Spring break is approaching and with a week off, many students will close their text books and have some fun.

The Metro is a great way for students to explore different areas and attractions using public transportation. Whether students are looking for a hiking trail, a museum exhibit, a movie theater, or an amusement park, various Metro routes will help make fun day trips affordable.

Students can also get discounted tickets to certain attractions by purchasing an Auxiliary Service Board (ASB) sticker. By using the ASB sticker, students will save money on various attractions throughout Southern California. The sticker can be purchased in the Student Development Office, Room AC160.

As gas prices continue to rise, here are some destinations using public transportation:

1 The Automobile Driving Museum, El Segundo

This non-profit museum has a collection of cars from various makes and models dating back to 1886. The museum, which is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., offers a free ride in a car selected by the museum staff every Sunday until 3:30 p.m. To get there from campus, take the Metro line 210, which will stop at the intersection of Crenshaw Boulevard and the 105 Freeway, then take the Metro green line 803 westbound and get off at North Nash Street and East Mariposa Avenue.  Then walk north up Lairport Street to reach the entrance. The address is 610 Lairport St., El Segundo.

2 South Coast Botanic Garden, Palos Verdes

Also known as “The Jewel of the Peninsula,” this garden is home to a collection of more than 2,000 species of plants from various places around the world, according to the South Coast Bontanic Garden website. Student admission is $6 with a valid student ID. From campus, take the Torrance Transit line 5 southbound to Crenshaw Boulevard. Continue to walk south on Crenshaw Boulevard for one mile before reaching the entrance. The garden is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The address is 26300 Crenshaw Blvd., Palos Verdes Peninsula.

3 Abalone Cove, Rancho Palos Verdes

Located on the Palos Verdes Peninsula shoreline, this public park offers cliff views of Catalina Island, hiking trails, beaches and tide pools filled with various sea creatures, such as starfish and sea urchins. To get there from campus, take the Metro line 344 to South Palos Verdes Drive and continue to walk south on this street to the park’s entrance. The park is open to the public seven day a week. The address is 5970 S. Palos Verdes Dr., Rancho Palos Verdes

4 Universal Studios, Universal City

This attraction offers studio tours and amusement rides to create the real feel of Hollywood productions. Students with an ASB sticker will get half off entrance tickets. To get to the amusement park from campus, take the Metro local 210 line north to Vine Street and Hollywood Boulevard then get on the Metro red line heading west and get off at the Universal City Station and get on the Universal Studios free shuttle, which will stop in front of the main entrance to the park. The park opens at 10 a.m. and closes at various times throughout the week. The address is 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City.

5 Western Museum of Flight, Torrance

This museum offers a collection of airplanes as well as aerial-related material for the public to view and learn. It is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. From campus, students can take the Metro limited line 344 westbound. The bus will stop at the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Hawthorne Boulevard where you can get off and then walk west down PCH to Airport Drive to the entrance. General admission is $5. The airport is located at 3315 Airport Drive, Red Baron #3, Torrance.

6 Del Cerro Park, Rancho Palos Verdes

This public park offers students the chance to have a picnic, go for a hike or enjoy a bike ride. The park is situated on top of a bluff surrounded by grass and trees with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. From campus, take the Municipal Area Express (MAX) line 3 heading southbound toward Crenshaw Boulevard. Get off at PCH and take the Commuter Express line 448 westbound toward Hawthorne Boulevard. It will stop at the intersection of Crest Road and Crenshaw Boulevard, get off and walk to the end of Crenshaw Boulevard where the entrance to the park is located. The address is Park Place Rd., Rancho Palos Verdes.

7 Gardena Cinema, Gardena

Showing all the box office hits, this “old-fashioned” movie theater was built in 1947, but still provides a great movie experience.  Just a short bus ride from campus, take the Metro local line 210 north to the Crenshaw Boulevard/Marine Avenue stop and the movie theater is located on Crenshaw Boulevard. Gardena Cinema offers students discounted tickets on certain showings. Just present a valid student ID with a current ASB sticker and those movie tickets are $5. The address is 14948 Crenshaw Blvd., Gardena.