Can I have a happy vacation in LA without a car?

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jaymeez27

If you're only staying three days, I think you should have your source of transportation. L.A. is very spread out, and if you want to have lots of time for fun and your freedom at the same time....rent a car =)

mempto

Well, if you simply stay on the west side of town around Santa Monica, you may not need a car to enjoy yourself. However, LA is such a huge place, with so many cool things to see in different parts of the city, that to hole yourself up in Santa Monica and parts of Hollywood would not really give you a real feel for the city.

Brett

NO Way. LA is way to big and spread out. It would not be worth going there without the car

Jeff C

a car would be good. You can take the Santa Monica Big Blue Bus to one of the subways stations in Hollywood and take the subways from there.

Not so looney afterall

You could have a happier vacation in LA with a car!

Muppet

Like everyone else has said, save up your money and rent a car.

Paris Hilton

Yeh, I suppose it could be done. You need to be able to connect the Wilshire bus route with the MTA red line. The nearest station connection is at Wilshire and Western. If you do that you can get to Hollywood and Highland and Universal Studios in N. Hollywood. You can see but not get to the Hollywood sign anyway...It's closed off....Preferred way is by car and you could split it 2 ways....If you had a car you could go to Malibu and more of the studio tours. Mobilemark may have some suggestions....

copestir

NOPE! no debating NOPE!

Obviousman

Rent a car. LA is just too big and spread out. It will give you the most safety and freedom to roam about. Just because of its sheer size, you'll find that public transit in LA is not very effective. The only ones who use it are people who have no other means of transporation.

ladydiana_a

No, you have to have a car. There so much to see here in LA!!

112

No way jose!

you will need a car. LA's public transport SUCKS!!!!

disneyland is in aneheim, like 2.5 hours away, btw.

mobilemark

yes you can have a great vacation with out a car
as both Metro and the Santa Monica buses lines both offer
day passes
(Metro day pass is $5.00 (good on all metro operated service
thats the bus company that goes to Hollywood)
and the Santa Monica buses day pass is $2.50 (3.50 if you wanted go into downtown on their express)(Santa Monica
basically operates on the westside)
a lot of tourists do use public transit and do quite well

nitedawgs

Hollywood Blvd has improved a lot, but I'd still be careful taking the subway around that area.They're trying to bring people to that part of the city and it still has a way to go.

I can get around by bike in the daytime because from Hollywood to Santa Monica is not that far of a distance, but you do have to watch out for drivers who are doing everything else but driving. It was great to take pictures from a bike because if you're in a car you either have to walk really far to get the photos taken or snap pics while you're driving. Really easy to go into the high end neighborhoods because if you have a car you can't stop. The old mansions down south are by far nicer. I wouldn't recommend going up the back roads because they're extremely hilly and wind a lot. but you do see bikers on there. A few celebs jogging and walking the dog too.

I don't recommend Pacific Coast Highway as a bike route unless you've taken a drive up the road to see where work is going on.

AmericanMadeMorgans*HPTS

NNOOOOO WAY!!!!! Rent a little cheap car. LA is very sprawled out!!! Lived there for 30yrs.

*******EDIT************ Public transort is VERY bad!!!! Scary!! Yucky!!!!!!

Mr.Fine

no because if u want to go somewhere u can't drive to that place.Then u goin to have to catch a bus or something.

GrayFox

its doable but it might take longer to get around (why do you think everyone here has a car)because LA is pretty spread out.

P.S the people you meet on the buses can be pretty entertaining

HijabiMamaBabyPajama

No, the real question is... can you have a happy vacation in LA WITH a car? The traffic is horrible. As in, you may be on a six-lane freeway with traffic stopped in all six lanes. Also consider how brave a driver you are. This would be the worst possible place in America to drive, and if you don't know where you are going you can be in a super nice neighborhood and then turn a corner and be in a really, REALLY dangerous area. Parking is another issue- it's extremely difficult to find parking on the street side, and if you have to opt for a parking garage it is very expensive.

But, having said all that, I will agree that LA is so big that it really is almost impossible to see it without your own vehicle. I have taken the bus, but it was difficult to find the right one and they are not always running on time. A taxi would be a better option, in my opinion- expensive but less stressful.

Sodha

Yes you can! Take the Metro Red Line from downtown to Hollywood (with a stop at Universal Studios). Or take the Metro Gold Line from downtown to Pasadena to see Old Town. You can also take the Metro Blue Line from downtown to Long Beach (hint: stay in downtown, very convenient access to metro rail!). And, if you want to go to Santa Monica, take the Metro Rapid 720. The Rapid only stops once every mile; and you begin your journey in.......downtown.

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