It’s so easy to get sucked into LA’s car centric ways. Before moving to LA six years ago, I lived in San Francisco where I didn’t even have a car. If I needed to get somewhere I’d either walk or arrive on my push scooter (which only in San Francisco a 30-something-year-old guy on a souped-up Razor would seem normal!). And even sometimes, I’d even ride the bus (gasp!).
Remembering my days in San Francisco, where mass transit was the norm
But oh, how quickly I’ve fallen in LA. I hate to admit it, but I’ve actually driven 2 blocks to a grocery store (LA friends, you know what I’m sayin’; SF quit your judging, it’s hot here!). LA was built around the car with it’s massive freeways and sprawling layout. But things are changing — and fast!
Just this past May, the Subway system’s Expo Line extension opened up taking riders all the way to Santa Monica – marking the first time in 63 years that Angelenos have been able to ride a train to the beach.
Expo line map – Start downtown LA (7th St/Metro Center), with stops along the way to the end in Santa Monica (Colorado/4th St)
A subway ride would seem like nothing to any New Yorker but here in LA, it is a major deal. On a recent ride, people were chatty and thrilled about actually being on a train. A woman sitting next to me couldn’t even contain her excitement and asked me, “Isn’t this so much fun?” Can you imagine the strange looks you’d get in NYC or just about any other city with a subway line? But I couldn’t help but agree, it really IS so much fun!
You’ll feel a sense of accomplishment as you soar above the LA traffic on the Expo line!
It’s a full day so start early – around 10 AM or even earlier to get through all my recommendations. Without further adieu, here are 5 must-do things to check out along the way.
Stop 1: Millennium Biltmore Hotel, Downtown Los Angeles
Historic Millennium Biltmore Hotel – your first stop along the metro journey.
Inside the lobby of the Biltmore, a familiar spot if you watched Ghostbusters as they chased Slimer through the hotel.
The Millennium Biltmore Hotel was constructed in 1923 and inside reminds me a lot of Disney’s Tower of Terror ride. There are dark frescos, carved fountains, crystal chandeliers and tapestries. It’s like stepping back to another era. You might have a feeling of deja vu since the place has been in a ton of TV shows and movies. Remember Ghostbusters where the guys got their first call to catch Slimer in the hotel? It was in the Biltmore’s main lobby. Be sure to check out all the old photos through the hallways including pictures of Shirley Temple, Walt Disney and other famous visitors. The hotel was also home to the first Academy Awards.
A giant photo taken inside the Biltmore, where guests celebrated at the first Academy Awards ceremony
Stop 2: USC, Lunch at the Mercado La Paloma
Get on the Expo line at Metro Center, located steps from the Biltmore and head 3 stops towards Santa Monica to the Jefferson/USC stop. It’s a 10-minute walk to Mercado La Paloma, a lively food hall with some of LA’s best cheap food. Kevin and I came to eat at Azla, a vegan Ethiopian restaurant, but they closed early because they were being featured in a show coming to the Food Network. You’ll find Mexican, Oaxacan, Thai and your standard pizza and burgers.
A 10 minute walk from the subway stop at USC, you’ll find some of the best cheap eats in Los Angeles
I personally love the little shops to pass the time waiting for the food.
Besides the restaurants, you’ll find a few craft stalls along with ethnic food shops
Kevin and I went with Thai Corner Food Express to keep the energy up along the journey.
Pad thai and vegetable Panang Curry – two of our faves.
You’ll have a hard time picking where to eat – with Mexican, vegan Ethiopian and other options
Stop 3: Culver City, Museum of Jurassic Technology
Time to get back on the Expo line. This time, you’ll head 8 stops West to Culver City. From here, you can check out the incredibly weird and trippy Museum of Jurassic Technology, less than 10 minutes walking distance from the subway station.
Outside the Museum of Jurassic Technology, less than 10 minutes from the Culver City station
What is it? Honestly, Kevin and I still don’t really know. Yet, we somehow managed to spend 1 1/2 hours here. Upon walking inside, you’ll enter a dark gift shop before heading down the museum’s maze-like corridors. There is a welcome video, which after watching it twice, confused us even more. There are exhibits such as one explaining a remedy for bed-wetting that involved eating a snack of dead mice on toast (I took photos, but I’ll save you from that image!).
One of the many exhibits inside the museum that will leave you scratching your head
Some of the exhibits make us feel like we wandered into a mad scientist’s lab
Okay, so this won’t be everyone’s cup of tea! Speaking of which, there is a tea garden on the rooftop which is full of doves. I’m talking doves everywhere!
The rooftop tea garden where you can hang out, but watch out for all the birds!
But what makes the place a worthy stop is the whole randomness of it. What it all means — if anything — doesn’t really matter that much. Though, I’m still not sure I’ll get that mice toast image out of my head!
Stop 4: Bergamot Station, Santa Monica
Hop back on the Expo line and head 4 stops West towards Santa Monica to the Expo/Bundy stop. You’ll be dropped off right in front of Bergamot Station, a former railroad station converted into art galleries. You’ll find a wide range of styles with several of the galleries hosting wine and cheese receptions (typically Saturday afternoons until 5:30 PM when the galleries close).
A former train station, turned art gallery. We spent a lot of time here!
Kevin loved the Laura Korman Gallery in particular, especially the photography by Cara Barer who artfully arranged and photographed pages of actual books. If we had a library in our place, these would be perfect.
Check out the Laura Korman Gallery featuring these incredible photographs by Cara Barer of real book pages artfully arranged
You’ll find galleries that are both small/intimate as well as airplane hanger-sized pieces of artwork.
Kevin checks out the modern art at Bergamot Station
We couldn’t get enough of these fun house-like mirrors
Stop 5: Beach, Santa Monica
Last stop! If you timed it right, you’ll arrive at the beach — 3 stops from Bergamot Station — just in time for sunset. You’ll be right in the thick of Santa Monica’s shopping — near the pier, third street promenade or some lovely walking along Palisades Park. I recommend wrapping the day with a snack (more cheese please!) or glass of wine overlooking the ocean at Sonoma Wine Garden located on the top level of the flashy Santa Monica Place mall. You’ll need a place to unwind after all that walking!
Head to the top level of the Santa Monica Place Mall to the Sonoma Wine Garden
You might get your fill of wine and cheese at Bergamot Station, but if you want more, hey, no judge!
You made it! Congrats and now you can impress all your friends that you took the subway in LA. Even if they didn’t even know one existed!
Last stop: Santa Monica beach, arriving in time for the sunset.
Before you go:
- It’s a long day – and I recommend starting off around 10 AM or earlier (depending on how much time you spend at the Biltmore Hotel exploring). And timing your 2nd stop at USC right around the time the Mercado opens for lunch (11 AM).
- Best day to do this trip would be on Saturday since some of the restaurants and art galleries are closed or close early on Sundays. You’ll also find the most activity on Saturday, making it fun to experience the ride with other visitors.
- If you took the metro from downtown LA (Metro Center) to Santa Monica (4th and Colorado) non-stop, it would take about 1 hour. The train isn’t the fastest way, but you make up for all the lost time finding a parking spot and battling the traffic. You should factor in a 1 hour return to get back to where you started (if necessary).
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