What may seem like a trolley from the graphic displayed on the pdf flyer (seen here), is in actuality a bus. So beware, when waiting at one of the three stops along the route. Also be mindful of the fact that this “trolley” is often times full and might skip a stop if capacity has been reached. This means, get your butt to Union Station or Sunset/Figueroa. The Marion stop is the one that is sometimes skipped. Nonetheless, this transit system is a blessing and everyone who rides the bus agrees.

Shuttle service operates for the remainder of the season starting 90 minutes before game time and concluding 60 minutes after the game ends.

Pickup/drop-off locations:

Union Station Plaza - the loading and unloading point is at the front of the Metropolitan Water Building. A shuttle will leave Union Station approximately every 10 minutes.

Figueroa Street - with a connection to MTA Lines 2, 4, 55, and 60; Metro Limited Lines 302, 304 and 355; Metro Rapid Line 704; and DASH Lincoln Heights/Chinatown service.

Marion Avenue - with a connection to MTA Lines 2 and 4 arriving from the west.

* The shuttles drop passengers off inside Dodger Stadium behind behind Center Field, and run the same route in reverse after the game.

For more information, call 323-224-1507.

http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/la/ballpark/dodger_trolley.jsp

Heart-of-Hollywood Hike
Trail: Runyon Canyon Loop
Distance: About 3 miles round-trip

By no means is this hike a wilderness experience, so if you’re looking for solitude, you might want to try other trails. On the other hand, this is a great hike for people-watching, and it gives beginning hikers a chance to check out the Hollywood Hills and the amazing views at the trail summit, known as Cloud’s Rest. Whether you’re wearing the latest hiking gear or just sandals and sun hats, this is a fun hike highlighted by million dollar mansions and priceless views of the Hollywood sign, the Sunset Strip and the rest of the LA Basin.

Getting There: From Hollywood Boulevard, head north on Fuller Avenue. Park at the end of Fuller and enter the well-marked park. Take the trail to the right and complete the loop counterclockwise.

Did you know Los Angeles has the largest municipal park in the country? Find out more green facts about LA on discoverLosAngeles.com’s new Green Travel site (created by LA INC. - the city’s official marketing organization):

http://www.discoverlosangeles.com/visitors/green-la

Leave a comment if you feel anything’s missing from the site, and we’ll petition to have it added.

I am a big fan of the public transportation, having lived in New York City without a car for four years. And the opportunities for using public transportation in Los Angeles in practical, meaningful ways have blossomed over the last decade. Perhaps the coolest of options are the Metro-operated light rail lines that transect the LA basin. You can go from North Hollywood to Long Beach using the Red and Blue Lines, or from LAX to Pasadena using the Green and Gold Lines for example. Or you can commute from the San Fernando Valley to Downtown Los Angeles- and back- for work as I do on the Red Line at least three days a week.

The Red Line is usually great. It is on a regular schedule, runs on-time, and takes me about 26 minutes from the Universal Studios Hollywood stop to the Pershing Square stop. But on Tuesday of this week I had a little adventure.

On the return from Downtown to my home we had stopped at the second to last stop on my route- Hollywood & Highland- and started toward the Universal City station. We came to a stop after a few minutes of riding, which is not abnormal; sometimes the trains have to wait until another train clears the tunnel ahead. But we stopped for 2-3 minutes. And then 4. And then 5. Finally, the conductor spoke briefly into the intercom: “Hold on…it’s the brakes”.

She came out of her conductor room and stopped at one of the seats, asking the person seated there to get up. She opened a panel and fiddled with something inside. She then walked to the other end of the car I was in and did the same thing at another seat. She then walked through the door at the end of our car into the adjacent car, likely with the same intention.

She came back a few minutes later- we had been stopped for 10-15 minutes at this point- walked into her room, and informed us that the brakes were completely out and that she had called a technician. People around me rumbled. “I can’t believe this”; “I’ve got to be at work at 6:30pm”; “Do you have snacks for us?” And though I didn’t say anything I was cogitating too because at 5:30pm I was supposed to relieve the nanny who watches over our six month old daughter- and it was now 5:45pm. I would have called but cell reception is not too good when you are 100 feet beneath the ground and surrounded by concrete.

