CTA – California

***This CTA station lets out to Logan Square – a hipster part of Chicago; this station is also somewhat close to Wicker Park and might be convenient if you are heading to Wicker Park since the Wicker Park CTA station is currently under renovation; like other CTA stations, this station is an inexpensive and convenient way to get around the city***
I am not sure what the parking situation is around here.

I don’t know I don’t think. Its very clean organized I actually have to say it’s a nice color and is a bakery around here oh my god it smells really good it makes me hungry. I like the fact that I tried to take a picture there the Sears Tower in the background but I can’t get on this phone to be taking the train I don’t think

This blue line station is not much different from the others. It’s relatively clean, it’s outdoor and it’s centrally located.
The thing I do really like about it is when you exit you don’t have to walk back through the turnstiles but instead can walk through a revolving gate where there is no train entry.

The California stop seems to be home to the most commuters. I remember on my drive home this seemed like the only place people would get off and walk into the middle of the street. They later created a crosswalk for all of these people off of California by the police station. This stop puts you pretty close to a lot of restaurants and places you in between Logan Square and Wicker Park. This station has an open top so you can get some nice views of the sunset or the skyline depending on the weather.

The California stop is not unique in that it is a stop on a mass transit line. It is, however, clean, reliable and best described as part of a series of inane analogies.
«The Wire» cast member equivalent: Poot
Potbelly order equivalent: Turkey on white (regular size), BBQ Zapp’s chips, oatmeal chocolate chip cookie (meal is ordered to-​go)
R&B singer equivalent: The Dream
Rock producer equivalent: Brian Eno (latter phase of career)
Chicago restaurant equivalent: La Scarola
TLC member equivalent: Chili (post-​CrazySexyCool, pre-​fan mail)
Local Chicago venue equivalent: The Hideout
Chicagoan insecurity equivalent: «For three months, there’s no better city.»
Guy Ritchie film equivalent: Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
Paul Kahan restaurant equivalent: Avec
Would ride again.

Let’s see where should I begin.
I can board and exit trains.
Not sure there is an elevator not that I need one.
There is a little store to buy things. I never have.
A few restaurant choices right outside the station (see other reviews).
Review complete.

Its ok. I like Western better.

Classy stop. It has a convenience store. I do all my grocery shopping there.

I mostly pass by this stop.
I occasionally board here.
I exit on occasion.
It doesn’t suck, like the Wilson red line stop, where I used to live in ’02.
It’s not amazing, like Willy Wonka’s Great Glass Elevator.

The last good stop to get on headed into the loop during morning rush. Nice view of the skyline. Pretty convenient location for catching a bus to/​from. Looks all old school from the outside.
The placement of that trash receptacle in relation to the stairwell on the northbound platform has always pissed me off.

Hellhole!
Stay the hell away if possible.

Pros:
1. Recently updated
2. Charming old-​school architecture
3. Minimart with good selection and good prices
4. Elevated tracks mean you can people watch, get a nice view of the skyline, and still talk on your phone while waiting for the train
5. Can still get a seat during rush hour
6. 15 minute ride downtown
7. Near a lot of shops and restaurants
8. Generally safe
Cons:
1. No elevator. What do handicapped people or parents with strollers do? (This is why you lose a star!)
2. Elevated tracks mean you’re exposed to the elements.
3. Updated but still worn down compared to other stations

This is a review for this actual blue line station, as indicated by the title of this entry. Why are other people reviewing the actual blue line but putting it under here?
Anyway, I like this stop. Usually empty, nothing much going on. There’s a nice set of bike racks outside the entrance to the station and a few past the turnstyles. Friendly staff are always available in the booth or near the turnstyles to answer questions. I’ve never had a problem with them and they’re always willing to hand out a map or two or help you with the ticket machine.
There’s a nice little convenient store right in the stop with decent prices and selection. Cash only, don’t forget! I’ve never encountered solicitors at this stop but I hear (courtesy of Michael G. and others) that the Logan Square stop is saturated with them. Usually there’s like six people waiting here to go either way. Seems relatively safe at night, though I’ve never come here after 9 p.m.
Very conveniently located to the Milwaukee and California bus stops and it’s within walking distance of all homes in the eastern half of Logan Square. Nice stores/​restaurants/​etc. right outside the stop in case you’re hungry or interested in a drink. I like you, California Blue Line station. You’re alright.

