16 replies to this topic

[love2travel]

We arrive in LAX at 8:15am and are spending the day in Los Angeles. Can I store 3 small carry on suitcases in the lounge if I have finished my train journey? Is there somewhere to lock up our luggage? Also, how far is it to the Walk of fame? Taxi ride? Bus? How do I want to get around in the city until after dinner. We are doing: walk of fame, Grauman's theatre, El Capitan, disney studio store, Farmer's market. Is that possible to do in a day? Or have I planned too much.



thanks,

Sue

[Braniff747SP]

We arrive in LAX at 8:15am and are spending the day in Los Angeles. Can I store 3 small carry on suitcases in the lounge if I have finished my train journey? Is there somewhere to lock up our luggage? Also, how far is it to the Walk of fame? Taxi ride? Bus? How do I want to get around in the city until after dinner. We are doing: walk of fame, Grauman's theatre, El Capitan, disney studio store, Farmer's market. Is that possible to do in a day? Or have I planned too much.



thanks,

Sue

I'm not sure about bag storage, but about your plans: Los Angeles is a very big city with huge distances and basically useless public transit. You could do the walk of fame, Grumman's, etc., but that would be a very expensive cab ride. There is a metro station in Hollywood, and there is metro at LAUS, but you'd have to check the map for that--don't know what lines/where and what not. Farmer's Market is not really near Hollywood and would be another expensive cab ride. (No metro there, either.) For the day, I could see Hollywood happening-especially with the subway-but not Farmer's too. To see LA properly, you really should rent a car.

[Casinocim]

Yes, you can store your bags in the baggage check for a fee. I think it's $3.00 per bag. If I remember correctly you have to get them out by 5 or 5:15pm.
The baggage check is by Starbucks.

Have you tried doing a search for the L.A and the station on here? I know in the past people have recommended taking a train(?) out to Hollywood. I have not done it though, too afraid of not making it back in time.

[Dan O]

We arrive in LAX at 8:15am and are spending the day in Los Angeles. Can I store 3 small carry on suitcases in the lounge if I have finished my train journey? Is there somewhere to lock up our luggage? Also, how far is it to the Walk of fame? Taxi ride? Bus? How do I want to get around in the city until after dinner. We are doing: walk of fame, Grauman's theatre, El Capitan, disney studio store, Farmer's market. Is that possible to do in a day? Or have I planned too much.



thanks,

Sue

You can take the Metro Red line (downstairs at Union Station) to Hollywood and Vine or Hollywood and Highland to see much of the Walk of Fame. You could walk between stations if you want. I found that the area near H/Vine was a bit seedy compared to H/Highland. Highland is well populated and touristy. H/Vine is less so and had lots of underwear stores. I would guess about 30 mins on the subway.
http://www.metro.net.../rail/red-line/

http://www.metro.net.../images/802.pdf

There are only two subways downstairs at Union Station--red and purple. Purple goes out Wilshire so make sure you get the Red to go to Hollywod.

Re too much--depends on how much time you want to spend looking at the ground at stars. You may want to get a map or online listing (cheaper) if you are interested in any particular star. Graumans is right on the walk in that area so would not be hard to get to. Ditto for El Capitan being right there. There's a Disney store in the area too but not sure if that is what you are referencing.
Farmer's Market appears to be 3.5 miles or so from H/Highland.

Haven't taken these busses but the 780 and 217 appear to go from Hollywood/Highland to Fairfax and 3rd so you'd have no walking to speak of.
http://socaltranspor...ps.php?ilin=297
http://socaltranspor...s.php?ilin=2029

Have taken the subway a handful of times or more from Union Station to Hollywood. It seemed safe and fairly quick.

You didn't mention it but you may want to walk across the Union Station to see the roots of Los Angeles at Olvera Street. It's cheap and tacky...but that's LA, no?

Dan

[Braniff747SP]

You can take the Metro Red line (downstairs at Union Station) to Hollywood and Vine or Hollywood and Highland to see much of the Walk of Fame. You could walk between stations if you want. I found that the area near H/Vine was a bit seedy compared to H/Highland. Highland is well populated and touristy. H/Vine is less so and had lots of underwear stores. I would guess about 30 mins on the subway.

That's the one. Since it goes straight to Hollywood, then that part of the OP's plan is not a problem-quick and easy connection.

[AlanB]

Can I store 3 small carry on suitcases in the lounge if I have finished my train journey?

Sadly Sue, there is no lounge in the station in LA to store your bags in. Your only choice is the baggage check area noted by others, which will charge you to store the bags.

