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, or visit the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, the shuttles are a great way to go.
- Operating Hours: Saturdays and Sundays from 10AM to 8PM until September 1st.
- Frequency: Every hour on the hour
- Area of operation: Downtown to Bella Terra and Downtown to Bolsa Chica State Beach. Surf City Shuttle operates two routes:
- City Loop: Explores Bella Terra, the Village at Old World, Vans Skatepark and downtown HB. You can also connect to OCTA at Goldenwest Transportation Center at Center and Gothard.
- Coastal Loop: Travel and explore the coastline from downtown HB to Sunset Beach.
- Is There an App for That: RideSystems app for iPhones and RideSystems app for Android phones.
Download the free shuttle brochure and map.
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
- 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.
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: Short Coastal Trolley, Long Coastal Trolley, and Canyon Trolley, as well as the Neighborhood Trolley.
Neighborhood Trolley (Routes 1-5)
- Operating Hours: Variable. Check the individual routes to be sure. When it doubt, app it out!
- Frequency: Starting on June 17, 2019, the NT runs every 40 minutes
- Area of operation: From the Transit Depot to five distinct neighborhoods (see below).
- Is There an App for That: Download the Visit Laguna Beach app and hit the Trolley/Bus Tracker for the most up-to-date information.
- Route 1 – North Laguna/Canyon Road (M-F 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Sat. 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.)
- Route 2 – South Laguna/Ritz Carlton (M-F 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Sat. 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.)
- Route 3 – Transit Depot through the Top of the World neighborhood (M-Th: 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fri: 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., Sat: 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., Sun: 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.)
- Route 4 – Transit Depot through the Bluebird Canyon neighborhood (M-Th: 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fri: 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., Sat: 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., Sun: 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.)
- Route 5 – Transit Depot through the Arch Beach Heights neighborhood (M-Th: 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fri: 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., Sat: 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., Sun: 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.)
Short Coastal Trolley (Route 6)
- Operating Hours: Daily, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
- Frequency: Starting on June 17, 2019, the SCT runs every 30-45 minutes (depending on traffic)
- Area of operation: North side of Laguna Beach to 7th Avenue/Mission Hospital campus in Laguna Beach, making all stops along PCH.
- Is There an App for That: Download the Visit Laguna Beach app and hit the Trolley/Bus Tracker for the most up-to-date information.
Long Coastal Trolley (Route 7)
- Operating Hours: Daily, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
- Frequency: Starting on June 17, 2019, the LCT runs every 40 minutes
- Area of operation: From the Transit Depot in downtown Laguna Beach along the highway to the Ritz-Carlton in Laguna Niguel.
- Is There an App for That: Download the Visit Laguna Beach app and hit the Trolley/Bus Tracker for the most up-to-date information.
Canyon Trolley (Route 8)
- Operating Hours: Daily, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
- Frequency: Starting on June 17, 2019, the CT runs every 40 minutes
- Area of operation: From the Transit Depot in downtown Laguna Beach to ACT V on Laguna Canyon Road. Weekends gets riders to LCAD.
- Is There an App for That: Download the Visit Laguna Beach app and hit the Trolley/Bus Tracker for the most up-to-date information.
Questions? You can call Laguna Transit for any extra information you need at (949) 497-0766.
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 all 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.
RanchRide is a charter service of ADA-compliant vehicles for the use of Rancho residents. Download the schedule here.
- Operating Hours: 3:30 to 9:30 p.m.
- 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 to September: Fri.: 5-9 p.m., Sat.: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., and Sun.: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- 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: No
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.
The Dana Point Trolley runs throughout town, focusing on shopping and beach access.
- Operating Hours: Sun-Th: 12 p.m. – 9 p.m., Fri: 12 p.m. – 10 p.m., Sat.: 10 a.m. – 10 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 here.
The Harbor Shuttle service is dedicated to the harbor areas and has separate service times.
- Operating Hours: Sun-Th: 12 p.m. – 9 p.m., Fri: 12 p.m. – 10 p.m., Sat.: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Frequency: Roughly every 15 minutes
- Area of operation: Dana Point Harbor, Marina Shopping area, Ocean Institute, Catalina Express
- 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 26th to September 4th, Thu: 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Fri: 12 p.m. – 10 p.m., Sat: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sun: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Frequency: Roughly every 15 minutes
- Area of operation: San Clemente
- Is There an App for That: Follow the trolleys in real time here.
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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.
