Metrolink Suspends San Clemente Trains Oct 26 to 30 for High Tides: What Families Need to Know
Metrolink will not run Orange County Line trains between Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo and Oceanside from Monday, Oct 26 through Friday, Oct 30, 2026, because very high tides are forecast along the San Clemente coast. Trains will run only between Los Angeles Union Station and Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo, and Metrolink says there will be no replacement buses. Weekend service is not expected to change, and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trains will keep running through San Clemente as long as it is safe. Here is which stations lose service, how high the tides will get, how to still reach the beach towns by train, and what it all means if you ride with kids.
The short version
- No Metrolink Orange County Line trains between Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo and Oceanside, Monday, Oct 26 to Friday, Oct 30, 2026.
- Stations without Metrolink that week: San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente, San Clemente Pier and Oceanside (for trains to and from Orange County).
- No replacement buses. Weekend service is not expected to change.
- Pacific Surfliner keeps running as long as it is safe, with about 30 minute delays possible between San Clemente Pier and Oceanside through Oct 27.
- Metrolink Monthly Pass holders can ride select Pacific Surfliner trains within their station pair under Rail 2 Rail.
- The National Weather Service has a coastal flood warning for the Orange County and San Diego coast from 5 a.m. Sunday to 1 p.m. Thursday.
Status (updated Saturday, Oct 24, 7:48 a.m. PT)
Metrolink trains still run to San Clemente and Oceanside this weekend. The suspension starts Monday, Oct 26. From Monday through Friday, Oct 30, Orange County Line trains start and end at Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo, according to Metrolink’s advisory and news release. “There will be no alternate transportation available between Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo and Oceanside during this service suspension,” Metrolink says.
Pacific Surfliner: Metrolink says Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trains “will operate normally as long as it is safe to do so.” Pacific Surfliner’s travel advisories list delays of about 30 minutes between San Clemente Pier and Oceanside through Oct 27 because of signal issues and weather. Tides: the National Weather Service in San Diego has issued a coastal flood warning for the Orange County and San Diego County coast from 5 a.m. Sunday to 1 p.m. Thursday, with tides 1 to 1.7 feet above predicted levels.
Quick answers
- Is Metrolink running to San Clemente next week?
- No. From Monday, Oct 26 to Friday, Oct 30, 2026, Orange County Line trains stop at Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo and do not continue to San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente, San Clemente Pier or Oceanside.
- Are there replacement buses?
- No. Metrolink says there will be no alternate transportation between Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo and Oceanside.
- Is this weekend affected?
- Metrolink says weekend service is not expected to be impacted. The suspension covers weekdays, Oct 26 to 30.
- Can I still take a train to San Clemente?
- Yes, on Amtrak Pacific Surfliner, which Metrolink says will run normally as long as it is safe. Surfliner stops at San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente Pier (select trains) and Oceanside.
- Why?
- Forecast very high tides along the south Orange County coast, where the tracks run right on the beach.
Sources: Metrolink advisory, Metrolink news release, Pacific Surfliner advisories.
Which stations lose Metrolink service, Oct 26 to 30
Metrolink’s notice covers the Orange County Line south of Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo. Here is what that means at each station, and the closest train you can still take.
| Station | Metrolink, Oct 26 to 30 | Other train options |
|---|---|---|
| Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo | Last stop. Orange County Line trains start and end here. | Pacific Surfliner does not stop here. Metrolink to Irvine, Santa Ana, Anaheim and Los Angeles runs as scheduled. |
| San Juan Capistrano | No Metrolink trains. | Pacific Surfliner stops here. |
| San Clemente | No Metrolink trains. | Pacific Surfliner does not stop at this station. The closest Surfliner stops are San Clemente Pier (select trains) and San Juan Capistrano. |
| San Clemente Pier | No Metrolink trains. | Select Pacific Surfliner trains stop here. |
| Oceanside | No Orange County Line trains to or from Orange County. | Pacific Surfliner stops here. COASTER service south of Oceanside is run by NCTD and is not part of Metrolink’s notice. |
Sources: Metrolink advisory, Metrolink news release, Pacific Surfliner advisories, San Juan Capistrano station. Metrolink’s notice names only the Orange County Line. Some Inland Empire-Orange County Line trains also run south of Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo, so check those trips in the Metrolink app.
