Identify the Gold Line station closest to your location. The Gold Line currently runs from Sierra Madre Villa in Pasadena to Union Station in Los Angeles, with 13 stations total. Not all stations have parking available, although most do have bike racks. Locations and station-specific parking information can be found on the MTA website.
Buy your ticket at the station. Ticket machines are located outside of each station or platform. You can use cash or credit card. The machines will make change for bills as large as $20 - just be aware that you'll probably receive a pocketful of gold dollar coins in return. You can purchase a day pass for $5, or a single ticket for $1.25.
Identify which track is going towards downtown. Platforms are labeled either "Pasadena" or "Los Angeles," making it a simple process. Westbound trains go towards downtown; eastbound trains to Pasadena. Some stations have one shared platform between the tracks (Allen and Lake Stations) while others have separate platforms facing the tracks (Mission and Memorial Park Stations)
Don't worry if you are in a wheelchair or are traveling with a bicycle or stroller. The stations and platforms all have ramps or elevators, and the train stops level with the platform making it easy to simply roll on to the train car.
Take time to explore some of the sights along the Gold Line. Memorial Park or Del Mar Stations will drop you off in Old Pasadena, Mission Station is adjacent to South Pasadena's Thursday night farmer's market, Southwest Museum Station is right next to -you guessed it -Southwest Museum, Chinatown Station drops you above the businesses and sights of Chinatown, and Union Station is directly across the street from historic Olvera Street.
End your ride at Union Station in downtown Los Angeles. This is a major transportation hub, and you can transfer to Amtrak, Metrolink commuter trains, the red or purple subway lines, the Flyaway bus to LAX, or numerous buses.
