ShonTron
Moderator
I am going to repost a few of these pics in a thread comparing LA, SF and Toronto Transit in Transportation Issues.
I've been back in town for a week since my California Tour of LA, San Jose and San Francisco. I saw a lot and came up with these conclusions:
- California is very progressive and very much ahead in sustainable transportation (surprise, surprise!) but needs to catch up to the big Eastern cities in terms of transport infrastructure. But it might be coming.
- LA is more progressive than I thought. There was a lot of interesting things, but it's still not my kind of city.
- SF is a great town, but it really feels like a small city, I felt it was quite similar to Vancouver in this way. Still, very European and dense by NA standards.
Here are my LA shots. I got into LAX around 4:30, and immediately headed out towards the beach after getting the car and checked-in at the hotel.
Venice Beach:
I drove to Aviation/LAX station on the Green Line and parked there. I rode all four rail lines.
Wow. Super restrictive by-laws.
Transfered to the Blue Line light rail, which mostly follows an old Pacific Electric line. There is some street running on Washington Blvd. On a Saturday morning, the Blue Line train was packed.
LA Union Station!
Across the street is the old Mission area, now a historical district.
Walking south are a few interesting buildings.
Famous City Hall
The new, bunkeriffic CalTrans District Seven HQ
Disney Hall. I wasn't going to pay $20 for a tour that would not even include the Auditorium, but there's a great rooftop public garden. Has a good view of the financial district and even the Hollywood Sign.
Financial District
Bradbury Building. They let one walk up to the landing of the first flight of staits to get a good view of the building. I would have loved to ride the elevator though.
LA has an interesting way of positioning signs in front of major buildings downtown with a history and even pop-culture references to it (ie Blade Runner)
Main St, once the street in LA, now just another shopping street. Hardly a word of English is spoken.
Literally translates to "The Crazy Chicken" (I bet, its sister chain, La Vaca Enojada, didn't do well).
Went back to Union Station and took the newer Gold Line to Pasadena.
LA River
Pasadena is a lovely streetcar suburb. Probably one of few places I could live if I had to in LA.
City Hall
Then the Red Line to Hollywood. Interesting stations.
Hollywood didn't do much for me. Full of tourists and buskers, and the Walk of Fame was a letdown, even though I expected it to be as such. Half the stuff you can find on Clifton Hill. Still, I felt like I had to see it once. Like Vegas.
Oh my god! The Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre!
Even has valet parking and the occasional Cruise and Travolta sighting. Beat that, Vatican!
Beverly Hills
From Hollywood, I took the Red Line to the Orange Line transitway. The transfer is not that convenient, but the Orange Line is kind of interesting. It follows a rail line that used to be PE, and has all grade crossings with transit priority signalling and a multi-use trail along side.
At North Hollywood station (made to resemble the Hollywood Bowl), I got this pic. The guy in the leather jacket came after me after I took this pic, wanting to know why I took a pic of him. Scariest time I had in California, but he took off when I found a cop.
Warning: Bus Crossing!
A highlight was the Getty Center. Perched over Brentwood, it is an art museum free to the public (pay only for parking), with great architecture, gardens and a view. From the bus stop/garage, you have to take a tram, which makes the visit even better. Best. LA. Attraction.
San Fernando Valley.
Ventura Blvd. Where Homer discovers Erotic Cakes.
Famous Warner Studios:
From Mulholland Drive:
Only in LA Section:
La Brea Tar Pits:
Your friendly neighbourhood Bail Bonds People:
Smug Alert. Though some of the bumper stickers are good.
Mmmmmm. Donut!
Next: Up the coast to San Francisco.
I've been back in town for a week since my California Tour of LA, San Jose and San Francisco. I saw a lot and came up with these conclusions:
- California is very progressive and very much ahead in sustainable transportation (surprise, surprise!) but needs to catch up to the big Eastern cities in terms of transport infrastructure. But it might be coming.
- LA is more progressive than I thought. There was a lot of interesting things, but it's still not my kind of city.
- SF is a great town, but it really feels like a small city, I felt it was quite similar to Vancouver in this way. Still, very European and dense by NA standards.
Here are my LA shots. I got into LAX around 4:30, and immediately headed out towards the beach after getting the car and checked-in at the hotel.
Venice Beach:
I drove to Aviation/LAX station on the Green Line and parked there. I rode all four rail lines.
Wow. Super restrictive by-laws.
Transfered to the Blue Line light rail, which mostly follows an old Pacific Electric line. There is some street running on Washington Blvd. On a Saturday morning, the Blue Line train was packed.
LA Union Station!
Across the street is the old Mission area, now a historical district.
Walking south are a few interesting buildings.
Famous City Hall
The new, bunkeriffic CalTrans District Seven HQ
Disney Hall. I wasn't going to pay $20 for a tour that would not even include the Auditorium, but there's a great rooftop public garden. Has a good view of the financial district and even the Hollywood Sign.
Financial District
Bradbury Building. They let one walk up to the landing of the first flight of staits to get a good view of the building. I would have loved to ride the elevator though.
LA has an interesting way of positioning signs in front of major buildings downtown with a history and even pop-culture references to it (ie Blade Runner)
Main St, once the street in LA, now just another shopping street. Hardly a word of English is spoken.
Literally translates to "The Crazy Chicken" (I bet, its sister chain, La Vaca Enojada, didn't do well).
Went back to Union Station and took the newer Gold Line to Pasadena.
LA River
Pasadena is a lovely streetcar suburb. Probably one of few places I could live if I had to in LA.
City Hall
Then the Red Line to Hollywood. Interesting stations.
Hollywood didn't do much for me. Full of tourists and buskers, and the Walk of Fame was a letdown, even though I expected it to be as such. Half the stuff you can find on Clifton Hill. Still, I felt like I had to see it once. Like Vegas.
Oh my god! The Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre!
Even has valet parking and the occasional Cruise and Travolta sighting. Beat that, Vatican!
Beverly Hills
From Hollywood, I took the Red Line to the Orange Line transitway. The transfer is not that convenient, but the Orange Line is kind of interesting. It follows a rail line that used to be PE, and has all grade crossings with transit priority signalling and a multi-use trail along side.
At North Hollywood station (made to resemble the Hollywood Bowl), I got this pic. The guy in the leather jacket came after me after I took this pic, wanting to know why I took a pic of him. Scariest time I had in California, but he took off when I found a cop.
Warning: Bus Crossing!
A highlight was the Getty Center. Perched over Brentwood, it is an art museum free to the public (pay only for parking), with great architecture, gardens and a view. From the bus stop/garage, you have to take a tram, which makes the visit even better. Best. LA. Attraction.
San Fernando Valley.
Ventura Blvd. Where Homer discovers Erotic Cakes.
Famous Warner Studios:
From Mulholland Drive:
Only in LA Section:
La Brea Tar Pits:
Your friendly neighbourhood Bail Bonds People:
Smug Alert. Though some of the bumper stickers are good.
Mmmmmm. Donut!
Next: Up the coast to San Francisco.
