Ashlee Polarek  |  Contributing Writer

Stops: South Pasadena/Pershing Square

Irate drivers, relentless traffic, overpriced parking and confusing directions make fun day trips into Los Angeles more stressful than relaxing. The ever-present questions, “Who will pay for gas?” and, “Sixteen bucks to park? Are you kidding me?” are not what a college student should worry about when taking a trip into the city.

Thankfully, LA has surprisingly efficient Metro and Subway systems. The Metro can take you anywhere from Pasadena to USC to downtown LA to the beach and even Universal City Walk, all for $7.

Even though braving the Metro can be a bit tough for some, with a little experience and a sense of adventure, a lazy Saturday can turn into the trip of a lifetime.

For a fun day filled with good food, culture, history and some must-see locations, follow this Metro guide to Pershing Square.

To start your trip, drive to the Sierra Madre Villa Station. Hop on the 210 East, get off on Madre and turn right. The day parking is free, a bonus if you’re on a budget! Leave your car in the parking structure and head up to the bridge to get to the trains. Make sure to purchase a TAP card for the whole day. That’s a reusable train ticket you can refill with day fares and tickets for the trains in LA.

The first stop of the day is the South Pasadena Station. Get off here for coffee, cupcakes, grilled cheese, a visit to the museum and a few antique shops. If it’s lunchtime when you arrive, there are several cafes and one special eatery called Mix n’ Munch, where you can get a signature gourmet grilled cheese sandwich or a bowl of combined cereals that you’ve never thought of putting together before.

If it’s earlier in the morning or you’re looking for a relaxed vibe, head over to one of the coffee shops lining the street. Buster’s offers coffee galore, baked goods, sandwiches and ice cream. Across the street is La Monarcha, where you can get pan dulce and other treats. On Thursdays, the park adjacent to the station turns into a wonderful farmers’ market where you can grab fresh produce, sweet treats and flowers.

Once back on the Metro, head to Union Station. Get off there and follow the signs posted to the Red Line. Hop onto the Metro Red Line toward North Hollywood and get off at the Pershing Square stop. (If you get on the Purple Line by accident, have no fear, since they both stop at Pershing Square.)

Once on the street level, the options are endless. Nearby is Grand Central Market, the Last Bookstore, the Los Angeles Central Library, Museum Of Contemporary Art and more.

Grand Central Market is a located a block away from the subway station, just beyond Fourth Street. It’s one of the best places to experience food, people and culture in LA. The Market is home to a multitude of tasty dishes from around the world. The eateries located here offer up food from nearly every corner of the world, including Germany, China, Mexico, Thailand, America, Japan and the Mediterranean. If you’re not too hungry, you can grab an ice cream, fresh produce, coffee, fresh juices or even flowers.

Located a block from the Pershing Square Station, on Fifth and Spring Street, the Last Bookstore stands tall in the chaos of the city. This unique labyrinth of books, records and art galleries is a must-see for all those who need a hip new Instagram post or new read. The Last Bookstore is home to new and used books, including a huge section of $1 finds. Get ready to spend hours searching for that one thing you didn’t know you needed in the massive piles.

At the top of Angels Knoll Park, you can find the Museum of Contemporary Art. Head up the steep steps located on Fourth and Hill Street, go past the lake in the business park and to the right of the buildings and you’ll find the MOCA. Stop here for some enlightenment, cool art pieces or to pick out a cool present at the gift shop to give your artsy friend.

The last item of interest at the Pershing Square stop is the Los Angeles Central Library. This massive building is eight stories, half of which are underground and filled with an impressive number of books. The library is a great place to study or take in the art and history painted and etched into the walls, elevator shafts, decorated catalog card and a rotunda with art from 1932.

After a day exploring, it’s easy to get home. To get back to APU, just hop back onto the Red Line to Union Station, then the Gold Line to Sierra Madre Villa, where you’ll find your car and the freeway back to APU.

Next time your roommate says it’s time to leave campus and explore, give Los Angeles and the Metro a chance. With hundreds of stops and several different rail lines, the possibilities are endless.