Travelling t o santa moniCA AND LAGUNA BEACH on public transport (San Diego: buses, pollution)

[Londonteacher]

Does anyone know if you can get a train from union station to santa monica or venice beach from union station? I have checked metro and it seems not but i just find that rather amazing in such a big city- to not offer that route?

I am also wondering if you can train it to laguna beach from LA?

I have researched it and perhpas the fact nothing is coming up means you cannot. No wonder the US creates so much pollution if people are forced into their cars.

[1200RT]

i believe you can take the SurfLiner (amtrack) from Union Station to Laguna Niguel ... santa monica is probably best accessed by bus.

[BRinSM]

i mentioned the santa monica big blue bus in another post you started. go to www.bigbluebus.com and look for line 10, it's an express bus between union station and santa monica. venice is only a mile or so south of the santa monica pier, so it is walkable. as for laguna beach, i'd imagine there is a way, but i would think that it would be way too difficult and time consuming to attempt.

[Londonteacher]

thanks guys-that is useful. will check out big blue bus.

[bouncethelight]

Google Maps has a wonderful feature - go to Google Maps and enter your starting point and destination, and then select the public transportation icon, and the time of day you want to travel, and it will give you lots of options.

I used it when I was in Chicago for the weekend, and it's great!

[uptown_urbanist]

There are express buses to Santa Monica, too. They aren't as fast as the Big Blue Buses, but if you don't mind a more leisurely ride (or want to get on and off; there are a lot of interesting stops along the way) it's not too bad. For visitors it's a nice way to see the city. In all of these cases, it might not be train (yet) but the buses run constantly.

I haven't been to Laguna Beach, but as mentioned, Amtrak runs regularly down that route, as does the Metrolink line that goes to Oceanside. I'm not sure where the nearest station to Laguna Beach will be (maybe the Laguna Beach tourism people could help, or perhaps ask in the Orange County forum?), but presumably there are buses timed to meet the trains that head to Laguna Beach. Or stay on the train another stop and just get off in San Clemente for a different beach town experience (or better yet, stay on the train towards San Diego; once it hits San Clemente it runs right along the beach -- it's a great ride.)

[ADalton]

If you want to take the Surfliner you need reservations ahead of time.

[Mr. Fantastic]

There is no "Laguna Beach Station", but there is actually a Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo station. It's located close to where the 5 "bends" between the two cities. It's called the OC line, and it will take you all the way to LA and back. Check the schedule to find out when it leaves to fit your own schedule:
Metrolink :: Schedules

There are buses from Union Station that take you to Santa Monica. I'm not sure about Venice though, as I've never "seen" one, but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

[bouncethelight]

Originally Posted by Mr. Fantastic

There is no "Laguna Beach Station", but there is actually a Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo station. It's located close to where the 5 "bends" between the two cities. It's called the OC line, and it will take you all the way to LA and back. Check the schedule to find out when it leaves to fit your own schedule:
Metrolink :: Schedules

I think everyone should take the Metrolink OC line from Oceanside at least once - it's such a pretty ride - and so different than you can see if you go by car. Absolutely one of my favorite train rides! Just make sure you sit by a window on the side of the train facing west!