La Mirada

La Mirada (LM) is a city in Los Angeles County in Southern California.

By car
Most people get to La Mirada by car. From the I-5/ Santa Ana FWY, take the Valley View exit. It dumps you off in the industrial outskirts of La Mirada. Follow the signs that direct you North toward Biola University which is near the city center.

From the 57 freeway in Brea, exit Imperial Highway and head West. From the 60 freeway, take the Azusa exit South toward Colima, turn right on Colima (headed West) and though this is a longer route, it's hilly and scenic at times (especially at night when the city lights are all aglow). Plus, it's a straight shot: Colima forks off into La Mirada Blvd (after you pass Whittier Blvd) and takes you right into LM.

By bus
You can also take the bus. Coming from Downtown Los Angeles, Montebello, and surrounding areas take the Montebello Bus Line #50. Coming from Orange County take the OCTA bus, either #20 from Yorba Linda or #29 from Huntington Beach. For maps and more details check out the city's map of local bus routes.

Nearby Norwalk and Fullerton have Metrolink train stations which have connecting bus routes and accommodate travelling further distances which can be painfully slow by bus. Check the 91 Line or the Orange County Line schedule.

By plane
Most major airlines serve Long Beach Airport which is the area's regional airport, it is 10 miles (16.0934 km) from the airport which is in Long Beach.

Get around
Sometimes La Mirada resembles Mayberry USA (of Andy Griffith Show fame) but it is undeniably Southern California in at least one way: you need a car. Access to a car is required to thrive in and around La Mirada.

But if you're on vacation or your life is pretty centralized around LM, then by all means ditch the gas-guzzler and try life in the bike lane. LM has extensive bike lanes and sidewalk space, making it relatively safe for cyclists and pedestrians.

La Mirada Transit, sometimes referred to as "Dial-a-Ride," also offers convenient door-to-door shuttle service Monday-Saturday at varying times for $1 one-way. It's a bus-taxi hybrid that is quite reliable and especially helpful on rainy days or for those without driver's licenses. Their website lists the phone number to arrange pick-up and their hours of operation.

Seasonal

 * La Mirada Stadium. From August to early November, the La Mirada Matadores football team can be seen playing here on Friday nights. At La Mirada High School.
 * La Mirada Stadium. From August to early November, the La Mirada Matadores football team can be seen playing here on Friday nights. At La Mirada High School.
 * La Mirada Stadium. From August to early November, the La Mirada Matadores football team can be seen playing here on Friday nights. At La Mirada High School.
 * La Mirada Stadium. From August to early November, the La Mirada Matadores football team can be seen playing here on Friday nights. At La Mirada High School.
 * La Mirada Stadium. From August to early November, the La Mirada Matadores football team can be seen playing here on Friday nights. At La Mirada High School.

Learn

 * Biola University, Private Christian Liberal-arts College. Home to 6 graduate schools. They offer adult certification programs that don't have all the stipulations of a standard degree. Auditing classes is also an option.
 * The Community Center across the parking lot from Regional Park, behind the Firehouse, offers a variety of classes and workshops open to the public. Everything from Jazzercise to memoir-writing. You must register for classes, so if you aren't here for at least a semester, it's not likely they'll let you join for one class session (unless you have a friend in the class).

Drink
Coffee and tea:



Adult beverages:

There are only dive bars in La Mirada. Yesterdays, The Golden Brick, Tubby's. They are standard dive bars with the standard regulars hangin' over the bar and the standard underage drinkers crowded in the corners.

For a classier place to get a drink, maybe on a date, try Pisces Sushi or Mr. Z's. If you're looking for something in between the dive bar/ restaurant divide, or if you're alone and new in town, head over the hill to La Habra where Red Robin, Chili's, and Applebee's offer the dive bar experience set within a casual, family restaurant.



Connect

 * The Public Library has free internet access with library card.
 * Java Co. and Panera Bread have free Wifi.

Go next

 * Fullerton for nearby college nightlife
 * Anaheim for Disney-ga-ga-galore
 * Los Angeles