FREE Holiday Eve Fares with Metro

Go Metro for the holidays!  Safely travel for free using all Metro bus and rail lines* this holiday season for the periods of:

• 9PM on Tuesday, December 24, 2013 until 2AM Wednesday, December 25, 2013
• 9PM on Tuesday, December 31, 2013 until 2AM Wednesday, January 1, 2014

*Note: Metro Rail will close per its regular schedule around midnight (12 AM) on December 24th, but late-night buses will be free during this time. All Metro Rail Lines and the Metro Orange Line are scheduled to operate all night - 24 hour service - every 20 minutes on New Year's Eve with free service for the designated times above.

For more information, visit Metro.

Happy Holidays and safe travels.

-ExperienceLA Staff

White Arrows to Appear at Troubadour on December 15

The other day I had the chance to sit down with John Paul ("JP") Cabellero and Steven Vernet from the five member Los Angeles based White Arrows who in 2012 released their first LP ("Dry Land is Not a Myth"), including a vinyl version, and toured extensively throughout the United States, Europe, and Australia.  For those who saw the White Arrows open the 2012  Labor Day weekend FYF Fest at the Metro friendly, Chinatown adjacent, State Historic Park, you can see them up close and personal at the historic West Hollywood Troubadour for KCRW presents the Invisible Children Holiday Benefit Show on Saturday night, December 15, 2012.  White Arrows, who got their start almost three years ago, had a residency at the old Spaceland in Echo Park club, giving them a chance to refine their sound and live performance persona. They have already come a long way in such a short time, playing SXSW twice, and their USA/Europe/Australia tour, White Arrows, knock on wood, are hoping to get a Coachella 2013 invite.  Their sound is described as psyschotropic, but is a blend of driving rhythms and pop.

During 2012, White Arrows was on the road so much, that they were glad to have places in Los Angeles to rest and recover, since they were home no more than 3 weeks at the longest, before hitting the road again. They consider the "Eastside" of Silver Lake and Echo Park as their spiritual home, with band founders Mickey and Henry Church having grown up in Pacific Palisades, and JP having grown up in Hermosa Beach and Steven in the Montclair area.  JP described himself as a contrarian, and so as to not do PE, he joined the marching band at Mira Costa High school playing percussion instruments and bass. While Steven started playing the drums in elementary school, but when he couldn't convince his parents to invest in a drum set, he learned the bass guitar which he played in band while at Montclair Prep.

Win Tickets to see The Addams Family in Los Angeles

Photo credit: Jeremy Daniel

Broadway/L.A. - Pantages Theatre, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) and ExperienceLA.com team up to offer Los Angelinos several opportunities to win prizes for the upcoming run of "The Addams Family" at the Pantages Theatre, including an evening of macabrely fun with a family 4-pack of tickets to see “The Addams Family,” and dinner at Bucca di Beppo located at Universal City Walk. "The Addams Family" begins June 5 and runs through June 17 at the Pantages Theatre. Enter our photo contest for your chance to win!

3 days, 3 adventures: Montebello, Downtown & Long Beach

Last weekend our family hosted some friends who dropped in for a visit on their way up north to Tahoe. This wasn't their first time in L.A., so they were itching to see something new. Past trips included Hollywood, the Hollywood sign, Santa Monica and Venice beaches, Beverly Hills, the Getty and the Original Farmer's Market.

We decided our daughter would be the factor in determining some interesting sites to take them. Finding family-friendly things to do in L.A. has become one of our favorite challenges, as we're always delighted with our discoveries and generally pleased with our experiences.

Our itinerary for the long weekend: a picnic and visit to the Montebello Barnyard Zoo at Grant Rea Park in Montebello; breakfast Downtown and a stroll through Little Tokyo; and a day in Long Beach at the harbor and Aquarium of the Pacific.

Party hearty and smartly: free Metro rides and AAA Tipsy Tow service for New Year's Eve weekend

Many of us already have our plans made for celebrating the New Year. Some of us are still deciding - and if you happen to be in this category, might we suggest visiting the ExperienceLA.com calendar for some ideas :)

Whatever your plans are, if you and your roommates are drawing straws to see who will be the sober this year, or if you simply haven't had time to think about finding a designated driver, fear not! Metro and AAA have provided some wonderful solutions for this coming weekend of merriment in Los Angeles.

Mobility 21 Regional Transportation Conference and QR Tags

On Tuesday, September 6, 2011, at the LA Live JW Marriott, the six County Region that comprises SCAG will meet under the auspices of the Mobility 21 partnership which was created to bring more federal transportation dollars into the region. A top priority for the region is America Fast Forward that began as Mayor Villaraigosa's 30-10 plan whose purpose was to pledge Prop R funds for accelerating the Metro approved 30 year Proposition R capital program into getting done in 10 years. In our current economic climate where one needs to create jobs, fast tracking these major capital projects and their related construction jobs is a great idea.

