Skip the freeway and explore Southern California by train
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Loading... - nancy amelie
- 23 May 2022
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Direct train service will take you to many of SoCal’s top sights plus scores of equally worthy yet less-vaunted places. You can lie out on the beach, explore historically rich neighborhoods and cities, see world-class art, get a dose of Hollywood glamour or even leave the country. If you include short bus transfers, then even more of the region opens up, including LAX and Disneyland.
Another benefit to seeing Southern California by train: the low cost. Rather than letting your dollars burn up into your traffic-stalled car’s exhaust, save them for fun. Train fares range from only $1.75 for Metro to $36 for the Amtrak Surfliner from LA to San Diego.
When people ask how you coped with the terrible Southern California traffic, you can casually reply, “We didn’t. We took the train.” From north to south, here are some of the ways to get around Southern California by rail.
Follow the coast to Grover Beach
Far north from the crowded beaches of LA, Grover Beach along the Central Coast makes for an excellent day trip. The journey includes a ride along one of California’s most beautiful stretches of shoreline, some of which you can only see from the train. Just south of the old-timey beach town of Pismo Beach, Grover Beach is part of a long swath of sand backed by dunes that run for over 10 miles south. A short walk is all it takes to leave most traces of civilization – and people – behind.
From LA, Grover Beach is a nearly 5-hour ride, but it’s only 2 hours north of Santa Barbara, and that includes the most beautiful stretch of coast. Catch the morning Amtrak Surfliner train north and the late-afternoon one south, you’ll have about 4 hours on the sand.
Walk from the station to the beach in minutes in Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara’s train station is a short, equidistant walk from the beautiful Mission-style architecture (and cafes and shops) of downtown, and the sunny beach and pier. There’s so much to see and do here that a day trip from LA can easily turn into an overnight trip. Luckily, you’ll have options, with up to four Amtrak Surfliner round-trips each day. A one-way ride takes about 2.5 hours.
Take the Metro to get arty in Pasadena
Take the Metro L/Gold Line train to Del Mar stop to explore downtown Pasadena, which is lined with shops, cafes and restaurants. Wander through lush Central and Memorial Parks, then walk west to the Norton Simon Museum, one of Southern California’s best, with a collection including works by Rembrandt, Rodin, Renoir, Van Gogh, Picasso and more. The sculpture-filled gardens are modeled on Monet’s Giverny.
Avoid the parking madness and get to the theme parks by rail
Metro’s B/Red Line subway goes right to Universal Studios Hollywood, where movies were first made in 1915 — and still are today. Next to the back lots, you can explore movie and TV lore and thrill to rides inspired by Jurassic World, Harry Potter and The Simpsons. Above the Metro station and outside the park are myriad shops, restaurants and movie theaters.
If want to keep going with Southern California theme parks, you can also get to Disneyland by train – almost. Take an Amtrak Surfliner or Metrolink train to the impressive Anaheim station, then get a free transfer on one of the frequent buses that make the 20-minute run to the main gates of the Magic Kingdom.
Emerge from the subway in glamorous style in Hollywood
When the subway stop has the name Hollywood/Vine, there can be little doubt about what awaits. Frequent Metro trains on the B/Red Line serve the heart of Hollywood; hop off at Hollywood and Vine to stroll west along the Walk of Fame. Above the next subway stop, Hollywood/Highland, you’ll find the celebrity hand, foot and paw prints in the forecourt of what everybody calls Grauman’s Chinese Theatre (ignore any of-the-moment name change). Nearby, the fusty, musty Hollywood Museum is a storehouse of Old Hollywood ephemera.
Avoid the Santa Monica Freeway and get to the ocean via light rail
Enjoy the beach with all the trimmings in Santa Monica, the last stop on Metro’s E/Expo light-rail line. Open-air cafes that have wealthy beach bums of all ages lounging about give the city a carefree air.
Just a half-mile west of the train’s stop, the glorious Santa Monica beaches await. Spread out your towel on the sand or head right out on the old Pier, with its photogenic amusement-park rides and arcades. Take the palm-tree-shaded waterfront walk a little over a mile south to Venice Beach, where colorful characters throng the Boardwalk.
Get to East LA by train – then explore the neighborhood on foot
Start a visit to East LA at the Mariachi Plaza stop on Metro’s L/Gold light rail line. As the name suggests, the eponymous musicians are often on sight and performing. Request a favorite ballad and tip well.
The surrounding Boyle Heights neighborhood is one of Southern California’s centers of Latinx culture; get to know the area by downloading one of several excellent walking tours from the Boyle Heights Museum. On your self-guided tour, you can stop at panaderias (bakeries), taco joints, top restaurants, historic churches and much more. Read More…
