posted
can't find the thread, but when I asked about where to visit for a couple of days going out and back to LA area (having been to Santa Barbara, San Diego, San Juan Capistrano, San Luis Obispo) someone here recommended catching the bus from LA Union Sta to San Pedro and then the ferry to Catalina Island, which sounded great. However, when I checked the Thruway bus schedule, the first one would not get me to San Pedro until very late afternoon; I don't mind the layover in downtown LA (plenty to do and see) if my SW Chief is on time, and I don't mind getting to San Pedro that time of day. However, when I checked the ferry schedule there, the only ferries were cutting it very close on Saturday and Sunday and one 7PM one on Friday. I am sure there are more in summer but I'm not planning a trip in summer. I really wanted to come on a weekday, cheaper hotel rates. . . . What do you suggest? Should I go on Friday? And if I do, do I take the Amtrak Thruway bus to the regular San Pedro stop or the one called San Pedro bus stop, i.e., which is by the ferry or easier to get to it?
I also see there are more ferries from Long Beach. It seems to go from Queen Mary only seasonsally but another stop with more ferries. Perhaps I should go there instead, but how do I get there from LAX, and what are logistics of the bus to ferry there? Can I take the ferry from Long Beach instead?
Or maybe I should overnight someplace and then catch ferry? Seems a lot of jockeying around though.
If I forget about Catalina, there are places in LA area I haven't been, Huntingtom museum, Getty museum, etc. Where are they? Where would you recommend I stay hotelwise to get to them (without a car)? I do not want to spend a lot in cab fares but I need a nice safe hotel if I am in downtown LA; I cnfess I was not too thrilled about the area on Alameda where you go right after leaving LAUS (with your back to LAUS), not sure what that neighborhood is.
quote: From The L.A. Bus Station, or Union Station The Blue Line lightrail runs to the Transit Mall on First Street in Long Beach. Transfer to the free Long Beach Downtown Runabout (Route C) for a ride to the Queen Mary, next to the Express boats and Helicopter landing. Runabout Route C cruises between the downtown Transit Mall and the Queen Mary across the bay from 5:30am until midnight, seven days a week.
I would also check with hotels to see if they have packages that include transportation to/from Union Station (or LAX).
posted
From LA Union Station it looks like the best way to Catalina is to take a Red or Purple Line train to the 7th Street Station in downtown LA and transfer to the Blue Line train to Long Beach. The Blue Line trip takes about an hour, but there is a train every 12 minutes. The Blue Line terminates at the Long Beach Transit Mall where you would catch a free Passport shuttle bus (route A or D) to the Downtown Landing Catalina ferry terminal. Service is very frequent on the Passport routes.
Blue Line timetable (notice that not every Blue train goes all the way to Long Beach!)
Vincent206 Member # 15447
posted
It also looks like Passport route C has service to the downtown Long Beach Ambus stop and to the Queen Mary Ambus stop, if those connections would be better.
sojourner Member # 3134
posted
Sounds pretty complicated with luggage, Vincent! But thanks so much for the info, and thanks for the song Mr Norman. I *thought* they used to call it Santa Catalina, and now I see why!
posted