Ideas, Day Trips, and Fun Destinations on Metrolink
Happy holidays! Time to join together with family and friends. We’ve got everything you need to inspire memorable journeys and day-long adventures everyone will treasure.
Explore SoCal With Metrolink
Take Metrolink to explore new and familiar destinations throughout Southern California.
This season, enjoy the magic of a train ride!
Perfect day trips, just for you
The holidays are the perfect time to bring the magic of a train ride to life on Metrolink. We have delightful day trips from LA to Oceanside carefully curated for fun and adventure over the holidays.
Sharing the joy with foster families
To honor this season of fun and caring, this year we’re sharing awareness of services with Olive Crest, a non-profit that provides crucial services for the development of children and families.
METROLINK SWEEPSTAKES
Enter for a chance to win 2 FREE Metrolink tickets!
Taking Metrolink is great fun. Riding for free is even better.
Enter today for a chance to win roundtrip Metrolink tickets to any of our fabulous destinations. Uncover the wonders of SoCal, all on us!
No payment or purchase necessary to enter. See official rules for details.
Skip Traffic with Unlimited Train Rides
Leave your car, skip the weekend traffic, and ride Metrolink with the $10 Weekend Day Pass. Valid system-wide on either Saturday or Sunday.
Kids Ride Free!
Free train rides for children 17 years old and younger on Saturdays and Sundays when accompanied by a fare-paying adult.
Metrolinkable Events
Looking for a place to play this Fall?
Here are a selection of fun events that are very reachable on Metrolink.
Downtown Riverside Station
Nov. 18 – Dec. 31, 2023
The Mission Inn
The 2023 Mission Inn Festival of Lights returns this holiday season celebrating the 31st Anniversary featuring gold and red lighting displays, décor, activities, and attractions along Main Street. Enjoy millions of holiday lights at The Mission Inn Hotel and Spa along with holiday-themed decorations in the downtown area at what has become one of the nation’s most popular holiday events and lights display.
From station: From Downtown Riverside Station, take Riverside Transit
Irvine Station
Nov. 2023 – Jan. 2024
The Irvine Spectrum
Enjoy the magic of the Holidays on the rink! From November through January, come skate under the stars! The ever-popular ice-skating rink is located in Giant Wheel Court and is open daily at 2pm.
From station: From Irvine Station, take Rideshare
Fullerton Station
December 2, 2023
2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Downtown Fullerton Plaza
Wilshire Avenue between Harbor and Pomona
Come celebrate the holidays at the Fullerton Museum Center's annual Winter Market free community event. The market features holiday entertainment, craft booths, food, entertainment a beer and wine garden plus Santa!
From station: Under a quarter mile walk
Santa Ana Station
Sunday, December 3, 2023
11am – 3pm
Bowers Museum
Enjoy a full day of fun for the entire family! Each Festival includes complimentary face painting, art projects, live performances, and more!
From station: From Santa Ana Station, take OC Bus Route 83
Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo Station
December 9, 2023
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
29751 Crown Valley Parkway
The annual Laguna Niguel Holiday Parade features over 100 exciting entries including marching bands, floats, youth groups, equestrian units, exotic cars, military members, local heroes, fun attractions, and of course, Santa. Bring your own chair and scout out a spot to watch this fun annual parade.
From station: Take OC Flex
Buena Park Station
December 9, 2023
10am – 4pm
Ehlers Event Center, 8150 Knott Ave, Buena Park
Get ready for an unforgettable holiday event. Entertainment, food, games, free raffles, and the thrills of our snow slide. For the first time ever you will be able to glide the day away in our synthetic ice rink! Discover unique treasures at our Craft Faire featuring over 100 artisans, perfect for any last-minute gifts! Santa Claus will be in attendance this year to delight the children and spread holiday cheer!
From station: From Buena Park Station, take OC Bus Route 123, 29
San Juan Capistrano Station
Saturday, December 10
8:00 am – 7:00 pm
San Juan Capistrano
Los Rios District
Have fun with this interactive scavenger hunt that combines the fun of the Amazing Race with a two and a half hour sightseeing tour beginning in the Los Rios District of San Juan Capistrano. Solve clues. Complete challenges. Tour the city!
From station: The Los Rios District is across the tracks from the station
Irvine Station
December 13, 2023
Pretend City Children’s Museum
29 Hubble
Irvine, CA
Join Rabbi Sender for a joyous, educational, hands-on celebration of Hanukkah and its traditions!
