It won’t just be thousands of fans joining the Los Angeles Dodgers players, staff and families at Friday’s “Victory Day in L.A.” Hordes of city workers, transportation staff, firefighters and police officers will be rolling along the downtown route, too. Oh, and the folks who usually work Downtown, too.
Mayor Karen Bass and other leaders in Dodgers gear gathered Thursday morning to temper the celebratory mood with gentle warnings: if you’re planning on celebrating L.A.’s World Series championship at the parade, arrive early, plan ahead, and behave yourself.
Thousands of fans are expected to descend on Downtown even before the parade kicks off at 11 a.m. Friday from Gloria Molina Grand Park on Spring Street in front of Los Angeles City Hall.
Major streets will be closed, making driving and parking a challenge. Bass, Sheriff Robert Luna, Supervisor Lindsey Horvath shared one piece of advice: ditch the car (yes, even in Los Angeles) and use public transit. Stephanie Wiggins, Metro CEO, said the subway and bus system is ready to transport revelers throughout the region.
The weather Friday is predicted to be ideal for cheering and waving, with highs in the low 70s, so layer up the Dodgers gear and don’t forget a cap.
“Tomorrow will be a celebration of greatness,” Bass said, noting the parade is happening on what would have been Dodgers great Fernando Valenzuela’s 64th birthday. The Mexican-born pitching legend died on Oct. 22.
Bass encouraged anyone work from home, noting county workers who don’t need to be in the Civic Center area will telework. Restaurants will be open, though, and the mayor reminded parade goers to patronize local businesses along the route. All county buildings will be open, but best to do business online at lacounty.gov, or wait until Monday.
The parade
The 2024 Dodgers Championship Parade will begin at 11 a.m. in front of Los Angeles City Hall, 200 N. Spring St. and go on a 45-minute route from 1st Street to Grand Avenue to 5th Street, ending at the intersection of 5th and Flower Streets.
A ticketed event is set at Dodger Stadium after the parade, beginning around 12:15 p.m. Parking gates will open at 8:30 a.m. and stadium entry gates at 9 a.m. No signs, bags or any other items not usually permitted at Dodger games will be allowed. Choose to cheer on the Dodgers atop double-decker buses along the route or at the stadium, as Dodgers officials advise there won’t be time to commute between the events.
Tickets to the stadium celebration went on sale at mlb.com/dodgers/tickets.
Getting there
One word: Metro. Stephanie Wiggins, CEO of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, touted the new regional connector that wasn’t in place when the Dodgers last won the championship in 2020.
“We have direct stops in Little Tokyo, Broadway, City Hall, and also Grand Avenue and Bunker Hill for the Civic Center,” Wiggins said. “You can either take our subway system, the B Line from North Hollywood and the D Line for Wilshire/Western to one of the three stations, either Grand Park, Pershing Square or 7th and Metro Center.”
From the San Gabriel Valley or the South Bay, take the A Line to 2nd and Broadway station, the Grand Avenue/Bunker Hill station or the 7th and Metro Center station. From Santa Monica or East Los Angeles, take the E Line to the same stations. Pick up the A, B and D lines from Union Station, which connects to Metrolink, Amtrak and other bus services.
Bus riders who travel through downtown should note 30 Metro bus lines will be affected by the festivities, including the busiest lines such as J, Line 4, and downtown Santa Monica Boulevard. Detour maps are on metro.net. Follow Metro alerts on @MetroLAAlerts on X and Twitter.
The Dodger Express will be running, too. Catch it at Union Station, but note you have to have tickets to the stadium event to ride the bus.
Metro fare us $1.75 or $3.50 roundtrip.
Road closures
If you must drive, be aware of road closures and parking restrictions. Use parking apps such as SpotHero to book a spot ahead of time.
Streets from Cesar Chavez to 6th Street downtown will be closed as well as between Los Angeles and Figueroa Streets, starting at 4 a.m. Friday until after the parade when traffic staff will determine roads are safe to reopen.
More than 100 traffic control officers will be deployed closures and signals throughout the duration of the parade.
If you’re staying home
Both the parade and the stadium event will be televised live in their entirety on Spectrum SportsNet LA, and on local TV stations. Television coverage is expected to begin at 9:30 a.m.
Security
“The LAPD is fully prepared to enjoy a safe and enjoyable celebration tomorrow,” said Assistant Police Chief Blake Chow. He added a safety plan is in place along the parade route and throughout the surrounding neighborhoods.
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