Palms Station is a charming light rail station located on a slight hill that you encounter while heading west on the LA Metro E Line.

As you get off, you can see the elevated structure where trains pass right in front of you, and below, National Boulevard flows busily.

When you take the stairs or elevator up, you will find two tracks and platforms on either side, and even though it is small, you definitely feel like you have arrived.

The history of the station cannot be overlooked. This site was where the railway was first laid in 1875, originally named 'Bay View.' It was renamed 'The Palms' in 1886, and until 1953, steam locomotives frequently passed through, and it was once a popular filming location.

The old wooden station was later moved to the Heritage Square Museum in Montecito Heights thanks to the 'Save Our Station' movement, and it now serves as a souvenir shop and visitor center, so if you have time, it's worth a visit.

The current Palms Station was completely renovated when the E Line (formerly the Expo Line) extension opened on May 20, 2016.

With elevators at both ends, it is accessible for strollers and wheelchairs, and the platform is neatly arranged with small shelters, benches, and LCD arrival information boards. Especially since May 2025, the Metro bike hub operator has changed, and the bike parking next to the station has been opened for free, receiving great response from bike commuters.

The transportation connectivity is surprisingly solid. The road below the station is served by the Santa Monica Big Blue Bus, and the 10 Freeway is just to the north, making Uber and Lyft pickups quick. As of FY 2024, the average number of boardings and alightings at Palms Station on weekdays is about 957, which is quite high for its size.

There are quite a few attractions in the surrounding neighborhood as well. Just a 5-minute walk east from the station, the Motor Avenue Farmers Market opens every weekend, where you can enjoy fresh produce and food trucks, and if you head west along the bike and pedestrian trail next to the Expo Line, you can reach Westwood in about 20 minutes. This area is a multicultural community, offering a delightful variety of food options from Vietnamese banh mi to Mexican street tacos and fusion cafes.

Metro is gradually expanding underground cellular service along the E Line, following the 7th/Metro to Little Tokyo segment, so by summer 2025, you should be able to worry less about call and data interruptions around Palms Station. Weekdays before 10 AM or late afternoons on weekends are relatively less crowded, so if you want to take photos leisurely, aim for those times. Once you experience the 'neighborhood train station' vibe that this small elevated station offers, you will quickly understand why it is loved by the people of West LA.