The ExperienceLA project will be covering the Mobility 21 conference on Twitter (follow us @experienceLA) and will be using the hashtag of #mobility21 along with whatever hashtag the organizers promote. The conference is sold out, so one way to get an understanding of the discussion is to follow on Twitter. Most likely Steve Hymon, who tweets and blogs for Metro on Metro's The Source will be there posting tweets along with other social media advocates. ExperienceLA was funded by Metro through a competitive process in 2001 for the novel idea at the time to use the Internet to promote public transit and cultural destinations in Los Angeles. ExperienceLA has worked with over 2,000 cultural organizations encouraging such organizations to make sure that transit instructions show up on their site, and on ExperienceLA, one can find such cultural destinations, and instantly retrieve from the Metro Trip Planning server, the required transit instructions.

The ExperienceLA project also was a very early adopter of the use of social media to promote cultural tourism and transit in Los Angeles, and Metro itself is making great use of such tools. One example that was recently launched by Metro is the use of Nextbus real time transit information coupled with the use of QR (Quick Response) tags as shown in the picture above. Metro currently has deployed 1,000 of these, and hopes to over time have them at most of the 15,000 Metro bus stops in Los Angeles County. The way it works is that using your smartphone and using an application that is now being preloaded on many phones, or you go to the Android or Apple application store, and download for free the required software. Then with the application open, you proceed like taking a photo, and up will come information on the next buses arriving at that stop. This is much easier than prior technologies tested by Metro. It works because there are GPS tracking devices on all of the Metro buses. It is quick, easy, and reliable.

Almost six years ago, I started writing, and had it published in the Main Street monthly journal a major article discussing WiFi, mobile devices, and locational services which was presented at the June 2006 Main Street conference in New Orleans. Based upon the chatter in various blogs, the article discussed the advent of "smartphones" with features very similar to what became the Apple iPhone that was announced by Steve Jobs on January 9, 2007 and launched in June 29, 2007. In the Main Street journal article, I thought about all of the different things that could be loaded onto an iPod and especially wireless and locational services. When I wrote the article, I had a Nokia Tablet which was a relative hot seller in Europe (and a novelty in America) that gave me WiFi Internet access, and it replaced my Dell Axim which also did the same. Right now I use my Motorola Android (bought on launch day November 6, 2009) and Google transit application to obtain the scheduled information, while thinking about what MetroRail or buses to catch, including Long Beach Transit.

I was invited back to present at the Main Street Chicago conference in March 2009 in which we brought a Los Angeles panel to discuss social media in downtown Los Angeles with a focus on the Downtown Art Walk. I had a chance to attend a session to hear about how several Main Street programs were having to think about different approaches in the implementation of Main Street programs in Spanish speaking areas of the United States. At one particular session, one of the speakers stated how important it was for stores to put their phone numbers on the store window, since low cost mobile phones were becoming so important to the Latino community. I then interjected in this session that what this means is that the Apple and Android smartphones are going to completely change how lower income individuals communicate, as they will have access to the Internet with them at all times, and this will many times be their only access to the Internet.

This is why the Metro investment in the QR tag signs is a smart move, as Lucy Hood from the USC Marshall School of Business, wrote in the August 29, 2011 Wall Street Journal about how smartphones are closing the digital divide. Thus, smartphones will be everywhere, and thus the QR tag technology deployed by Metro as it spreads across the County and the universal adoption of such phones with these most basic tools, will be of benefit to all income levels in Los Angeles. And we will begin to see businesses with a QR code sign on their window, so that someone can easily bring up the website for the business.

What are you doing on Sunday? Meet Me @ Metro (Traveling Theater)

It's a given that we like to support our local art and theatre. We like even more to support events that are family-friendly, low-cost, let's people experience something new in LA, and promotes the use of public transit.

Here for Roses? Enjoy the Gold (Red and Purple) Metro Lines

Whether you're rooting for Buckeyes, Ducks, Longhorns, or the Crimson Tide at the Rose Bowl  - or in town to see the Tournament of Roses - the Gold Line is a great way to get to Pasadena and enjoy L.A. sights.  While you're at it, explore with the Metro Red Line and Purple Line too.  Need some reasons why?  Read on! 

