Travelling in California (to UCLA)

[Jassi]

Hey All,

I've been trying and not been able to find an answer to this question so I thought it was worth posing here. I'm going to be in Carlsbad for 2 weeks and I have some friends in UCLA. What is the best way for me to get to the UCLA campus (or near enough to be picked up) from Carlsbad? I'm looking to get there early in the morning and then get back before its too late at night.

I don't mind taking the bus or train. I do have a rental car but I'd rather not run up the miles on a company rental.

Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Ns1]

doh

 

[Jassi]

Any public transportation options? I'd like to avoid driving 6 hours in Cali traffic?

 

[summit]

6 hrs no way, it might take you 2.5-3 max. take the train from carlsbad to la if you want people to pick you up. first train is like a 8 and last train is a tick before midnight coming down. you should have no problem. get some diddy reese for me.

 

[Ns1]

Originally posted by: Jassi
Any public transportation options? I'd like to avoid driving 6 hours in Cali traffic?

Stay off the road from 7am - 9am and 4pm - 7pm

 

[abaez]

Carlsbad is south of L.A. near oceanside, not north, so NS1's directions wouldn't work. If you drive, the 5 north will be nice all the way until the 91 (it goes from like 6 lanes to 3 right around there). There are lots of options, but I would go either 5N to 91W to 110N to 10W then either take the 405N to Sunset, or get off just before it (La Brea would work I think) and head north, you can also stay on the 5N to the 10W if you like, but it may get crappy depending on the time you are going.

If you take public transportation alone, there is a Metrolink in Oceanside that you can hop on. Take it to Union Station, then get on the 2 bus, which is an express that takes you all the way down Sunset to Santa Monica with minimal stops (the 304 and 4 also do as well but with more stops I believe). This may take some time though when it goes through Hollywood.

Another option that would be pretty fast is take the Metrolink to Union Station, then hop on the Purple Line subway to Koreatown. Your friends can pick you up at the last stop on the Purple line (Wilshire/Western), which is about 15-20 minutes from Westwood. I think this would probably be the best way.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

California is currently closed to anyone trying to come in, FOREVER.

 

[Ns1]

Originally posted by: abaez
Carlsbad is south of L.A. near oceanside, not north, so NS1's directions wouldn't work. If you drive, the 5 north will be nice all the way until the 91 (it goes from like 6 lanes to 3 right around there). There are lots of options, but I would go either 5N to 91W to 110N to 10W then either take the 405N to Sunset, or get off just before it (La Brea would work I think) and head north, you can also stay on the 5N to the 10W if you like, but it may get crappy depending on the time you are going.

If you take public transportation alone, there is a Metrolink in Oceanside that you can hop on. Take it to Union Station, then get on the 2 bus, which is an express that takes you all the way down Sunset to Santa Monica with minimal stops (the 304 and 4 also do as well but with more stops I believe). This may take some time though when it goes through Hollywood.

Another option that would be pretty fast is take the Metrolink to Union Station, then hop on the Purple Line subway to Koreatown. Your friends can pick you up at the last stop on the Purple line (Wilshire/Western), which is about 15-20 minutes from Westwood. I think this would probably be the best way.

oh shit

my bad

I thought we're talking about camarillo

HAHA


sorry

 

[Ns1]

doh

 

[uclaLabrat]

Originally posted by: Jassi
Any public transportation options? I'd like to avoid driving 6 hours in Cali traffic?

No way will it take 6 hours. 3 maybe, depending on traffic. I live in costa mesa and it only take me an hour or so.

 

[uclaLabrat]

Originally posted by: Ns1

Originally posted by: abaez
Carlsbad is south of L.A. near oceanside, not north, so NS1's directions wouldn't work. If you drive, the 5 north will be nice all the way until the 91 (it goes from like 6 lanes to 3 right around there). There are lots of options, but I would go either 5N to 91W to 110N to 10W then either take the 405N to Sunset, or get off just before it (La Brea would work I think) and head north, you can also stay on the 5N to the 10W if you like, but it may get crappy depending on the time you are going.

If you take public transportation alone, there is a Metrolink in Oceanside that you can hop on. Take it to Union Station, then get on the 2 bus, which is an express that takes you all the way down Sunset to Santa Monica with minimal stops (the 304 and 4 also do as well but with more stops I believe). This may take some time though when it goes through Hollywood.

Another option that would be pretty fast is take the Metrolink to Union Station, then hop on the Purple Line subway to Koreatown. Your friends can pick you up at the last stop on the Purple line (Wilshire/Western), which is about 15-20 minutes from Westwood. I think this would probably be the best way.

oh shit

my bad

I thought we're talking about camarillo

HAHA


sorry

Ok, you're really starting to freak me out. First, you live in my town. You went to the same high school as my wife. And now you're talking about my hometown? IT's 1984 people!

 

[Baked]

Originally posted by: WaTaGuMp
California is currently closed to anyone trying to come in, FOREVER.

I agree. We don't have enough jobs or college classes as is, we don't need outsiders coming into our state stealing our stuff. GTFO!

 

[AccruedExpenditure]

Socal public transit sucks and is not worth the hassle. Run up the miles on the rental, its less than 200 round trip
-AE

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: Baked

Originally posted by: WaTaGuMp
California is currently closed to anyone trying to come in, FOREVER.

