Let's Get Going!
Important information:
- Safety first! Although not required, we recommend you bring a bike helmet along and wear it properly. Please ride courteously and be aware of your surroundings. Construction and other unforeseen changes may alter the route. Use your best judgment.
- Never leave your Metro Bike unattended. Always be sure to dock your Metro Bike and listen for three beeps.
- This route will take you past many public art pieces of different sizes, media, and spaces. Always use your best judgment and if you would like to stop and take photos or take in the art, please be sure to find a safe place, like a sidewalk, to pause.
Start/Endpoint: 2nd & Hill Metro Bike Share Station
Metro Bike Share Stations Along Route:
- Main & 1st
- 1st and Judge John Aiso
- 1st and Central
- 2nd and Hill
- 2nd and Figueroa
- Los Angeles & Temple
- Temple and Vignes
- 3rd and Santa Fe
- Traction & Rose
- 3rd & San Pedro
- Main & 4th
- Broadway & 3rd
Accessible via Bus and Rail (for assistance in planning your trip, please visit Metro Trip Planner):
The route is accessible via Metro B Line (Red) or D Line (Purple) from the Civic Center / Grand Park Metro Station by walking south on S Hill Street for one block to the 2nd & Hill Metro Bike Share Station.
The route is also accessible from Union Station by exiting on the west side of the building and releasing a bike from the Union Station West Portal Station. Exit the parking lot and continue straight on Los Angeles Street. Turn left on E 1st St. and enjoy the ride!
LADOT: DASH A, D, 419, 439, 534
Metro Local and Metro Rapid: 2, 4, 10, 28, 30, 33, 48, 70, 76, 78, 79, 81, 90, 92, 94, 699, 733
Metro Rail: Metro B Line (Red) or D Line (Purple) to Civic Center / Grand Park Station
Conditions: 2-mile loop, a low-grade hill with bike lanes or bike-friendly streets. Please be alert and courteous while you ride, and use your best judgment.
Directions:
- Exit Civic Center / Grand Park Station. Using the crosswalk, cross S Hill St. Proceed one block south and turn left onto W 2nd. Release a Metro Bike from the 2nd and Hill Metro Bike Share Station.
- Proceed north on S Hill St.
- Turn right onto W 1st
- If you would like to visit a restaurant or museum in Little Tokyo, return your bike to the Metro Bike Share station located at 1st and Central. This station is located directly in front of the Japanese American National Museum and a short walk to the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA. You are now in the heart of Little Tokyo and directly across the street from Japanese Village Plaza, with many dining and shopping options.
- Proceed west on E 1st
- Turn right onto S Vignes St.
- Turn right onto E 3rd. If you would like to spend time visiting Hauser & Wirth, Art Share L.A., or Over the Influence, please be sure to dock your Metro bike at the 3rd and Santa Fe or the Traction & Rose Metro Bike Share Station and release a bike when you are ready to ride again.
- Turn left onto Traction Ave.
- Turn right onto S. Hewitt St.
- Turn right onto E 4th
- Continue straight and merge onto E 3rd
- Turn right onto S Hill St.
- Turn right onto W 2nd. Be sure to return your Metro bike to the station. Listen for three beeps.
Learn About the Landmarks:
- Japanese Village Plaza: Conveniently located at the gateway to the Little Tokyo District of downtown Los Angeles, Japanese Village Plaza offers a unique shopping and dining experience in a relaxing, comfortable atmosphere. Japanese Village Plaza is more than a historic shopping center; it is now where customers can come early and stay late for various services, shopping, dining and entertainment.
- James Irvine Japanese Garden: Known as Seiryu-en or "Garden of the Clear Stream," the garden is a hidden gem of Downtown Los Angeles. The award-winning garden features a 170 ft. stream flowing from a waterfall at the upper reaches of the garden, with blooming trees, foliage, and sounds of cascading water. If you are planning on visiting, please visit the JACCC website for the latest admittance policy for the James Irvine Japanese Garden.
- Japanese American National Museum: JANM is dedicated to promoting greater understanding and appreciation of America's ethnic and cultural diversity by sharing the richness and range of the Japanese American experience. Admission is $16 for adults, $7 for 62+ seniors and students with a valid I.D.
- The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA: A former police car warehouse in L.A.'s Little Tokyo Historic District, renovated by the noted California architect Frank Gehry, The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA (formerly The Temporary Contemporary) opened in 1983. This location offers 40,000 square feet of exhibition space. Over the coming months, MOCA will be actively transitioning this space into a vibrant, multi-use anchor under the umbrella of WAREHOUSE Programs. Events are often free of charge.
- Bradbury Building: The Bradbury Building is the oldest commercial building in the central city and one of Los Angeles' unique treasures. Behind its modest, mildly Romanesque exterior lies a magical light-filled Victorian court that rises almost fifty feet with open cage elevators, marble stairs, and ornate iron railings. The identity of the building's final architect is a subject of debate.
- Art Share L.A.: Art Share L.A. creates equitable access and opportunity for emerging artists by providing a creative environment to live, work, develop, perform, and exhibit. Art Share's Performing Arts program hosts over 300 public performances each year, many of which are free or suggested donations, with all proceeds going directly to artists. Any night of the week, you will discover new, emerging talent being shared on stage. From music and spoken word to improv, dance and theater, Art Share exudes culture!
- Hauser & Wirth: Occupying a former flour mill, Hauser & Wirth Los Angeles is a vibrant communal space that links art and architecture with a dynamic events program. Modeled after Hauser & Wirth's Somerset gallery – the revolutionary art center that opened in rural England in 2014 – the Los Angeles location has expanded its events program to include dance and music performances, film screenings, family activities, maker workshops, and artist-led conversations.
- Over The Influence: Over the Influence is an art gallery with Hong Kong and Los Angeles locations dedicated to vibrant contemporary programming featuring works by radical and influential artists.
Go for a Ride.
Ready to go for a ride? Plan ahead and purchase a pass online or with the Metro Bike Share mobile app. The 24-Hour Access Pass is perfect for a day of exploring!
Need some riding tips?
We've compiled some tips for riding that should be a good place to start for new riders or just a nice refresher for our long time commuters.
Reminder: Always properly return your Metro Bike to end your trip. Never leave a Metro Bike unattended during your trip. Riders will be charged penalty fees up to $2,500 for missing or improperly docked bikes. Report missing or stolen Metro Bikes to 844.857.2453.