Kostroma

I've decided to postpone my San Diego trip yet again in order to combine it with a trip to Newport Beach for the jazz festival. Two birds with one stone and all that.

Anyway, I was wondering about the logistics of getting to Newport Beach via Amtrak. What is the closest station to Newport Beach and what, if any, kinds of public transportation options are available between the NB Hyatt and the nearest Amtrak station?

rjw_lgb_ca

Technically, you could take Amtrak to Santa Ana, then try to negotiate the OCTA bus system. There is some walking involved (about a mile), and it will take you over an hour from the Amtrak station.

Really, your best bet is to break down and rent a car. From a practical standpoint, I'd call it the ONLY option.

dwooddon

I haven't measured it but I would guess that Santa Ana and Irvine AMTRAK stations are about the same distance from Newport Bay.

I
fg you are going to take a cab, I'd think Irvine would be the station choice because of the easier traffic enroute to Newport. If you're going to take mass transit, Santa Ana would be better but that is no easy task. Mass transit in all of southern California is the pits and this area of Orange County is worse than the LA area.

Kostroma

I would rent a car, but I don't drive. I've never even had a license. I don't need a car where I live, so it's just something I've never gotten around to. Maybe it's time to get one just for the purposes of travel. I *can* drive, I just don't like to.

I guess now I need to look at something like Super Shuttle, unless I can convince one of my driving friends to go with me.

Thanks

rjw_lgb_ca

Kostroma, I was kinda thinking that was the issue. But really, if you can get someone to drive you (a pretty easy 1 1/2 hour drive from San Diego), it would be best. And it's not like Newport Beach is some backwater with nothing to do. It's a very ritzy part of Orange County....