Los Angeles is a sprawling metropolitan area with amazing attractions and activities. 
The city is infamous for its vast network of streets and freeways, but until recently, it wasn't very friendly to public transit.
However, things are improving significantly. Visiting iconic LA places by rail or express bus is now possible. So, get your backpack, phone, and camera ready, and join me on this exploration tour.
Be warned: There is so much to see and do; you will probably need several days to complete this itinerary.
Union Station
If you are coming to LA by train, you will most likely arrive at Union Station. This is the central hub for all trains, metro light rail, buses, and even bikes.
The station, built in 1939 to consolidate several terminals, is considered the largest station in the West. Its main building is registered as a National Historic Place.
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As you arrive at Union Station, you will disembark from your train and enter a long hallway connecting the West and East portals. Follow the signs to your next ride. The metro rail lines are underground, while the connecting trains are on the upper level.
Before jumping on the next tram, you may want to take a break and eat at one of the restaurants or snack shops in the East or West portals.
You can also grab a bike from the “Bike Share” program and explore the city at your leisure. Bike rentals cost $3.50 for 30 minutes, but you can get a discount if you buy a monthly or annual pass.
Tip: If you are planning several trips on the metro system, buy a 1-day or 7-day pass that works for all rail lines and buses.
See a useful station map here.
El Pueblo de Los Angeles
Before starting your adventure on LA’s subway, consider visiting the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument. It is a short walk away from Union Station.
Tip: Make sure to exit from the Alameda Street exit. The monument and adjacent Olvera Street are right across the street from Alameda.
This historic district was first established in 1781 and was the center of Los Angeles during Spanish and Mexican rule. It is home to many historic buildings and statues and hosts the famous Olvera Street (Calle Olvera).
At Olvera Street, you can stroll along a narrow street and enjoy shopping at the colorful street vendors or grab a bite of authentic Mexican food. During my visit, I had lunch at El Paseo Inn, where I enjoyed some mouthwatering enchiladas while watching people from their patio overlooking Olvera Street. The service was excellent and friendly.
A plaza at the center of this district hosts many events throughout the year. For a listing of events, go here.
On a side alley from Olvera Street, you will see a sign for Avila Adobe, the oldest-standing structure in LA. Adobe was built in 1818 and is open to the public. The tour is free of charge and takes you through the various rooms in the house, which features a well-kept cactus garden in the courtyard.
Tip: Olvera Street opens at 10 am, so if you arrive early at Union Station, come back to this lively place for lunch or dinner.
Little Tokyo
Little Tokyo is another historic district in downtown LA with a large population of Japanese Americans. It is only a 14-minute walk or a 7-minute ride from Union Station on the Gold Metro Line.
While here, you can stroll around and enjoy the architecture and statues or visit the Japanese American National Museum, James Irvine Japanese Garden, two Buddhist temples, or the Japanese Village Plaza.
The area is also full of Japanese restaurants and shops. The all-you-can-eat buffet at Oiwake Restaurant offers a large variety of Japanese cuisine, or you can sample great sushi and sake at Tenno Sushi.
Civic Center / Grand Park
The LA Civic Center / Grand Park is your first stop on the Red and Purple lines from Union Station.
Tip: The Red and Purple lines take the same route from Union Station to the Wilshire/Vermont station.
From this station, you can walk to places like the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Walt Disney Concert Hall, The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles City Hall, or just spend some time at Grand Park.
The park is an oasis in the city's center, with beautiful fountains, pink-colored benches, and snack shops. During the summer months, free music and events are held here. Kids especially love the interactive splash pads and the new play area. The park welcomes visitors with a sign in almost every world language.
Tip: If you bring your kids to play here, make sure they have a change of clothes. They will definitely get wet.
The park is a long promenade connecting The Music Center on one end and the historic LA City Hall building on the other.
LA City Hall was built in 1928 and is still used by the city government today. It has been featured in many TV shows and movies, including Superman, Dragnet, and V (the series).
Pershing Square
You can keep walking from the Civic Center station to reach your next destination, but if you prefer to save your energy, just hop back on the Red/Purple Line and go to Pershing Square Station.
As you exit the station, stay on 5th Avenue and walk to the Oue Skyspace observation tower. It is located at the top of the tallest building in LA and offers a breathtaking view of the city and surrounding area.
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From this vantage point, you can see the Hollywood sign and the snow-capped mountains behind it. In the opposite direction, you can see all the way to the ocean. In between, you can gaze down at the other tall buildings and Pershing Square.
The observation tower also has a glass slide that could be thrilling to try, but it is very short. I don’t think it is worth the extra ticket.
Note: The observation deck is permanently closed as of October 26, 2020. It is now home to the Vista Patio restaurant.
There is no time limit to your visit. You can zip through the 360-degree view or relax on the lounge chairs strategically located on both levels.
Pershing Square Park itself is worth visiting. It was recently renovated with modern art and fountains. There is always something happening here. An ice rink is set up in the winter months for some skating.
