WeHo Without Wheels: Exploring West Hollywood and Los Angeles On Foot

Despite Los Angeles’ reputation as a car city, it’s easy to be happily car-free in West Hollywood. You can come here on vacation, tuck your car away in your hotel garage and stroll to great restaurants, cafes, bars, nightclubs and shopping. Within the city’s 1.9 miles, you can people-watch on the Sunset Strip, sightsee on Santa Monica Boulevard, stop at a great cafe or restaurant on Melrose Ave. and shop at the gorgeous boutiques of the West Hollywood Design District.

And because West Hollywood is located in the heart of LA, it’s also a great hub from which to reach almost any part of the city. Here’s how to get around West Hollywood and the surrounding cities by bus, train and even bike.

WeHo to Go Guidebook

The City of West Hollywood has created a guidebook called WeHo to Go aimed at helping people get around West Hollywood without a car. It has information on ZipCar locations (car-sharing), an easy-to-read transit map, bike routes and stores, safety tips and even grocery store locations — super informative for any West Hollywood visitor!

Public Transportation in West Hollywood

If you don’t feel like walking and don’t want to hop in your car, West Hollywood’s public transportation is efficient and clean! It’s a great alternative to navigating traffic on Los Angeles’ busy streets and freeways by car.

Cityline

The Cityline is West Hollywood’s main public transportation system. The Cityline Local bus route, from Gracie Allen Dr./Cedars Sinai and San Vicente Blvd. to Fountain Ave. and La Brea Ave., generally follows Santa Monica Blvd., deviating from the boulevard to serve the majority of the city’s neighborhoods. Shuttles run approximately every 30 minutes, Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and are ADA compliant.

Cityline also offers a shuttle, called Cityline Commuter, which connects West Hollywood with the Los Angeles Metro transit system. It runs directly along Santa Monica Blvd. from the West Hollywood Library at 625 N. San Vicente Blvd. to the Hollywood & Highland Metro Red Line Station. Cityline Commuter shuttles run approximately every 15 minutes, Monday through Friday from 7 to 9 a.m. and 5 to 8 p.m., and on Saturdays from 5 to 8 p.m.

WeHo PickUp Trolley

The WeHo PickUp is a free weekend trolley service that runs from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 to 10 p.m. on Sunday. The route runs along Santa Monica Blvd. between Robertson Blvd. and La Brea Ave., with shuttles arriving roughly every 15 minutes and stopping every two to three blocks. The shuttle was introduced to prevent drunk driving and support West Hollywood nightlife. Well-trained dogs are welcome onboard.

City Tours

Bike Tours

If you want to get a little exercise while getting around West Hollywood, rent a bike or take a sightseeing tour with Bikes and Hikes. Their “LA in a Day” Tour—a 32-mile journey lasting approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes—begins in West Hollywood, going through Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Santa Monica, Venice, Marina Del Rey and Culver City.

Bus Tours

Another transportation option is to take a Starline Tours “Hop On Hop Off” bus. The company runs six different routes, which serve the most notable parts of the Los Angeles area, including West Hollywood, Hollywood, North Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, downtown Los Angeles, Venice and Marina Del Rey.

Taxicabs and Ridesharing

Taxis

Cabs in West Hollywood are efficient, dependable and inexpensive (the city is only 1.9 miles, after all), but you have to call for a ride. Don’t bother flagging one down—all you’ll get is a very tired arm! Companies answer the phone quickly, and cabs usually come within minutes.

Ridesharing

Ridesharing apps such as Uber and Lyft arrange low-cost rides with members of the community. Use your smartphone to arrange a ride.

Los Angeles Metro Bus and Rail Lines

The Metro is Los Angeles’ public transit system, and includes bus, rail and subway lines. From West Hollywood, you can access the Metro via the Hollywood & Highland Metro Red Line Station, or Metro buses at stops along Santa Monica Blvd. and Sunset Blvd.

Since West Hollywood is centered around Santa Monica Blvd., it’s easy to get around the city just by taking the #4 bus or the #704 Rapid bus, which follow Santa Monica Blvd. from 5th St. in Santa Monica (five blocks from the beach) until the street merges with Sunset Blvd. in the Silver Lake neighborhood. Rapid Buses have fewer stops and are limited on the weekends. Local buses make more stops and run on a regular weekend schedule. Check for holiday schedules for all public transportation lines.

