Several Orange County cities make it easy for you to get around without worrying about traffic and parking with free shuttle or trolley service.
We’ve researched all the services, the routes, and operating times for you, so keep reading for the best tips and tricks to make the most out of your southern Orange County summertime destinations.
Your summer is about to get a whole lot easier!
South Orange County’s Summer Trolley Services – Free!
Huntington Beach
Laid-back Huntington Beach, voted Best California Beach by USA Today in 2018, is also home to events like the US Open of Surfing, the OC Yoga Festival, and more!
If you’re looking to get around Surf City USA to shop, surf, nosh at one of the many excellent local restaurants, the Circuit shuttles are a great way to go.
- Operating Hours: Tuesday & Wednesday 5PM – 10PM, Thursday 4PM – 10PM, Friday 1PM – 10PM, Saturday 12PM – 10PM, and Sunday 12PM – 9PM
- Area of operation: Services primarily the downtown area including Main Street, the Huntington Beach Pier, Pacific City, and the immediate surrounding area. Circuit covers the following routes:
- City Loop: Covers the general area between PCH and Adams
- Coastal Loop: Explore the coastline from Goldenwest Blvd to Beach Blvd
- Is There an App for That: RideSystems app for iPhones and RideSystems app for Android phones
Newport Beach
Newport Beach is home to Mariner’s Mile, awesome shopping, and surfing. The Balboa Peninsula Trolley will help you navigate this amazing beach city in comfort and style.
- Operating Hours: Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. through Labor Day
- Holiday Operations: Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day (September 5)
- Frequency: Every 15 minutes
- Area of operation: Avon Street Parking Lot to Balboa Pier, with 22 stops along the way
- Is There an App for That: There isn’t one for the trolley service, but the ParkMobile app will help you snag free parking at the Avon Street Lot, and save you from having to run back to feed the meter everywhere else. Be sure to enter the code “trolley19.”
Questions? Call the City at (949) 644-3311 M-F, or on weekends and holidays call the trolley operator at (562) 888-2497.
Balboa Peninsula Trolley Route Map
Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach is a lovely seaside artists’ paradise with seven miles of coves and beaches, making it a perfect day trip for fun and adventure.
Laguna Beach’s comprehensive free transit service has several routes: Coastal Trolley, Act V Shuttle, Canyon Route, Summer Breeze, as well as the Neighborhood Shuttle.
Laguna Beach Trolley Route Map
NEW Beach Trolley
- Operation Hours: June 10 – August 21, Daily 10AM – 1PM and 3PM – 6PM
- Frequency: Every 45 minutes
- Area of Operation: Can be flagged down in residential neighborhoods in North Laguna, Top of the World, Bluebird Canyon, and Arch Beach Heights, with stops along Coast Highway
- North Laguna and Top of the World Route Map
- Arch Beach Heights and Bluebird Canyon Route Map
Neighborhood Trolley (Routes 1-5)
- Operating Hours: M-TH: 8AM to 6PM, Fri: 8AM – 10PM, Sat: 8AM – 10PM (runs until 11:30 on Fri & Sat during summer months)
- Frequency: On demand service
- Area of operation: From the Transit Depot to five distinct neighborhoods (see below)
- Is There an App for That: Download the Laguna Beach Trolleys App for up to date information and to schedule trolley service
Coastal Trolley
- Operating Hours:
- Monday – Thursday 6:30AM – 6PM
- Friday 6:30AM – 10PM
- Saturday 10AM – 10PM
- Sunday 10AM – 7PM
- Frequency: Runs every 20-30 minutes (depending on traffic)
- Area of operation: Services Coast Highway between North Laguna/ Heisler Park, downtown, South Laguna/ Mission Hospital and Ritz Carlton in Dana Point
- Is There an App for That: Download the Laguna Beach Trolley app for the most up-to-date information
Act V Shuttle
- Operating Hours: Saturday 8AM – 8PM, Sunday 8AM – 7PM
- Area of operation: Park for free at Lot 16 (Act V – 1900 Laguna Canyon Road) and ride a free trolley to downtown every Saturday and Sunday!
- Is There an App for That: Download the Laguna Beach Trolley app for the most up-to-date information
Canyon Trolley (Summer Only)
- Operating Hours: June through Labor Day – Daily, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
- Frequency: Every 20 Minutes
- Area of operation: Service on Laguna Canyon Road and Act V peripheral parking lots to summer art festivals and downtown. Weekends gets riders to LCAD.
- Is There an App for That: Download the Laguna Beach Trolley app for the most up-to-date information
Summer Breeze (Summer Only)
- Operating Hours: June through Labor Day – Fridays: 4PM – 11:30PM and Saturdays & Sundays: 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
- Frequency: Every 30 Minutes
- Area of operation: Service on Laguna Canyon Road from free peripheral parking lot at UMass Global (Brandman University) in Irvine to art festivals and downtown.
