Getting around
Plan your arrival, local connections and return journey in Santa Monica. Use the official operator links for current service and accessibility information.
Event Day Guide: parking and venue arrivals →
Around the station →
Plan your visit →
Plan each part of the trip with the operator, including the return journey.
Rail, buses & airport connections
Metro E Line: three Santa Monica stations
Metro lists Downtown Santa Monica, 17th Street / SMC and 26th Street / Bergamot on the E Line. Check today’s service notices and the trip planner; no travel time or train frequency is promised.
Official information — Metro E Line: three Santa Monica stations ↗ · Source collected
Big Blue Bus Route 3 and LAX
The current Route 3 timetable connects Santa Monica and the LAX/Metro Transit Center. The operator describes an onward LAX Shuttle to terminals. Check the timetable, stop closures, direction and current airport instructions before travel.
Official information — Big Blue Bus Route 3 and LAX ↗ · Source collected
Check current bus stop notices
Big Blue Bus publishes route schedules and current stop alerts. Route 3’s page includes temporary-stop notices; do not assume every usual boarding location is available.
Official information — Check current bus stop notices ↗ · Source collected
Plan the full outward and return trip
Use Metro’s trip planner with the actual destination and date. Station-area suggestions are places to explore, not a surveyed walking route or a guarantee of step-free access.
Official information — Plan the full outward and return trip ↗ · Source collected
City parking lots and current restrictions
Use the City’s official parking directory and posted signs for available lots and current restrictions. No space, price or unrestricted overnight parking is promised.
Official information — City parking lots and current restrictions ↗ · Source collected
Pier access during bridge work
The Pier operator says the Pier remains accessible during bridge work and directs visitors to the City’s project updates. Its FAQ lists Beach Lot 1 North at 1550 Appian Way and downtown public structures. Check current closures and signed detours before setting out.
Official information — Pier access during bridge work ↗ · Source collected
Beach House parking entrance
The City directs drivers to the Beach House Way traffic light on Pacific Coast Highway. Its official lot page has current parking details; check availability and restrictions before traveling.
Official information — Beach House parking entrance ↗ · Source collected
BroadStage physical venue and parking check
The performance venue is at 1310 11th Street; 1900 Pico Boulevard is a mailing address. Ask patron services about current event parking and accessible arrival arrangements. No specific lot or free-parking entitlement is established here.
Official information — BroadStage physical venue and parking check ↗ · Source collected
Check the airport and hotel instructions for your specific journey.
Connecting with LAX
Big Blue Bus Route 3 and LAX
The current Route 3 timetable connects Santa Monica and the LAX/Metro Transit Center. The operator describes an onward LAX Shuttle to terminals. Check the timetable, stop closures, direction and current airport instructions before travel.
Official information — Big Blue Bus Route 3 and LAX ↗ · Source collected
Metro to LAX: the connection available now
Ride the C or K Line to LAX/Metro Transit Center, then use the free terminal shuttle from bus bays 1 and 2. Metro also lists buses serving the center. Check service and the return connection before travel.
Official information — Metro to LAX: the connection available now ↗ · Source collected · Due for a fresh check
Hotel shuttles are property-specific
LAX identifies hotel shuttle pickup on Upper/Departures at red pylons. Confirm that your particular hotel runs a shuttle, its current pickup point, luggage capacity and accessible boarding. A listing here is not a shuttle guarantee.
Official information — Hotel shuttles are property-specific ↗ · Source collected · Due for a fresh check
SkyLink people mover: not open yet
LAX’s current SkyLink page says the train is in final testing and certification and is not open to travelers. Opening information has not been confirmed on that page. Use current shuttles and signs; moving test trains are not passenger service.
Official information — SkyLink people mover: not open yet ↗ · Source collected · Due for a fresh check
Check boarding, elevators, the last stretch and the destination entrance.
Accessible travel
Wheelchair access and elevator checks
Metro publishes accessible bus and rail boarding guidance. Check elevator and service alerts and the destination’s entrance before travel; an accessible station does not prove an uninterrupted step-free path all the way to a venue.
