With open air seating, a sea breeze and surfboard racks, this trolley in Dana Point is more than a free ride, it’s a part of the summer experience.
This summer, six Orange County cities from Laguna Beach to San Clemente, have again launched their free trolleys to shuttle residents to beaches, popular shopping and dining areas and community events.
The Dana Point trolley serves more than 80,000 people each summer and connects to four other neighboring cities’ trolley routes. Summer trolleys can also be found in Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel, Newport Beach on the Balboa Peninsula, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano.
You can use the network of trolleys to get between several coastal South Orange County cities without needing a car.
Dana Point City Manager Mike Killebrew said he makes use of the city’s transportation service at least twice a week, and is even licensed to drive the trolleys for special events.
The trolleys help reduce traffic and parking congestion by simply getting people out of cars, Killebrew said. They also provide chances for tourists to explore the city and for local residents to get around town during the popular season.
One recent rider, Lena Karlsmyr, who was visiting from Sweden, hopped aboard with her three granddaughters. Stopping for lunch at a local restaurant, she said it was the perfect activity for the day.
Local middle and high school students, who can’t yet drive, also use the trolley to get around in the summer. Some load their surfboards into racks on the back to head to Dana Point’s famous surf spots on the route.
One local high school student said he rides the trolley three times a week from his home to Salt Creek Beach to surf with his friends. Usually, he straps his surfboard to the back of the trolley, but recently, he has been bringing his blue-and-white-checkered Boogie Board onboard with him.
Visitors such as Flor Reyes also use the shuttles to get around the beaches. Reyes drives in from Riverside on the weekends, parks and then rides the trolley. This past week, she rode the whole route with her sister and four friends, she said.
Reyes appreciates the sightseeing on the trolleys, and said she can “actually look around” because she’s not focused on driving. The atmosphere of the trolley, with its music, open windows and sea breeze sparks a connection among riders, she said.
“On a bus, everyone is doing their own thing. But people on the trolley are open to having a conversation,” she said.” You get to meet a lot of people from all over.”
This year, Dana Point added four new stops to serve additional areas, going past Sunset Park to reach more neighborhoods. And, Killebrew said the news stops are now some of the busiest, bringing more residents into the city center.
Rosa Andrade takes a trolley ride for fun in Dana Point during her day off on Monday, June 30, 2025. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG) The Dana Point Trolley zips around town on Monday, June 30, 2025, offering tourists and residents free service throughout the summer. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG) Trolley driver Ellen Nguyen drives through Dana Point, taking tourists and locals through town on her 18-stop North Route on Monday, June 30, 2025. The summer service is free. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG) A trolley stop in Dana Point on Monday, June 30, 2025 where the city offers free summer service. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG) Dana Point Trolley driver Ellen Nguyen hands out toy trollies on Monday, June 30, 2025, to kids on her North Route, which has 18 stops around town. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG) Show Caption1 of 5Rosa Andrade takes a trolley ride for fun in Dana Point during her day off on Monday, June 30, 2025. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG) ExpandThe city also introduced a new app, Passio Go, which riders can use to track the trolleys.
The cities’ trolleys are mostly funded by the Orange County Transportation Authority, which supports local community-based transportation projects with grants. Last year, the OCTA recorded more than 400,000 boardings throughout the summer on all the summer routes.
“It’s a great way to connect people even from our regular OC bus routes or Metrolink train services, to fill in that last-mile gap,” OCTA spokesperson Megan Abba said.
Laguna Beach Councilmember Mark Orgill said the trolleys help manage traffic and the influx of visitors who come to see Laguna Beach’s natural sites. He called them a symbol of the city’s commitment to the environment.
“We have our tide pools and our rock formations on the cliffs. We have our open space and the marine protected area, and we’re committed to nurturing and taking care of those elements,” Orgill said. “There’s a big picture here, and we’re always trying to find ways to manage the people who come into town, and look at ways to protect our environmental resources.”
He said the city is also looking into an electric vehicle fleet for its trolleys and buses.
Hazel Aguilar has been a bus driver for more than 30 years, but this summer is her first time driving the Dana Point trolleys. She said she enjoys handing out the toy trolleys to kids who get excited to ride the shuttle. One parent said the trolley is her son’s favorite toy.
Aguilar said the atmosphere of the open-air and beach-viewing trolley is a change from her previous bus routes and she loves it. She often runs into regulars, she said, and hopes to drive the route again next summer.
“Sometimes I have like a party bus in here,” she said.
The trolleys allow tourists and residents alike to better experience the city, Killebrew added. When he and his wife take the trolley to visit Salt Creek Beach, he said he often finds himself asking fellow riders, “Where you from?”
“It’s like a community table at a restaurant. Everybody is enjoying an experience together,” Killebrew said. “People stay longer than if you just had your car right there next to you. They tend to walk around more and enjoy what we have to offer.”
Trolleys arrive around every 15 to 20 minutes and each city runs routes for special events such as free concerts and movie screenings. Most have service on holidays such as Labor Day.
“Honestly, I’ve never seen someone on a trolley upset. They’re always happy and enjoying life. I don’t know what it is, there’s some magic to them that people just enjoy the ride,” Killebrew said. “And it doesn’t hurt that they’re free.”
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