Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center — Attraction in Anaheim

I was in Anaheim for a couple of days (going to Disneyland) and decided to go down to San Diego to meet a friend for a Weezer concert. I didn't really want to fight that horrible traffic on a weekend, so she suggested I try the Amtrak train. I did some research and decided to do it, leaving from the ARTIC station.

You can get FREE PARKING at this station for up to 14 days. You must register your car online at least 24 hours before your trip. The lot to park is in the back of the station (Lot B), which confused me a lot. The signs aren't very clear, so just note that you must park in the rear. The lot isn't well-secured, so I wouldn't want to leave my car for more than a couple of days, max. I left my car overnight with no problems.

The signage at the station isn't great. I started to panic because I couldn't find a sign board that said what platform I could find my train. I finally figured it out, but it wasn't easy. Make sure you arrive early.

There's a help desk on the first floor if you need it, and restrooms throughout the station. Ample seating, but not a huge amount. You'll find a selection of vending machines which are nice if you want a snack, and a library kiosk if you want to borrow a book for your train ride.

Be aware that a lot of the local homeless population like to hang out in the station, especially the bathrooms. I was there at 9:30 am on a Saturday morning and there were two women taking a bath in the sink. Another guy with mental issues was ranting out front. I wasn't super uncomfortable, but I did eventually go outside and just stand on the train platform with other riders for an hour before my train.

This is a really nice facility, and I'm sure I'll be back to ride the train again. Much easier than driving to San Diego...

Beautiful, clean, and functional rail and bus depot. The name suggests the functional utility of the depot, but it doesn't tell you just how nice the facility is, nor does it hint at how spectacularly functional it is. Parking is immediately adjacent to the depot, but unless you have some need to linger, most people pick up and drop off at the curb in front. This has always been a hassle-free task for me, whether picking up or dropping off.. The depot itself is beautiful inside, with striking arched supports for the ceiling and dramatic, but not off-putting lighting. There is also food and beverages available within the facility. Everything is clean, including the bathrooms. If you've read my other reviews, you may detect that one of the criteria I use to judge a facility is the cleanliness of the bathrooms, Filthy bathrooms aren't just off-putting disease-pits, they are a proxy for how the staff cares for the facility itself. If you are going to access the trains, you'll need to go up one level to the second floor where there is a bridge to where the train tracks are. Busses meet outside, generally in the rear of the facility of on the west side of it. There are also bicycle lockers next to the depot in case your commute includes bicycling for its last/first leg. I don't know if there is a fee for the lockers, if you need to bring your own lock or other details, I just know they're there. Also right next to the depot is the bicycle trail that follows the Santa Ana River, which could be used as a safer place to bicycle than the street...

Let me tell you. There's just no possible way that anyone should give this so called station anymore than 1 star...and that's because they don't let you give zero stars. The first problem begins right at the parking structure. You push the button for a ticket and there's no tickets. Next this huge, air conditioned station is not part of the waiting area for buses. If you have to wait for a bus (that was late of course) you get to wait in the sun! It was 108 degrees today in Anaheim and with a bad knee and tons of luggage and no carts for luggage good luck. There's a huge fee for any overages for carry ons..what's the money going towards. Certainly not for customers. Give me a break. Waiting in the hot sun, no luggage carts no employees anywhere to ask for help. Like when we had to figure out how to get out of the parking structure without a ticket. We go lucky and happened to see an employee walking to their car. They told us that the tickets for the structure have never worked and...there's no signage to explain what to do. You push the help button and you get a recording that sais "we're closed on Mondays". How were we supposed to know this? It takes a lot for me to give such an negative review. This place is...