Latest updates
Newest first. Times are Pacific. We will update this every day of the suspension.
- Sat, Oct 24, 7:48 a.m. Warning starts Sunday; Metrolink explains the move. Metrolink spokesperson Brett Hawkins told ABC7 the suspension “reduces cascading effects” on the rest of the Metrolink system north of Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo. NWS meteorologist Dave Munyan told ABC7 that warmer ocean temperatures and Kelvin waves tied to El Niño are raising tides. Newport Beach expects tides of at least 6 feet starting Monday, possibly above 8 feet. Source: ABC7.
- Fri, Oct 23, 11:03 a.m. Coastal flood warning issued for the Orange County coast. The National Weather Service in San Diego issued a coastal flood warning for Orange County and San Diego County coastal areas from 5 a.m. Sunday, Oct 25 to 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct 29, warning of “significant coastal flooding” during morning high tides, with tides 1 to 1.7 feet above predicted. The Los Angeles Times also reported on the suspension of the coastal route Friday. Sources: NWS San Diego, Los Angeles Times.
- Thu, Oct 22 Metrolink announces the Oct 26 to 30 suspension. Metrolink says Orange County Line trains will run only between Los Angeles Union Station and Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo from Monday, Oct 26 through Friday, Oct 30, with no replacement buses. It says the change keeps schedules predictable across the system and shortens potential delays for Pacific Surfliner and freight trains on the beachfront tracks. Crews and equipment will be staged nearby, with frequent inspections. Sources: Metrolink news release, Metrolink advisory.
Why Metrolink is stopping trains south of Laguna Niguel
South of San Juan Capistrano, the tracks run along the sand through San Clemente, with the ocean on one side and bluffs on the other. When very high tides and waves reach the rails, crews have to slow or stop trains and inspect the track before anything can move. Metrolink says it is ending trains at Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo this week “to minimize the potential for widespread delays and cancellations if coastal conditions disrupt rail operations.”
Turning trains early has two goals, according to Metrolink’s news release. It keeps the rest of the Orange County Line on a predictable schedule, and it means fewer trains share the beachfront tracks, which can shorten weather delays for Amtrak Pacific Surfliner and freight trains. Metrolink says qualified staff will inspect the track often and that crews and equipment will be staged nearby to respond quickly. Spokesperson Brett Hawkins told ABC7 the move “reduces cascading effects” on trains north of Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo.
A beach train in a picture bookRally Takes the Train is a hand-painted picture book about a corgi’s first ride on the Pacific Surfliner, past the ocean and through a tunnel. Ages 0 to 8.
Buy on AmazonHow high the tides will get in Orange County next week
The National Weather Service in San Diego expects “significant coastal flooding” along the Orange County and San Diego County coast from 5 a.m. Sunday to 1 p.m. Thursday. It warns that numerous roads may close, low-lying property may flood and some shoreline erosion will occur in the morning hours. The high tide each day is in the morning, and the weather service says tides may run 1 to 1.7 feet above the predicted levels.
Here are NOAA’s predicted morning high tides at the Newport Bay entrance, a NOAA tide prediction station on the Orange County coast. Actual water levels may be higher, per the warning above.
| Day | Morning high tide | Predicted height (MLLW) |
|---|---|---|
| Sun, Oct 25 | 8:45 a.m. | 6.2 ft |
| Mon, Oct 26 | 9:15 a.m. | 6.5 ft |
| Tue, Oct 27 | 9:50 a.m. | 6.7 ft |
| Wed, Oct 28 | 10:28 a.m. | 6.6 ft |
| Thu, Oct 29 | 11:14 a.m. | 6.3 ft |
| Fri, Oct 30 | 12:09 p.m. | 5.9 ft |
Source: NOAA tide predictions, Newport Beach, Newport Bay Entrance (9410580). The peak is Tuesday morning, Oct 27, which matches ABC7’s report that the highest tides are expected Monday through Thursday, peaking Tuesday morning.
