This subway stop on the Gold Line is very close to Pasadena Playhouse, Vroman's, all Lake Ave. shops and restaurants, Pacific Asian Art Museum. It's a wonderful option! I liked that they have some security people around the night we used it. It's an outdoor stop, so on a cold night it's not ideal. But I'm glad it's there and didn't have to wait a long time for the train to come. Complaint? As other Yelpers mentioned, the line is constructed in the middle of the freeway so it's very noisy and a tar unnerving. But since the subway was constructed so late in the game in LA, what can you do? read more

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If I could give this station zero stars, I would. The biggest issue with this station and its inconvenient location, is that it's become a thoroughfare for the homeless. There are shopping carts, people high out of their minds, pan handlers, people passed out on the sidewalks assaults, the smell of urine saturates the air, you name it, all taking place at this station. Absolutely do not recommend, especially if you are a woman or after dark. This platform is a dangerous one and Pasadena has done a horrible job maintaining it. Additionally, you'll sit on a platform waiting for your train in the middle of a freeway, dodging the occasional homeless person harassing you or begging you for money. read more

It gets me from A to B and that's what I need. This isn't a Moscow subway station and there is nothing fancy about it but it's open and I feel safe walking around here. The only thing I hate is that they use cloth material on the seats of the train, dirty, dirty, and more yuckiness. read more

Lake Gold Line Station - Go metro day or night - Public Transportation Near Me - Pasadena, California

It's central to a lot of things so it's super convenient. Though picking up from there is a nightmare. But that's because of traffic.

As an SGV native, I'm very grateful that we now have a burgeoning public transportation system, but this station (as with a few others in Pasadena) are right in the middle of a freeway. Can't complain, but it is a bit louder than I care for. The walk down onto the platform could also use a decent cleaning, but hey -gotta love it. Love you Pasadena ~ read more

Lake Gold Line Station - Public Transportation Near Me - Pasadena, California

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I am a big fan of the Gold Line. It seems safe, and its clean. And it gets you where you want to go from downtown LA all the way to the edge of Sierra Madre and Arcadia - (and soon all the way to Azusa). The Lake Street station in Pasadena is situated in the median in the middle of the 210 highway. If you walk south 4 blocks you will be about 8 blocks east of Old Pasadena, but not far from a few shops and restaurants as well as The Paseo, a large shopping mall. There are also 3 movie theaters and The Pasadena Playhouse within walking distance. If you walk north of the station a few blocks you will reach The Hat, a fast food pastrami sandwhich place: so I would reccomend going south. read more

Lake Gold Line Station - Public Transportation Near Me - Pasadena, California

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These guys get five stars because you should write something on what it does not on what it doesn't and for what it does it does it well. It's a place where you get on or get off the Gold Line and it does that. It's not expressly dirty and there's no true ugliness there although I wish there were bathrooms but like I said they have to be rated for what they do do not for what they don't. read more

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Easy to navigate, machine for fares are on street level. To get down to the platform you need to take the stairs or the elevator. The elevator smell really bad like they are never washed or sanitized. So sad since NYC subway elevators never smelled that bad and more people use that subway system. The metro maps in general are not first time user friendly. The fares are low and the trains are clean. Sad it doesn't run 24 hours even if they ran the trains not as often. They stop them to early to really use them. For example I went to a hockey game at Staples center and stopped for a beer with a friend before taking the red line to Union station then the gold line to Pasadena. Well I got to union station and the Gold line had already stopped. Had to take a $45 taxi ride home. Yep, pretty much a bummer. read more

It isn't the cleanest station, but there is nothing horrific about it. I'm sure there are occasional issues at this station as there are at others. In the recent months, I have seen increase in police and Metro security presence at all lines, so there is hope. To be honest, it is impossible for the Metro to see all the stations at all times. I typically tweet @metrolosanageles when I see maintenance issues, so I can at least say that they are informed of what I see. They are pretty responsive, so kudos to them for that. read more

Woe is me....my first Dukedom is one of the worst stations on the otherwise stellar Gold Line. On your way to LAX with a ton of luggage? May as well hump it down the three flights of stairs, 'cause a thrown back is much better than 40 seconds in the urinal masquerading as an elevator. Hide your wallet, cigarettes and anything else that will attract the particularly aggressive ne're-do-wells. Once on the platform, you will find that you've entered some sort of cosmic rift in the meteorological continuum where you will be buffeted by an wind, carcinogens and perhaps gamma rays...frigid beyond belief in the winter or early morning and Mojave-like in the Summer. Pick a random canto from Dante's Inferno and you'll get the picture. Give a one-fingered salute to the CCTV cameras, 'cause you know they're laughing at your sorry ass. read more

