Getting around Downtown LA from the Bonaventure: transit, driving and walking
The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites sits in Downtown Los Angeles’ Financial District at 404 South Figueroa Street, a short walk (about 6–10 minutes) from 7th Street/Metro Center and several museums. You can walk to nearby highlights, use the Metro and buses from 7th Street/Metro Center for longer trips, or drive — the hotel offers valet-only parking and easy access to freeways.
In this guide
Walking from the hotel: what’s within easy reach
The hotel’s Downtown location makes many cultural and civic sites a comfortable walk. The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), The Broad and the Los Angeles Central Library are all within a short stroll; Walt Disney Concert Hall is roughly a 14–15 minute walk.
Use the hotel’s street address and the atrium lobby (look for the six-story glass atrium) as your starting point. Sidewalks in the Financial District are generally busy and well lit; wear comfortable shoes and allow extra time if you’re carrying bags or attending a performance.
- MOCA — about a 9–10 minute walk
- Walt Disney Concert Hall — roughly 14–15 minutes on foot
- The Broad and Grand Park — within walking distance
- Los Angeles Central Library — immediate vicinity (about 850 ft)
| Landmark | Walking time (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) | 9–10 minutes |
| Walt Disney Concert Hall | 14–15 minutes |
| Los Angeles Central Library | Under 5 minutes |
Using Metro, light rail and buses
7th Street/Metro Center Station is the nearest major transit hub — roughly a 6–10 minute walk from the hotel — and serves multiple Metro rail lines and many bus routes. The station is the main gateway to neighborhoods across Los Angeles without driving.
For destinations like Hollywood, Universal City (Metro B Line connections), Santa Monica (transfer to E Line and bus), and Union Station, plan routes on the Metro website or Google Maps. Bring a TAP card or purchase fares at station vending machines.
- Walk 6–10 minutes to 7th Street/Metro Center for multiple rail lines
- Use Metro B Line (Red) toward Hollywood/Universal for Universal Studios access via transfer
- Check schedules for evening service and weekend changes
| Destination | Typical transit approach |
|---|---|
| Universal Studios Hollywood | Metro to/from 7th Street/Metro Center + transfer (longer ride) |
| Santa Monica / Venice (coast) | Metro to E Line or mix of rail + bus |
| Union Station / LAX FlyAway | Metro to Union Station (then FlyAway from there to LAX) |
Driving, valet parking and freeway access
The Westin Bonaventure offers valet-only parking on site; the property’s published information lists vehicles limited to 6 feet in height and noted daily and hourly valet rates on its fact sheet. Contact the hotel at the number on your booking confirmation for current pricing and oversized vehicle options.
The hotel sits one block from the Harbor Freeway, giving quick on‑ramp access to the Hollywood and Santa Monica freeways. Driving times across Los Angeles vary widely with traffic — plan extra time for peak hours and for event nights at nearby venues.
- On-site valet-only parking; vehicles limited to 6 feet tall
- Published on-site parking fees include hourly and daily rates (check current rates with the hotel)
- Freeway access is immediate — hotel is one block from the Harbor Freeway
| Parking option | Notes |
|---|---|
| Valet-only (on-site) | Vehicle height limit; inquire about oversized vehicles |
| Event/dining validation | Valet validation available for dining at LA Prime (check current terms) |
Airport transfers: LAX and alternatives
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the main airport for most visitors; the hotel lists LAX as roughly a 20–30 minute drive depending on traffic. The Westin Bonaventure does not operate a hotel shuttle.
Options from LAX include taxis, rideshare services, private car services (the hotel lists ExecuCar as an available option for one-way service), or public transit via FlyAway buses to Union Station plus Metro connections to 7th Street/Metro Center.
- No hotel shuttle; use taxi, rideshare, private car, or FlyAway + Metro
- ExecuCar is mentioned as an available alternate airport transfer option (one-way service)
- Allow additional time for peak traffic when traveling to/from LAX
| Option | How to connect |
|---|---|
| Taxi / rideshare | Street pickup at hotel entrance / drop-off |
| Private car service (ExecuCar) | Book ahead — hotel references ExecuCar service |
| FlyAway bus + Metro | FlyAway to Union Station, then Metro to 7th Street/Metro Center |
Getting to popular day-trip destinations
Many classic Los Angeles attractions are reachable by car in a short drive when traffic is light: Griffith Observatory and Hollywood are often listed as about 8–15 minutes by car. Santa Monica and Venice Beach are typically a 15–20 minute drive without heavy traffic.
Public transit can be slower for some day trips but is viable: Universal Studios is accessible via a longer Metro ride with transfers, while Disney and Anaheim are best reached by car for many visitors due to travel time and transfers.
- Griffith Observatory — roughly an 8-minute drive (allow more time at peak hours)
- Universal Studios Hollywood — about a 13-minute drive; much longer by Metro
- Santa Monica Pier — roughly a 15–16 minute drive depending on traffic
- Disneyland (Anaheim) — about a 31-minute drive; plan for longer during peak periods
| Attraction | Typical drive time (as listed) |
|---|---|
| Griffith Observatory | About 8 minutes |
| Universal Studios Hollywood | About 13 minutes |
| Santa Monica Pier | About 16 minutes |
Practical tips for getting around Downtown LA
Allow buffer time when traveling by car — Los Angeles traffic patterns can make short distances take much longer during rush hours and when events are happening at Crypto.com Arena or the Convention Center. If you have evening plans, check event schedules and allow extra travel time.
If you need accessibility services, the hotel and nearby Metro stations provide accessible entrances; the hotel lists accessible pool and fitness studio entrances. For transit planning, use Google Maps or Metro’s official site for service alerts and TAP fare information.
- Use 7th Street/Metro Center for most rail connections; bring a TAP card
- Check event schedules (LA Live, Crypto.com Arena) to avoid traffic spikes
- Confirm current valet parking rates and height restrictions with the hotel
| Need | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Accessible entry | Hotel lists accessible pool and fitness entrances; Metro stations have accessible access |
| Dining or late-night plans | Allow time for valet and possible wait times at popular restaurants |
