Category Archives: Metro Lifestyle

Go Metro to UCLA and USC football this weekend

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L.A.’s college football giants are both playing home games this weekend (but not against each other), and Metro is a great way to get to the games stress free, while saving money on gas and parking.

UCLA vs. Arizona
Where: Rose Bowl
When: Saturday Oct. 30, 12:3opm
Get there by Metro Rail: Take the Metro Gold Line to Memorial Park Station.  Walk 3 blocks west on Holly Street to the Rose Bowl Shuttle pick-up location on the west side of the Parsons Corporation parking lot.
Get there by Metro Bus: The Rose Bowl Shuttle is near the following stops – Colorado/Fair Oaks (180/181*, 260*, 762, 780), Fair Oaks/Green (686/687), Walnut/Fair Oaks (264/267), Raymond/Green (256)
Tip: Buy a Day Pass, which is valid until 3am the following morning (a TAP card is required to purchase a Day Pass onboard the bus).

USC vs. Oregon
Where: L.A. Coliseum
When: Saturday Oct. 30, 5pm
Get there by Metro Bus: Vermont/Exposition (102, 204*, 550*, 754), Figueroa/Exposition (102, 442, 445, Silver Line*), Martin Luther King Jr/Hoover (40*, 42), Martin Luther King Jr/Figueroa (81*, 200*), Martin Luther King Jr/Vermont (204, 740, 754), 37th Street Transitway Station (445, 460*)
Tip: Buy a Day Pass, which is valid until 3am the following morning (a TAP card is required to purchase a Day Pass onboard the bus).

*denotes service still running after 10pm

Guide to L.A.'s Metro accessible Halloween events

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Halloween is a major event in L.A. and the best way to join the party is to forgo the car and Go Metro. There’s tons of Metro accessible Halloween events happening across town, and this guide will lead you to them.

The video above was taken on the Red Line on the way to the Hollywood Halloween Street Fair last year – a perfect example of a Halloween celebration that’s only made better by going Metro.

We’ve categorized the events for you:

Full list after the jump. Continue reading →

Why You Don't Ride: Kabir, Silver Lake

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Why You Ride (or Don't)‘Why You Ride (or Don’t Ride)‘ is a series where you, our faithful readers, share your transportation routines in L.A. and your thoughts on how to make things better – read more about the concept here.

Want to share your story? Take the survey here if you ride transit regularly, or take this one if you don’t ride.

Who You Are:

Name: Kabir
Occupation: TV director
Location: Silver Lake

Your Transportation Routine:

How often do you drive and for what purpose?

I drive frequently: for work, to run errands, and to social activities.

Where are you typically traveling from and going to?

As a freelancer, my workplace changes constantly.

Errands are usually run in the neighborhood, as are most social activities.

I also have to go to the airport (BUR and LAX) often.

How many vehicles do you or your family have?

1

How long does your commute typically take?

Anywhere from 15 minutes (when working in the Valley) to 1 hour 30 minutes (when working in Venice).

Briefly, how would you describe your typical driving experience? Love it, deal with it, or hate it?

I deal with it.

On average, what do you spend each month on transportation?

$100 – $300

Do you use any forms of alternative transportation?

[No answer given.]

Why do you drive?

Because there are not enough transit options.

Continue reading →

Go Metro Weekends, Oct. 29-31

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Here’s a listing of non-Halloween related events this weekend. Stay tuned for a special post featuring Metro accessible Halloween picks.

Have an event you’d like us to include? Shoot us an email at thesource@metro.net. Time and space constraints limit us from listing every accessible event in this city, but this curated list represents what we think is cool and easy to get to.

To plan your trip and to check all other transit options, please consult Google Transit or the Metro Trip Planner.

