Visitors and residents can ride for free on trams

Barbara Diamond

Laguna Beach has a summer treat in store for visitors and residents.

Free Festival Trams will shuttle from the north end of town to the

south, from the canyon to the ocean. “Catch the Wave” signs mark the

stops. Glossy blue trams with all-wood interiors also display the

logo.

“Give it a name and everybody will know what it is,” said Deputy

Director of Public Works Bill Liebel, who chose the name and the

logo. “And what it is, is absolutely the best way to get around the

city.”

The trams will operate from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., seven days a

week, through Aug. 31. There are four separate routes, with a

transfer point at the Transit Center Bus Depot on Broadway between

Forest Avenue and Beach Street.

The Canyon Shuttle begins at ACT V parking at 1900 Laguna Canyon

Road past the Festival of Arts at 650 Laguna Canyon Road to the bus

depot and loops back to ACT V, stopping at Art-a-Fair and the Sawdust

Festival. Buses are scheduled for every 20 minutes.

North Route buses travel along North Coast Highway from Broadway

to Viejo Street and return along Cliff Drive with its scenic views of

Heisler Park and the Pacific Ocean to the start point.

The two routes to South Laguna both start at Broadway, but one

goes to Aliso Creek, the other further south to Third Street.

All three routes that run on the highway are scheduled for every

30 minutes. But delays during heavy summer traffic can be expected.

The regular city buses also will be free this summer.

Laguna Beach is the only city in Orange County with an independent

transit system. Buses leave the Broadway Transit Center hourly from

6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday to Friday; 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.,

Saturday. No service on Sundays or holidays.

Laguna’s E-ride is the Top of the World Route, with spectacular

views of the city. The Arch Beach Heights Route is a close second.

Other routes service North Laguna, Bluebird Canyon (sometimes

combined with Arch Beach Heights) and South Laguna, all the way to

the Ritz-Carlton in Dana Point.

The Laguna Beach Senior Center on Legion Street is serviced by

posted buses.

For transit information, cruise Web site www.lagunabeachcity.net

or call (949) 497-0746. Press 1 for city buses, press 2 for Festival

Tram Service.