From station: From Irvine Station, take OC Bus Route 90
Irvine Station
December 15, 2023
Pretend City Children’s Museum
29 Hubble
Irvine, CA
Join the Pretend City Children’s Museum on the last day of Hanukah for a joyous, family-friendly celebration. Learn to play the traditional Hanukkah game of dreidel!
From station: From Irvine Station, take OC Bus Route 90
Irvine Station
December 16, 2023
Pretend City Children’s Museum
29 Hubble
Irvine, CA
A family celebration of the Mexican festival of Las Posadas, complete with beautiful, festive poinsettias!
From station: From Irvine Station, take OC Bus Route 90
Fullerton Station
December 17, 2023
12pm – 2pm
Muckenthaler Cultural Center, 1201 W Malvern Ave, Fullerton
Celebrate the holiday season with free family-friendly activities, live music, food and drinks, art workshops for kids, and an arts and crafts sale.
From station: From Fullerton Station, take OC Bus Route 26
Santa Ana Station
December 17, 2023
11am-2pm
Santa Ana Zoo, 1801 E Chestnut Ave, Santa Ana
All-Zoo celebration with animal education activities. See the animals get "snow enrichment treats!"
From station: From Santa Ana Station, take OC Bus 59 South
Explore by Location
L.A. Union Station
Enjoy everything the City of Angels has to offer from Hollywood to Chinatown without the hassle of driving. The perfect day trip for out-of-town visitors and California natives alike.
Buena Park Station
Come visit the home of some of the coolest rollercoasters in Orange County. The Buena Park Station is the ideal launching point for a family adventure to wild rides at Knott’s Berry Farm, the trendy shops of the Source OC or some theatrical magic at Medieval Times!
Fullerton Station
Treat yourself to this vibrant university town full of one-of-kind shops, eateries, and unusual places to hang solo or with a group while taking in the historic architecture.
Anaheim Station
Home to the Disneyland® Resort and Angel Stadium, this premier destination offers world-famous theme parks and attractions and celebrated restaurants. The Anaheim Packing House is filled with many trendy eateries in one of the last remaining citrus-packing warehouses.
Orange Station
Imagine a quaint college town packed with antique markets, carefully curated and affordable vintage items, and an eclectic foodie scene. The walkable Orange Circle is full of wonderful things to discover.
Santa Ana Station
Yesterday and today blend seamlessly in this vibrant city, the county seat and heart of Orange County. Never-before-seen exhibits, world-acclaimed artists, classic architecture and an ever-changing food scene draw visitors from all over.
Tustin Station
Tustin might seem like a whistle stop between Los Angeles and Oceanside but it is the launching point for many fun weekend adventures for cyclists, explorers and vintage car enthusiasts. We’ve created three unique day trips that will let you connect with your inner explorer.
Irvine Station
Irvine welcomes you and your family with plenty of places to escape, explore and enjoy. Catch a ride on the big orange balloon at Irvine’s Great Park, then visit Irvine Spectrum Center for unique shops and restaurants. Or bring your bike on Metrolink and take a challenging cycling adventure to the coast and back!
Laguna Niguel Station
Come explore the cities of Laguna Niguel and Mission Viejo from the very same stop. The station serves as a great launching point for several weekend day trip adventures. You can bring your bike or use OC Flex for free. We’ve created three unique day trips that include shopping, dining, exploring, plus kid stuff too.
San Juan Capistrano Station
A Metrolink family favorite! Where else can you pet a llama, relax with a drink and great meal and discover California history and one-of-a-kind shops — all just steps from a picturesque train station?
San Clemente Station
Escape to the beach where you can plant your umbrella in the sand, roll out your towel and soak up the sun. It takes minutes to walk from the station to the sand. Other day trips from this station include shopping at the Outlets at San Clemente and a fun beach cruise to the pier and back.
San Clemente Pier Station
Some of California’s best stretches of wide sandy beaches are within minutes of the Metrolink station. Bring your friends, your kids and a willingness to relax and explore. Take a side trip to beautiful Casa Romantica and view the coastline from a different perspective.
Oceanside Station
This authentic beach town includes quiet beaches, a quaint New England-style harbor, historic wooden pier, plenty of craft breweries, and relaxing seaside dining. Take the day to chill-out in this southern-most destination on the Metrolink line.
Riverside Station
From grand hotels to the fascinating art museums, Downtown Riverside is filled with art, food, and historic riches. The strollable neighborhood is home to more than a dozen historic sites, including the famous Mission Inn.
How to Get There
Everything you need to know, including train schedules and tips on buying tickets and riding Metrolink trains. Easy!
