Ideas, Day Trips, and Fun Destinations on Metrolink
Fall is here! Time for a Daycation on Metrolink. This site is a treasure trove of ideas on places to explore and day-long outdoor adventures to enjoy.
Explore SoCal With Metrolink
Take Metrolink to explore new and familiar destinations throughout Southern California.
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.
Santa Ana Station
Oct. 7-31, 2023
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Discovery Cube OC, 2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana
Discovery Cube Orange County proudly presents the return of the highly anticipated Pumpkin Palooza for its second year! This year promises to be even more ghoulishly delightful and captivating for visitors of all ages with an interactive dance party, bumper cars, spellbinding science activities, trick-or-treating and so much more.
From station: Take OC Bus Route 83 North
Santa Ana Station
October 8th
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
Irvine Station
Saturday, October 14, 2023
10am-6pm
Orange County Great Park
8000 Great Park Blvd., Irvine
Orange County's premier multicultural event, the Irvine Global Village Festival, returns to the Great Park this year for a full day of food, art, music, and a celebration of Irvine's diverse community. Join us as we celebrate 22 years of fun. The annual festival incorporates the best of Irvine’s historic fall festivals and includes kids' activities, local and global cuisine, a global marketplace, music, art, and exhibits. For more information, visit irvinefestival.org.
From station: From Irvine Station, take OC Bus Route 90
Downtown Riverside Station
Saturday, October 21, 2023
11am-7pm
North Park, 3200 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside
Traditional Halloween Fun for All Ages! 60+ Halloween Vendors, Food Vendors, Kid Entertainers and Live Bands.
From station: Within walking distance from Downtown Riverside Station
Irvine Station
October 28, 2023
Pretend City Children’s Museum
29 Hubble, Irvine
Experience the vibrant traditions and rich cultural heritage of Día de los Muertos as we host a special event tailored for children and families. This enchanting celebration is all about honoring and remembering our loved ones in a joyful and meaningful way.
From station: From Irvine Station, take OC Bus Route 90
Santa Ana Station
November 4, 2023
11am-3pm
The Bowers Kidseum
Join us for the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity’s signature Drop In and Draw series held at Kidseum. Watch a selection of cartoons and learn how to draw a Looney Tunes character - a different one every session - taught by our skilled teaching artists. Or doodle or draw to express your own creativity. For all ages (children must be accompanied by an adult). No pre-registration is required.
From station: From Santa Ana Station, take OC Bus 83 North
Santa Ana Station
November 4, 2023
10am – 5pm
Downtown Santa Ana
The streets will be alive with culture, tradition, and beautiful tributes to loved ones. Join us and celebrate Dia de los Muertos with Viva La Vida!
From station: From Santa Ana Station, take OC Bus Route 64
Santa Ana Station
Sunday, November 5, 2023
11 am-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
San Clemente North Station
November 2023
12pm
Outlets of San Clemente
101 W Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente
Let's Light the Tallest Tree in OC! Join us at Outlets at San Clemente for a special Tree Lighting Celebration.
From station: From San Clemente North Station, take San Clemente trolley or Rideshare
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
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
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
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!
