Southern California How do you get to Dana Point?

[keltiesmom]

I was just looking at other things to do when we go to Disney later this year. We may have a free day and I would like to find affordable ideas for how to spend it. I was looking at a whale watching trip from Dana point but havent found much on how to get there. We wont have a car and would need to rely on public transportation. Has anyone done this or are there any locals who know the ins and outs of transit?

 

[SMD]

I was just looking at other things to do when we go to Disney later this year. We may have a free day and I would like to find affordable ideas for how to spend it. I was looking at a whale watching trip from Dana point but havent found much on how to get there. We wont have a car and would need to rely on public transportation. Has anyone done this or are there any locals who know the ins and outs of transit?

Google Maps has a public transportation search option. Put in the most accurate addresses you have, so I'd do from your hotel to the tour departure point, if you just do "Dana Point" you'll likely get a city center. Also, put in the time of day/day of the week you expect to travel to get the most accurate route options. It will be 2+ hours each way. Plus once you've paid for 2-3 Amtrak tickets it probably costs about the same as renting a car for the day.

 

[keltiesmom]

We have small children who need car seats. We won't be bringing car seats with us, and will not rent them. It isn't about the cost, and transit would be a novelty to the kids. I will take a look. Thanks for the info.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

I'd recommend not going to Dana Point via public transit of any type unless you can find a tour bus going out there. Public transportation in the greater Los Angeles/OC area is not as good as it is in many other large metropolitan areas and getting to Dana point takes more than 1 bus change if I'm looking at the google directions correctly. If you're only going for 1 day, you're going to spend a 2-3 hours getting there and a 2-3 of hours getting back to Anaheim. Dana Point is beautiful, but in general it's not my favorite coastal area. You might want to consider going to Long Beach instead. There's a great aquarium there, the Queen Mary, and of course, plenty of whale watching charters. It'd still be about 1-2 hours of transit, but not quite as bad. I believe the OC transportation authority has a direct route to the area.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I moved this to our Southern California board

 

[keltiesmom]

I'd recommend not going to Dana Point via public transit of any type unless you can find a tour bus going out there. Public transportation in the greater Los Angeles/OC area is not as good as it is in many other large metropolitan areas and getting to Dana point takes more than 1 bus change if I'm looking at the google directions correctly. If you're only going for 1 day, you're going to spend a 2-3 hours getting there and a 2-3 of hours getting back to Anaheim. Dana Point is beautiful, but in general it's not my favorite coastal area. You might want to consider going to Long Beach instead. There's a great aquarium there, the Queen Mary, and of course, plenty of whale watching charters. It'd still be about 1-2 hours of transit, but not quite as bad. I believe the OC transportation authority has a direct route to the area.

Thanks for the info, I will take a look. The transit time to Dana point makes it less attractive for sure. I didnt think it would take quite as long as they are saying.

 

[StageTek]

I'm a local. Public transit from DLR to Dana Point just isn't doable. I second the Long Beach suggestion. Could be done all on rail lines. It's a long journey but easy to do.