Navigating LA without a car: an adventure via LA Metro

[@16randomcharacters]

The idea that getting in a 2 ton metal box and traveling across the city is significantly less expensive than renting a scooter is pretty disgusting.

[@carstarsarstenstesenn]

These scooter rentals are just not it. Buy a bike, e bike, or even a scooter and you'll be in far better shape financially than owning a car

[@AssBlasster]

Bike rentals are just as crappy in pricing (bike shares are usually garbage quality), but these scooters are meant for leisure. Most people are commuting to work on this or if they did, they would just buy one.

[@16randomcharacters]

@@AssBlasster so what? What does that have to do with pricing for transportation? Everything from a public bus to a private jet costs the same whether it's a business trip or not.

[@Geotpf]

If you are going to do any of these on a regular basis, buying the thing (skateboard/bike/scooter) probably makes the most sense as opposed to renting it. Only problems are storage/carrying it around once you are your destination, and the possibility of theft or damage.

[@DevynCairns]

​@@Geotpf scooters and folding bikes are probably the best if you need to bring it in somewhere for long periods of time, like an office. Definitely owning one is a much better idea if you can

[@davidburrow5895]

I've visited L.A. numerous times, always without a car. It's actually quite a bit easier to get around car-free than many other American cities. The key really is planning. You can track buses online, which would have minimized your wait.

[@nataliajimenez1870]

Yeah, if you use the online travel planners you can get to most major destinations in LA. To better understand the system, it's good to study the rail and bus maps and schedules. Rail bypasses the horrible traffic that LA often has and the buses that use carpool lanes can greatly help. There are also bus lines with very limited stops. I always consider accessibility to major transit stops when renting a place in LA

[@goldenoodles6281]

Yep Yep, the Transit App is really good, has estimated times and transfers, etc. Literally all that is needed. It even has riders help with the tracking of buses and rail. Though I realize that some people might not want to download an app.

[@ajluvzlondon4214]

Hi David...we're planning a 4day trip to LA in Sept and will not be having a car (visiting from the UK). I am thinking of staying in WeHo (near the Sunset Strip). Is that a good place to base yourself (it is a 45min walk to Hollywood/Highland metro station).. and then hoping to use the LA Metro to visit DTLA and Santa Monica as needed. I'm thinking using an Uber to hit the restaurants...would you advise the Metro Bus system? How safe are they? Thanks.

[@TohaBgood2]

I just use google maps. It honestly does better (for me) than any specialized transit map. Now they even appear to be smart enough about when to suggest a train + rideshare option instead of creating a convoluted bus sequence. And they pull all the realtime train and bus locations directly from the transit operators so that you know exactly where your bus or train is located at any time. Knowing my local rail network pretty well in the Bay Area, I do notice some interesting mistakes that it makes. Some peculiar routes and transfers sometimes do pop up. Some of the BART (regional subway) stations are marked according to their main entrance and Google Maps sometimes suggests that you exit the station and walk to the main entrance of the other station that you're transferring to. It's not yet aware that there may be a concourse that offers a direct underground platform to platform transfer. But aside from these small issues it works like a charm!

[@sterlingmarshel6299]

if you have time and on vacation yes - for reliable work transportation - hard NO

[@hkad6252]

Man, LA should be the cycling capitol of the world. Californian climate with an ocean front. Wish I could live in a place like this.

[@TohaBgood2]

It already is for a lot of people. But building the bike trails is a long process with such a NIMBY crowd. They'll get there. They're making good steady progress towards it already. Many parts of the city are already incredibly good to bike in. It just takes time, and money to build the rest of the bike trail network.

[@recurrenTopology]

@@TohaBgood2 Building the bike lanes network and creating a network of bus-only lanes would be a relatively quick and inexpensive way to radically improve LA transportation. NIMBYs ideologically committed to driving would fight it endlessly, but it would become hugely popular after a few years.

