Taco time: Eat great, follow Oilers to L.A. on the cheap for Game 1 against Kings

Los Angeles Kings left wing Kevin Fiala (22) controls the puck past Edmonton Oilers left wing Max Jones (46) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Los Angeles, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (Alex Gallardo/AP)

So you checked the aftermarket prices for Edmonton Oilers playoff tickets and fainted, came to and thought, ‘Hell’s bells, I might as well fly to Los Angeles and see Game 1 for that !@#$%^&* price!’

OK, I’m exaggerating. That reaction came last year for the Stanley Cup Final. This is Round 1 that’ll see the Oilers face the Los Angeles Kings, who have home-ice advantage over Edmonton.

While second-hand ticket prices at Edmonton’s Rogers Place are significantly higher than what you might find at L.A.’s Crypto.com Arena, tacking on the costs of travel will easily set you back much more than if you just stayed here.

But maybe you’re one of those people who really want to take a trip anyway and can afford to see this year’s very first playoff action for your blue-and-orange-clad heroes.

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OK, let’s do it. And let’s keep it cheap. This is Los Angeles we’re talking about here. Tinseltown. A place where you can spend untold thousands on luxury everything, from travel, accommodations, food and entertainment.

You can also do it on the relative cheap.

There are two caveats: You must like, if not love or at least be open to, tacos and take public transportation the whole time you’re there.

Getting there

You’re flying to L.A., of course. Unless you REALLY want to drive non-stop between Katz’s House of Delights (a.k.a. Rogers Place) to The Crypt (Crypto.com Arena). In that case, plan to motor 26 hours non-stop on the 2,785-kilometre journey. I’ll let you figure out your own gas and all that.

So, flights. Travel to and from L.A. is the priciest expense for our jaunt. I’ve got you on a 6 a.m. flight Sunday morning for LAX with a 53-minute layover in Denver and landing in lotus land at 11:10 a.m. for $996 return (Friday price), beginning your trip home Tuesday morning for the 10-hour journey home with a five-hour layover in Denver.

Getting around

Sorry, no car for you. I don’t care if you live in suburbia and that’s all you know. I know, I know, that’s most of you, but remember, we’re being budget conscious.

Yes, it will take more time, but in this case, time isn’t money. You’re not working, you’re on a vacation of sorts, even though I’m dragging you out of bed at an ungodly hour to start and making you hang out in an airport terminal for half a day. For the love of hockey! C’MON!

And you may even come to love having some time to yourself as a passenger to reflect on what you’re doing with your life, maybe watch the scenery – think palm trees, concrete jungles and people – or do what most do: doom scroll your phone. I do it. It’s fun! [insert crying emoji]

L.A. transit itinerary

News flash: You’re staying in downtown L.A., site of the rink. More on that later.

LAX to downtown: A one-way fare using the LAX FlyAway bus service from the airport to downtown’s Union Station runs you $12.75.

Union Station to hotel: The downtown transit hub is where you’ll buy a key item for your stay: a Metro tap card. It costs $2. Each fare is $1.75 and is good for two hours. Fill the card with $10, I’d say. You can always add more if needed. Then get on the No. 76 Downtown LA-Grand/Venice-Little Tokyo bus and take it to S Grand Avenue and W 8th Street, then walk to the Freehand Hotel. More on that later.

Hotel to arena: You can certainly do the 18-minute walk from your hotel to the arena, but you don’t have to – not everyone’s a walker, I get it, but for those able, they say walking is good for you – but that means you’re jumping on public transit again and using your handy tap card. You’ll catch the No. 28 Cesar Chavez-Vignes bus at Hill and 8th, which will take you to the corner of Olympic Boulevard and Figueroa Street, a block from the arena.

And essentially, you’ll do your return to the hotel and to the airport in reverse.

Accommodation

Didn’t I say I was going to save you mucho dinero? I sure have with this modern, updated-looking hotel in the middle of the downtown action.

The Freehand Hotel has hostel accommodations available, huzzah! A bed in a shared dorm with seven other people is just $41.22 per night, taxes and whatnot included.

The hotel even has a rooftop pool that you may not have time to use.

Eating

I’ve hinted at it already, but maybe you haven’t yet figured out you’re going to be eating from taco trucks the entire time you’re not in the arena. Go lunch after your check in at the Freehand and a light supper before you head to the rink, maybe, if you need more than the scant eats you’ll be buying at the game.

Now, I say that, and there are grocery store options in downtown L.A., but c’mon, have you seen prices HERE for produce and everything else? It’s the same and more in L.A. but it’s in U.S. dollars.