Metro Fares

A single ride on a Metro bus or train costs $1.75 ($.75 for seniors, free for K-12 and community college students). If you use a TAP card, transfers are free to other Metro lines. Unless you pay cash for the bus, then transfers are $0.50. Purchase or reload a TAP Card for day and week passes at several locations around West Hollywood, including 7-11 stores and the West Hollywood Library. Find TAP card outlets at the TAP website.

For more information about the Los Angeles Metro, visit www.metro.net or call (323) 466-3876.

Getting to Popular LA Attractions from West Hollywood by Metro

Universal Studios

100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608

From any stop on Sunset Blvd., take the #2 or #302 Rapid bus east. Get off at Vermont Ave. Then take the Metro Red Line north toward North Hollywood. Get off at Universal City. Take the free Universal Studios shuttle up the hill, or walk up the big hill yourself if you want a little exercise.

Approximate travel time: 1 hour

Hollywood Walk of Fame

7018 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028

Take the #2 or #302 Rapid bus east from Sunset Blvd. Get off at N. Orange Dr., and walk three blocks to Hollywood Blvd.

Approximate travel time: 15 minutes

Los Angeles Union Station

800 N. Alameda St., Los Angeles, CA 90012

Take the #2 or #302 Rapid bus east from Sunset Blvd. to Vermont Ave. Take the Metro Red Line north toward Union Station, and get off at the Union Station exit.

Approximate travel time: 1 hour 5 minutes.

Dodger Stadium

1000 Elysian Park Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90012

Dodger Stadium can be reached from West Hollywood via the #2 and #302 Rapid buses, which operate along Sunset Blvd., or the #4 and #704 Rapid buses, which operate along Santa Monica Blvd. Santa Monica Blvd. merges with Sunset Blvd. in the Silver Lake neighborhood. Continue southeast along Sunset Blvd. until you reach the Dodger Stadium stop at the intersection of Sunset Blvd. and Elysian Park Ave. From here, Dodger Stadium is just a short walk east along Elysian Park Ave.

Approximate travel time: 1 hour

Ahmanson Theatre and Mark Taper Forum

601 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA 90012

From Santa Monica Blvd., take either the #4 Local or the #704 Rapid bus. Get off at Cesar Chavez Ave. and Grand Ave. Walk 1 block south.

Approximate travel time: 50 minutes.

Griffith Park

Griffith Park is a large, urban park with an area of 4,310 acres, much of it wilderness. Your route to Griffith Park will vary significantly based on the part of the park you wish to visit. These are some common destinations:

The Greek Theatre

2700 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90027

Take the #2 or #302 Rapid east from Sunset Blvd. to Gower St. Walk .3 miles north to the intersection of Hollywood Blvd. and Gower St. Take the #180 or #181 bus toward Altadena until you reach the intersection of Los Feliz Blvd. and Hillhurst Ave. Walk north on Hillhurst Ave. until it merges with Vermont Ave. Walk north on Vermont Ave. into Griffith Park to reach the Greek Theatre (about .8 miles).

Approximate travel time: 1 hour 20 minutes.

Griffith Observatory

2800 E. Observatory Rd., Los Angeles, CA 90027

Follow the above instructions to the Greek Theatre. Continue past the theatre on N. Vermont Canyon Rd. until you reach E. Observatory Rd. Follow this road to Griffith Observatory (approximately an additional .8 miles from the Greek).

Approximate travel time: 1 hour 45 minutes.

On Saturdays and Sundays (except holidays) from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.,

You can also take the DASH Observatory/Los Feliz shuttle, which operates daily from 10 a.m to 10 p.m. Take the #2 or #302 bus east from Sunset Blvd. to the intersection of Sunset and Vermont Ave., then transfer to the DASH Observatory/Los Feliz shuttle. The DASH shuttle runs every 20 minutes. Fare is $.50 cash or $.35 with a TAP card.

Approximate travel time: 1 hour 10 minutes.

Hollywood Sign

The Hollywood Sign can be seen clearly from many parts of the city, notably Griffith Observatory, but to reach the sign itself you’ll need to hike Mount Lee, where the sign is located. Without a car, the easiest trailhead to reach is the Wonder View trailhead to Cahuenga Peak (for more information about alternative routes to the Hollywood Sign, visit HollywoodSign.org).

From Sunset Blvd., take the #2 or #302 bus east to Highland Ave. Here, take the #156 or #656 bus north toward Van Nuys. Get off at the Cahuenga / Oakcrest stop. Walk northwest on Cahuenga Blvd., turn right onto Benda St., and turn left onto Hollycrest Dr. Veer right at the fork and take Primera Ave. to Lake Hollywood Dr., where Primera Ave. becomes La Suvida Dr. Continue on La Suvida Dr. until it rejoins Lake Hollywood Dr. Continue on Lake Hollywood Dr. until it meets Wonder View Dr. Take a left at the fork and continue along Wonder View Dr. until you reach the Wonder View Trailhead.

