Sunrise to Sunset Hikers

TrainDay2LA: S.A.D. in the City: The Gritty Anti-Valentine Trek
Theme: Singleness Awareness Day (S.A.D.)

Expect Urban Decay & "Real" LA
Note: You may need your rose-colored glasses on this hike, you never know what you might find on the other side of the tracks!

Join me this SADurday, for a Train trip to Los Angeles where We will start with a walk to Grand Central Market. We’ll arrive early enough to get seats and avoid lines. After lunch, we’ll head out on our urban hike across the DTLA landscape. We will go to the gritty side of town. I'll be taking a new route, to the scary side of the tracks. This is area is saturated with graffiti and hit hard with aerosol warfare, but amidst the chaos I've located some quality murals that I want to see before they get tagged up! We'll also get a chance to say goodbye to The Arts District's Angel City Brewery which will be closing its doors in April 30.

Route: GCM ➔ Grand Park ➔ Little Tokyo ➔ Arts District ➔ Sixth Street Viaduct ➔ Warehouse Row

We’ll take OC 1661 @ 9:21am to LA Union, scheduled to arrive LA at 10:34 am. In Irvine, look for Chris at the North end of Platform 1 the far side, use the bridge to cross the tracks. Be ready to board the 2nd car from the front at 9:21am We’ll take OC 1668 back leaving at 4:27pm from Union Station arriving in Irvine at 5:36pm.

🚶‍ What We’ll Do:
• Take Metrolink from Irvine to LA Union Station
• Grab eats from GCM in DTLA
• Traverse the gritty side of DTLA
• Expect to walk 6+ miles throughout the day, with flights of stairs possible along the way
• Route: GCM ➔ Grand Park ➔ Little Tokyo ➔ Arts District ➔ Sixth Street Viaduct

🕓 Schedule: Outbound – Metrolink:

• 🕐 9:00 AM: Arrive Irvine Train Station (15215 Barranca Pkwy, Irvine, CA), get your ticket, and Meetup on Platform 1 the far side look for Chris
• 🕐 9:21 AM: Depart Irvine Station on Metrolink OC 1661 (feel free to hop on at other stations)
• 🕙 10:34 AM: Arrive at LA Union Station
• 🕙 10:40 AM: Meet at Union Station West in front of Starbucks and Wetzel’s (Not the Starbucks pickup on the East—nearby bathrooms and water fill available)
🕙 11:00 AM: - 11:45 AM: Lunch at Grand Central Market
🕙 11:45 AM: The Gritty Anti-Valentine Trek

Return – Metrolink:
• 🕔 3:30 PM: Head back to LA Union Station
• 🕔 4:27 PM: Depart LA Union Station on Metrolink OC 1668
• 🕕 5:36 PM: Arrive back at Irvine Station

🎟️ Tickets & Costs: • Metrolink SoCal Day Pass: $10 ($5.00 for seniors) Buy at Irvine Station via the ticket machine: → Tap Buy Tickets > SoCal Day Pass covers all transit needed, including transfers to Metro rail
⚠️ Avoid using bills larger than $20 — machines may not give change.

🧴 What to Bring:
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Hat and Sunglasses
• Refillable water bottle
• A light snack for the train or after lunch

Meeting Options:
• At Irvine Station Platform 1 the far side (or meet onboard Metrolink OC 1661 from Irvine)
• Or at LA Union Station in front of Starbucks/Wetzel’s after we arrive ~10:40am

DISCLAIMER: Group organizer, assistant organizers and event hosts assume no liability; hike at your own risk. By being a member of this group you hereby agree to assume all risks and liability related to or resulting from any group functions. You agree that neither you nor any third party will hold any of the group's leaders, officers, or representatives liable for any injury, loss, or damage to your own person or any members of your family, friends, acquaintances, children, pets, or property, arising directly or as a consequence from a group activity. You also agree that your membership of this group is based on an "at will" basis.

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PLEASE DO NOT SIGN UP UNLESS YOU ARE GOING TO ATTEND. BE RESPECTFUL TO OTHERS - When you don't attend or cancel on the day before, you prevent others who are on the waiting list from attending.

We will paddle canoes through scenic Huntington Harbor. Sorry no children. The paddle will be at an easy pace, (anyone can do this) about 2 hours, with a 15 minute break in the middle. This is a relaxing, safe way to introduce all to canoeing.

Canoe boat rental $20.00 per person - CASH only please. Pay at event.

Note: You will get your feet wet. Please wear shoes that can get wet.

If you have your own boat sign up and let me know your bringing it.

Huntington Harbor in the northern portion of Huntington Beach encompasses five man made islands bounded by a network of navigable channels lined with beautiful multi-million dollar homes. Beach attire recommended in relation to the days weather forecast.

Questions Call Marc 714-710-2924

DISCLAIMER: Group organizer and assistant organizers assume no liability; hike at your own risk. By being a member of this group you hereby agree to assume all risks and liability related to or resulting from any group functions. You agree that neither you nor any third party will hold any of the group's leaders, officers, or representatives liable for any injury, loss, or damage to your own person or any members of your family, friends, acquaintances, children, pets, or property, arising directly or as a consequence from a group activity. You also agree that your membership of this group is based on an "at will" basis.

ABOUT THE HIKE:
For this Valentine's day hike, feel free to dress in festive colors and bring red, pink, or white food or drinks to share if you wish.♥️

This is a three mile hike with approximately 500 feet of elevation gain on a dirt truck trail. The hike is considered advanced beginner because of the elevation gain and a couple of steep trail segments. The hike is a scenic overlook with magnificent 360 degree views of Saddleback Mountain, Oso Reservoir, city lights, and the ocean.

DETAILS: We will spend about twenty minutes at top for a rest and photos. We will return the same out/back route to parking. The park officially closes at sunset. This is a group hike. If you do not plan to stay with the group, this is not for you. Bring a light snack/drink to enjoy during the rest break if you wish. Be sure to wear proper hiking footwear and bring plenty of water.

We will be hiking in the Vedanta Wilderness area of O'Neill Regional Park. This 4,000 acre preserve is situated in beautiful Trabuco and Live Oak Canyons. The park is heavily wooded with coastal live oak and sycamore trees. The hillsides surrounding the park are filled with cactus, wild buckwheat, sagebrush and chaparral.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS: From the 5 Freeway, exit El Toro Road heading north 5.5 miles (pass under the 241 toll road and Glenn Ranch Road).... turn right at Valley Vista.... the road sharp-turns to the right at about 0.1 miles into Meadow Ridge Drive.... follow it to the end of the road. We meetup at the Live Oak Canyon trailhead, across the street from the intersection of Meadow Ridge and Chisholm Trail. Please park on both sides of Meadow Ridge not on the residential streets. Note the map pin for details.

DISCLAIMER: Group organizers and assistant organizers assume no liability; hike at your own risk. By being a member of this group you herby agree to assume all risks and liability related to or resulting from any and all group functions. You agree that neither you nor any third party will hold any of the group's leaders, officers, or representatives liable for any injury, loss or damage to your own person or any members of your family, friends, acquaintances, children, pets or property, arising directly or as a consequence from a group activity. You also agree that your membership of this group is based on an "at will" basis.