[@TohaBgood2]

@@recurrenTopology Nope, and exactly because of the reasons you already gave. First of all, despite the America brain "pro-transit for other people, but not for me" propaganda, busses are not a solution to every transportation problem. Busses are insanely expensive to run on anything but the most lightly used lines. As soon as you reach any meaningful ridership you need to upgrade to light rail or light metro to stop the bleeding. And secondly, the main cost of transportation improvements in the state comes from NIMBY lawsuits or the seemingly insane schemes the transit authorities use to preempt said NIMBY lawsuits. Building a simple protected bike lane in my extremely NIMBY NorCal city was more expensive than the construction of a light rail line on the same stretch! The construction of a semi-decent semi-BRT line in neighboring SF was more expensive than the equivalent light rail line on the same stretch. If every single project, including a new bus like or bike lane costs roughly as much as a higher quality mode like light rail or streetcar then what's the point of even doing the lower quality modes? If most of the cost is in overcoming NIMBY opposition and not in the construction itself, then why does it matter what project you're overcoming that opposition for? Might as well spring for something that more people can use!

[@rituwebpro]

@@desertPerson What part of CA are you from(metro area not exact city)

[@sterlingmarshel6299]

LA is anti-bike - you will eventually be hit or killed. consistent protected bike lanes don't exist

[@TonyLi.]

it must feel so good without a destination and just cruising along the beach, cycling or skateboarding. You can never do that if you have to park the car and always have to get back to where you parked

[@darealdeal8185]

I once drove 2 hours to the beach near LA just to cruise along on my bike. Yeah it kinda sucked having to go back to my car at the end of the day

[@journie_]

LA also has a public on-demand rideshare service called metro micro! It only costs $1.00 to ride however currently service is only in certain parts of the city. But perhaps it could be another method of transportation to try if you ever do another experiment like this!

[@ichbinmelle9048]

amazing tips!!!! thank you!

[@FlyingOverTr0ut]

I love living in LA without a car. I live in Koreatown in a dense, transit such neighborhood with a metro stop near by, and most things I need I can walk to. But it could be so much better, more affordable, and safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and could have even more transit options.

[@TolliverMusic]

Same. It's so easy in K-town. A bit tougher when I was in Boyle Heights, great in Chinatown, great in Echo Park.

[@TohaBgood2]

That's basically Metro's masterplan - to build enough of the network to make your car-free lifestyle possible in LA. And the fact that they have pulled it off is nothing short of incredible! The more of the planned network they build out the more people will be able to do what you are doing. But this takes time and people are impatient. LA has genuinely made amazing strides to rid us all of cars one day. But people just don't get it until the line that they would use opens and they can start riding it. Of course none of this matters if Metro doesn't figure out how to make the system clean and safe. They really need to step that up!

[@cooltwittertag]

​@@TohaBgood2they havent really pulled it off. The 2050/60 master plane looks like it would get there tho

[@mateuscastro7666]

I spent 10 days in LA (and in theUS) for the first time last month and it was everything I hoped for and a little bit more. A friend of mine and I were renting Lime scooters for around $18 and it would last us 24 hours. Definitely and interesting way of seeing the city - especially as a tourist :) Hope to visit again some time in the near future

[@miker3701]

Great video! People are always saying that the buses in LA are horrible, and dirty - but that wasn't bad at all (compared to some of the buses I've been on).

[@jalfredl]

The major problem is that they get stuck in the same traffic jams as the cars. LA should place, if not more BRTs (Bus Rapid Transit), which give buses their designated routes and right of ways

[@williamschoemann4209]

I liked your including DTLA. I visited LA from SF (Santa Rosa) this Christmas. Took Amtrak to Union Station. Walked three blocks to Doubletree/Hilton. Walked to Olvera Street/LA Plaza, Little Tokyo, LA City Hall, Bradbury Building, Grand Central Market, Angels Flight Railway, Bunker Hill. Rented a car to visit famly in Crestline/Lake Arrowhead and Long Beach. It was a great trip.

[@MitchellBPYao]

You just gotta try anything

[@letty_T]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS VIDEO! Super helpful! I'm moving to LA next year, and i def cannot afford a car at the moment, and I've heard so many crazy shit about taking public transportation in LA, but watching your video made me see that it's not that bad!

