Category Archives: Metro Lifestyle

Go Metro Weekends, March 29 – 31

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Photo from L.A. Zoo Official Facebook

Photo from L.A. Zoo Official Facebook

Head to the L.A. Zoo for Big Bunny’s Spring Fling this weekend to pet bunnies, enjoy some children’s entertainment and check out of the rest of the residents at the zoo. It’s spring, so the chances of seeing some cute baby animals are high. Festivities take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and are open to all with paid zoo admission – general admission is $17. (Metro Bus 96 to Zoo/Western Heritage)

On Saturday there’s a community egg hunt at Pershing Square. There will be children’s entertainment and prizes given out. The event is open to the public and all are welcome. Registration begins at noon and the egg hunt lasts until about 4 p.m. depending on your age group. (Metro Red/Purple Line to Pershing Square Station, Metro Bus 14 to Olive/5th)

Also on Saturday is the Blessing of the Animals at El Pueblo. It takes place from noon to 5 p.m. and is free to attend. (Metro Bus 40 to Alameda/Los Angeles, or walk from Union Station, check Trip Planner for all connections)

Zip Car now available at Los Angeles Union Station

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Here’s the announcement from Metro:

Zip Car, the Nation’s largest car sharing service, is now available at Los Angeles Union Station! There are currently 4 cars on site; 2 are located in Lot B at the front of the station and 2 are near the Mozaic Apartments. For a nominal fee, users have access to a vehicle, gas, insurance and up to 180 miles per day.  Zip Car is available for rent by the hour or on a daily basis if needed.  The recent merger of Zip Car with Avis Rental Cars ensures that supply will be able to meet the growing demand for this flexible transportation service that can support your transit commute. To register or to learn more about Zip Car, please visit zipcar.com.

Metro offers Dodger Stadium Express from Union Station to ballpark for 2013 regular season

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Photo by Juan Ocampo/Metro

From left, Metro CEO Art Leahy, Steve Veres of the MSRC, Supervisor and Metro Board Chair Michael D. Antonovich, Dodger President and CEO Stan Kasten and Metrolink CEO Mike DePallo. Photo by Juan Ocampo/Metro

There was a press event at Union Station this morning to promote the service, which returns for another season — and it should definitely be an interesting season, given the Dodgers’ off-season spending spree.

Here’s the news release from Metro:

​For the fourth year in a row, Metro will again offer Dodger Stadium Express bus service from Union Station in downtown Los Angeles to Dodger Stadium beginning on Friday, March 29 for the Dodgers/Angels exhibition game and throughout the 2013 regular season under a grant approved by the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC). The Dodgers’ 2013 season kicks off on Opening Day against the San Francisco Giants on Monday, April 1.

“Improving air quality and reducing congestion on our roads and highways, our Express bus service provides fans from across the county with a convenient, safe and low-cost way to attend a Dodger game without having to fight traffic or spend money on gas,” said Metro Board Chair and LA County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, a South Coast Air Quality Management District representative on the MSRC. “It’s a big win for Dodger fans and a homerun for our region.”

​A two-year grant of over $1.1 million ($1,1169,000) awarded to Metro by the MSRC will fund the operation of the Dodger Stadium Express service for both the 2013 and 2014 Dodgers baseball seasons. The funding is made in support of clean fuel transit service to link Union Station to Dodger Stadium. The MSRC awards funding within the South Coast Air Basin from a portion of the vehicle registration fee set aside for mobile source projects that result in emission reductions.

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Dodger Stadium Express and Megabus.com make following your team on the road easy

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Seats on the Dodger Stadium Express aren't quite as comfy as this! Photo from LA Dodgers Official Facebook

Seats on the Dodger Stadium Express aren’t quite as comfy as this, but they’ll get you to the game. Photo from LA Dodgers Official Facebook

The Dodgers open at home April 1 with a three-game home stand against the Giants, and Metro’s Dodger Stadium Express will be providing convenient, free service to the ballpark from Union Station Patsaouras Plaza to those with game tickets. Ride in and catch the Express on Metro Bus or Rail and skip the hassle of traffic and parking.

And when the Dodgers hit the road and travel to San Francisco in May – and July, and September? Or, if some die-hard Giants fan wants to follow their team to L.A.? Megabus.com can take you from Union Station Patsaouras Plaza and drop you off just a block from AT&T Park. Megabus.com fares start at just $1 but increase as the departure date nears or as seats fill up, so buy your tickets in advance to get them cheap. Megabus.com offers six trips to San Francisco every day.

Angels fans, don’t feel left out, there’s something for you too: Take advantage of the Metrolink Angels Express Train, which will provide special service from Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo or Union Station to Angel Stadium of Anaheim for weeknight Angels games.

Finally, I’d be a bad hockey fan if I didn’t mention the L.A. Megabus.com connection to San Jose. The Western Conference is still anybody’s guess for the last few playoff spots, but if the Sharks squeeze in and somehow end up facing the Kings – all right, or the Ducks – would you be willing to make a trip to the Shark Tank? Megabus.com stops right outside HP Pavilion…

Metro featured in high-profile Google ad during Grammys

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A woman steps inside a Metro train in a new Google ad.

A woman steps inside a Metro train in a new Google ad.

A commercial for Google that aired during the recent Grammy Award Show prominently featured Los Angeles Metro Rail. The ad showcased different scenarios with people in various cities using the new Google Now product. While people in other cities are shown checking the weather or looking up restaurants, the creative team behind the commercial chose to feature Metro Rail and a fashionable transit customer to represent Los Angeles.

Inclusion in this high-profile ad speaks approvingly of Metro’s rebranding and creative services work including maps, mobile apps and overall communications encouraging people to Go Metro.

