​​​​​​​PUBLIC RAIL TRANSPORTATION

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We have a light rail system (map) provided by Los Angeles Metro here in Los Angeles. The routes do not cover all of Los Angeles, but you should be able to get to most Olympic venues using this rail system.

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Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles is calling for a "No car Games." She said, "The no car Games means that you will have to take public transportation to get to all of the venues. In order to do that, we have been building out our transports and system. We're already working to create jobs by expanding our public transportation system in order for us to have a no car Games."

 

Note: The Olympics do not use existing corporate or philanthropic names for stadiums and arenas. I placed the official sponsored names in parentheses ( ), along with a link to their location on Google maps.​​

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K Line (Crenshaw Line) - will take you to Downtown Inglewood station.

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• Venues: Arena (Intuit Dome) and Stadium (SoFi Stadium)

• Sports: basketball, Opening Ceremonies, and swimming

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E Line (Expo Line) - runs from Santa Monica to East L.A. The Exposition Park/USC stop is where you will disembark in downtown Los Angeles.

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• Venues: LA Memorial Coliseum (Google maps), 1932 Pool (LA84 Foundation/John C. Argue Swim Stadium) and USC Sports Center (Galen Center)

• Sports: athletics (track & field), diving, and badminton

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Closer to Santa Monica, the 26th Street/Bergamot Station is the closest to the Riviera Country Club. It's an additional 3.1 miles (5 km) to the venue.

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• Venue: Riviera Country Club (Google maps)

• Sport: golf

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A Line (Blue Line) - will take you between Long Beach and downtown Los Angeles. Disembark at the Pico Station in downtown Los Angeles.

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• Venues: Arena (Crypto.com Arena), the Theater (Peacock Theater), and the Los Angeles Convention Center (Google maps)

• Sports: gymnastics, fencing, judo, table tennis, taekwondo, wrestling, and weightlifting

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The Artesia Station is the closet to Carson, where the below venues are located. It's an additional 2.9 miles (4.7 km) from the station to the venue locations.

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• Venues: the Fields (Dignity Health Sports Park Field), Stadium (Dignity Health Sports Park), Tennis Center (Dignity Health Tennis Center), Velodrome (VELO Sports Center)

• Sports: [field] hockey, rugby sevens, tennis, cycling track

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In Long Beach, the A Line will take you to 1st Street Station and to Downtown Long Beach.

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• Venues: Convention Center Lot (Google maps), Arena (Long Beach Arena), Belmont Shore (Google maps), Marine Stadium (Google maps) and the Waterfront (Google maps)

• Sports: artistic swimming, water polo, handball, sailing, canoe sprint, rowing, marathon swimming, and triathlon 

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G Line (Orange Line) - this line will take you to the San Fernando Valley. From downtown Los Angeles, you can take the B Line (Red Line) to connect you to the G Line. You will disembark the G Line at the Balboa Station.

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• Venue: Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area (Sepulveda Basin Sports Complex)

• Sports: archery, BMX freestyle, BMX racing, skateboarding

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There is no easy way to use public transportation to get to the Equestrian Center (Galway Downs) in Temecula, California. You will either need to drive, or use a ride share or taxi.

 

Additional options for transportation in Los Angeles include driving, ride share, buses and taxis. For more information on driving in California please refer to the California Driver Handbook. Ride share apps commonly used in Los Angeles include Uber, Lyft, and Opoli. Taxi companies include LA Yellow Cab and LA City Cab. You can also use the Dash shuttle bus to get around downtown Los Angeles (Lines A through F) and beyond. We do have a network of buses as well.

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HOTEL LODGING

 

There are many places to stay in Los Angeles. This short list is where I would stay if I were attending the Olympic games. They are relatively close to the venues and public transportation, and reasonably priced with comfortable accommodations. I also mention the nearest Metro rail line in blue parentheses ( ), and nearby Olympic sports.

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Downtown Los Angeles (A Line, E Line)

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Courtyard Los Angeles L.A. LIVE - close to gymnastics, fencing, judo, table tennis, taekwondo, wrestling, and weightlifting

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Hotel Indigo Downtown LA - close to gymnastics, fencing, judo, table tennis, taekwondo, wrestling, and weightlifting

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InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown - close to gymnastics, fencing, judo, table tennis, taekwondo, wrestling, and weightlifting

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USC Hotel​​ - close to athletics (track & field), diving, and badminton

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Carson (A Line)

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Holiday Inn Los Angeles Gateway - Torrance - close to [field] hockey, rugby sevens, tennis, cycling track

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Sonesta Select Los Angeles Torrance​ - close to [field] hockey, rugby sevens, tennis, cycling track

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Inglewood (K Line)

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Lum Hotel - close to basketball, Opening Ceremonies, and swimming

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​Long Beach (A Line)

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The Belmont Shore Inn​ - close to sailing, canoe sprint, rowing, marathon swimming, triathlon

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Golden Sails Hotel - close to sailing, canoe sprint, rowing, marathon swimming, triathlon​

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Hyatt Regency Long Beach - close to artistic swimming, water polo, handball, marathon swimming, triathlon​

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The Westin Long Beach - close to artistic swimming, water polo, handball, marathon swimming, triathlon​

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Van Nuys (G Line)

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Hampton Inn & Suites Sherman Oaks - close to archery, BMX freestyle, BMX racing, skateboarding

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Best Western Plus Carriage Inn - close to archery, BMX freestyle, BMX racing, skateboarding

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Santa Monica (E Line)

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The Ambrose Hotel Santa Monica - close to golf

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Gateway Hotel Santa Monica - close to golf

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Hampton Inn & Suites Santa Monica - close to golf

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For a complete listing of available lodging, I would use Google maps, enter the name of the city or venue, and search for Hotels. You can also use airbnb.com or VRBO.com to search for more residential lodging options.

