San Juan Capistrano Metrolink Station — Attraction in San Juan Capistrano

San Juan Capistrano Amtrak Train to Petco Park (A CASHLESS Park, Home to MLB San Diego Padres)

This trip took place August 21, 2025. 1:05 pm first pitch.

Buy your ticket(s) to the game ahead of time. We paid about $100 for two decent seats on the upper level, third base side. We had shade after about the 3rd inning (games are 9 innings unless there is a tie, then extra innings).

Park Your Car Look for the Public Parking sign. Between the buildings at 31831 Camino Capistrano and 31815 Camino Capistrano (Provincial Building), there is a driveway to a parking lot, park in basement. Look for commuter parking. Park in spaces 35 - 108. $2 all day if paid before 10 am (this is not a problem since the train leaves at 8:24 a.m.). Remember slot number and pay with credit card before leaving (pay station near stairs). Exit onto Verdugo Street.

Go Amtrak Amtrak Train (Pacific Surfliner) southbound, purchase tickets online or at station $24 each, one way. You are going to the Santa Fe Station in downtown San Diego.

Per the attendant at the Information Center, the train unloads and loads quickly, be prepared to board promptly. Arrives 8:24 am (It was a few minutes late) Departs 8:26 am

For coach seats, hang out near the "E" sign near Trevor's at the Tracks. Once onboard, take a seat and be prepared to show ticket(s) to conductor. You may stay in your seat or wander down to the observation cars with large windows and amazing views and charging outlets. The seats are open to anyone on the train but it does get loud. The snack car is in the area.

IF YOU WALK A LOT, YOU CAN PROBABLY WALK TO PETCO STADIUM. Me, not so much. Break out your mapping app and enter PetCo Park. Generally, follow the directions but you will see lots of Padres fans headed to the park, follow the pack.

Get Around Downtown Arrive 10:05 am. Exit the train station and find a Pronto Pass kiosk. Cross Kettner and maybe India Streets . . . don't remember exactly where it was but look for the tracks and find a kiosk.

Buy a Pronto card for each rider at kiosk, $2 for the card plus $6 for an all day pass (credit card). Look for an attendant if you are confused, they are helpful. You may not need the all day pass but I wouldn't want to be caught short by trying to go from point to point and not having enough fare on my Pronto card. Each passenger must have their own Pronto card on them while they are on the MTS system buses/trains/trolleys.

Eats & Drinks (Optional, but Suggested) Take Blue Line trolley towards San Ysidro. Get off at Park and Market; then walk to Cloud 9 Deli (1000 Island Ave). Get a lunch combo special for $10 (1 of 4 Sammys, chips & a fountain drink). The Sammy is small but lots of fillings.

Walk down to Villains Brewing (903 Island Ave) and have a drink or two before the game. Make sure you get lime salt pinned to your Mexican beer! Their seltzers are really good if you don't drink beer. Take your time, the games starts at 1 pm.

PetCo Park Walk to PetCo Park. Follow the crowds, you will see the park. PETCO PARK IS CASHLESS! All purchases inside the stadium have to be made with a card!

FYI, parking downtown is at least $50. There is NO stadium parking available.

Back to San Juan Capistrano After the game walk away from the stadium towards the tracks. Take the Blue Line to America Plaza downtown back to Santa Fe Station and take either the 5:01 pm or the 7:01 pm Amtrak train northbound to San Juan Capistrano. If you take the 5:01 pm train, you will get to San Juan Capistrano just before 7 pm.

Final Eats & Drinks (Optional, but Suggested) Walk up Verdugo to Hennessy's (left, 31761 Camino Capistrano) and have a drink before Happy Hour ends at 7 pm. For HH, they have a $7.50 vodka lemonade that is amazing and beer. For a limited time on Thursdays, they have a $7 Smash Burger (all day) special. The Smash Burger is perfect to share after a full day, two patties with cheese, bacon and onions and a side of fries. Head back towards the parking structure to retrieve your vehicle and drive safely...

A beautiful station right in the heart of San Juan. Close to the mall and a short walk to dining, entertainment, and the mission.

Metrolink is a great great way to travel around Orange County and to LA and south to San Diego if you switch to the Coaster in Oceanside. Oceanside is also a fun destination or stop along the way.

This is also an Amtrak station 🚉 if you’re looking to take a direct train to San Diego or other longer distance destinations.

We recommend take the train as it was a pleasant and relatively easy experience and the train was comfortable and only slightly delayed. Beautiful coastline scenery between here and Oceanside as part of the journey is right along...

First time coming here with my family, but honestly, im really disappointed about this city!!! As soon as we arrived at the train station, there was a bunch of ppl, but because we are Hispanic, we can see that ppl just see as weirdos, I really had a bad experience, I'm never coming back again, I thought I was going to had a nice trip but totally wrong sorry, the city is beautiful but not the most of the residents. If you go to LA, it is totally...