is no factor - or money is extremely tight - you're going to want to spend
some time behind the wheel, although this means contending with some of the worst
traffic in the country. Avoid crossing town at rush hour (7am to 9am and 3:30pm to 7pm).
Parking at motels and cheaper hotels is usually free, while fancier ones charge anywhere
from $8 to $40 for the privilege. Valet parking at nicer restaurants and hotels is common-
place with rates ranging from $5 to $10.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Most public transportation is handled by
Metro
(
323-466-3876;
www.metro.net
)
, which of-
fers trip-planning help through its website.
The regular base fare is $1.75 per boarding or $7 for a day pass with unlimited rides.
Weekly passes are $25 and valid from Sunday to Saturday. Monthly passes are $100 and
valid for 30 days.
Single tickets and day passes are available from bus drivers and vending machines at
each train station. Weekly and monthly passes must be bought at one of 650 locations
around town.
Metro operates about 200 bus lines, most of them local routes stopping every few
blocks. Metro Rapid buses stop less frequently.
Metro Rail
is a network of six light-rail lines and two subway lines, with five of them
converging in downtown. The Expo Line linking Exposition Park and downtown LA with
Culver City is expected to reach Santa Monica by 2015.
