The LA Subway Experience

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The
LA Subway

Is the LA subway a family fun spot? I decided to check it out for myself and found it to be a safe and entertaining experience. So much so that I’ve gone back twice.

The trip began at the SOHO Station in North Hollywood, the last stop of the subway and a good starting off point. Two fathers, a son and a daughter (both 5 years old). We parked the car in the free lot, sunscreened the kids and descended into the bowels of the Earth.

First stop: token booth for tickets. Round trip is $2.70 with kids under 5 free. The ticket's good for all stations during the day. You're on the honor system here. The LA Subway Police make random checks at stops. On my last trip I wasn’t even asked for a ticket. But be forewarned: if the LA Subway Police ask for a ticket and you don’t have one you will be issued an expensive ticket.

The stations have an industrial charm to them, thanks to various artists who were commissioned to design each stop. Well laid out, easy access and with a theme corresponding with each stop. Nice… Readily accessible for people with disabilities.

I never felt uneasy about safety. In fact my daughter accidentally punched a button in the elevator and a voice from the ceiling asked immediately if we were all right. Though very few MTA people visible, I felt safe with the technology of their security.

When boarding the subway, try to sit at the extreme front or back to get an exciting view of where you’ve been or where you are going at 70 MPH. The kids love it and they can see the engineer as he throttles us along.

Next stop: Pershing Square. Exit the stairs and you're right at the base of Angel’s Flight, Library, Music Center, etc.

Took Angel’s Flight to the top and spent the next hour playing in all the wonderful fountains at the California Plaza. This plaza has put a stage in the middle of the biggest fountain and offers free concerts through October. I’m told that as many as 3000 people have attended and with the subway running until 12:30AM, one could catch a concert, eat, jump on the subway and be home before 11:00 without fighting traffic and parking. Not too shabby.

As this was a Saturday, most of the restaurants ringing the plaza and adjoining sites were closed. We heard about a McDonalds across the street in a very nice setting of fountains and statues. What we hadn’t heard was this was also the only McD’s on the planet that does not offer kids meals and toys. Warning! This can become an issue with small kids.

Jumped back on the LA Subway and headed into Hollywood.The Vine St. stop lets you off across from Pantages, but we opted for the Highland Blvd. stop as my daughter had expressed an interest in seeing Gene Kelly’s footprints. The subway is directly under the Kodak Center on Highland and Hollywood. When you walk out, you’re 50 feet from Grauman’s Chinese. Across the street is the El Capitan with it’s Disney movie premieres and store. Down the street: Ripley’s, Guiness, Wax Museum, Egyptian Theater and coming soon the Max Factor Museum, which among other things houses John Wayne’s hairpiece!

At this point it was getting late so we jumped on the subway and were back in North Hollywood in 10 minutes, including stops!

The next trip began the same however, this time it was two daughters and we opted to go straight to the end of the line first and then work our way back. (End of the line means Union Station.) From there you can hook up with the light rail lines (Red, Blue, Green, Yellow and Metrolink Lines) to go all over the county or jump on an Amtrak to go out of state!

Union Station has been restored so take the time to check out the beautiful architecture.

The adults opted to go to Olvera Street, though we could have walked to China Town or dined at Phillipe’s, the inventor of the French Dip sandwich.

After watching some Native American dancers and strolling by all the booths with their exotic wares, can you say “dos margueritas, por favor?”

Back to the LA subway for our next destination: Universal Studios, specifically CityWalk. After traversing Lankershim Blvd. you board a tram (Free) that dumps you right in the center of CityWalk. No $8.00 parking fee, no spending an hour to find a parking space…and the tram ride is fun!

Played in fountains, shopped, people watched, ate at Jerry’s Famous Deli which DOES have a kids menu. A splendid time.

Finally exhausted, we boarded our tram for the ride back to the station (waited 3 minutes), hopped the subway and barreled home at 70 MPH. What’s not to love? We had a great time and I urge all the readers to give the LA subway a chance.

Related Links:

FamilyMatters Train Ride Lists

Metro Rail Destinations - Attractions, Museums, Theatres, Theme Parks and More

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