Gold line, I like. This station? Homeless people bothering you all the time. One guy smacked me in the head with his sweater for not giving him any spare change. Surprise - I wasn't being a grinch, I really had no cash on me. But with that said, it's still better than the red line and I feel safe here for the most part. Even when I'm alone and walking back around 11PM / 11:30PM, I never have any issues with people at this station. I can't say the same about the red line. read more

This station is fine. It's right in the middle of the 134 freeway. To get there and to get out, you have to climb a lot of stairs or take the elevator. This station feels safe and is clean. Also, there is no one hassling me for money. It seems like a commuter friendly station. read more

Why travel to Skid Row, when you can have Skid Row come to you...at your Gold Line station? I do have to disagree with one of the reviewers who stated that there are puddles of urine at the station. They are just urine stains, not puddles. The human feces is a different story. Now I see why it's called the "Gold" Line. I won't even guess what the Red Line is about. read more

From here, it's a 15 minute walk to Wilson and Green, Wilson and Colorado. There's usually some layabouts on the stairs and if you're lucky, they're smoking pot. I'd love to see some of these transit cops that everyone talks about. They're like the boogy man: Pay your fare or the Trannys'll get you!!! read more

My my my, Los Angeles, what disparaging comments you have. As a first-timer here in the "City of Angels" I was very happy to find there was public transportation available. This station is pretty standard of what you would expect from the variety of culture of public transportation. The station setup in the middle of the freeway is pretty similar to some of the Blue line stops in Chicago. There they are planted right in the middle of I-90. Sure there are the crazies and the occasional homeless people but, from what I've experienced riding public transport, that just kinda comes with the territory. We rode the gold line to this Lake street stop and either took the 258 or the 180 (258 doesn't run on weekends) up to the Altadena area. The train came at 10 minute intervals and I, being from the Midwest where the term "sunny with intermittent clouds" isn't part of the lingo, don't mind basking a few minutes longer in the wonderful LA sun. I didn't feel bothered or endangered here. My suggestion is if you don't want to experience a the few unpleasantries that come with public transport then you'll feel more comfortable with Uber, Lyft or renting a car. read more

This is a great station that's located near Lake Ave and is close to Colorado Blvd. It's also located close to Ralph's market on Walnut. I usually pick up some water or gatorade at Ralph's when I head out on my Metroline trips. read more

You get to be in the middle of the freeway dodging traffic??? unfortunately no. You do get to see the 210 on either side, and depending on what time you use the station, you get to see one side stopped an the other side flying by. read more

Nice view when you're waiting for the train. I like this stop because of the environment. This stop can get you go really nice stores. The area is nice. Sort of dark but nice and I feel safe in this area for sure. To be able to take some time and think about all the people going by at miles per hour. read more

Lake Gold Line Station - About to take off! - Public Transportation Near Me - Pasadena, California

Puddles of urine on the Tap machine passage and on top of it all, people constantly smoking on the platform waiting for the metro. I don't mind people smoke on public streets, but on the Gold Line platform is a big no!!! Why bother having no smoking signs and other violations that no one will ever pay attention nor care for. A waste of Tax payers money down the toilet!! read more

If you like the smell of fresh urine in the elevators (along with the ambient temperature inside around 95 degrees), you'll love this station. It's also noisy as heck - they could've at least done a better job with soundproofing, being that this is in the middle of the 210. I honestly try to avoid the Gold Line period, because it's a waste of taxpayer dollars. read more

I wish this station was located further south on Lake.. this location is right above the freeway.. crazy traffic and drivers 'aiming' for the pedestrians coming off the train..i hardly exit at this one, if i can help it read more

The maintenance of this particular station has been nothing short of non-existent. I walk the Lake St. bridge almost every day, I've literally seen people sitting on benches surrounded by trash. Over-flowing trash cans are apparently the norm and after numerous complaints to LA Metro, nothings been done. Disgusting. read more

It is indeed a pretty bad gold line experience. Yes, it is convenient, yes, it is dirty and yes, it is in the middle of the freeway. Not my favorite drop-off/pick-up location. Do pay attention and if you are traveling with kids you might want to avoid this station stop. read more

Easy to use, and cheap. The parking is at a local church and is kinda difficult to find. But other than that it was a good experience and easy to use. Overall great experience! read more

Tons of traffic at this location and the freeway is right next to it so your dodging traffic at all sides it's really scary and dangerous. I would rather take the train from another stop then here. read more

I now live within walking distance to this station and use it more often than I did when I lived by the Allen station. The elevators still smell like urine. I usually take the stairs. Parking is an issue at this station which is why I am grateful I live within walking distance. I still feel a little uncomfortable after dark, not at the station itself but in the area surrounding it--which I have to walk through to get home. It is an easy walk to Ralph's, Vroman's Bookstore and The Hat. If you have good walking shoes on, you could make it up Lake to Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles--but I wouldn't try that at night. During the day, it is fine. read more

