Prototype Issue
In Search of Western Discovery: From East LA to Santa Monica on the 720
By J Rentería
(page 1 of 1)A bus trip from East LA to any beach is somewhat reminiscent of Lewis and Clark’s attempt to make 'communication with the waters of the Pacific Ocean'—a valiant and long journey that only the strong can bear.
Alright, so there is no need for muskets and raccoon hats, but the nervous breakdown that one may very well come to endure because of those untimely buses (to get an idea about what I mean, check out the lady at the Main/6th Rapid bus stop at 6pm on any given weekday and be sure to bring your mace) does require some solid patience and a strong grip on reality; qualities that those famous and daring travelers surely possessed.
However, to ease the pain, I suggest you leave your carriages behind and hop on the Metro Rapid 720. Although the trip just about quadruples to almost two hours in comparison to a car ride that may take about 30 minutes, this bus route crosses straight through town, eliminating the need to jump and off buses.
Taking the 720 from its first stop at Whittier and Goodrich in East LA to its last stop at Colorado and Ocean in Santa Monica takes you through, for better or worse, most everything that makes up LA’s identity. From its poor to its rich, from its Black to its White, from its Latinos to its Asians, from its urban downtown jungle to its salty beaches, this ride provides both locals and tourists a chance to see the many sides LA encompasses and may not be as visible from the inside of a car driven on a freeway.
The ride begins with a cruise down historic Whittier Boulevard in the predominantly Latino city of East Los Angeles, where glimpses of tempting bionicos (a Mexican specialty fruit and cereal snack), taco trucks and the like are far and wide. Bumping roads and many panaderías later, we cross the infamous 6th Street bridge which crystallizes LA’s seeming barren and smoggy backyard.
Downtown welcomes the traveler with brick walls, blue tarps covering makeshift homes, shopping carts pushed by the many, and many homeless people who make corners like 5th and San Pedro their primary residence.
After a painful slap of the realities of both LA’s past and present, dark and intolerant urban life, glimpses of clean and bustling downtown streets and places like the Central Library and Pershing Square, give one hope of a revitalized Downtown LA; where many flock to be entertained.
Over the 110 onto Wilshire and a stop at Alvarado, it is MacArthur Park where local families play soccer, gather for picnics, and surround street vendors in an attempt to get a lick of some butter slathered elote (corn). It is then what appear to be the fringes of Koreatown, where Korean signs are mixed with the occasional Orthodox church. Past the Wiltern and a few blocks down from La Brea appear LACMA and the La Brea Tar Pits. Art not enough? Then, maybe a little shopping will do. How about some pricey tags just a few stops down at Rodeo Drive? Some more cruising, a glimpse of the Westwood Village, and eventually the ocean comes into sight. Blue waters, a sandy coast, and a deep, fresh breath are a far way from East LA and the end of a long journey.
Pictured:
Image 1: Metro Rapid 720, First Stop, Goodrich/Whittier in East LA
Image 2: Historic Whittier Boulevard at Arizona, East LA
Image 3: Riding over the 6th Street Bridge – Downtown Los Angeles in the distance
Image 4: First sight of the beach at Ocean Avenue and Wilshire in Santa Monica 1.75 hrs later.
Photos provided by J Rentería
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