This hike is 3.5 miles long round trip, and ascends 925 feet. It may not be suitable for inexperienced hikers.

Heads Up! Hiking in Los Angeles can be dangerous, particularly during the summer. Do not attempt to hike any wilderness trails unless you are physically fit, are wearing the proper shoes and clothing, and have enough water. Never hike alone. If you are unsure whether you are capable of or equipped to hike a wilderness trail, do not attempt it.

Hike along Wonder View Dr. until you reach the gate at the top. Continue along Wonder View Trail, turning right at the fork. At the second fork, you can turn left to reach a shade tree (popularly known as the Wisdom Tree) with a stunning view of Burbank and Hollywood, or turn right to continue directly along Cahuenga Ridge.

After you turn right at the fork, the trail climbs the ridge to reach the summit of Cahuenga Peak. This peak, 1,820 feet above sea level, is the twelfth-highest in the Santa Monica Mountains and offers beautiful views of Los Angeles.

From the summit, take the Aileen Getty Ridge Trail across the saddle between Cahengua Peak and Mount Lee. The trail will join with Mount Lee Rd., which is paved. Follow this road for a short stretch to the summit of Mount Lee, which will place you directly behind the Hollywood Sign.

Do not trespass beyond the chain-link fence surrounding the sign. The sign is monitored by closed-circuit camera and has an LAPD officer stationed near it at all times.

Approximate travel time (to Wonder View Trailhead): 1 hour.

Approximate travel time (from trailhead to Mount Lee summit): 1 hour 30 minutes.

Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens

5333 Zoo Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90027

From Santa Monica Blvd., take the #4 or #704 bus east to Sunset Blvd. and Park Ave. Walk one block south along Park Ave. to the intersection of Park Ave. and Glendale Blvd. Then, take the #92 bus north to the intersection of Riverside Dr. and Glendale Blvd. Transfer to the #96 north, which will take you directly to the zoo.

Approximate travel time: 1 hour 30 minutes.

Malibu

Start on Santa Monica Blvd. heading west. Take the #4 Local or #704 Rapid bus to 4th St. and Broadway in the city of Santa Monica. Walk 1 block west to the 3rd Street Promenade. Take the Metro #534 to Malibu, which serves several stops along the Malibu coast.

Approximate travel time: 1 hour 40 minutes.

City of Santa Monica

Take the #4 Local or #704 Rapid bus west from Santa Monica Blvd. Get off on Ocean Ave. in the city of Santa Monica, just across the street from the beach.

Approximate travel time: 50 minutes.

Venice Beach

From Santa Monica Blvd., head west on the #4 Local or #704 Rapid bus. Get off at 4th and Broadway St. in the city of Santa Monica. Take the Santa Monica municipal “Big Blue” Bus line #1 (stop is on northwest corner) heading west. Get off at Windward and Main St. in Venice.

Approximate travel time: 1 hour 5 minutes.

Getting to Destinations Beyond Los Angeles

By bus or train (or a combination of both, it’s possible to get to some of Southern California’s top destinations from West Hollywood without ever getting into a car.

Santa Barbara

Take the #2 bus east from Sunset Blvd. to Union Station. Take the AMTRAK train north to Santa Barbara.

Approximate travel time: 3 hours 30 minutes.

Disneyland

By Bus: Take the #30 bus south from San Vicente Ave. Get off at Pico Blvd. and Figueroa St. Take the #460 bus labeled “Disneyland”.

Approximate travel time: 2 hours and 50 minutes.

By Train: Take a cab or rideshare to Hollywood and Vine. Then take the Metro Red Line south to Union Station. From Union Station, take the Metrolink train south to the city of Fullerton. From the Fullerton Metrolink station, take the #543 Express (Monday through Friday, 5 a.m. to 6 p.m.) or the #43 Local bus south toward MacArthur Harbor to the Harbor-East Shuttle Area. Then take the Harbor East Shuttle to Disneyland Park.

Approximate travel time: 3 hours.

Travel times were provided by the Los Angeles Metro and are intended only as approximations. To map out the dates and times of your trip, visit the Los Angeles Metro website. You can also download the METRO app to your phone or call (323) 466-3876. Be prepared to give your starting point, the address of your destination, and your ideal arrival or departure time.