A weekend Metrolink journey is a great way to shake off the work week and leave traffic and parking hassles behind. It’s surprisingly affordable, too. The Metrolink Weekend Day Pass is only $10 and provides unlimited system-wide travel all day either Saturday or Sunday.
Make it a family affair with discounted rates for children and students. 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.
Orange County has 11 stations between Los Angeles and Oceanside, so there’s sure to be one nearby. From Oceanside (great beach and long wooden pier) in the south to Los Angeles (museums, Hollywood, Pasadena) in the north, amazing places are waiting for you, and some offer a discount. Need a few ideas? Try a Disneyland day with no parking fee, or a family-friendly trip to San Juan Capistrano to visit the mission and the petting zoo. Visiting Anaheim? The beach at San Clemente is closer than you think.