The trip from Universal City to Union Station takes approximately 25 minutes and trains run every five to fifteen minutes depending upon the time of day, so you will never be far from "home." You can find the most current schedules for the all of the Metrorail lines on the MTA site.
Some notes of caution -- you will be doing a lot of walking, so wear comfortable shoes. As you'll see on your tour, just about anything goes when it comes to clothing. Dress casually -- it can be very warm here in September, so dress accordingly. If it's chilly when you start out in the morning, wear a sweater you can carry later on. Finally, you should watch out for your own safety -- whether you're in a large metropolis or a small town -- so use common sense. Don't wear jewelry or flash large amounts of money. Travel with a companion and always pay attention to your surroundings. For more safety tips, check the LAPD's Street Smarts page.
Before you board the Red Line, you need to purchase your ticket. Unlike in many other cities, L.A.'s train system is not gated and generally operates on the honor system. Tickets must be purchased BEFORE you board the train. Sheriffs' deputies and conductors can ask to see proof of fare at any time and tickets for failing to pay the fare are costly (trust us). You can purchase a one-way or round-trip ticket. If you're going to be making several stops, you can purchase a day pass for $3.00 that also lets you ride on any Metrorail train and MTA operated buses. If you will be staying for more than a few days, you might want to consider longer passes -- there are several available fare options. We think the Metrorail day pass allows you to ride the Dash free of charge. If this is incorrect, the fare on the Dash is only 25 cents, so have a few quarters handy.
If you're starting out in the morning, try seeing the sights at the Hollywood/Highland or Hollywood/Vine stop. When you're ready for lunch, hop back on the Red Line and head toward Union Station. If you like Mexican food, it's a short walk from Union Station to Olvera Street. Make sure you take some time to explore the station. The Union Station area is one of your tour guide's favorite spots in Los Angeles, so she's provided more information here.
If you'd rather have Chinese food, ask one of the staff at the station to point you to the B-dash going to Chinatown. It's a short bus ride away. You can also hop on the Gold Line and get off at the first stop. Not interested in "exotic" food? We've heard good things about Traxx, a restaurant inside the station.
You can also find several good restaurants in varying price ranges downtown. You could get off the Red Line at either the Civic Center or Pershing Square stop, but you will have to do some walking and parts of the route are uphill. Instead, ask one of the station staff to point you to the B-Dash going to the financial district (away from Chinatown). Get off at the Disney Hall -- you can't miss it because it looks like a stainless steel fantasy. For a truly upscale dining experience, Patina, located in the Disney Hall is highly recommended.
If that's not your thing, the next Dash stop will leave you at the Wells Fargo building. There are several restaurants and fast food places there and across the street at the California Plaza center. The Wells Fargo Museum is also located there. If you have time to spare, take a ride on the Bunker Hill Trolley and see the district without having to climb the hills. To return to Union Station, pick up the Dash right in front of the California Plaza building. Or if you have time, get back on where you got off, save your feet and see more sights on the way back to Union Station.
Going toward Union Station from Universal City, there's only one route so you can't get lost. On the return trip, however, the line branches. Make sure you get on the train bound for North Hollywood, NOT the Wilshire/Western train. If you have time (and it's not dark) you can catch some of the other stops on the return trip.
Highlights along the Red Line are listed below. These have been compiled from several sources and some personal experience. The ExperienceLA website has far more comprehensive information than we can possibly put together for you -- so take some time to explore it. In addition to stops along the Red Line, they will help you find other sites available via public transportation and choose your destinations by area of interest.
North Hollywood
Beverly Garland’s Holiday Inn
El Portal Center for the Arts
NoHo Arts District
Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences
Amelia Earhart / North Hollywood Park
Universal City
Campo de Cahuenga
Universal Amphitheater
Universal CityWalk
Universal Studios Hollywood
Hollywood/Highland
El Capitan Theatre
Hollywood Wax Museum
Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum
Hollywood Entertainment Museum
Hollywood History Museum
Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel
Hollywood Walk of Fame
Kodak Theatre
Mann's Chinese Theatre (Grauman's Chinese)
Hollywood/Vine
Hollywood & Vine intersection
Hollywood Information Center (offers several different tours by bus)
Pantages Theatre
Hollywood Walk of Fame
Capitol Records Tower
The Palace Theatre
Henry Fonda Theatre
Los Angeles Fire Department Museum
Hollywood/Western
None recommended
Vermont/Sunset
None recommended
Vermont/Santa Monica
Los Angeles City College
Braille Institute
Cahuenga Library
Wilshire/Vermont
None Recommended
Westlake/MacArthur Park
MacArthur Park
Langer's Delicatessen
Mexican Consulate
Westlake retail district
(note -- MacArthur Park has a reputation as hangout for drug addicts -- some may say it's safe but your fearless tour guide won't get off the train here.)
7th St/Metro Center
Seventh Market Place/Citicorp Plaza
Macy's Plaza
Arco Plaza
Wilshire Grand Hotel
Hyatt Regency Hotel
Los Angeles Central Library
Pershing Square
Pershing Square
The Regal Biltmore Hotel
Angels Flight Railway (closed due to accident in 2000)
Grand Central Market & Grand Central Square
California Plaza
Broadway retail district
Los Angeles Central Library
Jewelry District
Civic Center
Los Angeles City Hall
Little Tokyo
Federal Building
Times Mirror Square
Criminal Courts Building
Los Angeles County Courthouse
Federal Courthouse
Children's Museum
L.A. County Hall of Administration
Ahmanson Theatre/Mark Taper Forum
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
Walt Disney Concert Hall
Union Station
Olvera Street/El Pueblo Historic District
Chinatown