Seated in the last car of the train, I could see down the tunnel and soon enough some reflective orange strips could be seen bobbing and dancing as they got larger and larger- the technicians in their vests were walking up the tunnel toward us. They entered our car and and got to work, repeating some of the actions the conductor had tried earlier. One, a thin older man with a goatee, seemed almost happy as he stated “Total brake failure is rare…but that’s what we got.”

They tinkered for 10 more minutes before finally deeming the job too big for a subway tunnel. They asked all of the passengers to exit their cars and walk down the side of the tracks to the nearest Exit sign. We did so, and I grabbed the railing against the wall as I walked. The walkway was only a couple of feet wide and there was a 10 foot drop to the tracks below, so I figured better safe than sorry. We got to the Exit sign and turned right, went through a room, and appeared on a parallel track where another train was waiting. I entered a door and found a seat, my hand brown and dirty from the walk.

It took 10 minutes or so to get everyone loaded and then we started off toward the next stop- Universal City. After 30 seconds or so of riding I heard people across from me exclaiming that there were people on the walkway in the tunnel ahead. The train stopped and let these people in. We resumed the ride and the same thing happened again. I guess some of the passengers from the first train had gotten fed up and were trying to walk to Universal City?

Anyway, we finally arrived and I emerged from underground. It was now 6:45pm and I was an hour and 15 minutes late relieving the nanny. I called my wife who frantically answered the phone, more relieved at my safety than pissed off at my shirked duty. She had made if home from the gym at 6:30pm and immediately called all of my phone numbers and checked with possible acquaintances when I wasn’t there to greet her.

When all was said and done, our nanny was a little late picking up her own children that night, our daughter was a little fussy having not eaten at her usual time, and my wife and I were a little frazzled at the stress introduced into our evening. But, ultimately, everthing is fine. And I will ride the Red Line again.

Benefit for Griffith Park starring Ludacris and Tommy Lee

When: May 28, 7:30 p.m.

Where: The Greek Theatre

What: Discovery Network’s upcoming series, “Battleground Earth,” has challenged stars Ludacris and Tommy Lee to “go green.” Now the show culminates at The Greek Theatre to raise money for The Griffith Park Recovery Fund. Buy tickets at www.greektheatrela.com.

Scoop: Ludacris and Tommy Lee aren’t the only ones who care about the environment. Other special guests will be joining them in this much-anticipated “rap ‘n’ roll” concert.

Here’s a good opportunity to steer the future and provide feedback to LA’s public transit authority:

http://imagine-metro.blogspot.com/

The 14th annual celebration of “Bike to Work Week” will kick off Monday, May 12, 2008 at the Metro Red Line Universal City station.

Metro will be offering a chance to win a folding bike from REI to those who register in advance online at www.metro.net/biketowork and pledge to be part of the solution to reduce traffic by pedaling to work, school, or other destinations on Thursday, May 15, Bike to Work Day.

In addition, on Thursday, May 15, Metro will offer free rides to bicyclists on Metro buses and trains throughout Los Angeles County. Moreover, Beach Cities Transit, Commerce Municipal Bus Lines, Culver CityBus, Gardena Municipal Lines, Glendale Beeline, Montebello Bus Lines, Norwalk Transit, Pasadena ARTS Bus, Santa Clarita Transit, and Torrance Transit, also will offer free rides to bicyclists who use transit for part of their commute day.

Green clothing is one of LA’s hottest fashions, but think again if you believe this city would actually conform to a single style. Thankfully, a number of eco-conscious retailers in Los Angeles have adopted the green philosophy and designed clothing lines that are unique, personal and completely eco-friendly. From T-shirts to shoes, these green-friendly stores are LA’s favorite standbys on the green fashion front:

www.discoverlosangeles.com

-Keith Lin

Getting acquainted with the variety of hiking in Los Angeles is the perfect way to discover why LA is the ideal place to get outside. Most of the hikes listed here are easy to moderate, so it’s not necessary to be an experienced hiker to enjoy them. But you will need to keep a few things in mind when you’re planning your excursion. It’s important to wear sturdy hiking shoes, carry plenty of drinking water, use sunscreen and wear sunglasses. Take along a camera, and make sure you stay on the trails.

