Help with Staples Hours and transit
Sep 10, 2014, 6:18 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: VIX
Programs: AA / TAM / Multiplus / Smiles / Hertz Gold
Posts: 101
Help with Staples Hours and transit
Hi guys,
I need a little help !
We booked a Basketball game at Staples Center (Clippers x Orlando) in December 03th (we arrive in LA from Brazil this day).
The game begins 07:30 PM and our Hotel is Residence Inn LA Redondo Beach - 2420 Marine Ave.
The questions:
- What hours we have to arrive at Staples ? 7PM is a good hour ?
- What time we have to leave the hotel and don't get stuck at traffic ? (I think this is the most important thing)
- Car or public transportation from our hotel ? And if is car, I think it's better buy the parking tickets in advance, I'm right ?
Thank you so much !!
Flavio
I need a little help !
We booked a Basketball game at Staples Center (Clippers x Orlando) in December 03th (we arrive in LA from Brazil this day).
The game begins 07:30 PM and our Hotel is Residence Inn LA Redondo Beach - 2420 Marine Ave.
The questions:
- What hours we have to arrive at Staples ? 7PM is a good hour ?
- What time we have to leave the hotel and don't get stuck at traffic ? (I think this is the most important thing)
- Car or public transportation from our hotel ? And if is car, I think it's better buy the parking tickets in advance, I'm right ?
Thank you so much !!
Flavio
Sep 10, 2014, 6:42 am
#2
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: PHX
Programs: UA *Alliance
Posts: 5,612
I would plan on leaving between 5 and 5:30 from the hotel. If you arrive a little early in downtown, there's plenty to walk around and kill time at near Staples. If you're renting a car as part of your visit, then drive, I wouldn't rely on a taxi or car service at that hour of the afternoon/early evening.
Sep 10, 2014, 7:26 am
#3
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: DAY/CMH
Programs: UA MileagePlus
Posts: 2,474
I would plan on leaving between 5 and 5:30 from the hotel. If you arrive a little early in downtown, there's plenty to walk around and kill time at near Staples. If you're renting a car as part of your visit, then drive, I wouldn't rely on a taxi or car service at that hour of the afternoon/early evening.
On the bright side, you'll be going the opposite direction of the heaviest traffic. This route will be busy your way, too, but probably less than the other way.
Sep 10, 2014, 7:38 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: VIX
Programs: AA / TAM / Multiplus / Smiles / Hertz Gold
Posts: 101
Thank you guys.
Yes, we'll rent a car (big road trip).
ok - car is the best option.
Before the game begins, which usually happens on stadium? Pre warming for the game ?
We'll use the GPS (waze or co-pilot) to choose the best route.
Thank you for the Google Maps.
Yes, we'll rent a car (big road trip).
ok - car is the best option.
Before the game begins, which usually happens on stadium? Pre warming for the game ?
We'll use the GPS (waze or co-pilot) to choose the best route.
Thank you for the Google Maps.
Sep 10, 2014, 8:11 am
#5
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,785
No, don't get parking in advance. There is plenty of parking outside of Staples Center. It is usually only around $20 right across the street. You could find cheaper ones further away if you are willing to walk. But beware of the ones that tried to scam newbies. They will be like $35 and really far away... the guy in front will have signs saying event parking and with a flag waving you in like you are supposed to obey him.
Sep 10, 2014, 11:37 am
#7
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Plat, DL, AS, UA, IHG Plat
Posts: 2,407
OP, just to clarify, you will certainly be stuck in heavy, stop-and-go traffic during this drive. Google says it would take 21 minutes without traffic (a condition that almost never exists). Leaving at 5 PM will give you ample time to crawl towards downtown LA on your choice of thoroughly clogged freeways. If you have a traffic-aware GPS, you should check current conditions to pick the less bad of the two logical routes.
On the bright side, you'll be going the opposite direction of the heaviest traffic. This route will be busy your way, too, but probably less than the other way.
On the bright side, you'll be going the opposite direction of the heaviest traffic. This route will be busy your way, too, but probably less than the other way.
Additional info...
If you are renting a car for your visit, make sure it has a Fastrak transponder. If you rent from a major company (e.g. Hertz, Avis, Enterprise etc) your rental car probably has the transponder. But make sure it is there on the windshield before you drive off.
From Redondo Beach, you can use the Express toll lane and reach Downtown LA in about 35 minutes in rush hour. If you use the regular lanes on the 105 and 110 freeway, it will take you at least 90 minutes.
https://www.metroexpresslanes.net/en/home/index.shtml
Sep 10, 2014, 12:16 pm
#8
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: DAY/CMH
Programs: UA MileagePlus
Posts: 2,474
Additional info...
