Tony Pierce: With planning you can take public transportation anywhere in LA. Don't believe the hype. Go to this web site and play around with the Trip Planner on the right hand side.

The Getty is great but there's probably only one bus that will get you to where you need to go to get their free monorail up that hill. So ask for it by calling the Getty first (because most of us sadly don't take the bus).

Please do try the subway, it will get you to Chinatown, Hollywood & Highland, Downtown, and Staples Center. But plan out your day BEFORE you get here because if you ask anyone while you're here you will be met with laughter or blank stares.

Also be careful with the subways cuz they close around midnight.

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Vancouver, BC, Canada: Where does the subway and other public transit go? Is it safe? Kathleen

Tony Pierce: The subways are safe. They go from North Hollywood, thru Hollywood, thru Mac Arthur Park to Koreatown (to the West) or Downtown (to the East) from there you can take our new Gold Line to Pasadena (recommended if you are concerned with safe) with a stop off at Chinatown.

The busses go everywhere and just like in any city you will be assaulted by the aromas of some of your fellow passengers, but there are cameras in the busses and other passengers, so yes it's safe.

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Lowell, Mass.: Will be at the LAX marriott for 3 days in April. I don't drive. Any suggestions for what two seniors can do?

Tony Pierce: This might come across as snarky. But if you're here for 3 days and you don't drive, please relocate to Santa Monica. The hotels aren't as cheap as at LAX, but there is nowhere to walk to for seniors near that location. Spend a few extra dollars and actually Enjoy your stay here. Get away from that airport. Those hotels are meant for one-night layovers for business travelers, not people who will be here for multiple nights who don't drive. If a travel agent booked that for you, call them up and ask, "why do you hate me?"

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Philadelphia, Pa.: I will be in Santa Clarita for a business trip, and will have one full day to myself in January. Considering this is a Friday, what do you suggest I do to maximize my LA sightseeing, especially in light of traffic concerns? I was planning on taking a train to Hollywood, view some of the sites around Grumman's theater, jump on the on-again-off-again trolley and hit a few more Hollywood sites, including a studio tour. Is this possible? Which studio tour would you recommend? Wish I had more than a day!

Tony Pierce: I believe Metrolink goes from Santa Clarita to Union Station in Downtown LA. From there take the Red Line (get a $5 all day pass) to Hollywood / Highland, when you see a super freaky Batman smoking a cigarette with a bucked tooth Superman you have made it to The Chinese Theater (hi!). Yes you will also see tourists from around the world, which is fine (hi!). If you have time check out a movie there - something no one does, but the old theatre (not the new multiplex inside the mall) is a classic and has recently been remodeled without losing the charm.

Studio Tours are hit n miss. Universal Studios is an amusement park more than a real Studio Tour. Get yourself (free) tickets to a show taping at Jimmy Kimmel (which is right across the street from the Chinese) if you really wanna see what a tv taping is like, and the best part is its over in an hour so you can enjoy the rest of your trip.

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Fort Wayne Ind.: What do you know about a restaurant called Abode in Santa Monica? It is getting really good reviews and we are staying at the Marriott Marigot--so it seems it would be in walking distance. Thanks for your assistance--Linda

Tony Pierce: Hi Linda. I've never been there but we have a great food-only website in LA called Eater LA. Search their site for a review of the place and any other restaurants you might be interested in, and also email the editor if you cant find what you're looking for. I edit LAist and our food editor Lindsay will also give you her two cents. Chow Down!