Free Your Inner Gas-Price Hostage
Yes, it is really possible to get around this sprawling land of strangeness and seduction without spending a fortune on transportation. Although many an identity in this city is forged upon its wheels--limited-edition Bugatti, vintage 'vette, chauffeur-driven limo, hot-off-the-boat Ducati motorcycle, ubiquitous price-of-gas-is-no-option SUVs, or conscience-driven hybrid--there are other ways to transverse (or altogether avoid) the famously congested highways and by-ways.
Outdoors enthusiasts can enjoy miles and miles of designated bike paths throughout the city. A perennial favorite is the famed Venice boardwalk where cyclists, skateboarders, and skimpily clad rollerbladers wheel along or barrel by on a special lane parallel to the broad sandy beach. Paths can also be found along many other beaches, through neighborhoods, and--for less nervous types--plying among the frenzied boulevards. Cycling is viable year-round, thanks to Southern California's mild climate and lack of rain.
Shock!--there is public transportation. Okay, the bus system is slow and it doesn't hit every spot in town, but it provides an inexpensive option for reaching many popular areas. And, not only are buses wheelchair accessible, but many have exterior bike racks. Another relatively unknown but often-used option is the (shock, again!) subway system--cheap, efficient, and an easy ride. Again, routes are limited, but they do cover the highlights (Universal Studios, Pasadena, Long Beach, Olvera Street, and the prominent corners of Hollywood). An escalator ride from the stop below L.A.'s Union Station gives access to commuter-rail and Amtrak trains.
More information: http://metro.net