side trips without car

[princess pam]

We are going in October and was wondering if anyone has taken a bus or amtrak trip to San diego whil staying on site. we really didn't want to rent a car to avoid the traffic but we will be there a week and thought a side trip would be nice. thanks--Pam

 

[Bell Family]

We live near Disneyland. The amtrak station is not too far from Disneyland. The train trip is about 2 hours (there are many stops because it is a commuter line). We have taken the train to San Diego for a weekend trip, but not just a day trip.

What are you wanting to see in San Diego? Transportation around San Diego is ok, but it depends on where you want to go.

You could take a trip to San Juan Capistrano and visit the old Mission there - an interesting part of California history - and you would not need to worry about transportation as you can easily walk from the station to the mission and have a nice lunch in the area.

You could go to San Clemente and visit the beach - the train stop is right on the beach - although the weather may or may not be nice for the beach.

Hope this helps

 

[LoDivaLoca]

Is there a nearby train that could take you to Universal Studios? (I'm thinking I don't want to rent a car either....)

thanks!

 

[Bell Family]

I have never done it, but acording to the Metrolink website you can do it - you take a train from Fullerton to Union Station in LA, then transfer to the Red Line to Universal City . I do not know where the actual station is at Universal City - it is a hilly area, but there are some escalators to get you up to the City Walk.

http://www.mta.net

It looks like it is about 1 1/4 hours to do it this way. I might have to look into this if we want to go to Universal. I hate the drive, and it is one major reason we have never gone to Universal Studios. (Last ime I was there, the "6 Million Dollar Man" section was the "new" thing).

Have fun

 

[Michelle]

There are BUSSES that go to Universal from the Disneyland area hotels, that would be MUCH faster and easier than trying to take a train to Universal.

 

[ahutton]

Many years ago we did a tour bus that picked us up at our hotel, stopped a a few others, and then we did a Hollywood tour, had lunch at Farmers Market and then were dropped off at Universal. We had time to do the tram tour, we saw 5 or 6 of the big shows and then went back to the bus that dropped us off. We were at Disneyland Hotel that time, but I've seen brochures for these tours in many of the area hotel check in desks. The tour part was a blast, they drove around and pointed out landmarks, and you had time to get out and look at several. It was a long day, but remains one of my favorite memories.

 

[Grog]

Here's a link from Universal. There is a shuttle from the station to the park. I wish I had known that last time. We took VIP Tours and while it only took us 45 minutes from DLR to USH, it was two hours coming back due to rush hour traffic.

 

[Molokai Gram]

Aloha,
Last summer we took the 3 grandchildren to DL. Since we live on an island with only one main road and no traffic lights, we were not brave enough to drive in California. But we were able to take tours to Universal, Knottsberry and Seaworld. It was great, we just relaxed and they did all the driving. We had a special deal through GetAwayToday that included the entry price and transportation and at that time the deal was each child was free with one paying adult. Not sure if they still have that deal, but it was terrific for us last year.
Hope you have a wonderful time.

 

[chocolatelover]

The Airport Bus will take you to Universal or Knotts and pick you up from your hotel.
http://www.airportbus.com/apb7_003.htm

(I find it cheaper to rent a car and driving really isn't that bad)

 

[princess pam]

Thanks for all your tips--we really don't want to do another park--i thoght there would probaly be bus trips availabel in the hotel lobby brochures but i'm glad to hear there are so we can plan when we get there.thanks again only 70 days to go--YEAH