[@MichaelMartello]

Thanks! Good luck 😊

[@HotDogLaws]

as a lifelong LA transit user - the coverage of the network is actually excellent its the frequency and reliability of service that sucks. So if you are patient and avoid the very low frequency routes you're usually fine. Though ever since 2020 the average cleanliness and maintenance has dramatically deteriorated unfortunately :( moreso on the trains than buses in my experience

[@andrelukin6364]

I lived for 2 years car-free in LA. It's ended because I have moved back to NYC. It's totally possible to live without a car in LA if your commute is not that big but still planning is necessary. Buses can be bad if they are on regular roads with cars. But buses are excellent if they are on the bus lines - it's much faster then. In general buses are cleaner than trains.

[@rituwebpro]

go to west LA and you'll be fine.

[@leyu22]

These are my favorite videos from michael. A great evaluation of an LA specific topic, one that only locals would know! I take the metro red line myself, and the value is unbeatable. This video is truly an LA video! Love it! Cheers

[@MichaelMartello]

Thanks so much!!

[@empirestate8791]

Keep in mind that these alternative transportation costs will be far cheaper if you have a monthly pass or your own bike/scooter. You can buy a nice electric scooter for $400-$500, and it'll cost virtually nothing to maintain. A monthly transit pass will also give you unlimited rides for a fixed price, and nobody who relies on transit will pay for every trip separately.

[@Tuppoo94]

I would buy an electric bicycle. They're much more expensive, but much better over long distances.

[@IntoTheTrees_13]

Apparently LA has a good bus system.

[@ArturoVelasquezArty_V]

First mile/ last mile to public transportation is a way to go too! You get the convenience of not having to drive and saving money. Only downside is time. But you can use that time to catch up on things (ie, sleep, eat, hw/ work, etc). Loved using the bus/ rail line when I was younger. Unfortunately don’t work within LA (work in South OC) while living in the south east region of LA. So no other way to transport beside car. But if I was able to I’d definitely take the rail still. I’m also a rideshare driver and I always tell ppl to just ride to the nearest rail and head toward their destination such way to save a couple of bucks.

[@WavyKid13]

I can either uber for $50 from the airport or pay $1.75 to use Metro/Bus to get to the place I'm staying for only 40 extra minutes... case closed on what option I'm going with

[@ArturoVelasquezArty_V]

@@WavyKid13 Well why Uber for a 40 minute stay when you can just… stay

[@WavyKid13]

@@ArturoVelasquezArty_V I don't think you understood my comment. I'm saying the bus/train only adds 40 minutes to my commute but is $48 cheaper than an Uber from the airport.. can't really stay at the airport unless I want a really crappy night's sleep

[@ArturoVelasquezArty_V]

@@WavyKid13 Yes it’s a lot more economical although the downtime is the time. But that time could be used effectively (I used to sleep 😅)

[@chrissimmons9743]

4:27 If you're using the bus (or even the train) the Transit app might be a good way to see when a bus is supposed to be coming. I've used it up here in Oregon, and so far SMART Transit in Wilsonville is the only system it hasn't worked with at all, and they recently made their own app that ultimately solves that problem as long as the Transit app doesn't work for SMART busses.

[@jer2263]

Getting around without a car has to be so much easier now than it was over 10 years ago. Sure... I was in West Hollywood - an over populated area with a ton of bus options, but I never had an issue with taking anything from a Santa Monica bus to the beach or a Red Line into The Valley. And honestly.. While most people out there complain about how long they have to wait for a bus, I found it no different than being in Chicago, where we have the nation's second best public transit system. Now with LA having these extended rail lines.. It must be even better.

[@barbschindel2201]

Very well done. Loaded with the best info for everyday. I am a senior now, back in day, we walked everywhere, or bus or streetcar. Lived inner city pgh. You have it all figured out. Very good video

[@MichaelMartello]

Thanks Barb! Must have been way different back in the day

[@barbschindel2201]

Everybody walked. Walkin to from school, a distance, thought nothing of it, part of life, corner stores, streetcars, of course removed layer 60's. But buses. Took to downtown pgh pa. Known as city of bridges. You can see yellow bridges, icon of city, if you ever watch pirate game. Thanks

[@byronoden2715]

I would’ve taken the train back to Culver City and gotten an Uber/Lyft from the station.

[@mrxman581]

Metro launched it's own transit app recently. That will help to better coordinate your public transit trips. BTW, how would you decompress in NYC? And how would you compare the two?

