using mass transit to go from costa mesa to LA
Feb 14, 2007, 10:42 am
#1
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using mass transit to go from costa mesa to LA
i will be in costa mesa next week without a car 
and would like to go to LA for eating. i checked the orange county bus and apparently it takes an hour just to go from the bus stop by the hilton costa mesa where im staying to the metrolink station! anyone have better ideas on how to go from the Hilton to korea town or UCLA?
and would like to go to LA for eating. i checked the orange county bus and apparently it takes an hour just to go from the bus stop by the hilton costa mesa where im staying to the metrolink station! anyone have better ideas on how to go from the Hilton to korea town or UCLA?
Feb 14, 2007, 3:37 pm
#2
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While I am sure it can be done, go from OC to LA via public transit--perhaps take a bus to LAX and then pickup LA Metro system there-in the end, I think you will be a lot better off (and not spend a lot more money) by renting a car from, say Enterprize, in Costa Mesa. Plus, you will save a LOT of time.
By the way, why not just go Vietnamese in OC?
By the way, why not just go Vietnamese in OC?
Feb 14, 2007, 4:03 pm
#3
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Dude, you need a rent-a-car in Southern California. SNA Airport in Costa Mesa has the cheapest rent-a-cars in town, bid $16/day from Priceline.com . And why travel to Los Angeles (two hours by car and probably at least three, one-way, by bus)?. There are plenty of restaurants, including Asian restaurants, in Costa Mesa.
If you insist on wasting your day riding around on buses, there are buses.
If you insist on wasting your day riding around on buses, there are buses.
Feb 14, 2007, 8:13 pm
#5
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alas, im 22 and due to how i get the car i drive at home, have no real car insurance. i ended up deciding to take a cab to amtrak, amtrak to union station, then the metro. the last poster mentioned 405, i thought that interstate was notorious for going "4 or 5 miles an hour"?
oh and the reason im heading to LA is both to meet a friend and because after much googling, yet to find a korean bbq buffet in orange county.
oh and the reason im heading to LA is both to meet a friend and because after much googling, yet to find a korean bbq buffet in orange county.
Feb 14, 2007, 10:52 pm
#6
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Tustin has a popular one: http://www.insiderpages.com/b/15217405094
It is just 7 miles from the Hilton Costa Mesa - Best taxi route is the 55 during non-peak or follow Red Hill Ave all the way up if the 55 is too busy.
Use Google to map both locations - you will be impressed how direct it is from the hotel. Ask Costa Mesa Hilton if they have a car and driver that could take you there!
O.C. Metrolink is $8 from Santa Ana to LA Union Staion and takes about an hour.
Really it does not sound worth it to me unless you plan to do other things in L.A. (And there are things but they are spread out). Maybe your friend could meet you since, of course, everyone in L.A. drives.
You should tell us what day/time you plan on traveling so we can tell you the best driving route.
It is just 7 miles from the Hilton Costa Mesa - Best taxi route is the 55 during non-peak or follow Red Hill Ave all the way up if the 55 is too busy.
Use Google to map both locations - you will be impressed how direct it is from the hotel. Ask Costa Mesa Hilton if they have a car and driver that could take you there!
O.C. Metrolink is $8 from Santa Ana to LA Union Staion and takes about an hour.
Really it does not sound worth it to me unless you plan to do other things in L.A. (And there are things but they are spread out). Maybe your friend could meet you since, of course, everyone in L.A. drives.
You should tell us what day/time you plan on traveling so we can tell you the best driving route.
Last edited by westcoastman; Feb 14, 2007 at 10:59 pm
Feb 15, 2007, 4:45 am
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Feb 15, 2007, 9:27 am
#9
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Anything is possible, and you CAN get around the vast expanse of the Southland using transit - but at what cost (in time, especially)?
Most people have limited time when visiting an area, and the hours that will be consumed with anything other than point-to-point use of transit in the greater LA area will be considerable. Whether the amount of time that will be taken from your sightseeing and other activities is worth it, only the individual traveler can determine.
Having said that, I will note that many FlyerTalkers sometime forget that other FTers may have reasons for not renting a car - visual or mobility impairment, for instance, or simple preference not to drive. The trick is to PLAN PLAN PLAN, then plan some more
Most people have limited time when visiting an area, and the hours that will be consumed with anything other than point-to-point use of transit in the greater LA area will be considerable. Whether the amount of time that will be taken from your sightseeing and other activities is worth it, only the individual traveler can determine.
Having said that, I will note that many FlyerTalkers sometime forget that other FTers may have reasons for not renting a car - visual or mobility impairment, for instance, or simple preference not to drive. The trick is to PLAN PLAN PLAN, then plan some more
Feb 15, 2007, 5:07 pm
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Feb 17, 2007, 1:10 pm
#11
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You could buy a ticket on United's/Skywest's SNA-LAX route. 
Costa Mesa/Newport have some great restaurants, by the way, but they tend to be cookie cutter OC places.
Downtown LA has some real character. I especially enjoy Little Tokyo.
Costa Mesa/Newport have some great restaurants, by the way, but they tend to be cookie cutter OC places.
Downtown LA has some real character. I especially enjoy Little Tokyo.
Feb 18, 2007, 1:59 pm
#12
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If possible, I'd ask your friend (depending on how good a friend) to do the driving, meeting and returning you to Orange County. Southern California is not "rapid transit" friendly. Sad but true. Or your friend may have a better suggestion.
Feb 18, 2007, 5:03 pm
#13
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there are lots of korean places in cerritos, and i know of at least a few as far past the orange curtain as buena park.
frankly, a trip to koreatown for your bulgogi and kimchi fix might not be worth it unless you know where you're going.
frankly, a trip to koreatown for your bulgogi and kimchi fix might not be worth it unless you know where you're going.
Feb 20, 2007, 2:49 pm
#14
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New Seoul Korean BBQ Buffet
9902 Garden Grove Blvd.
Garden Grove , CA 92844
Tel: (714) 537-9902
Seoul Garden BBQ Buffet
13828 Red Hill Ave.
Tustin , CA 92780
Tel: (714) 537-9292
This last one in Tustin is closer to the Hilton Costa Mesa.
Feb 21, 2007, 1:17 pm
#15
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Although I believe no buffet is available, I'm told that Seoul Oak Korean BBQ Restaurant has excellent Korean BBQ. The servers wear traditional outfits. This restaurant was highly recommended by a friend that was born and raised in Korea.
Seoul Oak Korean BBQ Restaurant
8925 Garden Grove Boulevard
Garden Grove, California 92844
714.530.5388
Bon Appétit!
Seoul Oak Korean BBQ Restaurant
8925 Garden Grove Boulevard
Garden Grove, California 92844
714.530.5388
Bon Appétit!