I agree. We don't have enough jobs or college classes as is, we don't need outsiders coming into our state stealing our stuff. GTFO!

I just got a job yesterday! you LIE!!



But seriously, job market does blow in CA... (8%; 1.5mill unemployed)

Also, I've only been here 3 months, and I can tell you: do whatever you can to not drive. CA drivers suck ass. I'm terrified on a daily basis out on the roads. They will back into oncoming-traffic without foresight, pedestrians will hurl themselves in front of cars.

I thought Chicago drivers were bad....holy shit. This is Mad Max 2 out here.

I honestly thought the "Asian drivers are the worst" stereotype (that I only learned about on AT) was bogus.
Then I moved out here.

*assumes fetal position, furiously scrubs arms and cries for "mommy"*

 

[uclaLabrat]

Originally posted by: zinfamous

Originally posted by: Baked

Originally posted by: WaTaGuMp
California is currently closed to anyone trying to come in, FOREVER.

I agree. We don't have enough jobs or college classes as is, we don't need outsiders coming into our state stealing our stuff. GTFO!

I just got a job yesterday! you LIE!!



But seriously, job market does blow in CA... (8%; 1.5mill unemployed)

Also, I've only been here 3 months, and I can tell you: do whatever you can to not drive. CA drivers suck ass. I'm terrified on a daily basis out on the roads. They will back into oncoming-traffic without foresight, pedestrians will hurl themselves in front of cars.

I thought Chicago drivers were bad....holy shit. This is Mad Max 2 out here.

I honestly thought the "Asian drivers are the worst" stereotype (that I only learned about on AT) was bogus.
Then I moved out here.

*assumes fetal position, furiously scrubs arms and cries for "mommy"*

I drive my buddy home every night to brentwood. Every time we see someone do some insane bullshit, he just chants, "Please don't be asian. Please don't be asian". Mind you, he's chinese, grew up in NY, and just got his first car about two weeks ago. Stay out of westwood.

 

[jagec]

Be sure to carry bear spray.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Originally posted by: zinfamous

Originally posted by: Baked

Originally posted by: WaTaGuMp
California is currently closed to anyone trying to come in, FOREVER.

I agree. We don't have enough jobs or college classes as is, we don't need outsiders coming into our state stealing our stuff. GTFO!

I just got a job yesterday! you LIE!!



But seriously, job market does blow in CA... (8%; 1.5mill unemployed)

Also, I've only been here 3 months, and I can tell you: do whatever you can to not drive. CA drivers suck ass. I'm terrified on a daily basis out on the roads. They will back into oncoming-traffic without foresight, pedestrians will hurl themselves in front of cars.

I thought Chicago drivers were bad....holy shit. This is Mad Max 2 out here.

I honestly thought the "Asian drivers are the worst" stereotype (that I only learned about on AT) was bogus.
Then I moved out here.

*assumes fetal position, furiously scrubs arms and cries for "mommy"*

Cali drivers = hey I have my turn signal on I have the right of way even if its unsafe.

 

[AlienCraft]

Here's the unspoken truth about California Drivers, with very few exceptions, California drivers are all transplants from your part of the world. What you are seeing, is simply the accumplated BAD DRIVING habits from all over the world. Think of it as your "one stop " bad driving experience.
We've got ex Taxi Drivers from Sao Paolo, Lorried Drivers from Hong Kong, Truck Drivers from the Khyber Pass, to the Ukraine, all coming to KAHLEEFORNEYAH to "get good job"!

The number of native Californian drivers compared to WORLD imported drivers is relatively small.

 

[JulesMaximus]

You could take the Amtrak to downtown LA but you'd really need to have one of your friends come pick you up there, which is a good 1/2 hour from UCLA...at best.

I'd really just recommend that you drive up. Take the 5N to the 405N to West LA. From Carlsbad it will take you about 2 hours.

 

[MadAmos]

Originally posted by: abaez
Carlsbad is south of L.A. near oceanside, not north, so NS1's directions wouldn't work. If you drive, the 5 north will be nice all the way until the 91 (it goes from like 6 lanes to 3 right around there). There are lots of options, but I would go either 5N to 91W to 110N to 10W then either take the 405N to Sunset, or get off just before it (La Brea would work I think) and head north, you can also stay on the 5N to the 10W if you like, but it may get crappy depending on the time you are going.

If you take public transportation alone, there is a Metrolink in Oceanside that you can hop on. Take it to Union Station, then get on the 2 bus, which is an express that takes you all the way down Sunset to Santa Monica with minimal stops (the 304 and 4 also do as well but with more stops I believe). This may take some time though when it goes through Hollywood.

Another option that would be pretty fast is take the Metrolink to Union Station, then hop on the Purple Line subway to Koreatown. Your friends can pick you up at the last stop on the Purple line (Wilshire/Western), which is about 15-20 minutes from Westwood. I think this would probably be the best way.

This sounds like excellent advice

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Make sure to take a drive to Castro Valley at night. Some good clubs in the area.

 

[AccruedExpenditure]

Originally posted by: DisgruntledVirus
Make sure to take a drive to Castro Valley at night. Some good clubs in the area.

Castro Valley not only is 350 miles from LA but has TERRIBLE nightlife options
-AE