Why so high? NWS meteorologist Dave Munyan told ABC7 that warmer sea surface temperatures and Kelvin waves linked to the ongoing El Niño are lifting tides. NBC Los Angeles reports that Newport Beach officials call this the first of a series of unusually high tide events expected from October through the new year.
Riding the Pacific Surfliner instead
If you need to get to San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente or Oceanside by train next week, the Pacific Surfliner is the option. Metrolink says Surfliner trains will “operate normally as long as it is safe to do so,” and the Surfliner’s travel advisories list delays of about 30 minutes between San Clemente Pier and Oceanside through Oct 27 because of signal issues and weather.
- Where it stops: San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente Pier (select trains) and Oceanside. It does not stop at the San Clemente Metrolink station or at Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo.
- Metrolink Monthly Pass holders: under Rail 2 Rail, you can board any Pacific Surfliner train within the station pair printed on your pass, at no extra cost. Show the pass to the conductor. If your trip goes beyond your station pair, you need a Surfliner ticket for that part.
- Kids: Metrolink’s Kids Ride Free on Weekends promotion does not apply on the Surfliner, and Metrolink says its free ride offers and fare promotions are not part of Rail 2 Rail.
- Check before you go: the Surfliner can be held or slowed by the same tides. Check your train in the Amtrak app the morning you ride, especially Tuesday, Oct 27, when the highest tide is forecast.
More on the route, the best seats for ocean views and kids’ fares is in our Pacific Surfliner family guide, which also keeps a live list of Surfliner service changes.
It has happened before: San Clemente rail closures in 2026
This is not the first time this year Metrolink has cut the line short for tides, and the coastal tracks through San Clemente have been closed several times.
- Aug 10 to 14, 2026: Metrolink took the same step for a week of high tides, running Orange County Line trains only between Los Angeles and Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo with no replacement buses, 10News reported. Metrolink said high-tide conditions the month before had caused delays beyond the coastal corridor.
- Sept 6 to 8, 2026: swells from Hurricane Marie, which never made landfall, plus high tides pushed waves over the tracks. OCTA closed the line to Metrolink, Pacific Surfliner and freight trains on Sept 8 after more erosion and slope damage, with buses replacing Surfliner trains between Irvine and Oceanside, Voice of OC reported.
- Sept 28, 2026: OCTA declared a coastal rail emergency so it can move faster on protection work, including about 690,000 cubic yards of sand along the San Clemente coast, Deep Arrival reported, citing OCTA.
For the longer story, including the 2024 Mariposa Point landslide, the new catchment walls and whether the tracks could move inland, read our guide to the San Clemente train tracks and rising seas.
What comes next: more closures on the calendar
- Weekend, Oct 24 to 25: Metrolink says weekend service south of Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo is not expected to be impacted. Separately, all Antelope Valley and Ventura County Line service is suspended Sunday, Oct 25 for track work, per Metrolink’s advisories.
- Mon, Oct 26 to Fri, Oct 30: no Orange County Line trains between Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo and Oceanside.
- Sat, Nov 7 and Sun, Nov 8: a full closure for maintenance. Metrolink says Orange County Line trains will not run between Los Angeles Union Station and Oceanside, Inland Empire-Orange County Line trains will not run between San Bernardino and Oceanside, and there will be no alternate transportation. Pacific Surfliner lists no trains anywhere between San Diego and San Luis Obispo that weekend, with no bus bridges.
- Through the new year: Newport Beach officials expect more unusually high tide events from October through the new year, NBC Los Angeles reports, so more weekday suspensions are possible. We will add them here when Metrolink announces them.
If you ride with kids next week
- Planned a Metrolink beach day to San Clemente? Move it to the weekend, which Metrolink says is not expected to change, or switch to the Pacific Surfliner and get off at San Clemente Pier or San Juan Capistrano.
- Coming from the Inland Empire? Check any Inland Empire-Orange County Line trip that goes south of Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo in the Metrolink app before you leave.
- Ending at Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo? There are no Metrolink buses onward, so line up a ride before you board, especially with car seats.
- Skip the beach at high tide. The weather service warns of flooding and erosion during the morning high tides through Thursday. Waves on the sand next to the tracks are not a place for little ones that week. Afternoons, after the tide drops, are a better bet.
