How efficient is the L.A. Public Transit System, (Bus & Transit?)?

Question

In mid-April I'll be visiting Los Angeles and wish to avoid highway gridlock if possible. Can one travel from Hollywood to Long Beach, Orange and Ocean Park/Santa Monica by public transit? Any suggestions? Thanks.

Answer 1

well the LA area is a big large to say the least this makes

it harder for transit but its doable

you can get to most everywhere by transit it may take longer then driving there direct of course

you can also get a day pass for $5.00 (or if you plan to stay

a week you can also get a weekly pass for 17.00

(other passes are available as well)

I will suggest some routes you can take as per your question

from Hollywood (assume you will be at Hollywood/Vine

go to the metro station (I suggest a day pas for $5.00)

here you get your day pas s from the ticket vending machine

then board the red line for downtown Los Angeles

take the red line to 7th/Metro station, then go upstairs

and take the blue line to Long beach

(just reserves that on the way back)

okay for Santa Monica, you can board a Metro 780 or 217

(again get  a day pass take the 217 or 780 to

Venice Blvd, then board a Line 333 or 33 (make sure the bus is going to Santa Monica (some 33/333 do not operate all the way) the 33 will take via Venice and main street into Ocean park and Santa Monica

okay now for the city of Orange (which I assume thats what you meant

okay follow the same directions as above going to LA

but here take the Red Line to Union station,

then board Metrolink  (a commuter train) to orange station

Answer 2

Hollywood and the Downtown LA area have excellent public transit (DASH, MTA buses, and red line subway).  There is also a rail line to Long Beach (blue line).  To get to Orange you'll have to use Metrolink, and for Santa Monica there is no train, you'll have to use a bus.  

The LA transportation system does exist, and it's really not that bad when you consider that the alternative is to sit in traffic for hours.  It does take a bit of advanced planning, and the trains are not as frequent as New York, but if you do your homework and know where you're going, you should be able to get to the majority of places.

Answer 3

Generally, LA public transportation isn't any good but hopefully will be better when the authorities start opening up more Metro routes and increase bus frequencies. Follow the suggestion given above if you want to avoid car/taxi altogether, but technically, this is impractical until for about  the next 5-10 years