California Drivers....Leave your car behind ...
I am a 15 year resident of Southern California after having lived in San Francisco ( 5 years ) & Los Angeles ( 3 years ),I can say
the Amtrak California Surfliner is the best stress free experience.What you can do in the train that you can't do white driving - Catch up on homework, write the Great American novel, chat with your friends while sipping your cappucino, catch a nap.For the cost of less than $ 70 per day ( coming from San Diego ), I was able to hang out in downtown Los Angeles & Hollywood for the day. It took less than 2-1/2 hours to get to the Union Station from dwntown San Diego and take the Metro( $ 5 all day ). At Pershing Square Stop on the red line is a cool Wifi place, Los Souls Cafe that sells gelato and great sandwiches.Attracts a lot of young people and artistic types.They have live bands on weekends.A second cool coffee shop is the Audrey Cafe on Hollywood Blvd. and Highland. Quiet atmosphere in an Art Deco Building.Great service. A quick walk to Chinese Mann Theater.
I enjoyed the street performers, the young break dancers, the gold metallic man, the drummer.The ride on the Metro Red Line was fast except for a certain smell on one of the rail cars. The Metro substation has really nice local artwork. Its not exactly as efficient or confusing as the New York subway.
Lots of people from all cultures ride the Metro. Like I said, it ain't New York where even well to do people ride the subway. Not Donald Trump though.