The favorable ad was seen by 28.4 million viewers, according to Nielsen and reported by the Los Angeles Times–the second-largest audience for the recording industry’s annual awards show in the last 20 years.

New Google product demonstrating how users can check Metro Rail train times

New Google product demonstrating how users can check Metro Rail train times.

Go Metro Weekends, March 8 – 10

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A reminder for those heading to Masquerade Motel: take advantage of the Gold Line, all rides on Metro system to and from the show are free with proof of concert ticket purchase. See Live Nation’s monster news release on how to get there or get around the concert.

Tonight is ArtNight Pasadena, head out to enjoy a free evening of art, music and entertainment at 11 of Pasadena’s most prominent cultural institutions. The event lasts from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and free shuttles are available to transport you between venues. Show your TAP card to receive special discounts and gifts from participating locations. CICLE is also organizing a bike ride for ArtNight; bikes are allowed on all Metro buses and trains. (Metro Gold Line to Memorial Park Station, Metro Bus 267 to Walnut/Raymond)

Head to the Luckman Fine Arts Complex for cutting edge music, dance, theatre and visual arts. This Saturday is the premier of the film Gravity of Center. The movie and performance begin at 8 p.m. Go Metro and receive 20% off tickets. (Metro Silver Line to Cal State LA Busway Station)

Saturday night is also Jazz Night at Cities Restaurant in East L.A. The music’s on from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and the food’s always good. Show your TAP card to get 20% off your bill. (Metro Bus 84/68 to Cesar E Chavez/Ford)

If you haven’t seen Christmas in Hanoi already, this weekend is your last chance! The show is playing at East West Players in Little Tokyo and go Metro to save $10 on admission. There are shows at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. on Sunday. (Metro Gold Line to Little Tokyo/Arts District Station, Metro Bus 40 to Judge John Aiso/1st)

Old Pasadena Happy Hour Week gets better with Metro

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Save here when you go Metro! Photo via Bar Celona Official Facebook

Save here when you go Metro! Photo via Bar Celona Official Facebook

Old Pasadena Happy Hour Week started last Friday and continues until March 15. Head over after work for live entertainment and special deals on drinks and appetizers.

Want to save even more? Show your TAP card at Bar Celona to save 15% on your bill.

Bar Celona and all Old Pasadena restaurants are located near the Gold Line Memorial Park Station or off the Metro Rapid 780.

Go Metro Weekends, March 2 – 3

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Grand Park Book Fest this Saturday, furry friends make great reading buddies! Photo via Grand Park Official Facebook

Grand Park Book Fest this Saturday, furry friends make great reading buddies! Photo via Grand Park Official Facebook

With the weather warming up, what better than to spend the day outside with a good book? Bring the whole family to downtown’s Grand Park Book Fest, taking place Saturday, March 2. There will be performances, a pop-up indie bookstore, readings for all ages, music and more. Show your TAP card at the Grand Park info booth to receive a free souvenir poster. The book fest lasts from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is free for all to attend. (Metro Red/Purple Line to Civic Center Station, Metro Bus 10 or 48 to Hill/Temple)

Also on Saturday is the seventh installment of This Is Your Library, a late-night style talk show held at the Central Library‘s Mark Taper Auditorium. There will be food, music and librarians. General admission is $20, concert only admission is $5. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the concert, featuring Feeding People, is at 9:30 p.m. (Metro Red/Purple Line to Pershing Square Station, Metro Bus 16 to 5th/Grand)

Celebrate the National Day of Wales at the Los Angeles St. David’s Day Festival on Sunday. The event takes place at Barnsdall Art Park from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be performances, a Celtic marketplace, Welsh Corgi demonstrations and more. Show your TAP card to the Barnsdall Theater cashier to get $5 off on Grand Concert tickets. Your TAP card can also save you 10% on purchases from festival vendors. The festival is free to attend, separate paid tickets are required for the Grand Concert. (Metro Red Line to Vermont/Sunset Station, Metro Rapid 754 to Vermont/Maubert, Metro Bus 217 to Hollywood/Edgemont)

Metro to run expanded service on Gold Line for Masquerade Motel

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Going to Swedish House Mafia’s Masquerade Motel? The music festival will take place March 8 and 9 at the L.A. State Historic Park, which is conveniently served by the Metro Gold Line Chinatown Station. The park is also just a short walk from Union Station.

Your Masquerade Motel ticket or printed ticket receipt gets you a free ride to and from the festival on Metro Bus and Rail. Take advantage of this deal to avoid the congestion and serious lack of parking in Chinatown. This is especially true for those attending on Friday, who will have to deal with the usual Friday evening rush hour traffic of those leaving DTLA offices.

Metro will be running expanded service on the Gold Line during the festival to accommodate crowds. And with Metro Rail open late on Friday and Saturday nights, getting home after the show should be no problem.

Here’s Live Nation’s monster news release on how to get there:

Go Metro to Swedish House Mafia’s Masquerade Motel L.A. concert by sourcemetro

Grab a Grand Slam from Denny’s at Union Station

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If the craving for pancakes hits you while you’re at Union Station, head over to Denny’s,located across from Patsaouras Plaza on Ramirez Street. The location is open 24/7, and now if you show your TAP card you’ll save 10% on your bill.

The discount is valid at this Denny’s location only. Union Station is served by the Metro Red, Purple and Gold lines, and numerous bus lines. DASH D stops right outside the restaurant.

If you’re thinking about heading over this Saturday, February 23, please plan to access Denny’s on Ramirez Street from Commercial Street on the other side of the freeway.

The off-ramp from the I-101 Freeway, Vignes Street and Cesar E. Chavez Avenue will be closed to traffic from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. due to maintenance work at Metro headquarters.