How to Spend a Day in Los Angeles Before Your Bus to Zacatecas

Here are some ideas for what to do in Los Angeles before your bus leaves for the trip to Zacatecas. If you’re taking a bus to Zacatecas, then you may have several hours to spend in the city of Los Angeles before you depart. BoletoXpress offers six daily trips from Los Angeles to Zacatecas, with pickup locations at the East 7th St terminal downtown and the Pacoima stop on Laurel Canyon Blvd. You’re going to be spending a lot of time on a vehicle that’s traveling for more than 31 hours, so it’s important to choose the last day of your trip in LA wisely. This guide will help you fill a day near your pickup point, reserve a bus with BoletoXpress, and get to your destination on time.

When planning your trip to Zacatecas, why not do it based on your bus schedule?

A little planning up front is rewarded by a long-haul bus trip. You need to get some real food in your stomach, stretch your legs, and see something worthy of recalling before trying to get over more than a day of traveling. Both pickup locations are located at the core of the city of Los Angeles, so there is no need to charter a car or to have a superfast schedule.

Save time by booking the bus to Zacatecas in advance. If you have reserved your seat, you will know exactly the time and place when to arrive in order to build your sightseeing around it rather than guess.

This is not a trip that you would want to arrive tired or unprepared, as it is about 1227 miles long and requires just over 31 hours. A peaceful and well-planned day in L.A. before the long trip makes it much easier.

From what bus station does the bus to Zacatecas leave from?

BoletoXpress has two primary pick-up locations for this route. One is the East 7th St terminal in downtown Los Angeles. The other is the stop at Pacoima, 10415 Laurel Canyon Blvd. Check your ticket for which one is relevant to your trip, as indicated in your ticket.

Both are near places that are easy to explore for a few hours, allowing you to plan a quick day trip that concludes with you where you need to be.

Spend some time in Downtown Los Angeles during the morning.Morning: Explore Downtown Los Angeles.

When traveling by bus, East 7th Street is the obvious starting point for downtown. Grand Central Market is open at 8 a.m. and will offer a hearty breakfast without waiting in line. It’s a short walk from there to the Frank Gehry exterior of the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

The nearby short funicular railway (Angels Flight) has a short stay time and a very low ticket cost. Little Tokyo and the Historic Core are also just a block or two away, and you can spend a morning or afternoon without the need to rent a car.

Midday: Griffith Park & Griffith Observatory

If time allows before your bus departs to Zacatecas, then Griffith Observatory is worth the detour. It will be open every day, and admission is free, with its views over the city being among the finest in Los Angeles. You can quickly and cheaply reach the DASH Observatory area from the Los Feliz area on the DASH Observatory shuttle.

Watch the time in this place. Griffith Park is located further from both pick-up points than is downtown, so you may need to set aside some additional travel time if it is a one-day trip.

Africa: The Museum Row/ Mid-Wilshire section.

Another good choice is Museum Row, particularly since the Metro D Line now extends to Wilshire and Fairfax. It is within walking distance of the Academy Museum, LACMA, and the grounds of the La Brea Tar Pits.

Some of these attractions are free to the public on certain days, or free general admission – so please check the current hours. BoletoXpress created a detailed map of things to do in LA, which covers much more than this afternoon, and includes a breakdown of neighborhoods, admission costs, and metro stops.

Learn how to get around without the use of a car. 

Los Angeles is known as the city of the car, but it’s not anymore. On the D Line, B Line, or E Line, you can ride the Metro as fares are capped at five dollars per day for day rides, so the combination of these can get you between downtown, Museum Row, and Hollywood without too much trouble.

If you are making plans to visit Griffith Park or Museum Row, schedule a trip back to the pick-up point, leaving adequate time between your activities. There is no consistent traffic in Los Angeles, and cross-border buses to Zacatecas run on a regular schedule.

What to bring on your day and on your school bus.

When sightseeing, pack light – you will probably be taking your day bag with you, as well as your main bag. The walking portion of your day is much easier with a phone charger, a reusable water bottle and comfortable shoes.

Never leave your passport and travel documents in the bag you put them in. These are also a necessity once you reach the border with your bus, so it’s good to know where they are even before leaving your hotel.

There are some tips for making your pick up time.

Be on time for pickup (30-60 minutes earlier than departure). BoletoXpress advises this buffer for all international routes as the check-in and boarding process is longer than it is for domestic routes.

Please check the exact collection point on the evening before collection. East 7th St and Pacoima are different areas of town, and if you’re looking for a seat at the wrong one, you may be in for a wait.

Allow for a little “wiggle room” in your afternoon schedule. Take more time then need to return to downtown or out to Pacoima from Griffith Park or from Museum Row.

Any time of the day, but particularly weekday afternoons, are busier in Los Angeles than mornings, particularly around downtown and the freeways that lead into the San Fernando Valley. For pickups at Pacoima, add an additional minute or two to your timing as opposed to a departure from downtown.

Conclusion:

The last day in Los Angeles does not need to be just a run-up for the main journey. Whatever you choose to do – explore downtown, visit Griffith Observatory or Museum Row, a bit of preparation can help you make your last hours in Los Angeles an integral part of your adventure.

If BoletoXpress is the choice you make to move on from Los Angeles to Zacatecas, make sure you look up schedule, pick-up point and prices for the Los Angeles-Zacatecas route in advance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance should I book the bus to Zacatecas?

A booking of about two weeks in advance using BoletoXpress will secure a lower price, especially when it is the holiday season.

Can I do sightseeing in Los Angeles before my bus to Zacatecas departs?

Yes, since Downtown LA, Museum Row, and Griffith Park can be accessed using the Metro service, while you pay no more than five dollars a day using a tap card and not using cash.

Where should I catch the bus to Zacatecas?

Your booking confirmation from BoletoXpress has your pickup point. Either the East 7th St terminal downtown or the Pacoima stop on Laurel Canyon Blvd.

How much baggage can I take on the bus?

On the international service, you can take one small baggage plus two large bags that would be kept under the bus. Your documents, like your passport, should be placed in the small carry-on baggage.

Which location would be more suitable for a short stay, downtown LA or Griffith Park?

Since you will have less time for your stay, the downtown LA area would be more suitable due to the proximity of Grand Central Market, Angels Flight, and Disney Concert Hall to the East 7th St terminal.

When do I need to report to my pickup point?

Thirty minutes to an hour prior to the departure time.