[@AssBlasster]

They have Coney Island and Rockaway Beach for summer, accessible by metro or ferry. Central and Prospect Park are pretty nice areas to unwind in Manhattan and Brooklyn respectively. Also many coastal greenways. LA has very nice year-round weather going for it

[@mrxman581]

@@AssBlasster Good to know. Looking forward to visiting NYC. Never been. The closest I got was New Jersey. 😄

[@nicnack74]

Culver City has its own bus. You might have found a quicker route with their system. Also Santa Monica has a bus line too. You might have had some more successful rides (and cheaper).

[@Lombwolf]

Exactly the video I was looking for, keep up the good content!

[@jmulvey371]

Great video! The obvious question then is: do you own a bike? If you're on the Ballona Creek path you can definitely go from Culver City to Venice and Santa Monica by bike on the regular. Quick, cheap, fun, amazing... 🌴

[@recurrenTopology]

Ballona is generally said with Spanish pronunciation, bah-YOH-nuh, though I've also heard some use b'LOH-nuh, but always with a long-O, such that it rhymes with corona.

[@stevehofmaster4292]

Wow this was a super great video,you pointed out a lot of valuable methods of LA transportation 😊I lived in LA years ago so I can relate to the traffic even then.On my next visit I will be sure to take your advice to try these alternatives great job i really enjoyed this a lot❤

[@TruthSeeker9038]

I only live 1.5 miles from work. It takes 20 minutes often more just to get there, but on a bike takes about 8 minutes

[@mysticsoul7284]

Been enjoying your videos!! I've lived in L.A. since the 80s and am from Ohio originally. Some of the street names and such can be hard to say properly, in the beginning. But, for Ballona Creek, its actually pronounced Ba low na - not ball ona. I liked seeing the different ways to get around L.A. because I always drive but now I'll be getting out on a metro bike when I can, since I live here, it'll be very cheap for just getting out for some fresh air on a ride, so thank you for that!

[@MichaelMartello]

Love it!

[@mrxman581]

Actually, it's pronounced bah-yo-nah. The word is probably a Spanish origin. The double L is pronounced like a Y.

[@cristinabane7095]

Hey Michael, Love your videos, im going to L.A. this week and i've been watching your videos to prepare

[@MichaelMartello]

Have a great time!

[@epierce2058]

Michael welcome to Los Angeles. This video is pretty west side centric and the comment about "Downtown is not at the top of my list for safe places" is so tired. I was born and raised on the east side, not far from "unsafe" down town. Hey, New York has some great bike lanes, how about go back and do videos on them?

[@noeonoohno4219]

He's idea of 'safety' is when the homeless are violently kicked out of town so that people like him can shop without having to see the people who get screwed by capitalism

[@noeonoohno4219]

'who knew' that there are many bus routes in LA? Everyone who isn't a rich gentrifier?

[@sethm7761]

Moving from NYC -- this is relieving to see.

[@Midwestmillennialcowgirl]

I lived in LA without a car for 2 years. I commuted by bike and used the bus/train/bike combo for longer distances. If I wasn’t feeling it on any given day I would take an Uber/lyft.

[@itsnearly3am]

you can fill a TAP card on the bus if you have cash just tap your card add cash and tap again

[@cnr5215]

You're a life saver! I'll be in NYC for a week and then flying to LA for a week also , this has helped me out so much!

[@dolittle6781]

Wow! Very nice video. I'm familiar with the L.A. of the 1980s before the trains were introduced. Glad they are there now. Culver city is a cool place to live -- not to big and not too small. I like your presentation style, easy going, yet the content is useful and entertaining. Sure it's a lot of work to put something like this together.

[@5K00O]

I find it funny that, the simple act of commuting without a car is considered a challenge in the US. While in other places like Europe, it's not.

[@ny2phillyholloway592]

Thanks Michael, enjoyed very much especially the ending with music.🍎💚

[@MichaelMartello]

Thank you!

