Trains, Los Angeles

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A computer-operated tram takes you from the street-level entrance to the top of the hill. The tram is fully accessible. From the parking structure, take the elevators up to the Lower Tram Station (T1).

You are also welcome to walk up or down the hill, along the pedestrian sidewalk, instead of taking the tram. The path is about 3/4 mile and has a moderately steep grade. Depending on your pace, the walk usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes.

1200 Getty Center Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90049-1679

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Union Station is the main train station in LA and also the hub for transportation, including freeways regional trains, dozen of local buses and the Metro. Amtrak has many trains for all over the state, so you can go from here to Santa Barbara, San Diego etc Check their site: www.amtrak.com

Union Station is an attraction itself so even if you don’t want to take the train pass by as it located at the edge of downtown, near Olvera Street! It was built in 1939 in Spanish style, it’s the last huge train station in USA. The building is very big and beautifully lited in the night but I also liked the interior, it was like going back in time for a while, with nice ceilings, a lot of wood everywhere and many Spanish tiles for decoration. During the day we noticed some nice gardens with chairs that you can relax for a while, there are many roses and palm trees.

Address: 800 North Alameda Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012

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Union Station is the main hub for all trains leading into and out of Los Angeles. The Goldline Metrolink also runs through here. It was built in 1939 and has retained it's beautiful design. Something we noticed today that I didn't know was possible was a party or reception was being held a wing of the train station and was guarded off from visitors. For train schedules visit the Amtrak website. For Metrolink schedules, visit the Metrolink website.

Union Station is located at 800 N. Alameda Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Telephone # 800.872.7245

Amtrak http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/HomePage

Metrolink http://www.metrolinktrains.com/

We love our cars here in LA, admittedly a little too much. They haven't made it real easy to get around without one, unfortunately. So, if you come to visit, you probably need to rent a car but if you're not comfortable with the idea of tackling our freeways, I highly recommend the train to solve at least some of your transportation dilemmas.

Amtrak services the entire state and the main station is Union Station, located at the edge of downtown. The station is a gorgeous historic Spanish-style building. Its heyday was in the 1940s and it fell into some bad times for a while there but it is spiffed up again and looking terrific as ever now. Even if you don't take the train, you might want to stop by and see it if you enjoy architecture. It is located by tourist attractions Olvera St, Phillipe's, & Dodger Stadium so you very well may be by it at some point.

You can take the train down the coast all the way to San Diego (it stops at several places on the way) and you can take the train up to Santa Barbara. Both trips go along the coast and make for a lovely scenic ride.

The train goes further north (you can take it all the way to Washington state) but if your main focus is Los Angeles, the train makes it easy to visit San Diego and Santa Barbara counties without taking much time or money.

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I took the Pacific Surfliner from Los Angeles to San Juan Capistrano for a stop in the Orange County. I bought my tickets online and paid US$15 for a single off-peak weekday ticket.

The Pacific Surfliner is just one of the services offered by Amtrak running from Paso Robles through San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles, terminating at San Diego. Other routes and operators also have routes from Los Angeles to San Diego.

Seats are spacious and roomy. I had a window seat on the right of the train going down the coast, giving best views along the seaside. There was sufficient room for my suitcase in front of my legs.

If you're used to using Google Maps for getting around, here's a Google map of all LA Metro rail stations. http://tinyurl.com/5ztpjb It's easy to see the stations on the map so you can plan your trips in relation to where the stations are.

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We caught the Pacific Surfliner from San Diego to LA. It is a great way to travel and enjoy the view of the Californian coastline along the way. We travelled in the afternoon, so we had the pleasure of watching the sun setting over the water. It may take a little longer than driving but hey, it’s a very comfortable and relaxing way to travel that’s for sure. Much better than sitting in that notorious LA traffic.

A good way to get to San Diego or Santa Barbara is Amtrak (US long distance train system). Even though the US doesn't put much into its train system, this is a good way to get to relax and see the coast. Depending on what you do in San Diego and Santa Barbara it may not be necessary to rent a car in those two spots or at least you won't have to for a day or two.

Amtrak on the American West Coast is not nearly as extensive or as heavily-utilized as those on the East Coast. However, if you're planning on a trip to Santa Barbara(and I HIGHLY recommend you do), the Surfliner is a fantastic way to get there.

Booked in advance, the Surfliner is fairly cheap. You can utilize AAA discounts with two day advance bookings. My last trip was $19/one way. Not bad, eh?

The trip to Santa Barbara is just over two hours; about 40 minutes longer than by car, but traffic will often even up that disadvantage. And, what most people really like about the Surfliner is the way it clings to the coast. The train literally runs "on the beach", with bathers and surfers waving to the train as it chugs by. It's quite charming.

The train does continue past Santa Barbara, all the way to Seattle. However, if travelling North of Santa Barbara, I can't wholly recommend Amtrak. The mind-blowing scenery continues, but the train slows to a crawl, making the trek to California's Central Coast a grueling 5-6 hrs.

So, take it to SB and enjoy!

Now that you are in Los Angeles, why not visit nearby San Diego? There are many ways to go to San Diego but taking an Amtrak train (the Pacific Surfliner) is an experience in itself.

You may buy your ticket online at www.amtrak.com or at the Los Angeles Union Station. A round-trip ticket costs around $46. There are many trains in the Pacific Surfliner route. You shouldn't have a problem finding trains in either direction that closely match your schedule.

For first-timers, your adventure starts at L.A. Union Station, an important city landmark. If you have some waiting time, explore its nooks and crannies. Try to see where parts of Jim Carrey's "The Majestic" were filmed.

The train ride is quite interesting. You'll get a nice view of Southern California countryside and the Pacific Ocean. You may also be lucky and see some dolphins. If it's summer, you'll see many surfers practicing their sport.

San Diego's Santa Fe Station is an old building. It is quite compact, however, so you can see everything in a few minutes. The train station is already in Downtown San Diego so there are many things to see within walking distance. For example, you can walk to the landing where you can take a ferry to Coronado.

By the way, you can also take the Pacific Surfliner train to beautiful Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara is north of L.A. while San Diego is to the south.