L.A.'s rail extension adds car-free options for visitors

Visitors to Los Angeles now have more options to experience the notoriously motor-centric city car-free.

Phase 2 of the Metro Expo Line Extension—a 6.6 mile, $1.5-billion extension project--opened this month. Visitors can now travel from Culver City to Santa Monica by light rail.

To celebrate the opening, Discover Los Angeles, the city’s convention and visitors’ bureau, is offering two new self-guided itineraries via its Car Free L.A. program.

“Discover Downtown Car Free” will help visitors explore new hotel developments, restaurants and cultural attractions in that burgeoning part of the city. Stops will include the new SkySlide, a glass-bottomed slide 1,000 feet above the city, and Grand Central Market, a downtown landmark since 1917.

“Discover Metro Expo Line Car Free” will allow travelers to ride the Metro’s 15-mile stretch from downtown to Santa Monica and explore neighborhoods in between, including La Brea for its shopping, art and dining and Westwood, home of UCLA.

“The Metro Expo Line Extension marks a significant moment in L.A. County’s transit revolution, making it easier and more convenient to see all that L.A. has to offer,” says Ernest Wooden Jr., president and CEO of Discover Los Angeles. “For the first time in 63 years, residents and visitors will be able to travel between Downtown Los Angeles and Santa Monica aboard a railway.”

Car Free L.A. debuted on Earth Day in 2013 to help tourists and locals experience the city via foot, bike or public transportation. Itineraries are available at DiscoverLosAngeles.com/carfreeLA.