We’re taking you on a trip from Union Station to Santa Monica using the LA Metro Rail.

This was the first time we had taken this trip since the pandemic began, so we made sure to wear our masks and only visit one place – beautiful Santa Monica.

For those who may not be familiar, the LA Metro is not as well-known as other public transportation systems in big cities like New York or Tokyo.

The first Metro Rail line was only developed in the 90’s, and since then, the system has not grown as much as other cities due to the popularity of cars in LA.

However, with the upcoming Olympics, LA Metro is working to expand and improve the system.

We usually take the Gold Line when we want to explore LA on foot, but today we had to drive to Union Station because Little Tokyo Station is currently under construction. (this is still the case as of early 2023)

This is just one minor inconvenience of the LA Metro, but it’s still a great way to explore the city.

Another minor inconvenience is the parking. If you’re like us and just parked at the first place you could find, you’ll end up spending $16 (this was in 2021).

To start our trip, we bought one-way tickets for $1.75 each, which you can pay for with cash or credit.

We took the Red Line to 7th Street and Metro Center, then transferred to the Expo Line (the baby blue line) to Santa Monica.

The whole trip took a little over 40 minutes and was a great way to see different parts of the city.

When we arrived in Santa Monica, we walked straight from the train station to the Santa Monica Pier.

The pier was incredibly crowded with tourists and visitors, but we were still able to take in the sights and sounds of the beach.

We didn’t go on the pier itself, but if you’re looking for a fun day out, it’s definitely worth a visit.

One thing we love about taking the Metro is that it takes you through different neighborhoods and areas of the city.

It’s really easy to enjoy all of the major parts of Santa Monica on foot from the station.

We took some time to walk around 3rd St. Promenade and grabbed some food as well.

On our way back, we passed by the LA station where they filmed the movie Speed. It’s always fun to spot little things like this on our trips.

Overall, we had a great time taking the Metro to Santa Monica.

It’s a fun and affordable way to explore the city, and we highly recommend it.

Let us know what you think of the LA Metro and if you’ve ever taken a trip like this before. Thanks for joining us on our adventure!