Laguna Beach boasts that
it is the only city in Orange County California with its own
public transit system. Itt's the kind of distinction you can hang
your hat on, especially seeing how easy it makes visiting for
tourists. Crowds can be the number one factor to drive
guests (and even locals) away from a city, its dining and shops,
especially during the busy summer months.
Laguna Beach, however, got it
right. The free shuttle runs during day and night in the summer.
We've found it pretty user-friendly with only one exception.
During a Thursday night ArtWalk, we got stuck on the south end
of town at the galleries there, when the bus didn't show up as
expected. No big deal. We just had to walk a ways...though it's
never over a mile or two at most.
Visiting Laguna
Beach can be fun, just for the bus system alone. On last
visit I actually stayed on the free shuttle canyon route to see
the long term parking lot location. One a nice day with
the open windows and breeze, the ride on the shuttle is a relief
after walking. But for walkers, Laguna Beach is ideal. You
can walk from your hotel to most anything in town. It's very
convenient, making Laguna a great place to stay.
The Summer Shuttle Service is free, and caters primarily to
vacationers and out-of-towners coming for the Pageant of
the Masters, Sawdust Festival and Art-A-Fair. Beginning in
late June through the end of August, shuttle routes operate
seven days a week from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
The Canyon Route services Laguna Canyon Road to the Bus Depot at
375 Broadway with stops at the Pageant of the Masters,
Art-A-Fair, and Sawdust Festival. It runs every 20 minutes.
The North Route services North Coast Highway from Viejo Street
to Cliff Drive along Heisler Park to the Bus Depot on Broadway
while the South Route – Aliso Creek services South Coast Highway
from Aliso Creek Inn, just south of Montage Resort, to the Bus
Depot on Broadway, running every 30 minutes.
The majority of the meters in Laguna Beach have two hour limits
and charge $0.25 for each 15 minutes.
Laguna Beach beaches map> > >