Go ahead and ignore the BS signs and any information on the Goldline's website, there is no parking at the station whatsoever. Where it tells you to park is a privately owned church who has put up signs everywhere that says absolutely no Metro parking. I think it one point metro was renting spaces from the church but they are no longer doing so. There is nowhere to park at the station, don't even think about it! read more

As a pedestrian or bicyclist, has your destination ever been.... the middle of the freeway? If you need to get to the Gold Line around Lake street in Pasadena, it might be, but that's one of the only times. I know it seems "convenient" to dump a train station in the middle of a freeway coming from the perspective of someone that never really rides public transit, but thinks that it's ok for others, but for the people actually riding the train, to be blunt, it sucks. This stop has an excessive number of health and safety hazards and plenty of simply inconvenient features that lead one to believe people only really take the train from this stop if they have to. -Health hazards: You're standing in the middle of the freeway waiting for the train, exposed to all sorts of lovely chemicals and smells coming from car emissions. These are known to cause heart attacks and asthma flare ups among other problems. If you're riding the train because you care about not contributing to LA's air pollution, know that you will still be exposed to high concentrations of pollutants at the Lake station. Also, you know those insanely loud motorcycles that drive by, angry honking drives or just how loud a large number of cars can be? Yup, have fun listening to all those to a lovely backdrop of freeway traffic sounds. Remember, traffic gets super bad on the 210 during rush hours. -Safety hazards: Pasadena's homeless seem to cluster around freeway off and on ramps. Being in the middle of a freeway, the Lake station is an awesome spot for the homeless! To get to the station, you must walk over the freeway, past the off and on ramp and feeder streets and then to an area with covered walkways and benches. Perfect homeless spot! As a pedestrian, this stop is pretty unsafe as well. Walking to the stop includes having to weave across Lake through many crossing signals that cover a limited number of intersections in the area and walk through car traffic attempting to get on the 210. People and cars don't mix, but as the 210 is a popular destination, there is no way that you won't have to walk through cars here. I've been hit or nearly hit way too many times as a pedestrian over the years. Having limited crossings for Pedestrians encourages people to cross at intersections without signals, especially when trying to get to work on time or catch a train before it passes. Also, because of the location, if you do end up here alone and in trouble, no one is going to hear you. It also seems possible, although not likely, that cars could end up on this platform in the case of an accident. -Other inconveniences: This is one of the few Gold line rail stops that has a bunch of stairs. Plan accordingly. When walking away from this station, you will walk a minimum of 5-10 minutes before you even get someplace that might be considered a final destination because of the aforementioned stairs, location, street crossing difficulties and excessive car traffic. Old town and other popular Pasadena destinations are about a mile away. Dress in layers as it gets super hot in the summer being in the middle of a freeway and can get super gusty when windy. -Conveniences: Close to destination on or near Lake. Look, I know LA needs public transportation, but making more and more stops like Lake, located in the middle of the freeway, is not going to help to convince people to ride more often. I only use this stop when I have to, otherwise I'd much prefer Memorial Park, Del Mar or Fillmore. Outside of some stations or stops in sketchy locations, this is truly the worst stop I've waited at in the MTA system. read more

I love riding the Metrorail system for trips. I have heard some negative comments about the public transit system but I've concluded certain people are just too pampered in their everyday life to bother with public transportation. First lets address the obvious the Metro rail line is available to anyone who has the money for it; rich or poor, the world is large and filled with all types of people and there is no changing that. So, yes you are going to see a couple mentally ill people, homeless,boisterous, smelly, recluse, uptight, foreign, old, young, disabled, and strange people around the station but all of these people are here to ride the train just like you and me so it's nothing to be upset about. Secondly, the stations are not private which means that there isn't a paid staff hired to keep or clean the station; sometimes it is going to be a mess sometimes it'll be clean just like other public places like parks or trails. The only reasonable complaint I have is the parking situation, there are signs around the area that say "Metro Parking" with arrows but they don't lead to anything specific, every time I come I end up parking at the church nearby where the signs lead but there is no signs posted in the parking lot stating that THIS church parking lot in indeed the appropriate place to park. Besides my minor complaint the machines always work on the platforms and are easy to use and the has Sheriffs nearby most of the time for any simple questions. Great Station. read more

The City of Pasadena and Los Angeles Metro should be ashamed of themselves for allowing the Lake Ave Station to exist in it's current state. I've recently had the misfortunate of catching the 180 up Lake from this station with nothing but the company of the ever present smell of urine, overflowing garbage cans, lights that don't work, unmentionable items on the sidewalk and several rodents to keep me company (plus a few homeless individuals, but hey, if I was homeless I'd probably take shelter there too). Would it kill you guys to clean the station? The platform itself is safe and tidy, despite the roar and emissions from the cars on the 210 but once you start heading up the stairs, the smell of urine hits you strong and hard. Angelenos, quit using our Metro system as your personal bathroom. Metro and/or City of Pasadena, start taking responsibility for the cleanliness and safety of your stations. read more