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A Quick Los Angeles Visit

© Lynne A. Williams

Early Los Angeles

If you have a shorter layover in Los Angeles, go across the street to Olivera Street. Called El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument, it is the oldest part of the City of Los Angeles and contains 27 historic buildings, a traditional Mexican style plaza area and the shops and restaurants of Olivera Street.

Hollywood Hostel

We were looking for an inexpensive place to spend the night, before leaving the next day for San Francisco, and decided to stay at the Banana Bungalow, in Hollywood. Technically a youth hostel, the Banana Bungalow does have some private rooms available. We reserved a $55 private room at the Banana Bungalow; however, when we arrived we were informed that a pipe had burst in that room and we were offered beds in a dorm room at half price ($10 per person). Since we are both pretty flexible travelers, and had just spent an exhausting day at Universal Studios, we took it. Four pleasant young adults from England, who had no problem with a twelve year old sharing their room, already occupied the six-bed room.

I would recommend the Banana Bungalow only if you are comfortable with basic, shared accommodations. Although we arrived and left too early to use them, the amenities are quite good at this hostel. There is a small swimming pool, Internet access, a small grocery store and a café. Guests receive discounted taxi service to Union Station and there is a weekly shuttle to Universal Studios.

The next day we were off to Northern California. Although the "Coast Starlight" provides incredible views from a domed viewing car, we chose to take the "San Joaquin," which arrives in San Francisco three hours sooner than the "Coast Starlight." The train portion of the San Joaquin originates in Bakersfield, so passengers must take an Amtrak Freeway bus to Bakersfield, a two-hour ride. Our bus was comfortable and air conditioned, and we arrived at the Bakersfield Train Station right on time.

Next week: The "San Joaquin" and the City By the Bay.

This information might help you plan your visits to the above locations:

Union Station, http://www.coolspots.com/spots/los/spot2...

Traxx, http://www.downtownnews.com/rest/docs/

Philippe's, 1001 N. Alameda, Los Angeles, (213)628-3781.

Universal Studios, http://www.universalstudios.com/

To get to Universal Studios, take Metrorail, 1-800-COMMUTE, http://www.mta.net/ (This site is excellent. Just input your starting point and destination and approximate time of departure and you will be given a detailed description of your schedule, fares and a map. Also includes other Southern California transit links, such as Metrolink)