- Leave room for delays. Even the Surfliner may be held near San Clemente. Pack snacks and something to do.
A corgi, a tunnel and the sea
The ride through San Clemente is the one in our book. In Rally Takes the Train, Rally the corgi rides the Pacific Surfliner from San Diego to see his grandparents, looks out an arched window at the ocean, and gets through a dark tunnel to find the sea waiting on the other side. If your train trip has to wait for the tide this week, it’s a good one to read at home in the meantime.
Kelsey wrote the book from her mom Deb’s idea, and you can read the story behind it. Our free train coloring pages are another way to keep the train dream going on a rainy-day week.
Read the tunnel page before you rideRally Takes the Train, hand-painted in watercolor by Leslie Dunn. $13.99 on Amazon, about five minutes to read aloud.
Buy on AmazonSources
- Metrolink: Upcoming advisories (Orange County track closure, Oct 26 to 30, 2026)
- Metrolink news release, Oct 22, 2026: service suspended south of Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo
- Metrolink: Rail 2 Rail program
- Pacific Surfliner travel advisories
- National Weather Service, San Diego: coastal flood warning, Oct 25 to 29, 2026
- NOAA tide predictions: Newport Beach, Newport Bay Entrance
- ABC7: coastal flood warning as unusually high tides approach
- NBC Los Angeles: OC braces for king tides, Metrolink to suspend service
- Los Angeles Times: Metrolink suspends iconic coastal route due to high tides
- MyNewsLA: Metrolink to suspend service near San Clemente
- LAmag: high tides halted trains
- 10News: high tides to halt Metrolink lines (August 2026)
- OCTA: severe waves prompt temporary closure (Sept 8, 2026)
- Voice of OC: San Clemente rail line closed after high surf (Sept 2026)
- Deep Arrival: OCTA declares San Clemente rail emergency
Metrolink San Clemente suspension: questions families ask
Is Metrolink running to San Clemente next week?
No. From Monday, Oct 26 to Friday, Oct 30, 2026, Metrolink Orange County Line trains run only between Los Angeles Union Station and Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo. They do not stop at San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente, San Clemente Pier or Oceanside. Metrolink says the change is because of forecast high tides along the south Orange County coast.
What dates is Metrolink suspending service south of Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo?
Monday, Oct 26 through Friday, Oct 30, 2026. Metrolink says weekend service is not expected to be impacted, so trains are scheduled to run south of Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo on Saturday and Sunday, Oct 24 and 25. Check metrolinktrains.com before you travel, since tide conditions can change plans.
Which Metrolink stations are closed October 26 to 30, 2026?
San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente, San Clemente Pier and Oceanside lose Orange County Line service. Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo becomes the last stop, where trains start and end. Stations north of it, including Irvine, Tustin, Santa Ana, Anaheim and Los Angeles Union Station, keep their Orange County Line trains.
Is Metrolink providing buses between Laguna Niguel and Oceanside?
No. Metrolink says there will be no alternate transportation between Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo and Oceanside during the Oct 26 to 30, 2026 suspension. Riders going farther south need to plan their own ride or take the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner, which stops at San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente Pier and Oceanside.
Is the Pacific Surfliner running through San Clemente during the Metrolink suspension?
Yes, as long as it is safe. Metrolink says Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trains will operate normally during Oct 26 to 30, 2026 unless conditions make it unsafe. Pacific Surfliner lists delays of about 30 minutes between San Clemente Pier and Oceanside through Oct 27 because of signal issues and weather, so check your train in the Amtrak app.
Can I use my Metrolink pass on the Pacific Surfliner?
Yes, if you have a Metrolink Monthly Pass. Under Rail 2 Rail, you can board any Pacific Surfliner train within the station pair printed on your pass at no extra cost, and show the pass to the conductor. For any part of the trip outside your station pair, you need a Surfliner ticket. Metrolink promotions do not apply on the Surfliner.
Does the Pacific Surfliner stop at the San Clemente Metrolink station?
No. The Pacific Surfliner does not stop at the San Clemente station used by Metrolink. In San Clemente, select Surfliner trains stop at San Clemente Pier, and every Surfliner stops at San Juan Capistrano and Oceanside. Check which trains serve San Clemente Pier before you plan around it.