Heart-of-Hollywood Hike
Trail: Runyon Canyon Loop
Distance: About 3 miles round-trip
Special Feature: The views at Cloud’s Rest, the off-leash policy for dogs and the occasional celebrity sighting
Getting There: From Hollywood Boulevard, head north on Fuller Avenue. Park at the end of Fuller and enter the well-marked park. Take the trail to the right and complete the loop counterclockwise.

By no means is this hike a wilderness experience, so if you’re looking for solitude, you might want to try other trails. On the other hand, this is a great hike for people-watching, and it gives beginning hikers a chance to check out the Hollywood Hills and the amazing views at the trail summit, known as Cloud’s Rest. Whether you’re wearing the latest hiking gear or just sandals and sun hats, this is a fun hike highlighted by million dollar mansions and priceless views of the Hollywood sign, the Sunset Strip and the rest of the LA Basin.

Topanga State Park
Trail: Los Liones Trail to Parker Mesa Overlook
Distance: About 7 miles round-trip
Special Feature: The magnificent views at Parker Mesa Overlook
Getting There: The hike begins in Pacific Palisades at the end of Los Liones Drive, just north of Sunset Boulevard. Leave the car in the parking lot at the end of the street. From there, follow the trail up to East Topanga Fire Road and follow that to the turnoff for the Parker Mesa Overlook.

Switchbacks and steep hill climbs characterize the first two miles of this hike. With an elevation gain of about 1,300 feet, the hike is definitely a tougher climb. But you’ll get rewarded as you gaze out from your vantage point atop the bluff. Enjoy a picnic lunch or relax on a bench while taking in the overlook.

Griffith Park Trails
Trail: Griffith Observatory West Trail Loop
Distance: About 2.5 miles
Special Feature: Views of Griffith Observatory, the Hollywood sign and the LA Basin
Getting There: The hike starts at the Fern Dell picnic area near Los Feliz Boulevard. You can pick up the trail near the creek past the restrooms. Stay to the right and head uphill toward the Griffith Observatory. You’ll be able to stop and enjoy views of the city along the way. As the path flattens out, you’ll see a trail to the right leading up to the observatory. On the way back, stay right all the way down the hill. The trail will curve around a bit and then take you back to the Fern Dell picnic area.

Trail: Brush Canyon Trail
Distance: About 2 miles
Special Feature: Peace and quiet, as well as spectacular views near Mount Hollywood Drive
Getting There: You can park in the lot on Canyon Drive, located just past Bronson Park. From there, head uphill past the gate and pick up the trail on the fire road heading toward the Pacific Electric quarry. You’ll pass a park and a picnic area and then climb out of the canyon. After about 3/4 of a mile, the trail intersects with the Mulholland Trail. Follow the trail to the right and continue another 1/4 mile to Mount Hollywood Drive. To get back, follow the same route, taking a left at the Mulholland Trail junction.

Will Rogers State Park
Trail: Rustic Canyon Loop/Inspiration Point Trail
Distance: About 6 miles round-trip
Special Feature: Exploring what was once the private ranch of a Hollywood star
Getting There: Head to Will Rogers State Park in Santa Monica. The main road to the park is just off Sunset Boulevard about a half mile east of Chataqua Boulevard. You can park the car near the visitor’s center. The hike begins just behind the main ranch house at the park, next to the sign for Inspiration Point Trail.

After about a mile, you’ll see the turnoff for Inspiration Point. It’s a quick detour and worth the effort to head up this side route for some spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, the LA Basin and the Santa Monica Mountains. Follow Backbone Trail to the junction with Rustic Canyon. Follow that trail back to Will Rogers Park. After the hike, explore the park and enjoy a picnic on the massive lawn in front of the house.

