Parking, shuttles and subways

The parking at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion is inexpensive ($9 to self-park; $20 for valet) and convenient, but there can be a bit of a bottleneck trying to get out after the production. And the parking layout isn’t exactly intuitive: How many times haven’t you lost your car down there? Luckily, Wagnerites on wheels have plenty of other options.

Your best bet may be public transportation: The Metro’s Civic Center stop, accessible on the red and purple lines, is only two blocks away. Or the Gold Line will take you to Union Station, where you can take the “B” Dash bus to the Pavilion. You can also plot out bus routes at www.mta.net.

If you still want to drive but not battle the Brunnhilde of parking lots, there are alternatives, all run by Five Star Parking ([213] 687-4484). Nearby parking lots include Walt Disney Concert Hall, with the entrance on 2nd Avenue between Grand Avenue and Hope Street. Regular parking is $9, valet on Hope Street is $23. Lot 17, at Olive and 1st streets, is also $9. The lot at 2nd and Hope, just across from the Disney Hall parking entrance, is only $6.

Finally, if you want to dine and then see the opera without driving around in rings (or the other way around), you can take advantage of a handful of shuttle buses offered by area restaurants, including Azalea Restaurant and Rendezvous Lounge at the Kyoto Grand Hotel and Gardens (120 S. Los Angeles St.; [888] 354-0831); Ciudad (445 S. Figueroa St.; [213] 486-5171); Drago Centro (525 S. Flower St., Suite 120; [213] 228-8998); McCormick & Schmick’s (633 W. Fifth St.; [213] 629-1929); Sai Sai Modern Asian Cuisine and Sushi Bar (501 S. Olive St; [213] 624-1100), and Takami Sushi (811 Wilshire Blvd., Penthouse; [213] 236-9600). For more dining options, click here.