Pre cruise stay

Question

My wife and I are planning on a cruise on R.C. to Mexico and I want to stay at the Cove Hotel for two nights. It has been over 50 years since I have been in LA except for airport stops. I want to take a least part of the day to go to Hollywood and Vine. I have gotten conflicting news about the metro. Some say that you have to switch lines to get to Hollywood and Vine from Long Beach and others say you don't have too. We are flying in and will not have a car. I will be77 at this time. We are going in April of next year. I do not want to drive in LA traffic. So my question is how to get to Hollywood and Vine from the metro? Which way to walk when we get there to see the best sights. (I heard to stay on Hollywood to be safe.) I just want to walk around for about an hour or so and then head back. Thanks

Answer

Traveling from Long Beach to Hollywood & Vine without a car is definitely doable using LA’s Metro system, but it does require at least one line change. Since you prefer not to drive and want to avoid LA traffic, the Metro is a convenient and safe option. Here’s a detailed guide:

Getting there:

From the Cove Hotel, walk or take a short Lyft/Uber to the Downtown Long Beach Station on the Metro A Line (Blue).
Take the Metro A Line (Blue) north toward 7th Street/Metro Center in downtown Los Angeles.
At 7th Street/Metro Center Station, transfer to the Metro B Line (Red) heading toward North Hollywood.
Exit at Hollywood/Vine Station. The entire trip usually takes around 1 hour 20–40 minutes, depending on wait times.

Walking around Hollywood & Vine:

Once you exit the station, you are right on Hollywood Blvd, the safest and most tourist-friendly area. Stick to Hollywood Blvd for your walk.
Highlights within a short walking distance:

Hollywood Walk of Fame stars along the sidewalk—start walking east toward Vine Street to see many famous names.
TCL Chinese Theatre (about 5–7 minutes from the station), where you can see the handprints and footprints of stars.
Dolby Theatre, home of the Oscars, adjacent to TCL Chinese Theatre.

For a casual one-hour walk, you can see the stars, theatres, and street performers without needing to venture off the main strip. Always stay on the main boulevard; it’s the safest route.

Returning to Long Beach:

Simply reverse your route: Metro B Line (Red) back to 7th Street/Metro Center, then Metro A Line (Blue) south to Downtown Long Beach Station.
Consider leaving Hollywood & Vine a little early if you want to avoid crowds, especially if it’s a weekend or midday when the area gets busy.

Tips:

Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the pavement can be uneven.
Keep belongings close; while the area is generally safe during the day, pickpockets can be an issue in crowded tourist areas.
Consider purchasing a day pass for the Metro if you plan any additional short trips—this can save you from repeatedly buying tickets.

This approach allows you to enjoy Hollywood & Vine safely and conveniently without the stress of driving LA traffic. For your short visit, staying along Hollywood Blvd ensures easy access to the main attractions and a pleasant, manageable walk.