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The Exposition Line, running from Downtown Los Angeles to Santa Monica, carefully integrates light rail, bikeway and pedestrian facilities. The second phase of the light rail line opened in 2017, completing the journey from Culver City to 17th St and Colorado Avenue in downtown Santa Monica. An off-road bikeway travels alongside this second half of the railway, providing a low-stress transportation and recreation alternative. This east-west rail-with-trail is paved, and open to different kinds of users. The railroad right-of-way is landscaped with a visual feast of native plants.
The biggest mark against the Expo Line trail is the one-mile gap between National Boulevard (if starting at Culver City and riding west) and Overland Avenue. There is no signage to direct trail users along city streets to the other segment of the bikeway. However, efforts to close the gap continue. It is also worth noting that beyond Culver City, traveling east towards LA, there are no off-road non-motorized facilities; rather cyclists have to use designated on-street bike lanes while pedestrians must keep to sidewalks.
There is on-site parking at the 17th St./SMC station (Santa Monica) as well as metered on-street parking along the surrounding streets.
On the Culver City end, parking is available at the garage located at 8817 Washington Blvd. There are additional nearby metered parking spots and nearby parking garages.
Consult the metro website for further information on the paid parking options at each of the Expo Line stations.
A sad trail in many ways, despite its occasional charms (especially the huge banks of wild fennel and bee balm). Many of our unhoused neighbors spend time on this trail, and it sometimes feels unsafe. There are awkward street crossings regularly. It disappears and reappears regularly. Not a fun trail because there are so many hazards.
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