Follow up: Orange Co/John Wayne Airport - Ground transportation

I would rent a car. That is a beautiful area and you can take the car to San Juan Capistrano, Balboa Island and driving along Pacific Coast Highway and stopping at any of the beaches (Laguna Beach is my favorite). A car will give you the most mobility and flexibility to visit some lovely areas in addition to whatever activities bring you to Mission Viejo. Some of the (less expensive) rentals may be offsite (but very close to the airport), but a shuttle can take you there.

Agnes, thank you for your response. Unfortunately, though, this is not a pleasure trip, and I won’t be siteseeing. I just need to get to and from the airport and a few nearby places in the most efficient manner.
I do appreciate your quick response, and another time I hope to be able to do what you suggested.

"Orange County mass transportation" may well be an oxymoron,- outside of a few major corridors.

You can use Google Maps directions to get estimates of costs and options between the points on your various trips - you should be able to estimate costs on the Uber or Lyft apps as well.

If you're basically staying put, and just moving a few times, then ride sharing may be the best option. Otherwise, rent a car. Or use a cab.

Thank you, markcw.

When flying in and out of John Wayne Airport, I use a private car service called Xpress Shuttles. They will pick you up at the curb outside of the baggage claim. I usually reserve an economy/standard car either online at Xpressshuttles.com or by calling 866-805-4234.

I have never used Uber but that would probably work too.

I would think you could call a cab or Uber for your short around town trips.

You are in CA where cars dominate.

Public transportation is a joke throughout the state.

CA native who has lived in Bay Area, SoCal, the Central Valley.

Rent a car!

Claudia, that’s kind of what I thought - but wanted to check with you all who live there so I could explore my options. Thank you.

kaydee, this is very helpful. I will check out Xpress Shuttles. Thank you!

Public transportation is a joke throughout the state.

Here are a few examples where it is functional:

A trip to SF back in January to attend the Film Noir festival at the Grand Lake Theater in Oakland. Flight BUR => OAK - BART to Market St. in downtown SF - walked up Nob Hill to time share. Traveling to the theater in Oakland, either NL bus from Salesforce station to the theater in Oakland -dropped half a block away, or else BART to downtown Oakland, then local bus. All on a senior Clipper card.

Forgot to mention that I took Metrolink to BUR for the flight to OAK.

Returning to SF from the theater late at night: NL bus stopped a block from the theater, went directly to Salesforce bus station. Walked up Nob Hill to timeshare. Return to LA: BART to SFO. Flight to Burbank, on arrival walked a short distance to the Metrolink station at BUR - got off train at Atwater train station - short walk home. Never got into a car the entire trip.

Routinely take Metrolink to downtown LA - to return, can take Metrolink; Red Line to Sunset station, then 180 bus to within 2 blocks of home; can also take bus directly from downtown LA.

Obviously a different story outside of SF & LA. But LA has seen major improvements the past few years.

While you can use public transportation in some places in Orange County, it sounds like either a car rental, taxi or Uber/Lyft would probably suit your purposes better. I'd price out the cost of the rental--keeping in mind that gas is about $6 a gallon right now in Orange County--and the cost of Uber/Lyft for the trips you need to take. I'd also take into account the convenience of having a car on hand vs driving in an unfamiliar area. (The 405 south can be a bit of a rodeo on a Friday afternoon.) I'm not sure if John Wayne has a taxi stand, but there's a dedicated ride share pick-up area on the top of one of the parking garages (B, as I recall). Car rentals are on the bottom level of the garage, right across from the arrivals area.

Thank you, Leslie

I lived in Mission Viejo on the lake for years and used the shuttles as mentioned above. I’m not sure where you want to go once there. I suggest Uber or Lyft. Where might you have to go once in Mission Viejo? Taxis are not a thing there.

Do not click on the abovw link from "pauljason3300" Dangerous spam.

Diane, thank you.
I like the idea of a shuttle to and from the airport.

I will only be going a couple of places in Rancho Santa Margarita. So, taxis would not be easily available? If using Uber or Lyft, would one be preferable over the other? (I’ve never used either one).

I appreciate everyone’s responses.

Yellow Cab exists in Orange County but there aren’t a lot of them and they tend to stick to the tourist areas (beach, Disneyland and its hotels, and the airport) and you won’t be near them. Either ride share service is probably fine. We use Lyft since Uber’s app is sure our little one block long street does not exist.

There won’t be taxis in RSM. Download the Lyft app and enjoy your stay.

Thank you Diane and Leslie. I’ll download the Lyft app.
Appreciate your help!

Well, I changed my mind and decided to rent a car. After pricing everything out, including gas, tolls, and the few places I need to go, the car ends up being about the same or cheaper, plus it gives me a little more flexibility - not having to wait for a ride, etc.

I had resisted getting a car, only because I really like public transportation. I have happily used buses/subways/metro/trains and the occasional taxi all over Europe and beyond. Even though I have a car at home, I also like using the limited bus and streetcar service that we have. Renting a car feels very brave in comparison, since I’ve only rarely done so. (Lol) (Sounds weird, I know).

So, I reserved a car. Wish me luck!

And thank you everyone for your many good ideas.

Edit to add: And I will save the contact info for Xpress Shuttles for another time, because they look great.

Compared to Europe public transport in the US is a joke. CA native. Been visiting Europe for decades.

Pleased that you relented and got a car.

You are visiting Southern California where the automobile is King.

Thank you, Claudia. :-)

Reporting back after my trip:
Another change of plans - I discovered that a friend would also be going, and they already had a car for around town, so I canceled my rental. (I still traveled by car as Claudia recommended, just not as a driver. 😀)

For the airport I used Xpress Shuttles, recommended by kaydee. They were wonderful, and I heartily recommend them. Thank you!

Thanks for the follow up ( always nice to have friends pick you up at the airport.)

Did you enjoy your stay in Mission Viejo?

Mission Viejo was lovely. Weather was beautiful. Had wonderful meals at Piccolino’s (Italian) in Mission Viejo, and at Carmelita’s (Mexican) in Rancho Santa Margarita.

samatudd,
I'm glad the car service from Xpress Shuttle worked out for you. I've used them for years coming and going from John Wayne Airport and have found them to be very reliable. Also glad you enjoyed your visit to south Orange County, CA.

Hello,
Having visited and travelled all over Southern California I would not recommend renting a car unless you are very comfortable driving on Super Highways (they call them Freeways in Ca) that are 6 lanes across on each side- there is extreme congestion and traffic and many accidents every single day! If you are only needed transport a few times/places, download Uber and Lift Apps and use those. Orange County also has tolls and HOV lanes and gas is close to $7 a gallon these days.