[@jyexe525]

I’m a Parisian tourist since 1 month in LA and I do everything with my a mountain bike (hiking, beach, little shopping, discovering), I’m the only dude cycling in town. There is some bike lanes in most on the Boulevards

[@paulz4667]

It's getting better gradually

[@MikeKarsok]

Thank ou for taking the time to make this video. Im legally blind and moving to LA soon I wasn't sure where to live but after seeing this video and m research i def think Culver City is the sport plus i can get to the beach prett easily! I thought about Silver Lake but thinkCulver city works better

[@chrishintz1077]

Enjoyed the vlog. Thanks. Had to smile when you waited 15 min for bus. That’s lightspeed (sic) frequency in l a. Other modes of transit are the metro micro (if they still have it), a van that collects ppl in defined areas to deliver to designated spots. Also the dash dot small area buses. Same idea: certain sections of la, not high volume. Daytime only I think.

[@AM-nt1xk]

MM - welcome to L.A.! I remember when I went to NY and one of my classmates said "what are you doing here?" in a not so nice tone after hearing I was from CA. A hearty welcome NOT! Oh, well, expected it. But, always want to welcome people to L.A. w/so many choices out there! As a native Angeleno who lived in NYC and Tokyo. Tokyo takes the Prize for Transpo. Sorry, New Yorkers! I don't care for the sauna like experience down in the NYC subway stations as well as other concerns. But, we are expanding and yes, by 2028, you'll have a decent option from one submarket to another. In between, yes, better take bike or car. But, if you'll going from the Westside to Downtown and its a special event at the Coliseum or DTLA, its a viable alternative that used to not exist. Pasadena to DTLA. South Bay to now hook into Expo line and already Silver Line to DTLA. If you're in DTLA..nice transit hub imo. weekend trip to SB or SD..Amtrak /Metrolink an option. Anyways, having lived overseas and E/W Coasts, no city should be like the same! NY is NY; LA is LA, SF well is SF, haha, etc. No place is paradise even in Hawaii. DTLA is underrated and the Politicos need to get going and see what is working in other cities that have or will be rebounding. Safety is paramount as well as creating a viable place for businesses to want to be there. $ goes where its treated best. NY - flocking out;; LA folks leaving and more will be leaving. Anyways, thank u for the videos!

[@joseecampagna8961]

Félicitations, we are from Montreal and love to hear about alternative transportation, its going to be very useful for our trip (like all your other vidéos), big thanks !!!

[@MichaelMartello]

Thanks so much!

[@user-mrfrog]

Bonjour, j'habite Saint-Lambert en face de Montréal! :)

[@titusnixon]

I'm from Chicago, when I moved to LA one of the things I regretted was their public transportation system. In Chicago Like NY you can get around without a car. Once you're used to Chicago and NY system you know LA sucks. But I gotta say it has improved since I moved to LA. In Chicago I took the CTA and the Metra. if I didn't want to deal with the idiots on CTA the Metra was just fine I got me there faster.

[@Official.DJBIGGUMS]

10:40 that mans sneak is MAXED XD

[@raybashford1519]

Great video Michael. It certainly is very informative with the alternative methods of getting around LA. We have major issues with traffic in the UK, especially around London where I live. Are Motorcycles not classed as an alternative there to cars, as here can zip in and out of traffic??? Keep up the wonderful posts.

[@MichaelMartello]

Thanks Ray! Lots of motorcycles here, yes - but not for me 😂

[@HotDogLaws]

California is the only US state where lane splitting on motorcycles in legal

[@carstarsarstenstesenn]

motercycles are treated mostly the same as other automobiles on U.S. roads. but you'll still see a lot of lane splitting all over the country and not just where it's legal

[@Joseph2day]

I went 2 months completely car free last Summer in San Diego and it was downright fun. mostly biked, but did try to use as many modes of transport as I could. Trolly, Bird, Uber, bike, Ferry, and Amtrak. It almost seems insane that I started driving again, but humans are lazy. And, one time leads to two, leads to back on the ball and chain of my car. I think I will next time I try it, just sell my car so that the lazy day does not lead me back to the habit.

[@transitengineer]

For myself, owning a private automobile in Southern California is simply put all about freedom. Can, I travel to a destination by transit (yes, if it is during normal hours of operation 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.) and, I am fine with mode transfers (i.e. city bus, express bus, light rail, subway, etc.). Plus, I am OK with between a 1.5 hour to 3.0 hour one way travel time (smile...smile).