A few steps away from the park, you will find a fascinating place called “The Last Bookstore.” Even if you are not a book lover, this place is worth a visit. The store has a massive collection of books in every category. The second floor has more books and some art and craft shops. Sofas and benches are available everywhere so you can relax with an interesting book.
The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) is located between the Civic Center and Pershing Square stations so you can walk to it from either station. It is the only museum dedicated to modern art from 1940 to the present. You can find a big metal sculpture made of old airplanes outside the museum.
If you are hungry for breakfast, there is a lovely restaurant right next to MOCA. The Grand Café at the Omni Hotel serves a delicious breakfast buffet with a made-to-order omelet station. It is a little pricey but worth every bite.
FigAt7th, LA Live, and Staples Center
You can take the Red Line to 7th Street Station or walk to this next destination.
The FigAt7th mall is one of the newest shopping centers in downtown. It features stores like H&M, Victoria's Secret, and Target. The mall also has a food court with dining places like California Pizza Kitchen, George's Greek Grill, and Starbucks.
You can find LA Live and the Grammy Museum a few blocks from the station.
LA Live is an entertainment complex with several live music venues, movie theaters, and restaurants. It is also home to the Grammy Museum. If you enjoy watching the music awards, you must visit this place to learn about the history and winners of the Grammys.
While you are here, you can’t miss the Staples Center - home of the Lakers and Clippers – and many touring concerts and events.
7th Street Metro Hub
The 7th Street Metro Station is also a hub for several rail lines branching in different directions. From here, you can take the Purple Line to go to Wilshire Center and Koreatown.
You can also take the Expo Line to connect to USC, The Science Center, other museums, Culver City, and Santa Monica.
The Red Line continues to West and North Hollywood and Universal Studios.
The Blue Line heads south towards downtown Long Beach. This line also connects to the Green Line, which takes you to Los Angeles Airport.
You can find a very informative map here.
Koreatown
The Purple Line stops at three business and residential district stations: Wilshire/Vermont, Wilshire/Normandie, and Wilshire/Western. Shops and restaurants extend through several city blocks, but the center is around 8th and Western. Venture into side streets to discover some interesting gyms.
Koreatown can surprise you with its specialty shops and entertainment venues. You can find unique toy shops, restaurant supplies, karaoke bars, and places of worship.
Some of the must-visit places are:
- Sing your heart out at The Shrine Karaoke bar with its Egyptian-themed interior and great-tasting Korean dishes.
- Sample L.A.'s best biryani at Bangla Bazar & Restaurant – an out-of-place Little Bangladesh strip mall.
- In the market for some stationery? Go to Daiso – a Japanese chain store.
- Stock up for your projects at Top’s Art Supplies – a family-owned business with interesting displays.
- To get your fill of Korean BBQ, try Sun Ha Jang, famous for its BBQ duck.
- If you love K-pop music and culture, you can find the latest music and trends at the Music Plaza in Koreatown. There are lots of CDs, accessories, and posters to choose from.
- On the edge of Koreatown (on S. Western Ave), you can catch the latest Hollywood movies or a Korean flick at the CGV Cinemas Theaters. You can enjoy a Japanese meal at the Curry House next to the theater.
LA Convention Center
From the 7th Street Station, take the Expo Line and disembark at the Pico Station. A short walk takes you to the Convention Center, where big shows and conferences are held.
The LA Auto Show is held here every year. It features a large display of the latest models from all manufacturers, and many carmakers unveil their futuristic concept cars at this show.
Other shows and conferences include LA Fitness, Classic Auto Show, America's Got Talent Auditions, and US Naturalization Ceremonies.
Exposition Park and Science Center
The next stop on the Expo Line is the Expo/USC Station. As you leave the station, you can cross the street to the north to visit the University of Southern California (USC) or go south to visit several museums, including the Science Center.
USC is a private research university established in 1880. The mostly pedestrian campus features the largest collection of Romanesque Revival buildings and beautiful gardens and fountains.
You can take a self-guided tour to learn more about the campus and various buildings. See details here.
The California Science Center is a premier science museum with several permanent exhibits and a few touring exhibits.
It is the final resting place for the Shuttle Endeavour. After making several trips to space and then traveling through the streets of LA, the shuttle is on display for all curious minds to explore. You can read a full article about the Science Center here.
Tip: If you are entering the Science Center from the Expo/USC Station, you are not going through the main entrance. You should go through Exposition Park, through the gates, through the ground floor, and out the other gate to get to the main entrance plaza and the box office.
At the center, you can catch an IMAX film with a scientific twist. Some recent IMAX films playing here are Journey to Space 3D, A Beautiful Planet 3D, and Secret Ocean 3D.
Also, in Exposition Park, is the Museum of Natural History. Here, you can travel through 4.5 million years of history told by specimens, fossils, and dioramas. An abundance of interactive exhibits makes this museum fun for kids and adults alike. Read more about it here.
Finally, the park itself is famous for its rose gardens. As you pass through, enjoy the sights and smells of the multicolored roses.
Hollywood
Back at the 7th Street hub (or starting from Union Station), take the Red Line to Hollywood. Exiting at Hollywood and Highland Station, you will find yourself right in the middle of the action.