Official information — Wheelchair access and elevator checks ↗ · Source collected · Due for a fresh check
Access Services: arrange visitor eligibility first
Access offers visitor paratransit for eligible people who cannot use fixed-route transit because of disability-related limitations. Visitor registration and trip reservations are required. It is not a general sightseeing shuttle or a same-day ride guarantee; use the operator’s current eligibility and booking instructions.
Official information — Access Services: arrange visitor eligibility first ↗ · Source collected · Due for a fresh check
Pier ramps, elevator and accessible parking
The Pier FAQ identifies accessible spaces in Beach Lot 1 North and Lot 1-S at 1640 Appian Way. It describes eastern ramps and a public elevator at 301 Santa Monica Pier that depends on the restaurant’s operating hours. Confirm current access before traveling.
Official information — Pier ramps, elevator and accessible parking ↗ · Source collected
Beach House access and seasonal facilities
The City lists wheelchair access and accessible parking at the Annenberg Community Beach House. The pool is seasonal; confirm pool access, reservations and equipment arrangements for your visit.
Official information — Beach House access and seasonal facilities ↗ · Source collected
BroadStage accessible seating and listening support
BroadStage states its venues are wheelchair accessible, with designated wheelchair ticket locations. It offers assisted listening in the Main Stage and large-print materials. Contact patron services ahead of the performance for your specific arrangements.
Official information — BroadStage accessible seating and listening support ↗ · Source collected
Museum ramp and accessible parking
The museum describes a ramp from Seventh Street to its front door and accessible spaces in the underground garage, with elevator access to ground level. Confirm current arrangements with the museum.
Official information — Museum ramp and accessible parking ↗ · Source collected
A map point does not establish a safe or step-free route. Follow current signs and crossings.
Walking & the last stretch
Plan the full outward and return trip
Use Metro’s trip planner with the actual destination and date. Station-area suggestions are places to explore, not a surveyed walking route or a guarantee of step-free access.
Official information — Plan the full outward and return trip ↗ · Source collected
Pier access during bridge work
The Pier operator says the Pier remains accessible during bridge work and directs visitors to the City’s project updates. Its FAQ lists Beach Lot 1 North at 1550 Appian Way and downtown public structures. Check current closures and signed detours before setting out.
Official information — Pier access during bridge work ↗ · Source collected
Bikes with transit; plan the last stretch
Metro explains bike racks, train boarding, parking and route maps. Space and equipment rules apply. Check the route, crossings and destination bike parking; no safe cycling route, scooter availability or walking time is inferred from a map distance.
Official information — Bikes with transit; plan the last stretch ↗ · Source collected · Due for a fresh check
Use only the operator’s permitted pickup areas and check the destination’s event instructions. Service coverage and vehicle availability are separate from an advertisement or partnership.
On-demand rides
Robotaxis: check the operator’s live service area
Waymo operates a public autonomous ride service in parts of Los Angeles. Use its app to check both endpoints, permitted pickup location, accessibility needs and quoted fare. This regional option is not confirmation of coverage in every guide, at LAX terminals or for a special event.
Official information — Robotaxis: check the operator’s live service area ↗ · Source collected · Due for a fresh check
Announcements and testing do not establish passenger service. These proposals stay separate from the travel options above until their operators confirm usable service.
Future transport: not a travel plan
LAX SkyLink: not open to travelers
LAX’s current notice says SkyLink is still in testing and certification and is not open to travelers. Continue using the airport’s current shuttle arrangements. Opening information will come from LAX; no opening date is assumed here.
Official information — LAX SkyLink: not open to travelers ↗ · Source collected · Due for a fresh check
Zoox through Uber: planned Los Angeles service
The partners’ March 2026 announcement targets Los Angeles service through Uber by mid-2027. This is a plan, not a currently confirmed ride in this guide. Coverage, launch arrangements and fares must be checked when the service actually launches; no free ride is promised.
Official information — Zoox through Uber: planned Los Angeles service ↗ · Source collected · Due for a fresh check
Air taxis: a proposal, not a visitor booking
Archer describes a planned Los Angeles air-taxi network and a proposed Hawthorne Airport hub. This announcement does not establish a bookable trip, operating approval, fare or usable venue pickup point. No air-taxi connection is included in a journey plan here.
Official information — Air taxis: a proposal, not a visitor booking ↗ · Source collected · Due for a fresh check