Oh Blue Line. We have such a tumultuous relationship. One day you’re prompt and reliable, then next day you leave me hanging for ages waiting for you rickety train to roll through. I don’t understand.
But the worst one, Blue Line, the worst wound that I still haven’t recovered from was when you left me waiting for over 20 minutes on Thursday, January 8. Do you remember how cold it was that day? If my memory serves me correctly I believe it was 7 below 0, with a windchill of 309 below lung freezing artic tundra! It was way too cold, Blue Line. And you were so slow. You sent two express trains through and then of course the next train to stop was so packed that people had to crowd surf to get out at their stop. I got windburn on the tiny patch of skin around my eyes that was was not covered. I looked like a chapped ninja at work all day! And I blame you for it. I was so mad I stayed home for work the next day because I couldn’t bare for you to leave me out in the cold again.
Please, Blue Line, don’t do me this way.

Unless you’re leaving at the crack of dawn or in the middle of a storm, I think the Blue Line is the best way to get to O’Hare. Not only do you avoid cab fares and parking lot fees, the ride to there from where I live in Logan Square hardly takes any time at all.

You know what the best thing about this stop is? No gosh darn solicitors! At the Logan Square stop, it’s all shove things in your face all the time as all you’re trying to do is get down the escalator. Local churches, Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, people showing their «awesome» documentary, garage sales, lost dogs, lost cats, lost birds, lost guinea pigs (I swear that one I’m not making up), lost loves, lost hopes, lost minds. I swear people lose a lot of things around the square.
And they want to give you a flier about it.
This is especially the case during election season. At the California stop (which is closer to my old precinct than the Logan Square stop), not even on election day does anyone push flyers at you.
While the cars may be a little more crowded here than at Logan Square, it’s worth the lack of aggrevation every morning just trying to get to the train. Using the California stop this summer has been a breath of (above ground) fresh air.
I mean there are the typical problems like homeless people waiting by the stop. But it’s the same homeless person every day — and he’s friendlier than the ones at Logan Square (though he smells a little worse with his dreadlocks). Even that makes the California stop less stressful than Logan Square.
I’m lucky enough to have moved between the California and Logan Square stops; so I can take either. I actually feel sorry for people forced to choose the Logan Square stop.

Again, there was a few days of very cold weather recently. I had to ditch my ususal ride, my bike, and take CTA.
Got on at 7:40, my car had 6!!! homeless people on it, taking up the seat next to them.
Talk about big-​time stench! I was relieved every time the door opened and «fresh» air circulated in.
I would of switched cars, but it was so packed that I couldn’t move.
Some smells are easy to tune out, but this wasn’t. A cow barn smells 10x better.

This stop is OK: not great, but not bad either. I used this station for a year going to O’Hare for work. It’s pretty old and could use a few coats of paint and some general remodeling. But it’s safe and I’ve never had any problems here, day or night.
The CTA employees at the station never really do much: they don’t hassle you for sneaking a cigarette on the platform, but they never really help you if you need it, either. But I guess I haven’t met that many helpful CTA employees in my life anyway.
I can think of three awesome things about this stop: the smell in the morning from the Mexican bakery is heavenly; the actual station downstairs is awesome and very old; and the view from the O’Hare side of the platform is awesome. You can see all of downtown, plus watch the morning kick into high-​gear with buses, pedestrians, and auto traffic picking up.

So many great things in the area from this stop. The fireside (R.I.P) used to make me get off here. Then I moved in the area and have been taking since then. Also, its one of the last stops you can get on in the morning and find a seat while heading to downtown.