I am planning a trip to the LA County Arboretum in Arcadia next month (the Arboretum is across the street from Santa Anita Race Track - a coincidence I assure you!). I am coming from San Diego and am hoping that I can get there on the train (Amtrak, commuter rail, or both). I can take Amtrak or Metrolink north from San Diego. But what are my options to get to Arcadia?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
From San diego…
5 north to the 2 north to the 210 east exit baldwin, make a right go down about a quarter mile and you’re there.
301 N. Baldwin Ave is the arboretum’s address and a map from san diego to 301 N. Baldwin Ave can be found here
Of course… this is by car.
I do believe the commuter rail, gold line, is running along the 210 e(and therefore) the arborteum is newly opened.
on a side note, the arborteum is beautiful. I Volunteered there every summer for the past 5 years for the california philharmonic festival of the green. It’s a great place to take a date. Have Fun.
Looking further I find that gold-line only extends to pasadena. Thats not quite to the arborteum, but you can probably find a bus from that stop to the arborteum. check Mta’s website.
Thanks for your help Harmonix. I will check it out.
I admit that I don’t understand LA’s commuter rail system.
LA’s commuter rail system is designed by people who drive to work. That’s why it makes little sense.
You take the Amtrak to Union Station. Hop on the Gold Line. Take it to the end. That station is called Sierra Madre Villa. The ticket will cost you $1.35.
At the station look for Foothill Transit Bus 187. Pay $1.10. Ask the driver which stop is best for the Arboretum, but it should get you near there.
Oh, and I should mention that the trains from San Diego and the Gold Line tracks are not far apart.
The trip from Union Station to Sierra Madre Villa takes about an hour.
The bus ride would be about 10-15 minutes.
I’ve taken the Gold Line to Amtrak to Del Mar and it was pretty painless.
Thank you BobT and Dragonblink! Consider my ignorance fought.
I will conquer LA’s commuter rail system…or…errrrr…fail!
The Gold Line is remarkably easy to take. From Union Station it only goes one direction. And just get off when you hit the end of the line.
By the time you get to the end of the line, the train will be running in the middle of a freeway. The Sierra Madre Villa station is pretty big and has a huge park and ride lot attached to it.