Friday, October 29

Kate Nash at The Music Box
English singer songwriter sensation performs at The Music Box.
Website: http://www.henryfondatheater.com/
When: 8pm
Price: $29.35
Where: The Music Box at the Henry Fonda, 6126 Hollywood Blvd.
Nearby Metro Rail: Red Line Hollywood/Vine Station
Nearby Metro Bus Stops: Hollywood/Gower (180/181, 217)

Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan at El Rey
Isobel Campbell is a Scottish singer, cellist and composer performing at the El Rey.
Website: http://www.theelrey.com/
When: 8pm
Price: $20
Where: El Rey, 5515 Wilshire Blvd.
Nearby Metro Bus Stops: Wilshire/La Brea (20, 212/312, 720)

More weekend events, after the jump.

Continue reading →

Why You Ride: Heather J., MacArthur Park

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Why You Ride (or Don't)‘Why You Ride (or Don’t Ride)‘ is a series where you, our faithful readers, share your transportation routines in L.A. and your thoughts on how to make things better – read more about the concept here.

Want to share your story? Take the survey here if you ride transit regularly, or take this one if you don’t ride.

Who You Are:

Name: Heather J.
Occupation: Public relations account executive
Location: Westlake/MacArthur Park

Your Transit Routine:

How often do you take transit and for what purpose?

I take transit several times a week. I used to take it every day but now I live about two blocks from my work. But for grocery shopping, going out, visiting friends and family, etc. I take transit.

Where are you typically traveling from and going to?

Typically, from MacArthur Park to downtown, or to USC, or Hollywood.

What lines/routes do you take?

I spend a lot of time on the 204, 754, 720, 200, DASH Echo Park + Koreatown, Red/Purple Lines, and sometimes the 52.

How long does it typically take?

To USC, anywhere from 10 minutes to half an hour depending on the time.

Briefly, how would you describe your typical transit experience? Love it, deal with it, or hate it?

I deal with it.

On average, what do you spend each month on transportation?

Less than $50

Why do you take transit?

I don’t drive. The entire concept freaks me out. I like taking transit and getting to read and do other things while I am commuting. Also, the question just above should probably not be a radio button question–there really isn’t a typical transit experience. In some ways, it can be great. I have taken the gold line and it has been a perfect experience. On other trips, the 52 might smell like pee and there’s some lady trying to bless me in Spanish. It’s such a crap shoot.

Continue reading →

Why You Ride: Alex Thompson, West LA

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Why You Ride (or Don't)‘Why You Ride (or Don’t Ride)‘ is a series where you, our faithful readers, share your transportation routines in L.A. and your thoughts on how to make things better – read more about the concept here.

Want to share your story? Take the survey here if you ride transit regularly, or take this one if you don’t ride.

Who You Are:

Name: Alex Thompson
Occupation: Community Organizer
Location: West LA

Your Transit Routine:

How often do you take transit and for what purpose?

I take the bus for 1-5 round trips a week – probably average twice a week.  I take the bus for any longer trips that I don’t ride my bike for.  These days I prefer the bus to biking for many trips because I can read or talk or work while on the bus, which I can’t do while biking.  It also allows me to be a little more dressy for those times when I go downtown.  I still bike a lot though – 50 to 120 miles a week.

Where are you typically traveling from and going to?

Typically I’m traveling from home in Del Rey to either Hollywood or Downtown.

What lines/routes do you take?

I most often take the 733, sometimes take the 33 late at night when the 733 stops, and I take the 207 and some other N/S routes like that to get from Venice Bl to Hollywood.

How long does it typically take?

1 hour for a trip downtown, 1 1/2 or more to get to Hollywood.

Briefly, how would you describe your typical transit experience? Love it, deal with it, or hate it?

I love it!

On average, what do you spend each month on transportation?

$50 – $100

Why do you take transit?

For the reasons stated above, plus it also allows me to be a little more dressy for those times when I go downtown.

Continue reading →

Why You Don't Ride: Thomas B., Pasadena

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Why You Ride (or Don't)‘Why You Ride (or Don’t Ride)‘ is a series where you, our faithful readers, share your transportation routines in L.A. and your thoughts on how to make things better – read more about the concept here.

Want to share your story? Take the survey here if you ride transit regularly, or take this one if you don’t ride.