Skip the Parking, Free Shuttle
If you drive, it will cost you $30 to park for the Rose Bowl game and $40 for the BCS game. (Metro's The Source).  But at $1.25 for one way, one line (or $5 for a daypass), you can hop on the Metro Gold Line light rail.  Four Gold Line stations (Del Mar, Memorial Park, Lake, and Allen) are within walking distance from the parade route.  For those attending the Rose Bowl game or the BCS game, Metro is offering a free shuttle.  Just get off at Memorial Park station and walk over to Parsons.  Need more information on the shuttle and walking from stations for the parade?  Visit Metro's Go Metro to 2010 New Year's Celebrations! page.

Sight Seeing on the Gold Line
Here are some notes and suggestions.  Where possible we've linked to more information on ExperienceLA.com 

Sierra Madre Villa Station:
Hang out at Victory Park or go shopping at Hastings Ranch Shopping Center.

Lake Station
Visit the Carnegie Institution Observatory, Ice House Comedy Club, or take advantage of the daypass by hopping on the Metro 485 and enjoying a play at the Pasadena Playhouse.  Camelot starts at the Pasadena Playhouse on January 8th if you'll be in town for awhile.  Get your shopping fix on at Lake Avenue Shopping District.

Memorial Park Station: 
Visit Museums and Theatres including Armory Center for the Arts, Memorial Park, Levitt Pavilion, Norton Simon Museum, Pacific Asia Museum, and Pasadena Museum of California Art.  Shopping?  Old Pasadena and Paseo Colorado Shopping Center is off this stop too.

Del Mar Station
Visit Central Park or enjoy some ice skating at the Pasadena Ice Skating Rink.  More shopping is available at the Old Pasadena Shopping District (see One Colorado).

Mission Station
Enjoy the Meridian Ironworks Museum or stop in to see the architecture of the South Pasadena Library.  There's also shopping at the Mission West Shopping District.

Highland Park Station
This station offers the Highland Park Recreation Center and the LA Police Historical Museum.

Southwest Museum Station
Visit the Southwest Museum or check out the Audubon Center at Debs Park, the Lummis Home, or Sycamore Grove Park.

Heritage Square/Arroyo Station
Check out Greayer Oak Park and roam around in the history of Heritage Museum Square. 

Lincoln Heights/Cypress Park Station
Spend some time at Cypress Park or enjoy the gardens at the LA River Center and Gardens.

Chinatown Station
Chinatown offers a wide-range of cultural foods, shopping, and destinations.  It's the perfect place to go sightseeing.  Check out Chinatown Art Galleries, the architecture of Old Chinatown, and Los Angeles State Historic Park.  See Chinatown destinations on ExperienceLA.

Union Station
From Union Station itself to the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument and Olvera Street, there's plenty to see off of Union Station.  You can even enjoy the classic French dip sandwiches at Phillipe's a few blocks away.  Also check out the Chinese American Museum. 

Little Tokyo/Arts District
In addition to the arts district, check out the Japanese American Cultural Community Center, the Japanese American National Museum (they're hosting a Oshogatsu Family Festival!), and the MOCA-Geffen Contemporary Museum. 

Mariachi Plaza
Visit Hollenbeck Park or the Mariachi Plaza.

Metro offers a downloadable Gold Line guide.  You can download it here (pdf).

Need More To Do?  Enjoy Red...and Purple! 

We don't mean the red and purple likely to adorn the floats at the 2010 parade, there's a Metro Red Line and Purple Line accessible at Union Station.  Both Red and Purple Lines can take you from Union Station and into attractions in Downtown, Hollywood, Thai Town, and Korea Town.

Civic Center (Red and Purple)
Sight see or take in a show at the Music Center.  The Music Center is home the Ahmanson Theatre, the Mark Taper Forum, and the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.   Close to the Music Center is the Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA).

Pershing Square (Red and Purple)
Check out Pershing Square and the beautiful Central Library.  Nearby shopping includes the Fashion District, Jewelry District, and Santee Alley.

7th Street/Metro Center (Red and Purple, also transfer point to/from Blue Line)
This station is close to a LA Vistior Information Center, 7+Fig and Macy's Plaza shopping and food.  Head south down Figueroa and you can also find yourself at the L.A. Live plaza to enjoy food options and the GRAMMY Museum.

Wilshire/Western (Purple Line)
Grab the Metro Rapid 720 from Wilshire/Western and explore Museum Row.  Get off at Fairfax to experience the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), Broad Contemporary Museum of Art, Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits, and Craft & Folk Art Museum.  You can also take the Metro Rapid 720 further to experience Beverly Hills/Rodeo Drive, Westwood/UCLA offerings like the Hammer and the Fowler Musuems, and 3rd Street Promenade.