[@martincruz8319]

I visited Los Angeles in 2016. This was around the same time that the former Expo Line (now known as the E Line) and seven years before the opening of the Regional Connector, lengthening the Blue Line (now the A Line from Azsua and Long Beach, the world's longest light rail line) and the current E Line (now running between East Los Angeles and Santa Monica). The line I used the most turned out to be the Red (B) Line because I was in Hollywood the most, though I gave every rail line as much equal attention. Im 2016, I rode the Blue (A) Line from 7th Street/Metro Center to Imperial-Wilmington (Rosa Parks), the Green (C) Line to parts of the East Bay, the Gold Line (now the A Line) from Union Station to Pasadena, the Expo (E) Line end-to-end (at the time) from Metro Center to Downtown Santa Monica and Metrolink from Downtown LA to Anaheim for an Angels game. The only negative I took from the five days I stayed in the City of Angels, other than the fact I was unable to see my ex-girlfriend in Corona was that Metro didn't run its trains past midnight, quite a drastic departure from my hometown, New York (and more specifically the Bronx) who's subway system runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Even a city with a slight decrease in population size, Chicago, has a pair of subway lines operating at all times. While I have to downgrade LA for the lack of extensive (24/7) rail service, it is a great city and worth visiting again. I definitely enjoyed it!

[@SwaysDeals]

Subscribed! I knew you were from NY! Only a New Yorker would try this haha. I’m from NY but live in San Francisco Bay

[@MichaelMartello]

Haha yes!!! Us NYers need some good transit lol

[@raoullangeveld4172]

Thanks Michael. Me and my boyfriend are going to visit L.A. in 3 months time. We will have to use public transport a lot so this video was very helpful. What is the best way to get to Beverly Hills with public transport?

[@MichaelMartello]

Thanks Raoul, bus is the best way in BH - there is no close train access here unfortunately

[@gisellesanti9103]

Thank you so much, your videos are amazing……I'm going to visit LA for the first time, I was worried about transportation, because I don't drive 🤭… I’m from Boston area

[@recurrenTopology]

I would have just hung out in Culver City until a 733 express bus was scheduled. It would have been the same route, but with half the stops.

[@benly32]

Thanks for moving to LA lol this is awesome content, really appreciated!

[@MichaelMartello]

Haha thanks 😊

[@lucaspadilla4815]

It's definitely doable without a car (when I work in LA I usually don't have one), though it is very monotonous. Tho imo LA has potential to be a city like London if they implemented more rapid transit (not lightrail 🙄)

[@eggshells652]

you can load your tap card on the buss. you just have to ask the bus driver to do so, when I load my card I wait until everyone has entered so I don't hold up the bus.

[@eggshells652]

also my route used to have a bus that stopped every other bus stop. this saved a lot of time but they removed it, does not make sense as it connected a metro station.

[@MichaelMartello]

Which public transit method would you use in LA?!

[@zengseng1234]

Adventure? This is just my life in LA 😂

[@mariajosesaizlopez3574]

I can’t believe that bus was full

[@Tanstaafl1976]

Cool experiment, Michael, with some interesting results! Your final alt. means of transportation was just what I had thought! :-) Pretty darn convenient, but they've gotten more(?) pricey over the past few years? I was just looking at 2 models yesterday that sell for $800 and $1,000+ and I know some others are much pricier. There's also a folding bicycle with smaller wheels (i.e., 20" or 16") that can be another alt. means of transportation. Love the Marvin Braude Bike Trail! Stay safe! Liked and subscribed.

[@angelcordero4581]

That last shot made me like and finally subscribe. I would love to Move to L.A. The fear of Cost of Living and Traffic are keeping me. I have a criminology degree for over 10 yrs and never used it. 2 years of Acting Training here in NYC but my passion for it isn't the same. I would love to still go out to L.A. and do something with video game development or tech. Law enforcement or Social Work as a last resort. Don't have a car. Anyways your videos have been helpful. Thank you.

