Long Beach City College students are now eligible for free rides with LA Metro and Long Beach Transit after the school announced a new partnership with the transportation systems, the Viking News will be posting a different location every week that students can go to using the pass.
Dorothy’s iconic ruby slippers, 17th-century pre-cinema technology, and Bruce Lee’s nunchaku all under one roof.
Now that all Long Beach City College students have access to the Metro system for free via the Metro Gopass, there are countless attractions within reach that weren’t accessible before.
This includes the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures which just recently had its grand opening in September of last year.
The ultra-modern looking building is located at the intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and South Fairfax Avenue, across the street from a trifecta of automobile museums.
In order to get there, go to the Clark and Carson stop and board the Long Beach Transit 112 bus Northbound to South St. via Lakewood. Ride the bus for 8 stops then exit at Candlewood and Lakewood. Walk about 3 minutes to the Lakewood and Candlewood stop and then board the Metro Local 266 bus Northbound to Sierra Madre Villa Station. Ride this bus for 31 stops and exit at Lakewood and Telegraph.
After exiting the bus walk, 200 ft to the Telegraph and Rosemead stop, board the Metro Local 62 bus West/Northbound to Downtown LA. bus West/Northbound to Downtown LA. Ride this bus for 31 stops and then exit as Central and 6th. Board the Metro Rapid 720 bus and then exit after riding for 12 stops at Wilshire and Crescent Heights. From here you will travel for 0.2 miles, or about 6 minutes to arrive at the destination.
Although the ride itself takes longer compared to driving a personal vehicle, there are several benefits to using the metro to get there instead.
For starters, gas prices have skyrocketed in the last few weeks and they don’t seem to be going back down anytime soon. Another reason is that Los Angeles is notorious for difficult parking situations and taking the metro means not having to worry about finding parking or perhaps having to pay for valet.
With four floors filled with attractions, the Academy Museum is enjoyable for both movie buffs and casual fans alike.
Jocey Katz, a charter member of the museum, says she prefers to start from the top and work her way to the bottom.
“All these exhibits can stand alone, but they tell a story in order,” said Katz. “I always start at the top and work my way down. The Hayao Miyazaki exhibit is only here for a short time so I want to make sure I get to see it.”
The Hayao Miyazaki exhibit is dedicated entirely to the beloved Japanese producer/animator and is the first of its kind in North America. The exhibit will be at the museum until the end of May, at which point it will be switched out for another exhibit that is yet to be announced.
On the second floor, there is a room with multiple TVs showing acceptance speeches from the past, and in the center of the room is a platform with mannequins wearing dresses that were once worn by celebrities who participated in the award show.
Quinn Salazar, an employee at the museum, talked about how the museum also holds daily screenings of classic and modern films in the David Geffen Theater and the Ted Mann Theater.
“The screenings are usually pretty cheap and some days they’ll even have $5 matinees,” said Salazar. “We usually have two showings a day and you can look online to see what movies they’re showing on certain days.”
“Most of the showings I’ve been to have been for movies I had previously seen but I had never seen them on the big screen. So that was pretty cool,” said Salazar.
When it comes to food, there is no shortage of options for visitors of the museum. This includes both a food court and also Fanny’s Restaurant and Cafe which is located inside the museum. The food court serves cheeseburgers, french fries, snacks, and several other delicious options.
The sit-down restaurant is named after the late Fanny Brice, the movie and radio star that was portrayed by Barbara Streisand in “Funny Girl”, and serves food Monday-Sunday from 10 AM to 4 PM. Their menu includes breakfast burritos, chicken clubs, and smoked salmon among more than 2 dozen other dishes.
For a meal that’s a little lighter, Acai Republic is also located just down Wilshire Blvd towards South Crescent Heights Blvd and there you can get either a tasty smoothie or a refreshing acai bowl.