Santa Monica Mountains Waterfall Trek
Trail: Escondido Canyon and Falls
Distance: 4.2 miles round-trip
Special Feature: The waterfall at the end of the trail
Getting There: Head northwest on the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) from Santa Monica for about 17 miles. Just past Latigo Canyon Road, you’ll see the turnoff for East Winding Way where you can park in the well-marked lot. Follow the paved road toward the mountains. It’s a little less than a mile to the end of East Winding Way. You’ll see the entrance of Escondido Canyon Park clearly marked at the end of the pavement.

From the trailhead, it’s about a mile-long trek to the falls. The trail crosses Escondido Canyon Creek several times, so be prepared to get your feet wet if you’re hiking in the rainy season. This is a gradual climb that drifts in and out of tree covering, alongside canyon walls. Soon, you’ll be standing at the base of the 50-foot-high Escondido Falls, admiring the multi-tiered cataract flowing over moss-covered rocks.

In the springtime, the waterfall is usually quite active, but the amount of water can vary depending on when you visit. You can scramble up the rocks to the upper level and see even more of the falls — the upper tier is about 100 feet high. Wading in the pool beneath the falls is a great way to cool off before you head back along the same route.

Several new buildings have been completed in Los Angeles within the last 10 years, earning worldwide accolades for achievement in design. Several more are either in development or on the drawing board.

All of the architects mentioned below have earned the Pritzker Prize. Additionally, the following buildings are all located Downtown, within easy walking distance of one another.

Caltrans District 7 Headquarters
Architect: Thom Mayne/Morphosis
Opened: 2004
Address: 100 S. Main Street
Features: This building is guaranteed to elicit strong reactions from viewers. But love it or hate it, the building can’t be ignored. Perforated metal panels create a skin that covers exposed structural elements, visible from inside the building’s walkways and interior spaces. At night, the
exterior panels open up to reveal windows. The south wall has a photovoltaic system capable of producing up to 5 percent of the building’s energy. Many of the building’s features are meant to evoke the state’s highway system, including the environmental art installation by Keith Sonnier in the outdoor lobby. The area consists of red and blue neon lights meant to suggest automobile
head and tail lights.

Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels
Architect: José Rafael Moneo
Opened: 2002
Address: 555 W. Temple Street
Features: A contemporary cathedral designed with virtually no right angles, this building breaks the mold of the classic European cathedral of the Middle Ages. And as the third largest cathedral in the world, the significance of this building is tied to more than just its architecture. It’s the seat of the Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles, serves more than 4 million Catholic worshippers and is the site of the Archbishop’s major liturgies. The exterior is sand-colored concrete, with an interior lit during the day by sunlight shining through thousands of alabaster panels. The large bronze doors by sculptor Robert Graham, the tapestries by artist John Nava and other works of art complete the building, making it well worth close inspection.

Walt Disney Concert Hall
Architect: Frank Gehry
Opened: 2003
Address: 111 S. Grand Avenue
Features: There aren’t many buildings in Los Angeles as recognizable as the Walt Disney Concert Hall at the Music Center. The stainless steel skin covers a framework of steel beams erected in the shape of billowing sails or flower petals, depending on your point of view. Inside, the building houses one of LA’s best concert venues, with an auditorium known as much for its
acoustics as its design.

U.S. Bank Tower (Library Tower)
Architect: I.M. Pei
Opened: 1989
Address: 633 W. Fifth Street
Features: The tallest building in the United States west of Chicago, this is one of LA’s most iconic pieces of architecture. With 1.3 million square feet, the U.S. Bank Tower is 73 stories tall and reaches a height of 1,018 feet. The design of the building features interlocking sets of granite planes and curves that step down in a series of terraces and ledges, creating a building that’s neither round nor square. A large glass “crown” on top of the building is illuminated at night, and in the lobby a giant mixed-media mural entitled Unity depicts the history of Los Angeles.