[Take a moment for your heart to stop racing. Go get a glass of water and take a couple of sips. Close your eyes. Think of a soft rainfall. Ahhh]

OK, now that you’re closer to zen, just skip Ralph’s Fresh Fare. You’re not in town for long anyway.

Taco trucks can be unpredictable, but they’re around. You just have to troll the main streets to find them. Fortunately, some of them park in regular spots, such as:

Tacos y Mariscos a los 4 vientos: This taco truck is said to frequent Olympic Boulevard and Flower Street, a block away from the arena. Prices for their fare vary between $1-$15, with single tacos varying in price from $2-$6.

Tacos El Comelon: Find this truck a little further away from Crypto.com at 901 Hill Street. It’s a block away from your hotel. A platter of four tacos will run you $15.

The truck of Becky Tacos: It’s set up across Olympic Boulevard from the north side of the L.A. Live complex a block away from the arena.

Frankly, I could eat tacos at each meal. You could, too. Cheap and delicious. Budget $30 for lunch/dinner on Monday and breakfast Tuesday.

The Game

Ticket

A ticket is going to run you $116.62 (as of Friday night) for a seat in the nosebleed 300 section of Crypto.com Arena.

Food

If you thought prices at Rogers Place were high, wait until you enter the L.A. arena. They’re not only higher, they’re in U.S. dollars.

You can’t watch a sporting event without food and drink, though. OK, you can, but not on this trip. My rules. Let’s play mix-and-match cheapo menu.

Here are four options:

• 20oz Bud Light Draft $17.99
• 20oz Dasani water $7.49
• Plain hot dog $13.50
• French fries $9

Souvenirs

You’re an Oilers fan, c’mon. What are you thinking? They don’t sell Oilers stuff in the L.A. arena sports store anyway. Save your rubles for upgrading your Bud Light to an Estrella Jalisco instead ($20.49) or for an $8 pack of gummy bears for dessert.

I expect you packed your suitcase with suitable blue-and-orange attire and pom-poms anyway, and maybe you brought your Hunter stuffie along, too, to cuddle up to and help soothe yourself into Oilers dreamland in your hostel dorm room.

However, if you feel compelled to purchase a memento of your time watching your heroes battle their fierce modern playoff rivals, this insulated mug for both hot and cold drinks is on sale for just $11.99 and features the Kings’ old logo. Future collectors’ item, no doubt (more like future donation to Value Village.)

End of pure hockey experience

OK, that’s it for the sports fan who doesn’t want to enjoy other things L.A. – a metro area of 20 million people and warm-weather tourist destination – has to offer.

The total bill in Canadian dollars for your whirlwind trip: $1,364.64.

But for those who feel they need to get at least a taste of more southern California tourism ...

theatres

Excursions

Before we get started, you’ll be doing one of three activities in the seven-hour window between your arrival at LAX and the game. Check into your hotel first, drop off your suitcase and choose one of the options.

Your journeys all start at the Metro Center station on 7th Street downtown, a 10-minute walk from your hotel.

Beach

Remember that Metro tap card? You’re going to give it a workout as you head to the Santa Monica pier. Make your way from the hotel to the underground Metro Center station on 7th Street then take a $1.75, 45-minute one-way journey on the yellow E Line to the downtown Santa Monica station at 4th Street and Colorado Avenue. Listen for gulls then follow the avenue for 11 minutes until you find sand. Extra cost: $3.50 round-trip.

Hollywood

Visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame, gawk at the gaudy movie theatres, browse trinkets at several shops and avoid the hustlers on Hollywood Boulevard. Did I mention the $1.75 fare each way? Take an 18-minute ride on the red B Line from Metro Centre Station to this iconic burg, where you’ll get off the subway at the Hollywood/Highland station. Extra cost: $3.50 round-trip.

Universal Studios

Now, I don’t know how much of Universal Studios you’re going to get to experience, but you could see some of the longtime staple theme park in the Hollywood Hills. Jaws! Harry Potter! Minions! Some of the longest escalators I’ve ever seen! Again, buck 75 one way for the 38-minute journey there will come off the ol’ tap card for the fare to the Universal Studios station. You’ll have to walk to the entrance of the studios, where there’s handy courtesy transport to the theme park entrance. Extra cost: $144 plus $3.50 on transit.

Excursion option final cost

• Beach $1,368.14
• Hollywood: $1,368.14
• Universal Studios: $1,512.14

So that’s it. Tacos and a chance to catch the Oil hopefully win Game 1 of their first-round series against the Kings.

You may not even want to travel south of the border due to talks of tariffs and trade wars between Canada and the U.S. Some people feel that way. It’s your choice, of course. Democracy.