Suggestion - Take the trains to DrupalCampLA

(No, I don't work for Metro .. IMHO this is just a good idea) -- I will be taking the trains instead of driving 130 miles roundtrip, hasseling traffic, navigating downtown LA, paying gas and parking, and generally dreading the trip ... I will hop on the MetroLink to Union Station, grab a Redline subway to the "7th & Metro" stop and walk (or take a DASH "Route F" shuttle) a few blocks to the Convention Center for a total cost of $15.50!! A round trip Metrolink ticket entitles you to ride the connecting Redline for free, and DASH is either free with the ticket or less than a buck.

There are varying weekend schedules for the Antelope Valley Line including the stops in Downtown Burbank (not Burbank Airport though) and Glendale, the Orange County Line, the San Bernardino Line and the Oceanside/Inland Empire Line. No weekend serice for the Ventura Line sadly. I suggest you verify the schedules (see below) to see if trains will work for you and be sure and add about an extra 30 minutes for subway time (just being cautious).

If you have never ridden the trains remember three things:

(1) Be 100% sure of the schedule and arrive early.

(2) Get your ticket from the machines before the train arrives. You can NOT buy onboard, LA County sheriffs randomly board and sweep the trains for citations, and no ticket = $350.00+ in fines.

(3) Metrolink stops are very short (about 30-45 seconds except at Union Station which is end of the line) so be ready to get on when the train pulls in. Keep "luggage" minimal, these are commuter lines and not built for baggage.

Some other handy hints are:
* Fares vary depending on distance travelled.
* All Metrolink round trip tickets expire at midnight. Keep it with you ready to show at all times.
* The ticket machines will usually take plastic or cash (change is given in dollar coins) but they do breakdown so be prepared both ways.
* The conductor will almost always (at train stops) be found in the car that opens onto the concrete wheelchair ramp.
* If ALL ticket machines are down tell the conductor AS you board the train and tell him you are going to Union Station. He will tell you how he runs his train and what you need to do .. remember no ticket = $350+ so don't mess with the guy.
* Food and NON-alcholic drinks are OK on Metrolink (but NOT the subway) just keep things clean.
* Always knock on bathroom doors on the trains ... lots of idiots don't seem to know how to lock the door at its just plain ugly sometimes.
* There are NO bathrooms in the subway stations and some metrolink stations also do not have bathrooms.
* No smoking on the trains or on the train platforms. No smoking in the subway ever.
* There are panhandlers everywhere -- just say no.
* Best to travel with friends if walking around downtown after dark.

For more info check:
* Metrolink Weekend Schedules - http://www.metrolinktrains.com/schedules/html.php?id=401
* Metrolink Fare Calculator - http://www.metrolinktrains.com/farecalc/
* How to use the Metrolink Ticket Machines - http://www.metrolinktrains.com/fares/?id=16
* DASH Weekend Service - http://www.ladottransit.com/dash/routes/downtown_wkend/downtown_we.html
(includes a zoomable map of downtown).