Public transportation in LA was about $1.25. However, I seldom made use of this. Transportation to Marina Del Ray, where my research actually took place was by the University of Southern California transportation services. A shuttle was available at no cost each morning  and each afternoon to help me move to and from Marina Del Ray. This was a daily routine where I left my apartment sometimes as early as 8:00 in the morning and was back no earlier than 5:30 in the evening. Marina Del Ray was quite far, but the free shuttle was helpful in swallowing the cost of any other transportation means. 

Weekends were very different. I did not work these two days. I visited LA streets and several restaurants, I watched movies at home. I met people either through my room mates or in places I visited.