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​SIGHTSEEING - THINGS TO SEE AND DO

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This is a list of attractions which can be reached by public rail transportation. I also noted the rail line and stop, or station, for you. For a complete list of attractions here in Los Angeles, please see my LA guide page.

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Santa Monica (Metro E Line, Downtown Santa Monica Station)

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Third Street Promenade and the Santa Monica Pier are our favorite places to visit in Santa Monica! The promenade is a pedestrian shopping district with many great shops, restaurants, and entertainment. There are also many street performers on the weekends. For lunch or dinner, try Mariasol at the end of Santa Monica Pier for outstanding views and some hearty Mexican food. And the pier has its own amusement park, Pacific Park. If nothing else, take the Pacific Wheel ferris wheel for great views of the coastline.

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If you rent a bicycle, pair of roller skates, or a segway, the Bohemian and eclectic Venice Beach is just a couple of miles down the coast to the South. Here you can check out Muscle Beach, the Venice Skate Park, stroll along the boardwalk and peruse the wares of the street vendors, or head inland to observe the canals.

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​​​Griffith Observatory (Metro B Line, Vermont/Sunset Station, Observatory/Los Feliz shuttle)

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The site of many Hollywood films, from Rebel Without a Cause, to The Transformers, to La La Land, you can't beat the scenic views of the L. A. basin or the famous Hollywood sign from the Griffith Observatory. Admission is always free. Learn about our fascinating solar system, see a show in the planetarium or Leonard Nimoy Theater, or just walk the grounds. The best way to get there is to use the DASH Observatory bus. Day or night, we're certain you'll enjoy your visit.

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Downtown Los Angeles (Metro A and E Lines, Dash shuttle bus)

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Grand Park has a nice water fountain area and offers iconic views of Los Angeles City Hall. Angels Flight Railway funicular, built in 1901, takes you up and down Bunker Hill. At the top of the funicular is California Plaza shopping mall and the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), and at the bottom is Grand Central Market, a true foodies paradise! And The Broad museum conveniently lays between Grand Park, the Music Center, and the Walt Disney Concert Hall to the North, and MOCA and Angels Flight to the South.

 

The L.A. Live entertainment complex contains the Crypto.com sports arena, Peacock Theater, the Grammy Museum, a Regal movie theatre, and the Los Angeles Convention Center. There are also many restaurants, and even a few hotels. 

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Exposition Park lies a little to the South of downtown, across from the University of Southern California's University Park campus. Here you'll find our Natural History Museum, California African American Museum, California Science Center, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, BMO Stadium, Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, and the Rose Garden.

 

For formal evening entertainment, the Music Center performing arts center provides comedy, drama, musicals, dance, and even opera at their respective venues. And the Walt Disney Concert Hall is home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra and other special guests for all seasons except Summer, when they perform at the Hollywood Bowl.

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You can travel to multiple points in downtown along the Metro A and E Lines, and use the Dash shuttle bus (Lines A through F) to get around downtown as well.

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Theme Parks/Amusement Parks

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These are our major theme parks near a light rail or train station:

 

• Disneyland (Metrolink Orange County Line, Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodel Center) - From the Transportation Center it's another 3 miles to Disneyland. The Disneyland resort currently hosts two separate theme parks and a downtown area - the original Disneyland Park which was opened by Walt Disney himself in 1955, Disney California Adventure Park which opened in 2001, and the admission-free Downtown Disney shopping and dining district in between them.

• Universal Studios (Metro B Line, Universal/Studio City Station) - We have the original Universal Studios Hollywood, established in 1915, where they still make television shows and movies. As a result, they have an official backlot studio tour.

• Knott's Berry Farm (Metrolink Orange County Line, Buena Park Station) - From the Buena Park Station it's another 3 miles to Knott's. Home to Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts Gang, there's an 1800s Old West Ghost Town, and plenty of thrilling rides as well. There's also Soak City waterpark.

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Catalina Island (Metro A Line, Downtown Long Beach Station, Catalina Express boat)

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We love Santa Catalina Island, and try to get there at least once a year! I call it "the poor man's Hawaii" because it's got that laid back island vibe, but much cheaper to get to than the Hawaiian Islands. Summer is our favorite season to visit because we enjoy snorkeling the kelp forests when the water's at its warmest, usually between August to mid-October. If it's still too cold for you, rent a wet suit at Descanso Beach. We recommend snorkeling at the marine sanctuary off of the casino, at Descanso Beach, and Lovers Cove. If you don't want to snorkel or scuba dive, you can still enjoy a semi-submersible boat tour to see the abundant wildlife under the sea.

