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 Orange County summertime (and winter) 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:
- Monday-Thursday: 12PM – 9PM
- Friday-Saturday: 10AM – 10PM
- Sunday: 10PM – 9PM
- Cost: $2 per person, 4th and 5th person rides free!
- 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
Download the Laguna Beach Trolley app for the most up-to-date information.
Laguna Beach Local (Year Round)
The City offers a free, on-demand, shared-ride transit service called Laguna Local between residential neighborhoods and major activity centers within the City.
- To get started, download the TransLoc app and search for “Laguna Beach Local”
- Rides can also be booked by calling Transit dispatch at (949) 497-0766 during operating hours or by visiting http://ondemand.transloc.com/ on your home computer
- View our user guide here.
- Operation Hours
- Effective Sept. 6, service hours will be:
- Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Friday: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Saturday: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Sunday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Effective June 30, 2023, summer hours will be:
- Monday-Thursday: 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Friday/Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
- Sunday: 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Effective Sept. 6, service hours will be:
Summer Season Routes (June 30, 2023- Labor Day)
Canyon Trolley
- Operating Hours: Daily, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., 7 days a week
- 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.
Coastal Trolley
- Operating Hours: Daily, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., 7 days a week
- Frequency: Runs every 20-40 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
Summer Breeze Trolley (Summer Only)
- Operating Hours:
- Fridays: noon to 11:30 p.m.
- Saturday/Sunday: 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 in Irvine (16355 Laguna Canyon Road) to art festivals and downtown.
Download the Laguna Beach Trolley app for the most up-to-date information
Non-Summer Season Routes
Non-Summer Coastal Route
Free trolley service on Coast Highway between North Laguna/ Heisler Park, downtown, South Laguna/ Mission Hospital and Ritz Carlton in Dana Point.
- Operating Hours:
- Monday-Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Frequency: Every 20-30 minutes.
Non-Summer Canyon Route (Act V Shuttle)
- Operating Hours: Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- 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!
Download the Laguna Beach Trolley app for the most up-to-date information
Laguna Beach Winter Express (Nov. 19, 2022 – Dec 18, 2022)
Take the Winter Express trolley this holiday season to Laguna Beach! Start your trip at a free peripheral parking lot at UMass Global (formerly Brandman University) in Irvine (16355 Laguna Canyon Road) and ride a festive trolley to the Sawdust Winter Fantasy and downtown. Click Here for Schedule
Saturdays/Sundays: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Also operates Friday, Nov. 25 and Friday, Dec. 16.
Frequency: Every 30 minutes, with departures from Irvine and downtown Laguna Beach at :00 and :30 each hour.
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., and Crown Valley Mall.
- Thursday: 12PM – 8PM
- Friday & Saturday: 9AM – 10PM
- Sunday: 9AM – 9PM
- Holidays (5/29, 7/4, 9/4): 9AM – 9PM
Laguna Niguel Summer Trolley Route Map
Mission Viejo
The MV Shuttle connects people all over Mission Viejo. Destinations include The Shops at Mission Viejo, Mission Hospital, Saddleback College, Capistrano Valley High School, Norman P. Murray Community Center, City Hall/Library, YMCA/Marguerite Aquatics/Tennis Pavilion, and other locations.
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 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. M-F, mid-August to June 1
- 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 4-10 p.m.
- Operating Hours: June 2 to September 4, 2023
- Friday: 5-9 p.m.
- Saturday: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- Sunday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Holiday Service: June 30 – July 4, 11AM – 10PM; Sept 4 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
The Summer 2023 trolley route will feature North and South Loops to provide the best Dana Point Trolley service to the community and continue to operate as a regional hub to South Orange County coastal cities. There are numerous connections points between the North and South loops to easily transfer in between routes to provide efficient service to trolley passengers.
The Dana Point Trolley connects with neighboring cities in Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel, San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente.
The Dana Point Trolley runs throughout town, focusing on shopping and beach access.
Summer Trolley Service runs May 26 through September 4, 2023.
- Operating Hours:
- Monday-Thursday: 12 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- Friday: 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.
- Saturday: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Sunday: 11 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
- Holidays: 5/29, 7/4 & 9/4 – 10 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
- 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 at DPTrolley.com
San Clemente
The San Clemente Trolley is a free public transportation ride service. The trolley line stops include the San Clemente State Beach, San Clemente Pier, Outlets at San Clemente, San Clemente Senior Center near Del Mar and stops along El Camino Real and Camino Capistrano.
2023 San Clemente Trolley Schedule
| Start | End | Trolley Line | Days of Operation |
| January 1 | December 31 | Red Line | Saturday, Sunday |
| May 26 | October 1 | Red & Blue Line | Daily |
| March 11 | May 21 | Green Line | Saturday, Sunday |
- Operating Hours:
- Monday-Friday: 12 noon – 10 pm
- Saturdays: 10 am – 10 pm
- Sundays: 10 am – 8 pm
- Holiday Service:
- Memorial Day: 10 am – 8 pm
- 4th of July: 11 am – 11 pm
- Labor Day: 10 am – 8 pm
- Frequency: Roughly every 15 minutes
- Area of operation: San Clemente
- Is There an App for That: Follow the trolleys in real time at SCTrolley.com
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.