Each March, tiny cliff swallows return to beautiful San Juan Capistrano from their winter home in Argentina. To honor this tradition, the city holds an annual celebration. This year, the 58th Annual Swallows’ Day Parade and Mercado will be held on Saturday, March 12.
The best way to get San Juan Capistrano is by Metrolink train, and with a little help from OCTA, you can ride for free. Join us for a kickoff celebration on Saturday, March 12, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the Anaheim-ARTIC Metrolink Station. Arrive early and be one of the first 50 visitors and receive a free roundtrip Metrolink ticket to San Juan Capistrano. Bring a non-perishable food donation to play Plinko and win prizes. The train for San Juan Capistrano departs Anaheim at 9:31 a.m.
For train information and schedules, click here.
The parade begins at 11 a.m., but plan to arrive early to avoid the street closures that start at 10 a.m. Hours for the Mercado Street Faire are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
All the events are within easy walking distance of the Metrolink station and many businesses offer discounts to train riders.
San Juan Capistrano is a favorite destination among Metrolink riders. It has a something for everyone – a petting zoo for the little ones, an historic mission, great food and shopping, and easy walkability. On weekends, you can save with a $10 Weekend Day Pass, valid system-wide for multiple trips on Saturday or Sunday.
Children 5 and under ride free (three children can ride free with an adult who is using a valid ticket; each additional child pays a discounted youth fare). Students of all ages and riders 6 to 18 and younger can receive a 25 percent discount on one-way and round-trip tickets and 7-day and monthly passes.