If you are renting a car for your visit, make sure it has a Fastrak transponder. If you rent from a major company (e.g. Hertz, Avis, Enterprise etc) your rental car probably has the transponder. But make sure it is there on the windshield before you drive off.
From Redondo Beach, you can use the Express toll lane and reach Downtown LA in about 35 minutes in rush hour. If you use the regular lanes on the 105 and 110 freeway, it will take you at least 90 minutes.
https://www.metroexpresslanes.net/en/home/index.shtml
If you are renting a car for your visit, make sure it has a Fastrak transponder. If you rent from a major company (e.g. Hertz, Avis, Enterprise etc) your rental car probably has the transponder. But make sure it is there on the windshield before you drive off.
From Redondo Beach, you can use the Express toll lane and reach Downtown LA in about 35 minutes in rush hour. If you use the regular lanes on the 105 and 110 freeway, it will take you at least 90 minutes.
https://www.metroexpresslanes.net/en/home/index.shtml
How do car rental companies generally charge for this? My guess is "ginormous markup", but I could be wrong.
Sep 10, 2014, 6:09 pm
#9
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Plat, DL, AS, UA, IHG Plat
Posts: 2,407
Ah, that's information I might have shared with OP had I known about it! I guess that explains the mysterious glowing thing mounted to the windshield of the last car I rented at LAX.
How do car rental companies generally charge for this? My guess is "ginormous markup", but I could be wrong.
How do car rental companies generally charge for this? My guess is "ginormous markup", but I could be wrong.
Sep 10, 2014, 6:09 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: VIX
Programs: AA / TAM / Multiplus / Smiles / Hertz Gold
Posts: 101
Additional info...
If you are renting a car for your visit, make sure it has a Fastrak transponder. If you rent from a major company (e.g. Hertz, Avis, Enterprise etc) your rental car probably has the transponder. But make sure it is there on the windshield before you drive off.
From Redondo Beach, you can use the Express toll lane and reach Downtown LA in about 35 minutes in rush hour. If you use the regular lanes on the 105 and 110 freeway, it will take you at least 90 minutes.
https://www.metroexpresslanes.net/en/home/index.shtml
If you are renting a car for your visit, make sure it has a Fastrak transponder. If you rent from a major company (e.g. Hertz, Avis, Enterprise etc) your rental car probably has the transponder. But make sure it is there on the windshield before you drive off.
From Redondo Beach, you can use the Express toll lane and reach Downtown LA in about 35 minutes in rush hour. If you use the regular lanes on the 105 and 110 freeway, it will take you at least 90 minutes.
https://www.metroexpresslanes.net/en/home/index.shtml
The company is Hertz. And if the car miss the transponder ? Just ask to give me one ?
Thank you, very useful information.^
Sep 10, 2014, 6:19 pm
#11
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Plat, DL, AS, UA, IHG Plat
Posts: 2,407
All the cars based at Hertz LAX should have the transponder already but someone may have done a one-way rental and return a non-LAX car (e.g. from Las Vegas), which will not have the transponder. If you get one without transponder, just ask them to switch the car for you.
Sep 10, 2014, 6:32 pm
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: VIX
Programs: AA / TAM / Multiplus / Smiles / Hertz Gold
Posts: 101
Thanks.
One more noob question....LOL....the exit is the same for entry: the ------- line ?
EDIT: whe are 3 people (couple + daughter)
AND OT: this is a good match ? Clippers x Orlando ....I never saw (only in TV) a NBA game....I think it's a great experience.
Tks.
Last edited by flaviocc; Sep 11, 2014 at 8:40 am
Sep 11, 2014, 11:57 am
#13
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Plat, DL, AS, UA, IHG Plat
Posts: 2,407
3 people = most likely you can use the Express Lane for free (or very cheap like $0.50).
The game will be fun experience for your entire family. Clippers will be a good team this year and you should have a good time.
Sep 11, 2014, 2:51 pm
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: VIX
Programs: AA / TAM / Multiplus / Smiles / Hertz Gold
Posts: 101
Exit? You mean at Staples Center? You can enter and exit any door you want at Staples Center.
3 people = most likely you can use the Express Lane for free (or very cheap like $0.50).
The game will be fun experience for your entire family. Clippers will be a good team this year and you should have a good time.
3 people = most likely you can use the Express Lane for free (or very cheap like $0.50).
The game will be fun experience for your entire family. Clippers will be a good team this year and you should have a good time.
I mean exit from Express Lane is the same dashed line used for entry, correct ?
I remember 2 yrs ago, first time driving in MIA back from Orlando and I didn't know where is permitted to exit the express lane....
Thank you.
Sep 11, 2014, 3:04 pm
#15
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: DAY/CMH
Programs: UA MileagePlus
Posts: 2,474
Here's a link to the page from which I copied that image. It explains the whole system.