Who You Are:

Name: Thomas B.
Occupation: Financial Consultant
Location: Pasadena

Your Transportation Routine:

How often do you drive and for what purpose?

I drive four or five days a week to downtown Los Angeles for work, typically arriving by 7am and leaving at about 4pm. Sometimes I run an errand after work; however, only about once a week. An example is to pick-up dry-cleaning on the way home. I reserve my weekends for grocery shopping or for trips to places like Home Depot or Best Buy.

Where are you typically traveling from and going to?

Typically, my driving is to work, from the east side of Pasadena to downtown Los Angeles near 4th & Figueroa.

How many vehicles do you or your family have?

Two vehicles, a four-door sedan and a hybrid SUV.

How long does your commute typically take?

The earlier I leave the better.  If I leave from home at 6am, I can get to my office desk in 25-30 minutes.  After 7am, I give myself no less than 40-45 minutes to do the same.

Briefly, how would you describe your typical driving experience? Love it, deal with it, or hate it?

I deal with it.

On average, what do you spend each month on transportation?

$300 – $500

Do you use any forms of alternative transportation?

Yes.  Friday’s are the best days to take the Gold Line into downtown Los Angeles, and then transfer to the Red Line at Union Station.  The trains have fewer riders and I avoid the congestion on the way home heading to Las Vegas.

Why do you drive?

Relative to my work commute, I drive because I got tired of being on crowded Gold line trains for a 30 minute ride from Union Station to the Sierra Madre station on the way home.

Continue reading →

Destination Discounts Weekly Picks

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Sure, riding Metro saves you from the stress of traffic, reduces your environmental impact and lowers your monthly transportation costs – but did you know it also entitles you to a bunch of great deals around L.A.? That’s what Destination Discounts is all about – and The Source is here to make sure you don’t miss out.  Every week we’ll highlight our favorite deals from Metro’s local partners – destinations, sporting events, concerts, museums, theme parks, shops and more – and provide all the info you need to take advantage of these offers.

This week in Family Friendly:

This week in Arts/Entertainment:

This week in Dining:

Don’t forget to check out the other participating restaurants (there’s 20 of them!) offering discounts to Metro riders in our Destination Discounts Dining Map.

Details after the jump. Continue reading →

Destination Discounts Weekly Picks

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Sure, riding Metro saves you from the stress of traffic, reduces your environmental impact and lowers your monthly transportation costs – but did you know it also entitles you to a bunch of great deals around L.A.? That’s what Destination Discounts is all about – and The Source is here to make sure you don’t miss out.  Every week we’ll highlight our favorite deals from Metro’s local partners – destinations, sporting events, concerts, museums, theme parks, shops and more – and provide all the info you need to take advantage of these offers.

This week in Family Friendly:

This week in Arts/Entertainment:

And don’t forget to check out the 20 participating restaurants offering discounts to Metro riders in our Destination Discounts Dining Map.

Details after the jump. Continue reading →


Why You Don’t Ride: C.B., Venice

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Why You Ride (or Don't)‘Why You Ride (or Don’t Ride)‘ is a series where you, our faithful readers, share your transportation routines in L.A. and your thoughts on how to make things better – read more about the concept here.

Want to share your story? Take the survey here if you ride transit regularly, or take this one if you don’t ride.

Who You Are:

Name: C.B.
Occupation: Self employed
Location: Venice

Your Transportation Routine:

How often do you drive and for what purpose?

We don’t unless we have to travel distances.

Where are you typically traveling from and going to?

Exploring parts of LA

How many vehicles do you or your family have?

One.

How long does your commute typically take?

Work at home – but would love to explore the city without driving.

Briefly, how would you describe your typical driving experience? Love it, deal with it, or hate it?

I hate it. There has to be a better way.

On average, what do you spend each month on transportation?

Less than $50

Do you use any forms of alternative transportation?

We walk everywhere within a 5 mile area!!

Why do you drive?

Unfortunately , L.A. is so spread out with poor express bus service.  The Expo Line will be interesting.

Continue reading →