LA Help and advice
 

We arrive in LAX from England on 6 January for a cruise to Hawaii departing on 7 January from San Pedro Pier.

Looking at the various options online can anyone advise if this is the cheapest option to get to my overnight hotel (Wilshire Grand downtown)then onto San Pedro the following lunchtime.

Catch free shuttle from LAX to MTA green Line from lower level under LAX shuttle sign. (Which Terminal building - not clear on LAX website?)

Take green line 6 stops to Imperial/Wilmington. Change to Blue line then 10 stops to 7th street metro centre. (Do I have to buy another ticket here?)

Next day take blue line MTA to Transit Mall at Long Beach then a shortish cab ride to San Pedro. (Is this okay?)

Can you advise if all this is feasible and any suggestions for killing a morning in Downtown LA would be greatly appreciated.

kind regards

Mickrory

Do you have to stay downtown? I would first advise changing your hotel to an LAX area hotel, rather than downtown LA. You can then get a free shuttle to your hotel and the next day, take a $40-$50 cab ride to the port.

Another option would be to stay in a San Pedro or Long Beach hotel ($40-$50 cab ride up front). I believe that many have shuttles to the ports.

If, for whatever reason, you must stay downtown, then do not take the green line from LAX. You would take the LAX "flyaway bus" to downtown Union Station, then a cab, bus or Metro to your hotel. www.lawa.org/lax/LAXflyAway.cfm

I totally agree w/ lvk on all points. But especially re the hotel. Is there some reason you must stay there? If not, definitely change your booking. It makes no sense to schlepp from LAX to downtown to San Pedro.

Staying in Long Beach or even near LAX makes more sense on several levels.

Thanks for the help.

I will contact our Travel Agent. looking at the map I couldn't understand why they put us up in a Downtown motel either. Long Beach would have been preferable.

Can you advise why the flyaway bus is preferable to the MTA Green Line?

The Flyaway bus goes direct to downtown's Union Station without tranfering twice on the way. You'd probably want a taxi to that hotel.

Especially if you're arriving at night, I would not take the Green/Blue lines. There isn't any security and it goes through some dodgy neighborhoods.

I think you need a new travel agent.
What a ridiculous choice of hotel. It's not even convenient within the scope of someone seeing downtown Los Angeles.

Yes, I would request a hotel in Long Beach or San Pedro. Best way to get there would be Supershuttle from LAX.

You have plenty of time to plan, so I suggest you ask specific questions on this forum for hotel recommendations near San Pedro. I wouldn't stay downtown, either.

We prefer Marina del Rey, Manhattan Beach, Newport Beach, Malibu, Westwood, etc, but I don't know San Pedro so can't make recommendations for you there.

Public transit in L.A. is rather iffy. Not what it should be for such a city. Better to rely on hotel or airport shuttle services, I think.

For such limited time, the Crowne Plaza or the Sunrise Hotel across from the Port complex would be just fine. You can spend the morning at the Maritime Museum and having breakfast in Ports of Call Village.

Downtown Long Beach, however offers more in the way of tourist attractions and dining. The Hyatt, Hilton or the Westin shouldn't be too expensive at that time of year. Have your agent check to see which hotels have free shuttles to the port of LA (NOT the port of Long Beach).

Travel agent has now changed our booking to Long Beach which will make life much easier..

Was offered the Hyatt for another $80 or the Queen Mary which we were going to have a look at anyway so we're staying there.

What a novel way to start our holiday!

Thanks for all your help here. Much appreciated.

Mickrory

Sounds like fun! Have a great trip.

I agree with all of the above except for the comment on the security of the Blue and Green metro lines. I've taken these routes during many visits to L.A. and noticed uniformed officers randomly checking for tickets and patrolling platforms. The trains are full of people commuting to work and school. I wouldn't ride these trains after 9/10 p.m. but wouldn't hesitate the rest of the day.

I think you'll like Long Beach. Have a great cruise. Aloha!

Now you won't have to worry about the Blue Line.

I was just talking to a friend about how "intense" it is to take it late at night from LAX.

I'm less concerned during the day and have also taken it many times.

However the only security I ever see is at the main transfer station where they are checking for tickets. And that's not inside the trains.

I think my Travel Agent is beginning to believe I'm a bit of a pest!

After reading several Tripadvisor reviews on the Queen Mary my wife is adamant she isn't staying there although I thought it might be romantic. Mildew smells, worn out carpets, uncomfortable beds, no aircon and clanging pipes apparently are not ingredients of a romantic setting.

So I've followed Ivk's advice and paid a bit extra to stay at the Hyatt Regency, requesting a harbourside room.

Everything now sorted, 6 months to go.

The Hyatt Regency is probably a safer bet, for your wife's concerns.

Have fun!