Vermont/Sunset
This station is a convenient walk to Barnsdall Art Park and Hollyhock House.  With the LADOT Griffith Observatory Shuttle you can head over to experience Griffith Park.  A quick walk up Vermont and you can enjoy shopping and food in Los Feliz - including a 24-hour eclectic dining experience at Fred 62 (order the Bossa Nova). 

Hollywood/Western
Make a stop at this station for Thai Food dining and shopping along Western Avenue.

Hollywood/Vine
Convenient to catch a show at the Pantages Theatre (it's across the street from the station) and a quick walk to explore the Hollywood Walk of Fame (just look down at the sidewalk), the Henry Fonda Theatre, Arclight Cinerama Dome, and shopping at the Amoeba Music.

Hollywood/Highland
In addition to the Hollywood Theatre District which includes the Egyptian, the El Capitan, Grauman's Chinese (where all the celebrity foot/handprints are), and Kodak Theatres, explore entertaining museums like the Hollywood Wax Museum, Ripley's Believe It Or Not, and the newly open Madame Tussauds.  The station lets you off right at Hollywood & Highland Center for quick/accessible shopping.  More of the Hollywood Walk of Fame can be seen in this area as well.

Universal City
Grab the shuttle and head into Universal Studios theme park or just enjoy Universal CityWalk for shopping and sightseeing. 

North Hollywood
Experience the richness of art through the NoHo Arts District and the El Portal Center for the Arts. 

Check out ExperienceLA.com's Interactive Map for more destinations and information.  As always please check transit time tables and plan your trip (and all of its connections) accordingly!

-ExperienceLA Staff

(Photo by simonela from ExperienceLA Flickr Pool)

Purple and Gold

...are complimentary colors (or well, purple and yellow, but close enough)! Perfect indeed. Green and white, on the other hand... are not.

Enough said.

If you're not one of the lucky people who have tickets to the NBA Finals, and the Lakers are out in Boston...you can catch the game on the massive Staples Center TV screens with thousands of other fans. $15 for adults and $10 for kids 3 to 13. Proceeds go to the Lakers Youth Foundation and the Staples Center Foundation, both of which benefit local kids. It definitely adds to the spirit and excitement to head over to the Staples Center on the Metro with a multitude of purple and gold wearing fans.

GO LAKERS!!

*Take the Metro Blue Line to Pico Station, one block from Staples Center, or the Metro Red Line to 7th Street/Metro Center, just four blocks away.

-ExperienceLA Staff

Earth Day in LA

LA is a place known more for its car-friendliness (have you seen the traffic out there?), but that doesn't mean it's lacking in more eco-friendly options (especially as those gas prices rise). So take some time out to learn how to boost the green power in your life. Experience the arts and cultural offerings of LA and save the world in your own way...

Ne-Yo at the Wiltern

Sunday night was spent being serenaded by Ne-Yo at the Wiltern. On a whim, my friend and I decided to buy tickets the day of the concert. The venue itself was pretty nice, its neon sign and lit up marquee making it stand out on the corner of Wilshire and Western. Small enough to feel cozy, but big enough to house a lot of people, including fans who joyfully danced away in the aisles. The concert culminated with Ne-Yo singing "Happy Birthday" acapella style to one of the fans while the rest of us sighed in awe from afar.

The Wiltern is easily accessible via the Wilshire/Western stop on the Metro Purple Line.

-Sarah Koo, ExperienceLA Arts/Culture Marketing Assistant

Antonio Banderas Wants You to Go Metro!

Antonio Banderas wants you to Go Metro to the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival. Check out the video (courtesy of Metro) to see why you should Go Metro to one of Los Angeles best annual film festivals.



Antonio Banderas quiere que tomes el metro al Festival de Cine latino Internacional de Los Angeles. Mira el video (cortesia de Metro) donde explica la buena razon para tomar el metro a uno de los mejores festivales de Cine de Los Angeles.

Public Displays of Affection... on the Metro!

Actually, I never see that much PDA on the Metro. Hooray!! On the other hand, I do see plenty of people picking away at their noses, making me want to inch away from any metal bar in sight and hone my ability to freely balance in a moving subway car, two inch heels and all (can I call that my special talent?).

There IS, however, an event called Public Displays of Affection, a concert and exhibit brought to you by Global Inheritance, in an effort to "show public transportation in Los Angeles a little love". For a city where a majority of its residents don't even realize a subway exists, I'm all for a little Metro lovin'.

The event features Ladytron, Great Northern, and special guest DJ Taina, as well as TRASHed: Art of Recyling Exhibit. Your ticket, of course, is an incoming subway or bus ticket. Takes place this Thursday, September 27th at Hollywood & Highland, 7:00pm.

-Sarah Koo, ExperienceLA Arts/Culture Marketing Assistant