Los Angeles questions
 

We would like to see 2 games at Dodger stadium but do not want to drive in LA.
What would you suggest we stay where we can get to stadium by public transportation.
Any hotel recommendations also would be appreciated.

I live in Los Angeles..... The public transport exists, but is quite inadequate. I would plan on driving if I were you! Sorry, no hotel recco's for you. Best wishes Suzic

Try this:
http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/la..._route_map.pdf

and read this:
http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/la...er_trolley.jsp

From what I'm reading the trolley goes from Union Station in Downtown, with a few stops, including Figueroa St. Of course, you can stay at hotel near the Metro - the red line goes through Hollywood (runs underneath Hollywood Blvd) and Universal Studio. But the Metro Rapid bus 704 can connect at Figueroa.

I've lived in L.A. only a month, but these Rapid buses are frequent, and make limited stops along the way. They are real alternatives to driving for some visitors. [Unlike the regular buses.]

The 704 runs along Santa Monica Blvd from Downtown through Hollywood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Westwood to Santa Monica. There are lots of hotels along the way that may work.

Well we're hoping to eventually connect the Metro to Dodger Stadium, but right now it's on a piece of paper under a lot of L.A. City bills (budget crisis, so what else is new).

For the last few years, there has been special shuttle buses going to and from Dodger stadium -- this has also been successfully done for the Hollywood Bowl.

Since the season is virtually over, are you planning for next year? Contact Dodger stadium and ask about the shuttle buses. Once you know where they start from, you will have a better idea as to the hotel in which you wish to stay.

I've lived here for over 45 years, but am used to driving although I have taken public transportation, to and from work, just not to Dodger Stadium.

Dodger Stadium is up on a hill. If I were you, I'd contact Dodger Stadium and see what type of public transportation there is. Happy Travels!

Nicely done mrwunerful.

There would be a number of Downtown Hotels that would be an easy connection to Union Station via the Metro Red Line. Also if you do a weekday game, you may be able to use one of the local "DASH busses" to get to Union Station.

The closest hotels to a Red Line Station are the Sheraton (7th & Hope at Macy's Plaza), Wilshire Grand (7th & Figueroa), Millenium Biltmore or Checkers (a block from Pershing Square, although it's a bit sketchy at night to walk thru Pershing Square), the Omni (two blocks from the North entrance of the Pershing Square station), the downtown Standard (2 short blocks to the 7th Street station). There are two hotels in Little Tokyo, which is closest to Union Station, the Miyako or the Kyoto Grand (used to be the New Otani). You could use the DASH busses, taxi or walk.

Out of all of these, the nicest hotel is probably the Omni.

A few maps:
This one shows hotels and Red Line stations
http://dcbid.cartifactmaps.com/

This one has DASH routes
http://www.ladottransit.com/dash/rou.../downtown.html

I didn't see any mention at the Dodgers webiste (might have missed it) of city transit to Dodger Stadium. It is up a hill, so it's not like it is on a regular commuter route. But there must be a bus for employees.

That trolley didn't run for the entire season this year. But if runs when you are here then you just need access to Union station. You might be able to take Amtrak from Anaheim, so you could stay at a Disney hotel if that is on your itinerary.

Here is the metro map:
http://www.metro.net/riding_metro/ma...s/rail_map.pdf
Could even stay near the airport and take the train (e.g. walk a block or so from the Hilton Garden Inn El Segundo to the ES station). There are also buses from the airport to Union Station.

I don't recommend taking the light rail from El Segundo to Union Station. It requires three transfers, plus riding the Blue Line thru Compton at night is not really a good idea.

It would be better to use a hotel shuttle to LAX and then take the Flyaway to Union Station, but I still think this is too much trouble unless you have another reason to stay near LAX.

If you're visiting outside of the tram season, you could use a taxi to Dodger Stadium from Downtown (not very far). I found this on the Dodger Stadium website

Taxi Service

Taxi service is available in Lot B on the western side of the stadium or the Union 76 Service Station near Lot 6 beyond the center field wall.

Your hotel should be able to arrange that for you.

If you go the taxi route from downtown, the Bonaventure or the downtown Marriott on Figueroa would be the most convenient and closest to Dodger Stadium. They both have easy to negotiate pickup areas, and are about 1.5 miles away from the stadium. Just be sure to go early or else you will pay for stuck in traffic time!