Ride Metrolink Free* to the Festival of Whales
The Festival of Whales is coming to Dana Point March 1, 2, 8 and 9. Rain or shine, the event will feature contests, exhibits, whale watching and more. Start the fun with OCTA at the Orange Station this Saturday, Mar. 1 at 9 a.m. The first 50 guests can ride Metrolink to the festival for FREE! Stop by and enjoy:
- Free round-trip Metrolink tickets (limited quantity)
- Free food courtesy of Ruby’s Diner
- Live music performed by Headshine
- A prize wheel for visitors who bring a food donation**
Don’t Worry About the Rain
Ruby’s Diner and the Streamliner Lounge have agreed to let us take our event indoors if it’s too stormy outside – music, food, prizes and all!
Metrolink Is Your Ticket to Savings at the Festival of Whales!
The California Gray Whales are heading south to Mexico on their annual migration. Celebrate this amazing natural spectacle at the 43rd Annual Festival of Whales in Dana Point on two consecutive weekends, March 1 and 2, and March 8 and 9, 2014. This year, Metrolink has more special offers than ever to help you enjoy your visit. Count on Metrolink to get you to the festival for less, and to help you save on whale watching excursions, overnight hotel stays and more. Take a FREE shuttle service to all event locations—there’s something for everyone! For a list of events, visit www.festivalofwhales.com.
FREE Metrolink Tickets and Other Prizes!
Join us for a pre-festival celebration at the Orange Metrolink Station on Saturday, March 1, starting at 9:00 a.m. Come early ‒ the first 50 people receive a free Metrolink ticket to the festival! Enjoy free food sponsored by Ruby’s Diner and Streamliner Lounge and hear live music by Headshine. Bring a non-perishable donation for Second Harvest Food Bank and spin the wheel for free prizes. The train 859 for San Juan Capistrano departs at 10:08 a.m.
The Orange Metrolink Station is located at 194 N. Atchison Street, Orange, CA 92866. Parking is free.
Save With a $10 Weekend Day Pass
OCTA and Metrolink can help you get to the festival of Whales and get great deals too! Buy a Weekend Pass for just $10. The pass is valid for systemwide travel all day Saturday or Sunday. Get your Weekend Pass at any Metrolink station ticket vending machine.
Metrolink makes it easy to get to the Festival of Whales. Ride Metrolink to San Juan Capistrano Metrolink station, then take OCTA Bus Route 91 South to Dana Point and you’re there!
On March 1, specially marked Festival of Whales shuttles will offer free rides from OCTA bus stop #7055 off Camino Capistrano and Ortega directly to the parade viewing area. These shuttles will be available to meet the 859 train arriving at 10:40 a.m. only. These shuttles will not provide return transportation to this bus stop or to the San Juan Capistrano station. Passengers will need to board an OCTA bus for return to the San Juan Capistrano Metrolink station.
You can also bring your bike and take the San Juan Creek bike trail for three miles to Dana Point and the festival.
Inland Empire-Orange County Line & Bus Schedule
For Metrolink passengers coming from San Bernardino, Riverside-Downown and La Sierra, North Main and West Corona, Anaheim Hills, Orange, Santa Ana, Tustin, Irvine and Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo:
Board Metrolink Train 859 on the IEOC Line at the station nearest you
Train arrives San Juan Capistrano at 10:40 a.m.
From the station, walk to bus stop #7055 off Camino Capistrano and Ortega
At 11:17 a.m., board Bus Route 91 South to Dana Point
Exit the bus stop at #1518 off Pacific Coast Highway and Dana Point Drive in Dana Point at approximately 11:30 a.m.
Walk down Dana Point Harbor Drive to the festival
Or you can enter Doheny State Park (directional sign at bus stop), walk along the green barrier fence, then proceed to marked Festival of Whales shuttle stop. Ride the shuttle free to all event locations.
Orange County Line & Bus Schedule
For Metrolink passengers coming from Oceanside or San Clemente:
Board Metrolink Train 661 or 665 on the OC Line at the station nearest you
Exit at San Juan Capistrano station
Follow directions above for the rest of the trip
For Metrolink passengers coming from L.A. Union Station, Norwalk/Santa Fe Springs, Buena Park, Fullerton, Anaheim, Orange, Santa Ana, Tustin, Irvine and Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo:
Take train 660 or 662 on the OC Line at the station nearest you
Exit at San Juan Capistrano station
Follow directions above for the rest of the trip
Returning Home Is Easy
Walk to bus stop #1501 off Pacific Coast Highway and Del Obispo in Dana Point.
At 3:57 p.m., board Bus Route 91 North (towards Laguna Hills).
Exit the bus at stop #7042 off Camino Capistrano and Ortega in San Juan Capistrano at approximately 4:11 p.m.
Walk to the train station across the street.
Take Metrolink Train 860 on the OC Line at 5:03 p.m. to stations north.