Why is Metrolink suspending service in south Orange County?
Because very high tides are forecast along the San Clemente coast, where the tracks run beside the beach. Metrolink says ending trains at Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo keeps schedules predictable across its system and means fewer trains on the beachfront tracks, which can shorten weather delays for Pacific Surfliner and freight trains.
How high will the tides be in Orange County next week?
NOAA predicts morning high tides of about 6.2 to 6.7 feet at the Newport Bay entrance from Oct 25 to 29, 2026, peaking around 6.7 feet at 9:50 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct 27. The National Weather Service says actual tides may run 1 to 1.7 feet above predicted, and Newport Beach expects at least 6 feet, possibly above 8.
Is there a coastal flood warning for Orange County?
Yes. The National Weather Service in San Diego issued a coastal flood warning for Orange County and San Diego County coastal areas from 5 a.m. Sunday, Oct 25 to 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct 29, 2026. It expects significant coastal flooding during the morning high tides, possible road closures, flooding of low-lying property and some shoreline erosion.
What is a king tide?
King tide is a nickname for the highest predicted tides of the year, which happen when the moon and sun line up with Earth in a way that pulls ocean levels higher than usual. This week, the weather service also says El Nino conditions and warmer ocean water are pushing tides above the predicted levels.
Is the Inland Empire-Orange County Line affected?
Metrolink's Oct 26 to 30, 2026 notice names only the Orange County Line. Some Inland Empire-Orange County Line trains also run south of Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo toward San Clemente and Oceanside, so if your trip goes that far, check it in the Metrolink app or on metrolinktrains.com before you leave.
Is the COASTER running during the Metrolink suspension?
Metrolink's notice does not mention the COASTER, which North County Transit District runs between Oceanside and San Diego. The suspension covers Metrolink trains between Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo and Oceanside. For COASTER service, check NCTD's service alerts at gonctd.com before you travel.
Has Metrolink suspended San Clemente service for high tides before?
Yes. In August 2026, Metrolink ran Orange County Line trains only between Los Angeles and Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo for a week of high tides, with no replacement buses, 10News reported. Metrolink said high-tide conditions the month before had caused delays beyond the coastal corridor.
When was the San Clemente rail line last closed?
In early September 2026. Swells from Hurricane Marie and high tides pushed waves over the tracks starting Sept 6, and on Sept 8 OCTA closed the line to Metrolink, Pacific Surfliner and freight trains after more erosion and slope damage. Buses replaced Surfliner trains between Irvine and Oceanside during the closure.
Will the San Clemente train tracks be moved inland?
There is no decision to move them. OCTA says it is working with state and local partners on longer-term planning to make the coastal rail corridor in south Orange County more resilient, while near-term work focuses on stabilization and sand placement. Our San Clemente rising seas guide covers the options in detail.
Is Metrolink running on November 7 and 8, 2026?
Not on the Orange County lines. Metrolink says a maintenance project will stop Orange County Line trains between Los Angeles Union Station and Oceanside and Inland Empire-Orange County Line trains between San Bernardino and Oceanside on Nov 7 and 8, 2026, with no alternate transportation. The Pacific Surfliner is also closed that weekend.
What should families do if they planned a Metrolink trip to San Clemente next week?
Move the trip to the weekend, when Metrolink says service is not expected to change, or take the Pacific Surfliner to San Clemente Pier or San Juan Capistrano. If you end at Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo, arrange a ride onward before you board, since Metrolink is not running buses south of that station.
Is it safe to go to San Clemente beaches with kids during the king tides?
Plan around the morning high tides. The National Weather Service warns of significant coastal flooding and shoreline erosion during morning high tides from Oct 25 to 29, 2026. Waves can reach the sand beside the tracks, so afternoons after the tide drops are a better time for a beach walk with young kids.
Where can I check Metrolink and Pacific Surfliner service updates?
For Metrolink, check metrolinktrains.com or the Metrolink app before you travel. For the Pacific Surfliner, check the travel advisories at pacificsurfliner.com or your train in the Amtrak app. We update the live list on this page every day of the Oct 26 to 30, 2026 suspension.