This metro station is located right under the shopping center. The center is also home to the iconic Dolby Theatre and Chinese Theatre. The Oscars are awarded for best films every year at the Dolby Theatre.
Also, at this center, you can find department stores like Forever 21, Guess, Gap, and Hot Topic and fun centers like Dave & Busters and Lucky Strike Live. Visit places like Cabo Wabo Cantina, Cho Oishi, Hard Rock Cafe, or Trastevere Ristorante for lunch or dinner.
Tip: The famous Hollywood sign is very prominent from several locations in this mall. It is a golden opportunity for some amazing photos.
Exiting Hollywood and Highland Center, you will be on one of the busiest streets in the US. People from across the globe come here to stroll along Hollywood Blvd. to look for their favorite celebrities on the Walk of Fame.
Tip: As you walk around on Hollywood Blvd., you will notice many movie characters walking around or acting up – like Spiderman, Batman, etc. Be aware that if you ask to pose with them for a photo, you are expected to pay a tip.
A few blocks away, you can find entertainment places like Madame Tussauds, the Wax Museum, and the Guinness World Records Museum.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and La Brea Tar Pits
It is not on any rail line route, but you can’t miss this attraction during your visit to LA.
From the Hollywood and Highland area (or most of Hollywood Blvd.), you can take the 217 bus all the way to the museum at the Fairfax / 6th Street intersection.
LACMA is the largest art museum in the western USA. Its sprawling campus includes nine buildings housing more than 150,000 pieces of art. Go here for a map.
The museum’s collections cover periods from ancient to modern and cultures such as Southeast Asia, Europe, Latin America, and Ancient Egypt.
Next to this museum, you will find the La Brea Tar Pits. Bubbling asphalt has been seeping from the ground for tens of thousands of years. Many unlucky animals got trapped in those tar pits and left their bones for future scientists to study.
To learn more about the Tar Pits, you can visit the museum built around them.
The Grove and Farmers Market
Bus route 217 also takes you to this high-end shopping center, which features stores like Nordstrom, Tommy Bahama, Apple, and Nike.
While visiting, you can catch a movie at Pacific Theaters or dine at one of the fine dining restaurants. Some distinguished eateries here are Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill, Maggiano´s Little Italy, and Morels French Steakhouse.
Go to the LA Farmers Market adjacent to the Grove for a real treat. The market is famous for fresh produce and lots of food vendors. At the food court, you can find all kinds of cuisines like Chinese, Japanese, American Grill, Greek, and Middle Eastern. See all the vendors here.
Tip: It is hard to find an empty table during busy lunch or dinner times - but there is an upper-level seating area that many people miss.
Heading Back
After a fun day, take the 217 bus back to Hollywood, hop on the Red Line, and head back to Union Station. Make sure to get on the train to Union Station, not North Hollywood, unless you plan to venture to Universal Studios.
Tip: From any of the destinations mentioned in this article, you can get back to Union Station by taking a combination of buses and rail lines. Use Google Maps and select the public transit option to find the fastest route.
Hollywood Bowl
The Hollywood Bowl is a renowned open-air amphitheater set against the picturesque backdrop of the Hollywood Hills.
Known for its unique blend of natural beauty and cultural significance, the venue offers a memorable experience for any visitor.
With the famous Hollywood Sign in view, the Bowl provides an unparalleled setting for enjoying music under the stars. Its distinctive band shell stage and tiered seating create an intimate atmosphere despite its large capacity, making it a perfect spot for concerts and events.
Santa Monica
Take the Metro E-line to Santa Monica and discover a world of beaches, great parks, an Aquarium, and the Museum of Flying.
You can spend some time at the Pacific Park on the Pier for some fun with the kids, stroll through Palisades Park, a beautifully landscaped park, or pay a visit to the Third Street Promenade, a pedestrian mall with shopping, dining, and entertainment in the downtown area of Santa Monica, California.
Universal Studios
Universal Studios and the adjacent City Walk require at least a full day of exploration. You can reach the studios by riding the Red Line from Union Station or downtown LA.
Universal Studios Hollywood is the longest-running, still-active movie studio in the world. It has many shows and rides based on popular movies. The newest studio addition, “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” opened recently, providing Harry Potter fans with many new attractions.
For a full article about Universal Studios, go here.
The City Walk is right outside the park gates, offering three blocks of shopping, dining, and entertainment venues.
Some venues here are Wolfgang Puck Bistro, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co, Hot Topic, Fossil, Sketchers, and IFLY Indoor Skydiving.
Further Away
If you have time, you can explore other great destinations in Southern California by rail.
Take the Metrolink Orange County Line to Anaheim to visit the Disney Resort, which includes two parks, the Downtown Disney district, and several hotels. Read more about Disneyland and California Adventure.
You can take the Pacific Surfliner from Union Station to San Diego and visit Seaworld and many other attractions in this beautiful city.
Or you can use the Pacific Surfliner going north to Santa Barbara, Pismo Beach, and San Luis Obispo. At Pismo Beach, you can enjoy some 4-wheeling adventures at Oceano Dunes.