Octa's transportation blog

Summer is Easy When You Take the Train to the Trolley

During the summer, Orange County’s popular beach communities are packed with intriguing possibilities, but they also can be full of traffic and parking hassles. Trolleys in San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point, and San Clemente are making it easier to connect with the fun when your journey starts with Metrolink.

Partially funded through Measure M, Orange County’s half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements, these trolleys are free to ride and make it simple for visitors and residents to enjoy summer weekends.

New this year, the San Juan Capistrano trolley runs Friday through Sunday in a 20-minute loop that stops at popular spots like the Mission and Los Rios Plaza and also connects with the Dana Point trolley. After a successful launch last year, the Dana Point trolley is back again with daily service along the Pacific Coast Highway, the Lantern District, Strand Beach, Doheny State Beach, and other locations.

The San Clemente trolley, also new this year, is doing a brisk business transporting happy travelers to great destinations like the San Clemente Pier and the Outlets at San Clemente.

Both the San Capistrano and San Clemente trolleys stop at their respective Metrolink stations, making it simple for those who journey by train to extend their trips without a car and enjoy more of what Orange County has to offer.

Our Metrolink Weekends website has everything you need to plan your train journey, including ideas for great destinations from Oceanside to Los Angeles, itineraries for the perfect day trip, discounts and a chance to win a weekend getaway.