[@cerka27]

I was in LA by myself 2 weeks ago and I stayed in Inglewood. I wasn’t familiar with LA but I wanted to go to Hollywood and I decided to take the subway/metrorail. I went from the green line to the blue line to the red line. The stations smelled like pee and 2 people almost got in a fight on the train. From Hollywood I decided to go to Santa Monica beach and I took the red line back to downtown then took the same expo line you took. It was night and day. That expo line train was clean, the route seemed safer and the neighborhoods seemed nicer. I would not recommend the LA subway unless you only took the expo line.

[@huntersucato8210]

Love the content keep it up

[@MichaelMartello]

Thanks Hunter!

[@shawng8613]

Good job. Excellent video content and production.

[@alebone887]

Great content Michael! What’s the song at the end of your video?

[@VictoryousTheGloryous]

I'm going to Santa Monica for the weekend to meet up with a friend from Europe and she convinced me to cancel my car rental. As someone who tries to prioritize riding public transit whenever possible, places like LA never really seemed realistically possible to do so compared to other denser or more compact cities. I live close to downtown Denver and for the most part can get around central Denver relatively easily on RTD (direct rail line to the airport was also one of the best things they ever did... NYC and LA where y'all at on this?! 😂), though I still have a car for excursions outside the downtown area and for going to the mountains! The parking thing was another reason why I ended up cancelling the rental car since the place we're staying at doesn't have it's own parking lot and it seems like it'd be really difficult to park around there without shelling out a lot of extra money, which I also experienced when I stayed in DTLA on my last visit, and I was also somewhat pleasantly surprised by the walkability and life on the streets over there, so hopefully that area can continue to grow and improve as it looks like has been happening. Lucky seeing your video and learning about the May Metrobike deal since it's May again and they still have the $1 deal!

[@onetruekeeper]

LA has very dangerous neighborhoods you don't want to be waiting for a bus at or getting off of one.

[@lowkit1881]

Hi, thank u for these amazing videos!!! What is the last beach shown at the end of the video? Thanx!!! Xxx

[@MichaelMartello]

Playa Del Rey heading towards Manhattan Beach!

[@punitdave7034]

Great Video!

[@Tuppoo94]

L.A.'s population density is more than 10 times higher than my Finnish home town's density, and I feel absolutely no need to own a car. I just take a bus or taxi, ride a city bike or scooter, or simply walk. If I need to drive somewhere or buy something big, I can rent a car or a van in 15 minutes with an app. If I need to take a train to another city, I can walk to the train station in 30 minutes. From what I can see on this video, I feel like L.A.'s supposed unwalkability has been greatly exaggerated. The bus was full of people, there were scooters everywhere, and there is a metro and light rail network. L.A. is also pretty flat with good weather, so walking or cycling shouldn't be a problem. The $1.75 public transport fare is also really low. In my city a single adult ticket costs a minimum of 2.60€, which is about $2.77. L.A. tickets are also valid longer.

[@MidnightsDeluxe]

13:28 me in social situations

[@LACMTAbusfan]

I am going to The Getty with transportation only because I was bored and I am doing a live stream when I am going there

[@grimispotato245]

Car or no car ? Very hmmm makes a person think video. Ha ha, I talked about this a few days ago because I went to the mall on my bike with a friend, she said bike, bus is fine when it gets there, train is not nice. Scooter we are willing to try, e-scooter of course. Our kids are old enough to get around on bike. Only my youngest dose not lie buses or trains, so she will bike her way around as far as grosseries and big go outs ? It actually depends on how we all feel. Car or no car, great conversation 🤔.

[@melanieblant7993]

Love all your videos! What's the title of the song at the end?

[@MichaelMartello]

Thanks!! Midnight - Paper Planes

[@InlandEmpiresoccer909]

Is that the alley way from GTA San Andres?

[@biscuit4christ]

Love your videos Michael! Sorry about your car.. 😡

[@KourtneeMonroe]

Thanks! This was such an insightful video!!!!

[@MichaelMartello]

Appreciate it!

[@maxxrenn]

Great video

[@bluebellbeatnik4945]

1:28 - oh my god where is this? it looks dangerous.

[@kathyw4811]

TAP cards can be reloaded online.

