As many of you may already know, I sold my beautiful Honda Hybrid about two months ago. I was offered a really good price, which more than paid me back the difference I had paid to purchase it so I couldn’t resist. I sold it mainly, however, because I have changed roads in life and feel that I do not need a commuter vehicle like that during this new stage. I am lucky enough to work from my home and am in graduate school online so a car for commuting purposes is no longer necessary for me. Although I do plan to purchase another vehicle, I have not quite found the one I want so, in the meantime, I thought this would be a great opportunity to do something that some consider crazy here in L.A. Live without a car.

If you have read some of my previous posts, you would know that I am already a green-minded person and I chose to buy the Hybrid for that same reason. My next car purchase will also be made with my mind on its impact on the Earth. For that reason, and many others (including pollution, the price of gas, the funding of terrorism, and the ill effects on society to name a few), I have begun to feel a great pull towards reducing my dependence on the automobile and oil in general.

I have been living in L.A. without a car for two months now and to tell you the truth, it is not nearly as hard as I thought it was going to be. Of course, it helps that I do not have the daily commute to work, however, after seeing how extensive the nation’s second largest public transportation system is, I do not think it will be very difficult for anyone to find a decent ride to work. Aside from the daily drive to work, all the places that I was so accustomed to driving to now seem like common walking trips. I really enjoy walking to the store only a few blocks away, for example, and I actually take my backpack now and pack my groceries home without plastic or paper bags. And I really love walking past the gas stations and NOT having to fill up a tank of noxious, poisonous, deadly, polluting gas. I have signed up for a few extra online services as well, to avoid trips like the one to the post office and have even gotten to know my mailman a little better because of it.

Who says that we don’t have seasons here in California either? While walking around for the last couple of months I have noticed leaves changing color, falling and now even starting to grow back. Basically, what living the last couple of months without a car in Los Angeles has taught me most of all is that there are too many preconceived notions and stereotypes about the city, the way things are, the people you meet and see, the streets around you, and the transit system in general.

Considering that I love to travel, that I still have somewhat of an adventurous streak in me, that I love to write, and that I do not have a car, I am going to devote this section to my experiences as a tourist in Los Angeles without a car. My goal is to prove, and hopefully help those of you that would like to try, that it is possible to enjoy L.A. without a car.