- Is There an App for That: Download the Laguna Beach Trolley app for the most up-to-date information
Questions? You can call Laguna Transit for any extra information you need at (949) 497-0766.
Laguna Niguel
The City of Laguna Niguel has announced a new free summer trolley beginning May 2022 through September 5, 2022. The trolley will take riders from City Hall and the YMCA to various locations along Pacific Coast Highway all summer long, including Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point. The free trolley service will be available Thursdays through Sundays and runs every 20 minutes. Trolley stops at Crown Valley Park, Library/Civic Center, Ritz Carlton Drive, PCH and Niguel Rd.
- Thursday: 9AM – 9PM
- Friday & Saturday: 10AM – 10PM
- Sunday: 11AM – 9PM
- Holidays (5/30, 7/4, 9/5): 9AM – 9PM
Laguna Niguel Summer Trolley Route Map
Rancho Mission Viejo
A beautiful community nestled on a 23,000-acre ranch between the Cleveland National Forest and San Juan Capistrano, Rancho Mission Viejo has it all… and just 5 miles from the beach.
Rancho Mission Viejo honors its history and builds its community by facilitating activities all around the community. In addition to resident-only activities, the Rancho has a public farmers’ market and the annual Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo.
The MV Shuttle connects people all over Mission Viejo. Destinations include The Shops, Saddleback College, Mission Hospital, Mission Viejo High School, Capistrano Valley High School, Norman P. Murray Community Center, and more. Shuttles run daily from 6:30AM to 7PM Monday through Friday from August through June. Download the app, schedule, and route maps here.
RanchRide is a charter service of ADA-compliant vehicles for the use of Rancho residents. Download the schedule here.
- Operating Hours: 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. M-F
- Frequency: roughly every 30 minutes
- Area of operation: San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point, and San Clemente
- Is There an App for That: Nope, but you can charter a RanchRide
San Juan Capistrano
Beautiful San Juan Capistrano is a community that’s as unique today as it was when it was started 220 years ago. The biggest attraction in the area, of course, is the beautifully preserved Mission San Juan Capistrano, whose incredible flower gardens and ornate Catholic chapel are definitely a must-see destination.
If you want to roam the city and not worry about parking, the free shuttle is the way to go. Additional special event trolley service will also be available for San Juan Summer Nites Concerts from 4-9 p.m.
- Operating Hours: June 3 to September 5: Fri.: 5-9 p.m., Sat.: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., and Sun.: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Holiday Service: July 1-4, 11AM – 10PM; Sept 5 11AM – 10PM
- Frequency: Every 20 minutes
- Area of operation: A continuous loop from downtown San Juan Capistrano (La Zanja Street northern terminus) to a Dana Point trolley connection stop at Stonehill Drive and Del Obispo Street
- Is There an App for That: “Ride Systems” trolley tracker app
San Juan Capistrano Trolley Route Map
Dana Point
Beautiful, scenic Dana Point has everything… beaches, whale watching, and more. It runs two trolley lines for visitors’ convenience that are equipped with surfboard racks, so you can hang ten without worrying about where you parked. Summer Trolley Service runs May 27 through September 5.
The Dana Point Trolley runs throughout town, focusing on shopping and beach access.
- Operating Hours: Summer service – Mon-Th: 12 p.m. – 9 p.m., Fri: 12 p.m. – 10 p.m., Sat.: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sun: 11 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
- Holidays: July 4th & Labor Day: 10AM – 8:30PM
- Frequency: Roughly every 15 minutes
- Area of operation: Dana Point
- Is There an App for That: Search Dana Point Trolley on the Google Play store, or track the trolley here
San Clemente
San Clemente’s Red and Blue Lines cover the city by the sea with comprehensive north and southbound routes. Sightsee away!
- Operating Hours: May 27th to September 25th, Monday through Friday: 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Sat: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sun: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Holiday Service: 4th of July 11AM – 11PM, Labor Day 10AM – 8PM
- Frequency: Roughly every 15 minutes
- Area of operation: San Clemente
- Is There an App for That: Follow the trolleys in real time here
Disneyland Resort
Guests with valid admission to Disneyland Park have access to the Disneyland Monorail for transportation from the Downtown Disney District Monorail Station to Tomorrowland. The Monorail is a high-speed transportation system that rides the rails above the Disney crowd.
- Free for guests withy valid Disney admission
- Runs Daily 8AM – 7PM
- 2.5 miles, 13-minutes round trip
- Two monorail stations: Tomorrowland above Finding Nemo, and Downtown Disney
- Runs approximately every 10 minutes
Other free transportation at Disneyland includes free trams from the Mickey & Friends parking structure to Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure, and free bus transportation to and from the Toy Story Parking area, Disneyland, and California Adventure.
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Kelly Smith is a freelance writer living in Southern California with one dog, two cats, two guinea pigs… and the rest of her family. She writes about Orange County, faith, family, special needs and tea, and world-builds science fiction universes on the side. Find her at www.bluerosecopywriting.com.