3010 Wilshire Blvd. #362, Los Angeles, CA 90010
213.388.2364

Southern California Transit Advocates is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion, development and improvement of public transportation in the Los Angeles metropolitan area.

Transportation Related Tours in Southern California

Gold Line Foothill Extension staff are available to guide group public tours of the portion of the Metro Gold Line currently in operation (Sierra Madre Villa to Union Station). Tours are two hours in length and include overviews of light-rail transit, public art and transit-oriented development projects. The tours are offered the first Thursday and Saturday of each month. Reservations are required at least 48 hours in advance. To sign up, call (626) 471-9050.

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Metro's Art Department offers free docent-led tours of the Metro Rail system are offered the first Saturday and Sunday of every month. The tours are roundtrip and last approximately two hours.

Saturday - Meet promptly at 10 am at the street level entrance to the Hollywood/Highland Metro Rail Station.

Sunday - Meet promptly at 10 am at the information booth inside the entrance to historic Union Station.

For more information contact Barbara Lashenick or call (213) 922-2738. Free tours for groups of 15 or more are available by special arrangement. Each tour is unique. Examples are posted at http://metro.net/about/art/

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Red Line Tours passes by the Subway Terminal Building (now known as Metro 417) on their Historic Downtown LA Tour. Details and reservations: http://www.redlinetours.com/

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The Los Angeles Conservancy offers tours of Union Station the third Saturday of the month. In addition their Historic Core (every Saturday, 10 a.m.) tour visits the Subway Terminal Building and talk about it, and includes going into the lobby, and not the tunnels or the former concourse. The Highland Park tour (bi-monthly: Feb. 25, April 29, June 24, August 26, October 28, December 16) goes past the former Glenmarry Red Car stop on Figueroa, and discusses the history of the Red Cars and the Arroyo Seco Parkway as it relates to the development of Highland Park. Details and reservations: http://www.laconservancy.org/tours/tours_main.php4

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Charles Phoenix, known for his live comedy retro slide shows, fun-filled field trip tours and colorful coffee table books has added a “Disneyland” Tour of Downtown Los Angeles to his repertoire. This includes visits to Union Station and a trip on the Gold Line (to Chinatown): http://www.godblessamericana.com/

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Architecture Tours L.A. in its tour of downtown Los Angeles explores Union Station and features comments on its architectural significance by guide and architectural historian Laura Massino: http://www.architecturetoursla.com

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Architours offers a series of weekend tours that highlight communities where public transportation is essential to take advantage of the local arts and architecture, restaurants and night spots: http://www.architours.com/home.html

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Segwow has tours of downtown L.A. and elsewhere in which one rides a Segway personal transportation vehicle. Further details: http://www.segwow.com/

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Free tours of the historic Santa Fe Depot in San Bernardino at 1170 W. 3rd Street are offered on the third Friday of even-numbered months at 2:30 p.m. Tours are limited to 20 people, and reservations are required. To register, call (909) 884-8276.

A representative from San Bernardino Associated Governments will lead the tour, which is free. SANBAG, the county’s transportation agency, occupies the second story of the building. The tour will cover both the first and second floors and will last approximately 45 minutes. Comfortable walking shoes are advised.

Built in 1918, the train station underwent a $15.1 million restoration between 2002 and 2004. The restoration included the removal of hazardous materials and the installation of new plumbing, heating, air conditioning, lighting, electrical wiring, roofing, flooring, windows, elevators, fire detectors and a security system throughout the 57,000-square foot structure.

Guests should park in the east lot, walk along the north side of the building (next to the train tracks) and follow the signs to the SANBAG entrance. Or use the Metrolink San Bernardino line which serves the station. The tour will assemble in the ground floor lobby starting at 2:20 p.m.