The Point: Check out these five festive activities
Fall is finally here! Although temperatures are still warm in Riverside County, you can embrace the season with plenty of fall fun. Besides sipping pumpkin spice lattes, here are five fall activities to enjoy. All are easy to reach by taking Metrolink from Riverside County. Check metrolinktrains.com for schedules. Some 91/Perris Valley Line stations are open only on weekdays, so please plan accordingly.
1. Dia de los Muertos at Olvera Street
For more than 30 years, the Olvera Street Merchants Association Foundation has hosted Dia de los Muertos – The Day of the Dead. This event is actually a celebration of life and a time to remember the lives of loved ones who have passed. Dia de los Muertos at Olvera Street is the only celebration of its kind in Los Angeles. The nine-day festival takes place October 25 to November 2 with altars on display, children’s workshops, face painting, parades and entertainment throughout.
Ride any of the Metrolink trains from Riverside County to Los Angeles Union Station. From the station, exit onto Alameda Street. Festivities are directly across from the station at 125 Paseo Del La Plaza, Los Angeles.
2. Go Fish from the San Clemente Pier
Fall is the good time to catch yellow fin tuna, California halibut, calico bass, bonito and rock cod, so grab your fishing pole and board the train to the San Clemente Pier. In California, you don’t need a fishing license to fish from the pier, but you do need a license to fish from the beach or jetty. San Clemente Beach features restrooms, concessions, ADA access and even fire rings for a cool barbecue. Take the Inland Empire Orange County Line to the San Clemente Pier Station. Check Metrolink for weekend schedules. Weekend fares are only $10 – a great catch!
3. Take the Train to the Game
Fall = Football, so check out Metrolink’s Football Train to ride to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to see the Rams. Train tickets are only $10, so make an end run around costly parking and traffic hassles. On October 28, the Rams will face Green Bay. Train service also will run November 11 for the game against the Seahawks, and December 30 versus the 49ers. The 91/Perris Valley Line offers special Sunday service to Los Angeles Union Station. Use your Metrolink ticket for a free transfer to the Metro Expo light rail, and ride to the Coliseum.
4. Explore King Tut’s Treasures at the California Science Center
To commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the discovery of King Tut’s tomb, the California Science Center is presenting “King Tut: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh,” the largest King Tut exhibition ever on tour. With summer over, visitors enjoy shorter lines and lighter crowds. Avoid traffic and ride to Los Angeles Union Station, transfer to the Metro Expo light rail, and ride to Exposition Park/USC Station. The exhibit “wraps up” January 19, so don’t miss it.
5. Carve Out Some Time to Visit Disneyland
With cooler weather and fewer crowds, fall is a great time to visit the happiest place on earth. Explore Disneyland, California Adventure and Downtown Disney during October and see all of the Halloween attractions, like the Main Street Pumpkin Festival and costumed characters. To reach Disneyland from Riverside County, put on your mouse ears, ride the Inland Empire Orange County Line, and transfer to the Orange Line to the ARTIC Station. Passengers then can take a free ride on the Anaheim Resort Transportation shuttle directly to Disneyland.
Have more ideas for fall destinations accessible by Metrolink? Leave us a comment on social media @theRCTC.