[shelzp]

Like other people have mentioned it is super easy to take the subway!! Just go downstairs and get on the Redline and get off at Highland. You'll be right at the Kodak Theater (well maybe they changed the name but I'm talking about where the Grammys etc. are televised from). You''ll step right onto the Walk Of Fame and Graumann's is a few doors down. I don't know about making connections to Farmer's Market but I guess you can take the Melrose Bus straight back to Union Station when you're done. I'd go to Hollywood Boulevard first and then make a gametime decision as to whether I had time to go elsewhere.

[johnny.menhennet]

Like other people have mentioned it is super easy to take the subway!! Just go downstairs and get on the Redline and get off at Highland. You'll be right at the Kodak Theater (well maybe they changed the name but I'm talking about where the Grammys etc. are televised from). You''ll step right onto the Walk Of Fame and Graumann's is a few doors down. I don't know about making connections to Farmer's Market but I guess you can take the Melrose Bus straight back to Union Station when you're done. I'd go to Hollywood Boulevard first and then make a gametime decision as to whether I had time to go elsewhere.

The Kodak Theater has all but been replaced by the Nokia Theater across from Staples in Downtown. However, I was lucky enough to have watched the Rockettes there when I was about 9 for Christmas with my grandma.

Anyway, the best stop to get off at if you would like to be touristy is Hollywood/Highland. It is only a 22 minute ride, not that big a deal. They run every 12 minutes during most of the day, and are very convenient. You should have no problems on it. It will be easy to find the entrance to the subway, right at either side of the tunnel. In your case, it is right next to the Wetzel's Pretzels and Starbucks. The Red Line and Purple are identical. Make sure to look at the signs on the top of the car. If you don't see the color listed, then look for the train that says North Hollywood, which is in the San Fernando, valley, not where you want to get off at. If you still can't find it, there are now electronic boards indicating the next departures on both lines.

You can get everything done in a day. I promise. While you;re at the Farmer's Market, head right next door and just quickly check out the Grove, an upscale outdoor shopping and entertainment venue. The double-decker tram and the fountains can keep you entertained for a good while. I am not sure about the buses, but with just a little effort, you should not have a hard time figuring out what to do. The LA bus system is pretty developed, reaching all corners of the area and being pretty frequent along the more well-traveled corridors.

I hope you can figure out everything you need to, and have a good time in SoCal!

[Ana]

The subway is super easy to use, the redline will take you out to Hollywood no problem. The stations on that line around that area are really cool, interesting decorations.

I visited the Farmers Market via a bus tour that my friend and I took. It was one of the hop on hop off buses and did a big loop. We saw a bunch of stuff that way and it was easier than working out the buses on a first visit (I'm fine with the buses on subsequent visits, but I've never used them to get to the Farmers Market). I'm used to public transport but LA is huge, you have to be super organised.

The hop on hop off bus went from Hollywood, somewhere near the Kodak theatre. They should be easy to find, if you want to get one.

Also wander around LA Union Station, it's really pretty.

Have a great trip!

[Devil's Advocate]

We arrive in LAX at 8:15am and are spending the day in Los Angeles. Can I store 3 small carry on suitcases in the lounge if I have finished my train journey? Is there somewhere to lock up our luggage? Also, how far is it to the Walk of fame? Taxi ride? Bus? How do I want to get around in the city until after dinner. We are doing: walk of fame, Grauman's theatre, El Capitan, disney studio store, Farmer's market. Is that possible to do in a day? Or have I planned too much.thanks, Sue

Los Angeles is a very big city with huge distances and basically useless public transit. You could do the walk of fame, Grumman's, etc., but that would be a very expensive cab ride. There is a metro station in Hollywood, and there is metro at LAUS, but you'd have to check the map for that--don't know what lines/where and what not. Farmer's Market is not really near Hollywood and would be another expensive cab ride. (No metro there, either.) For the day, I could see Hollywood happening-especially with the subway-but not Farmer's too. To see LA properly, you really should rent a car.

I think the quote above about "basically useless public transit" is way out of date. The Los Angeles metro area has made great strides in improving public transit in recent years, and many people who are not familiar with the area are not aware of that.

Thanks for setting the record straight Sactobob. I was wondering what Braniff747SP was talking about since it didn't match up with anything I've read or heard in at least a decade.

[johnny.menhennet]

The Red Line is really easy to use, as are the Blue, Gold, Green, and Purple. You can also trust the Metro Rapid bus line down Wilshire if you want to go further down Wilshire, though they are jam-packed. Check LA Metro for schedules.

And Expo!!!

Sorry, just had to add that. And hey, it could be useful to tourists. The museums in Exposition Park are amazing and easily accessible from the line.