Los Angeles & Southern California - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [181]
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FREEWAY LOGIC
Angelenos live and die by their freeways and sooner or later you too will end up part of this metal cavalcade. It helps to know that most freeways have both a number and a name which corresponds to where they’re headed. However, to add to the confusion, freeways passing through Downtown LA usually have two names. The I-10, for instance, is called the Santa Monica Fwy west of the central city and the San Bernardino Fwy east of it. The I-5 heading north is the Golden State Fwy, heading south it’s the Santa Ana Fwy. And the I-110 is both the Pasadena Fwy and the Harbor Fwy. Generally, freeways going east–west have even numbers, those running north–south have odd numbers. Map for further information.
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The Disneyland Resort Express ( 714-978-8855; http://graylineanaheim.com/airport_info.cfm) travels hourly or half-hourly from LAX to the main Disneyland resorts for $19 one way or $28 round-trip for adults.
BOB HOPE/BURBANK AIRPORT
For door-to-door shuttle companies, see LAX Click here. Typical shuttle fares to Hollywood are $24, to Downtown $26 and to Pasadena $24. Cabs charge about $20, $30, $40, respectively. Metro Bus 163 South goes to Hollywood (30 minutes), while Downtown is served by Metro Bus 94 South (one hour).
LONG BEACH AIRPORT
Shuttle service (see LAX, Click here) costs $30 to Disneyland, $37 to Downtown LA and $27 to Manhattan Beach. If you’re using a cab, expect to pay $45, $65 and $40, respectively. By public transportation, the trip on Long Beach Transit bus 111 South to the Transit Mall in downtown Long Beach takes about 45 minutes. From here you can catch the Metro Blue Line to Downtown LA.
Bicycle
Most buses are equipped with bike racks, and bikes ride for free, although you must securely load and unload them yourself. Bicycles are also allowed on Metro Rail trains except during rush hour (6:30am to 8:30am and 4:30pm to 6:30pm Monday to Friday). Click here for tips on where to hire a bike.
Car & Motorcycle
Unless time is no factor – or money is extremely tight – you’re going to want to spend some time behind the wheel, although this means contending with some of the worst traffic in the country. Avoid rush hour (7am to 9am and 3:30pm to 6pm).
Parking at motels and cheaper hotels is usually free, while fancier ones charge anywhere from $8 to $25 for the privilege. Valet parking at nicer restaurants and hotels is commonplace with rates ranging from $2.50 to $10.
For local parking suggestions, see the introductions to individual neighborhoods in the Sights section.
The usual international car-rental agencies have branches at LAX and throughout LA (Click here for toll-free reservation numbers) and there are also a couple of companies renting ecofriendly vehicles (see boxed text, Click here). If you don’t have a prebooking, use the courtesy phones in the arrival areas at LAX. Offices and lots are outside the airport, but each company has free shuttles leaving from the lower level.
For Harley rentals, go to Eagle Rider (Map; 310-536-6777, 888-900-9901; www.eaglerider.com; 11860 S La Cienega Blvd, Hawthorne; 9am-5pm), just south of LAX, or Route 66 (Map; 310-578-0112, 888-434-4473; www.route66riders.com; 4161 Lincoln Blvd, Marina del Rey; 9am-6pm Tue-Sat, 10am-5pm Sun & Mon). Rates start at $155 per day, with discounts for longer rentals.
Public Transportation
METRO BUS & RAIL
Most public transportation is handled by Metro ( 800-266-6883; www.metro.net), which offers trip-planning help through its toll-free number and the website.
The regular base fare is $1.25 per boarding or $5 for a day pass with unlimited rides. Weekly