The car is no longer king in LA.  With over 120 miles of new bike ways created within the city of Los Angeles in the last two years, increased Metro transit options and the expanded frequency and reach of CicLAvia—the nation’s largest open streets event—the city is putting the brakes on its car-centric roots.  Beginning Earth Day, April 22, the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board (LA Tourism) invites travellers to be a part of this green movement with the launch of “Car Free LA,” an eco-friendly initiative designed to showcase the city’s unexpected car-free offerings.

“Car Free LA” features a series of expertly-tailored itineraries centered around exploring Los Angeles’ various neighborhoods on foot, bike and public transportation while highlighting the city’s iconic attractions, vibrant music scene, historic architecture, arts and culture, eclectic cuisine and endless entertainment. “Car Free LA” itineraries are available for free at: http://www.discoverlosangeles.com/CarFreeLA.

From taking the Angel’s Flight Railway to the top of Bunker Hill, then setting out on foot to explore MOCA, the Walt Disney Concert Hall and Grand Park, to heading out by bike on a scenic beach ride, these self-guided itineraries give visitors the tools they need to navigate the city without relying on a car.  In addition to saving money on gas, travelers can add time to their vacations and discover a side of Los Angeles they might otherwise overlook from behind the wheel. Themed itineraries include:

*  DISCOVER HOLLYWOOD CAR FREE (via foot, bike, and Metro) – Explore old Hollywood gems including the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel and the TCL   Chinese Theatre on foot; take the Metro Red Line to Universal Studios Hollywood.
*  DISCOVER WEHO & MUSEUM ROW CAR FREE (via foot and bus) – Get immersed in art and culture at Los Angeles’ Museum Row; bus or walk to The Grove and the Original Farmers Market; explore Fairfax Avenue with a visit to Canter’s Deli and bar hop along Sunset Boulevard.
*  DISCOVER BEACH CITIES CAR FREE (via foot and bike) – Take in the Santa Monica Pier and Pacific Park; bike to Muscle Beach, the Venice Canals and Abbot Kinney Boulevard; walk along Santa Monica’s Main Street and Santa Monica Place for some of the best shopping in town.
*  DISCOVER DOWNTOWN CAR FREE (via foot and Metro) – Take a car-less tour of bourgeoning Downtown with a ride on Angel’s Flight, the world’s shortest railway; walk to MOCA, the Walt Disney Concert Hall and the new Grand Park; ride the Expo Line to Exposition Park to visit the Natural History Museum and California Science Center, home to the Space Shuttle Endeavor.
*  DISCOVER LA MUSIC CAR FREE (via foot, bus, and Metro) – Rock and roll along LA’s music scene along the infamous Hollywood Walk of Fame, through LA via West Hollywood’s Sunset Strip, Hollywood and Downtown, with stops at the Hollywood Bowl, Amoeba Records and the GRAMMY Museum.
*  DISCOVER SAN PEDRO CAR FREE (via foot and Waterfront Red Line) – Experience LA’s Waterfront with a visit to Downtown San Pedro, Ports o’ Call and the USS Iowa, the world’s greatest Battleship.
*  DISCOVER MULTICULTURAL DOWNTOWN CAR FREE (via foot and Metro) – Ride the Metro to the ethnic enclaves of Olvera Street, Chinatown and Little Tokyo; stop at La Plaza de Cultura y Artes, visit Philippe the Original and explore the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center.

Visitors to the “Car Free LA” site can also find up-to-date information on car-free events such as CicLAvia and popular guided tours from Bikes and Hikes LA, Starline Tours and more.  In addition, the site provides details on bike rentals from companies like Pedal or Not and Perry’s Café and Rentals and a listing of LA’s scenic hiking trails.

The “Car Free LA” program makes its debut at a time when the city’s focus on walking, biking, and public transportation is at an all-time high. In January 2013, Los Angeles adopted a new bike rental program that will put 4,000 bikes on the road with 400 rental stations throughout the city in the coming months, making it the second-biggest public bike rental program in the U.S.  Newz transit oriented developments will ultimately create 87 miles of rail connecting destinations across LA County, further changing the face of LA.  Designed as a long-term tourism initiative, LA Tourism will add new “Car Free LA” itineraries on an ongoing basis.