Easy Riding

“Does this bus go to Hollywood and Highland?” asks an eager passenger. “Oh yes,” the driver replies, and with a surprised smile adds, “That’s a long way.”

But that is only the half of it. The final destination on this foggy fall morning is Universal Studios and the point of departure is a bus stop in Torrance.

A long way, indeed. But with a few hours to spare and $1.60 in pocket change or an MTA bus pass, you can get there from there. You can get to many places on the bus, including some of Southern California’s most popular attractions.

More than 1 million people use the bus daily for work and leisure, including untold numbers of tourists, who, perhaps used to an efficient and convenient system of public transport back home, opt to leave the driving to someone else.

But for those who have never ventured forth on the people’s conveyance (as bus riders like to call it), here a few ways to get there from there.

From the South Bay to Universal City is admittedly a long journey, but the route--across Artesia Boulevard, north on Crenshaw Boulevard, west on Wilshire Boulevard, a short jog up Rossmore Avenue onto Vine Street and Hollywood Boulevard, then, after a transfer, up Highland Avenue onto Cahuenga Boulevard and finally ending at Lankershim and Ventura boulevards--offers an unparalleled glimpse of the quirky variety of Los Angeles.

Topography and oddities seem easier to muse upon from the unhurried confines of a bus. Crenshaw, for example, is home to more than its share of funky but intriguing stand-alone burger joints.

On this trip, as the bus stops to pick up passengers at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, people get to wave at actor Robert Guillaume, who is strolling on the strip across from the Baldwin Hills Shopping Center.

At Crenshaw and Manhattan Beach Boulevard, just past El Camino College, a load of students boards and within minutes a nearly empty bus is standing room only. From the South Bay to the San Fernando Valley, the bus is packed and at some stops there is no room for people who want to get on.

Margaret McKay rides the line every day to her job at a novelty shop in Hollywood. “It’s always a tight squeeze like this,” McKay said. “But this trip gets me ready for the rest of my day, which can be pretty weird sometimes.”

For a trip from the South Bay, take Metro Bus 210 east on Artesia to Hollywood and Highland, then transfer to Metro Bus 420 north to Ventura and Lankershim. Walk two blocks north on Lankershim to the entrance of the Universal complex, where a shuttle bus will take you to the gates.

As an added bonus, at Hollywood and Highland, you can walk two blocks west on Hollywood to Orange Drive and check out Mann’s Chinese Theatre and its famed shoe and hand prints.

Valley football fans who don’t want to fight Rose Bowl traffic and parking might consider the bus. The route snakes down Ventura Boulevard past artsy antique shops and Jerry’s Deli before fleeing south on the Hollywood Freeway and ending up downtown.

After a short jog on the San Bernardino Freeway, the route loops through Alhambra, climbing through residential streets lined with palms, willowy mimosas and weeping willows.

You end up at Fair Oaks Avenue and Mountain Street, at which point the MTA advises you to walk west on Mountain Street (which becomes Seco Street) to the Rose Bowl. They estimate the distance as 0.7 of a mile. It takes about 15 minutes and is actually a pleasant stroll, except that halfway down, the sidewalk gives way to grass.

Starting at Ventura and Sepulveda boulevards, take Metro Bus 424 (pay $2.35 and ask for a transfer) to 1st and Hill streets. Transfer to Bus 483 east on 1st to Fair Oaks and Mountain. Estimated travel time is 110 minutes.

If you live out in Irwindale, Baldwin Park or City of Industry it is only natural that you want to go to the beach. The bus can take you there. You start out at El Monte Station.

The route down Venice Boulevard, however, offers an interesting melange of barrio and biker chic, through the fashion district, Pico-Union and past residential streets with spacious homes and barricaded streets. You alight at the Santa Monica Pier and as you glance around at the terminal gridlock surrounding you, you’re tempted to smile a little.

Starting at El Monte Station take Metro Bus 484 (pay $2.35 and ask for a transfer) to Temple and Spring Street. Take Bus 33 south on Spring Street to Ocean Avenue and Colorado Avenue. Estimated travel time is 90 minutes.