Fireworks over the Queen Mary and Long Beach in 2011. Photo by Marjorie, via Flickr creative commons.
Planning on going Metro this Friday, July 4? We hope so! From Grand Park to the Coliseum to the Queen Mary, there are plenty of Fourth of July festivities easily accessible via Metro Bus or Rail. Just keep in mind that due to the holiday, Metro will make the following modifications to service:
In anticipation of increased ridership, all Metro Rail Lines will follow a Saturday schedule this Friday, July 4. This means trains will run until around 2 a.m. with full-platform-length trains on many lines. As many of you are already aware, fare is $1.50 per line or $5 for a Day Pass, which expires at 3 a.m. the day after the purchase date. TAP cards cannot be shared–everyone needs to purchase, load, and TAP their own card. To avoid long lines at the TAP vending machines on your way home, load return fare in advance of your initial trip.
On the bus side, Metro Orange and Silver Line will also operate on a Saturday schedule with service until 2 a.m. on July 4. All other Metro buses will follow their respective Sunday/Holiday schedules, which means certain bus lines will not run at all this Friday.
Here are just a few Fourth of July events easily accessible by Metro – if you’re heading to one not on the list, let us know in the comments! Please refer to individual timetables for exact schedules and days of operation for Metro Bus and Rail lines.
One note: there is NO shuttle operating from Old Pasadena to the Rose Bowl for the Americafest fireworks display. The Rose Bowl is about a 1.5-mile to 2.0-mile walk from the Gold Line’s Memorial Park station depending on your route — and not quite as far if you’re watching from vantage points along the Arroyo Seco.
Grand Park 4th of July Block Party
The doors open at 1 p.m. at Grand Park! The free party will feature live performances starting at 4 p.m. and on-site food vendors. You can also dine at nearby DTLA restaurants and save on your bill with your TAP card! Rooftop fireworks go off at 9 p.m. Make sure to load your TAP card with cash fare or a Day Pass in advance to avoid long lines at the TAP vending machines when heading home. (Metro Red/Purple Line to Civic Center/Grand Park Station, exit on 1st Street–Temple Street exit will only be open for ADA/elevator access)
4th of July at Exposition Park
The KJLH Fireworks Extravaganza at Expo Park is a free event for the whole family. The music festival takes place from 2 to 8 p.m. on the lawn in front of the Coliseum and there will be fireworks at 9 p.m. Food vendors will also be on-site. (Metro Expo Line to Expo Park/USC Station, Metro Bus 40, 204 or Rapid 754 to MLK/Vermont)
July 4th Late Night and BBQ at the Aquarium of the Pacific
The Aquarium of The Pacific will be extending their hours to 10 p.m. so you can enjoy the aquarium at night and get a fish-eye view of the city of Long Beach fireworks display. Admission is $14.95 if you enter after 5 p.m. If you’re heading there earlier, show your TAP card to get a discount on regular admission! The aquarium will also be serving a special BBQ menu that evening from 6 to 8 p.m. Adult tickets to the meal cost $48 and include aquarium admission. (Metro Blue Line to Downtown Long Beach Station then walk south on Pine Avenue, or transfer to free Passport Shuttle)
Soccer and Fireworks: LA Galaxy vs. Portland Timbers
Can’t get enough soccer action? Head to a game and take in some fireworks at the StubHub Center. The LA Galaxy take on the Portland Timbers at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $30. (Metro Bus 130, 51 or 52 to Victoria/Avalon)
Click above to see larger version.
–Jon Ross Alexander and Lily Allen
Categories: Go Metro, Go Metro Weekends, Metro Lifestyle, Service Alerts
Steve,
Since there are some FlyAway bus lines shown, why not see about having them all on that map.
Thank you for this information. You have, however, omitted the concerts and fireworks scheduled to take place at the Warner Center Park in Woodland Hills on July 4th (to which we will ride the Orange Line). Please include Valley events in your special holiday listings. Thank you!
With all of Metro’s daily delays, I just can’t trust Metro enough to use their services on July 4. …….. I simply don’t have any desire to be stuck waiting somewhere because Metro is having another preventable track issue ….. I want to enjoy today. So I’ll be in my car like everyone else. Thanks Metro, for yesterday’s annoying delay on the Gold Line. You made my choice today so much easier.
There really needs to be a shuttle from the Silver Line to the Stubhub Center. So close yet so far away. Line 246 is too low frequency to use as a connection.
Hi
When you say no metro route from Old Pasadena to Rose Bowl, is that the same as Parsons? I’m new to area and don’t know if the two are the same.
Hi Ana;
Yes, the shuttle bus to the Rose Bowl during football season runs from Parsons to the stadium. And welcome to our area!
Steve Hymon
Editor, The Source
Thank you for including the Metro system map in your posting. But in future posts please use the most current system map published by Metro Communications which includes the Burbank Bob Hope Airport, site of the new $112 million Regional Intermodal Transportation Center profiled by Steve in a recent issue of the Source.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Hi Norman;
I didn’t include the Metrolink map in this post because Metrolink is only running a couple of trains on Friday, the 4th (on the Antelope Valley Line). The vast majority of trains are out of service that day.
Steve Hymon
Editor, The Source
Steve: Thanks for you e mail response. The point of my comment was to mention that the Metro system map included in the post is an out-of-date version which does not include the Burbank Bob Hope Airport. Metro Communications Department has issued a new map which includes not only LAX but also the Bob Hope Airport. As you know the Airport can be accessed by Metro buses, Burbank Muni Bus service, shuttle service from the Metro North Hollywood Red Line Station, as well as Metrolink and Amtrak service (which you painfully reference is in limited service)
Thank you and have enjoyable July 4th holiday.
Hollywood Bowl: Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers, with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, John Morris Russell conducting. July 2nd (you missed it), 3rd (tonight) and 4th, 7:30 PM curtain time. Tickets are still available for the 3rd and the 4th, as of 13:10 PDT.
Disclaimer: NOT affiliated with the Los Angeles Philharmonic (except as a subscriber) or the Bowl (ditto).