Students and employees looking to save cash and gas should consider spending their weekends traveling by train.
Using a mix of Metrolink and Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner, anyone can reach historic missions and world-class theme parks in under three hours.
With ticket prices ranging from a few dollars to up to $70 for Metrolink and for Amtrak, choosing rail over road can save travelers a lot of money per gallon on fuel prices.
Several scenic destinations can be accessed via public transportation from El Camino College to Los Angeles Union Station.
To head downtown, take the Metro 210 North bus to the light rail Metro C Line east and then the Metro A Line north to Union Station. Alternatively, taking the Metro J Line north from the Harbor Gateway Transit Center provides a direct route.
From Union Station, take a journey with these top five day trips accessible by rail.
1. Santa Barbara
Known as the “American Riviera,” Santa Barbara is the crown jewel of the Pacific Surfliner route. The station is located two blocks from the beach and the foot of State Street. The three-hour ride from downtown Los Angeles offers some of the most dramatic ocean views in the state.
Distance from El Camino College: About 95 miles away
Carrier: Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner
2. Oceanside
At the southern terminus of the Metrolink Orange County Line, Oceanside offers a classic, laid-back beach experience. The station is a short walk from the Oceanside Pier, one of the longest wooden piers on the West Coast. Students can visit the California Surf Museum or the Oceanside Museum of Art, both located within three blocks of the tracks.
Destination distance from El Camino College: About 75 miles away
Carrier: Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner or Metrolink
3. Santa Clarita
For a change of scenery, the Metrolink Antelope Valley Line heads north into the Santa Clarita Valley. For thrill-seekers, a short bus connection from the Santa Clarita Station leads to Six Flags Magic Mountain.
Distance from El Camino College: About 40 miles away
Carrier: Metrolink
4. Anaheim
The Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center, known as ARTIC, is an architectural landmark in itself. Located steps from Angel Stadium and the Honda Center, it is an ideal destination for sports fans. For those heading to the “Happiest Place on Earth,” a quick shuttle ride from the station drops passengers at the gates of the Disneyland Resort.
Distance from El Camino College: About 25 miles away
Carrier: Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner or Metrolink
5. San Juan Capistrano
This city offers perhaps the most seamless “train-to-tourism” transition in California. The platform drops passengers directly into the Los Rios Historic District, the oldest continually occupied neighborhood in the state. Visitors can tour Mission San Juan Capistrano, founded in 1776, or eat at one of the many cafes that line the tracks.
Distance from El Camino College: About 50 miles away
Carrier: Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner or Metrolink