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The Catalina Museum displays the history of the island, including when it was owned by William Wrigley Jr. If you can, we highly recommend spending a night or two on the island. Spending the night allows you to enjoy the island without the day-tripping crowds. And if you're there at night between Memorial Day weekend and mid September you can enjoy the fabled flying fish tour as well. Parasailing and ziplining are additional activities you can try on the island. Use the Catalina Express out of Long Beach to get to the island.

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Hollywood Pantages Theater (Metro B Line, Hollywood/Vine Station)

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There are many classic Hollywood theaters, but the Pantages has the best off-Broadway shows in town. We've enjoyed Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Wicked, The Book of Mormon and others from this beautiful, Golden Age of Hollywood-themed theater. For the best view of the shows and the beautiful art-deco ceiling, we recommend sitting in the front mezzanine up top.

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The Hollywood Bowl (Metro B Line, Hollywood/Highland Station)

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Open during the warm season, the Hollywood Bowl is the most iconic place to enjoy an outdoor concert anywhere in Los Angeles. This is the Summer residence of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. The remainder of the year they perform at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown. We've listened to jazz concerts, the music of John Williams, Frozen Planet in Concert, and opera here. They have something for everyone, and encourage you to bring your own picnic meal to the park. Not to worry though, good food is available for purchase within the gates as well. Oh, and if you sit in the lawn area or bleacher seating, bring a blanket to sit on.

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Hollywood Walk Of Fame (Metro B Line, Hollywood/Highland Station)

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The Hollywood Walk of Fame can be a rather over-touristed location. I realize it's iconic, and you may have a certain celebrity's star you wish to visit. So here are some tips:

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1. Unless you want to visit a specific celebrity's star, stick to Hollywood Boulevard between North Orange Drive and Highland Avenue. It's safer, especially at night. This is where TCL Chinese Theatre, with celebrity handprints and footprints in front, and El Capitain Theatre are located.

2. ​​If you're driving, you can park at the Hollywood & Highland Center underground parking garage.

3. ​Right before sunset is probably the best time to take a photo or video of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, with California's golden sun shining down Hollywood Boulevard. I recommend this location for a photo, in front of 25 Degrees hamburger restaurant.

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San Diego, California (Pacific Surfliner)

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From Union Station in downtown Los Angeles, you can take the Pacific Surfliner train all the way South to downtown San Diego! It's about a 3 hour ride. For details on things to see and do in San Diego, please refer to my Top Tourist Destinations to Explore in San Diego, CA, travel blog post.

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Las Vegas, Nevada (Metrolink San Bernardino Line, Rancho Cucamonga Station)

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​Yes, it's true. You can take a train all the way from Los Angeles to Las Vegas! From Union Station in downtown Los Angeles, take the Metrolink San Bernardino Line to Rancho Cucamonga. From there you will board to new Brightline West high-speed railway all the way to Las Vegas, Nevada! For a list of things to do in Las Vegas, please refer to my Exploring the Family-Friendly Side of the Las Vegas Strip travel blog post.

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WEATHER IN LOS ANGELES​

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​​Any time of year is good for visiting Los Angeles. Temperatures are mild and we rarely receive any rain.  These are the average high temperatures in July and August for each city where an Olympic venue is located, and the sports which will be located there as well:

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Santa Monica 71 F/22 C

• location for golf

 

Downtown Los Angeles 84 F/29 C

• location for athletics (track & field), diving, gymnastics, fencing, judo, table tennis, taekwondo, wrestling, weightlifting, badminton

 

Long Beach 84 F/29 C

• location for artistic swimming, water polo, handball, sailing, canoe sprint, rowing, marathon swimming, triathlon​

 

Inglewood 76 F/24 C

• location for basketball, Opening Ceremonies, swimming

 

Van Nuys 91 F/33 C

• location for archery, BMX freestyle, BMX racing, skateboarding

 

Carson 79 F/26 C

• location for [field] hockey, rugby sevens, tennis, cycling track

 

Temecula 88 F/31 C

• location for equestrian

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Ocean water temperatures in July and August are usually between 70 to 72 F/21 to 22 C. It is our cool ocean temperatures which help maintain our comfortable Mediterranean climate along the coast. The best beach accessible by rail is Santa Monica (E Line).

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There are a few rare natural events which could affect our weather in the Summer. Wildfires, which occur in the mountains and canyons, can produce smoke which could affect air quality. Monsoonal moisture, rising North from Mexico's Gulf of California, could produce brief thunderstorms and increase humidity. And Santa Ana wind conditions, which are hot, dry winds blowing from the desert. These winds could increase air temperatures.

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This page will be updated as additional information becomes available. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below, or contact me on social media - Facebook or Instagram. For more information on Los Angeles, I recommend visiting Discover LA​​​​​​. And for additional information on the 2028 Olympics, please see LA28.

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