[@NewBlueTrue]

Try taking the Metro at night. Like 8:45pm or later. You’ll be looking for a car pretty quickly. I did. Seeing people do drugs or the having threat of violence while on the Metro train or taking 2 hours to get somewhere by train when it takes 30 minutes by car will convince someone to get a car pretty quickly unfortunately.

[@toyag638]

Thanks for sharing

[@Rocketfrog4755]

I'm getting ready to hit the Four piers then chill in Venice. Hit Union Station... train to Sandy Eggo. Any advice? Hermosa 1st from LAX. 🤙 Thx.

[@Iwantproblems]

What electric board do you use and where can I get it?

[@mariusfacktor3597]

Waiting for the bus sucks in LA because they designed all their streets like highways so it feels like you're waiting on the side of a highway which is extremely uncomfortable. They need to return the streets to humans.

[@javiersandoval29]

Thank you so much for this video! Very helpful. Just a question, which app did you use for monitoring the bus arrival?

[@MichaelMartello]

I was just using Apple Maps I believe! When you put your destination in it calculates ETA. not sure how accurate though.

[@javiersandoval29]

@@MichaelMartello Thank you 🙂

[@PhillipG34]

This video seems more for a local at least thats how im seeing it. As a tourist who will be in LA next month. Is it advisable to use the public transportation instead of a car or still use my car as my main source of transportation? I'll be driving from Texas so obviously I'll have mine. But if I can leave it at the hotel that would be great. Also you said you're from NYC. I've been there and I never needed one because the public transportation is very good. It doesn't feel like LA is as good but if it's decent I could save some gas money and parking fees lol. Also make better use of time by not being in traffic.

[@MichaelMartello]

I’d say for vacation, just use your car lol. Transit here can really be a pain. Locals can probably make it work, but I’d focus on Rideshare or your own car as the most convenient option for being here temporarily

[@PhillipG34]

@@MichaelMartello alright cool. Thanks

[@ehoops31]

curious about car cost per mile, cars are expensive when you really break it down.

[@uscitizen3252]

This was great. I live in LA, too and have been debating whether I should get a scooter, electric bike or longboard to get around to cruise. I haven’t given an electric skateboard much thought. What brand is the one you have?

[@MichaelMartello]

Awesome! Exway Flex

[@uscitizen3252]

@@MichaelMartello thanks!

[@pixpusher]

Metro has a app with schedules...

[@mariajosesaizlopez3574]

At the end you use a car hahahahahaha

[@Motorvegful]

Really dont understand hos you can be an adult and never taken a bus... How did he get around before he got a driver license? What does he do to get home from partying?

[@bluebellbeatnik4945]

I visited 4 times or so and I cannot drive. I take the metro/expo and the bus.

[@VMT5555]

Correction you can reload your tap card on the bus.

[@glee7224]

Hi Michael, thank you for the video it's informative and helpful. Do we have to bring our own helmet for electric scooter / bicycle option?

[@MichaelMartello]

Yes you do!

[@yiyixu2414]

Hi Michael, thanks so much for these wonderful videos. I bet you can use Tap card to pay for multiple people, correct? Have you made the drive to Solvang? I am bringing my family to LA next week and am wondering if I should drive to Solvang for a day trip. Among all of the popular sites you recommended on your LA videos...any of them are close to UCLA or USC? Thank you for any tips that you can share.

[@MichaelMartello]

Hi! Yes you can use a TAP for other people. I haven’t been to Solvang yet but it’s on my list! UCLA is located in west LA - closer to Beverly Hills/West Hollywood/Santa Monica whereas USC is in DTLA - further from the action.

[@yiyixu2414]

@@MichaelMartello Thank you very much!!!

[@beginwithin9620]

Hello. =) How many minutes did it take to get downtown on the Metro's E line from Santa Monica? Thanks!

[@SwaysDeals]

Came from tik tok

[@josephaugello1527]

I have friends that went to the bay area they hate LA and would not live there for free.

[@edmarf4457]

What fun, planes, trains, automobiles, skateboards, busses. How in the world do you video yourself riding 🤦‍♂️

[@akulmunjal]

what electric skateboard are you using?

[@MichaelMartello]

Exway Flex

[@WilliamRamirez-v7w]

You could've just walked 😅