Never been to LA. Looking at getting around town without needing to drive (if possible- at least from LAX to Coliseum and back). Don’t know anything about the LA Metro system. Is it feasible to use? Are there any stations or lines to avoid? Thanks.
USC game/ LA Metro system
- Thread starter psu00
- Start date
Someone will probably have more details than I do but I went to a USC game years ago and there wasn't anything convenient using public transportation (or I wasn't smart enough to figure it out--always possible)
I have no idea about to/from the airport, but I'm staying in Santa Monica and there is a subway line from there to the stadium.
I've been to LA a lot. Personally, I'd stay at the LAX Renaissance Hotel. You take a shuttle from the airport to the hotel. It has a nice place to eat and is within a walk to a great In n Out where you can watch the jets take off from LAX. It is featured in a lot of travel blogs and was a go-to place for Anthony Bourdain who would eat there before overseas flights. Perhaps more importantly, it is across the street from the rental car facilities.
Game day is noon PT. I'd just grab an Uber or Lyft at 10 am. It is about a half hour from LAX and the hotel. I'd get dinner near the Coliseum after the game and wait until the peak rates are lower to head back to the hotel.
If you have other time to spend, you can easily Uber to the Santi Monica Pier or Venice Beach to spend a day. If you want to really do some fun stuff, rent a car across the street for a day and go to Malibu. Malibu area is one of the prettier places in the USA and I will happily make some recommendations on where to go, eat, and see.
Then, when you leave it is just a short courtesy bus from the hotel back to LAX.
Game day is noon PT. I'd just grab an Uber or Lyft at 10 am. It is about a half hour from LAX and the hotel. I'd get dinner near the Coliseum after the game and wait until the peak rates are lower to head back to the hotel.
If you have other time to spend, you can easily Uber to the Santi Monica Pier or Venice Beach to spend a day. If you want to really do some fun stuff, rent a car across the street for a day and go to Malibu. Malibu area is one of the prettier places in the USA and I will happily make some recommendations on where to go, eat, and see.
Then, when you leave it is just a short courtesy bus from the hotel back to LAX.
Yes, you can pick up the metro from LAX. I live in LA but have never done it but you can as I just looked it up. You will need to do your research but I think it is entirely possible to use the LA metro to get around without renting a car. Are you staying in a hotel because you will need to factor that in. Worst case if you can't find the metro out of LAX you can use Obli's reco and take the free shuttle to the Renaissance even if not staying there then you could find the metro from the Renaissance.
If you go to Malibu go to dinner at Duke's. Definitely get the Hula pie for dessert!
I live in Pasadena and happy to chat via email - djmccaslin@gmail.com. We're heading back to PA tomorrow for the UCLA game then coming back for the USC game but I can share any insight or answer any other questions that others have not.
What part of LA? I'm in Pasadena.
The metro has gotten a lot of flack recently (much is warranted) due to crime but for the most part, it's safe and fine. The issue is LA is sprawling and the metro doesn't get to all the areas (with only 2 lines).
The LA public transportation system will get you to the game but where you stay will determine how long it will take. We're staying near LAX in a Hilton property (El Segundo area) a half block from the light rail's Mariposa station. We can take take the light rail 5 stops to the Harbor Freeway station and get the silver line also designated the "J" line which is a bus line that will take us to the 37th/USC stop.
We plan on doing a dry run on Friday and decide if that works or Uber it to the Coliseum on game day is the better bet. Having been to LA a number of times we have Senior TAP cards which will let us ride the public system all day for around $2. Our immediate concern is that the Coliseum is just a stones throw from two of the most dangerous and crime infested areas of the city those being the fashion district and skid row.
We plan on doing a dry run on Friday and decide if that works or Uber it to the Coliseum on game day is the better bet. Having been to LA a number of times we have Senior TAP cards which will let us ride the public system all day for around $2. Our immediate concern is that the Coliseum is just a stones throw from two of the most dangerous and crime infested areas of the city those being the fashion district and skid row.
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Agreed. when I went to the Rose Bowl I paid $35 to get to the game and $80 to get back. The $80 was excessive since it was raining and nobody wanted to hang out until rates went down so we ended up paying full boat.
A good way to beat that is to offer the Uber driver cash to pick you up at the same place he/she dropped you off an hour after the game. Uber takes a big percentage of the money so if the driver can get paid in cash, they will gladly do that. Get his/her mobile number. Worst case is they don't show up and you Uber home anyway.
Not sure about Ubering. I would opt to not do that. They will jack the prices way up on game day with their "surge pricing" to head anywhere near USC. Plus, catching an Uber post game around the Coliseum seems like a colossal nightmare.
I would just leave yourself plenty of time and use public transportation. Wake up early, take public transportation to the USC campus and stroll around the campus which is quite nice. By the way, if you stop by Heritage Hall (I think that is the name) which is their athletic building in the lobby area they have the past Heisman trophies on display and to my surprise they still proudly show OJ Simpson's! My jaw dropped to the floor when I was there and saw that. Anyway, you can get something to eat on campus then have an easy walk to the game.
To your point about crime, yes USC is adjacent to "not good" neighborhoods/areas. The good news is the game should be over by about 4pm PST so still broad daylight and you can then hop back on the metro public transportation and get out of dodge before dark.
Yep you're probably right about about opting for public transportation. While we're there I plan to visit Fertitta Hall of the USC Business School and view a memorial dedicated to someone whose family I'm very close with from NEPA. He established the business school's entrepreneurial program, ran it for over 30 years, and was well known in the USC family and the broader LA community.
Yup, I'll be there. Traveling back to PA for the UCLA game so in 1 week's time, we'll get to see them play coast to coast!
Wandering Spectator
Well-Known Member
We’re planning at on staying at the JW LA Live. Debating on flying over or driving. Then deciding on transportation to the game. Either driving, Uber, or Metro. Anyone know the parking issues around the stadium? I’d like to drive so we can tailgate but don’t know if that’s possible.
Wandering Spectator
Well-Known Member
The local chapter is also hosting a pregame in Santa Monica along with a bus to and from the game.
Penn State vs USC 2024 | PSAA LA Chapter
www.psula.org
