How to Sightsee in Los Angeles without Renting a Car

Los Angeles is the second largest city in the country and is infamous for its traffic. The city is spread out, and the labyrinthine network of freeways and surface streets can be confusing for a traveler. And the last way you want to spend your time in Los Angeles is sitting in bottlenecked, bumper-to-bumper traffic. But savvy travelers know that the easiest way to get around the City of Angels has nothing to do with cars or freeways.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A good map of Los Angeles, preferably one that marks Metro station stops
• Cash to purchase public transportation fares
• Comfortable walking shoes
• A vessel, like a backpack or purse, to carry electronics you'll want for sightseeing, such cameras or video cameras, so that both hands are free

Plan Your Itinerary

1. Look at the map of Los Angeles. Identify what you want to see that day. Allot time in your itinerary for transit, shopping, dining and sightseeing.

2. Travel to the subway station that is closest to your hotel. Many hotels offer free shuttles to public transportation stops. If your hotel is not close to a subway station, ask the front desk for bus maps. They can direct you to the closest stop.

3. Purchase your tickets. If you're traveling by subway, only buy one paper ticket per person for the trip you're about to take. The tickets are time-stamped with the location and are only valid for a trip from that station in an hour to two-hour time window. Subway and bus tickets cost $1.25 each way. If you're traveling by bus, you can pay upon boarding the bus, but be prepared with $1 bills. Subway tickets must be purchased before boarding.

4. Notice the location of the stop so that you can find it when it's time to return to your hotel.

Tips & Warnings

• Try to group attractions by location when making your itinerary. Focus on attractions close in proximity to Metro stations, which are identifiable by a white M over a black circle. For example, in Hollywood you can see the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Grauman's Chinese Theater, several legendary Hollywood theater venues and do some shopping at the Hollywood and Highland complex, which features a Metro subway station in its basement.
• If you're planning on making several trips in one day, purchase a Metro Day Pass. This $5 pass is good for local travel all day long on both the bus and subway.
• If you get on the wrong subway line, there are a few stops that serve both the Red and Purple line. If you miss those, stay on board the train--it will turn around and you can get back on track.
• Like any big city, Los Angeles is prone to thrifty criminals. Keep your belongings close to you and be aware of your surroundings at all times.
• You may see panhandlers in much of the city. Ignore them.
• When traveling during peak times by subway, the lines split into the Red and Purple lines. Look at the transit map in the station to see which line is best for you, and make sure to look at the subway train before you board it to make sure it's the right line.

Resources

• Metro Website