Buses Will Shuttle Residents in for Tree Lighting

Fearing the construction at Ortega Highway and the I-5 Freeway may discourage residents from attending the annual Christmas-tree-lighting ceremony, two shuttle buses will run on both sides of the freeway to help alleviate traffic.

The Orange County Transportation Authority will run the buses north on Camino Capistrano, east on Junipero Serra Road, south on Rancho Viejo Road, east on Calle Arroyo, south on La Novia Avenue and then west on San Juan Creek Road back to Camino Capistrano approximately every 20 minutes from 3:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Dec. 7.

The shuttles will stop at OCTA’s regular bus stops and “visitors are encouraged to use the park-and-ride lots at Junipero Serra and Rancho Viejo roads, the Marbella Shopping Center on Rancho Viejo Road or Calle Arroyo Park for off-site parking,” according to an OCTA news release.

For those who want to witness the annual tradition, the festivities begin at 4 p.m. in Historic Town Center Park with a live stage show. The actual tree lighting takes place at 5:45 p.m.

Before, during and after, downtown shops will host open houses with special sales and complimentary refreshments.

Zoomars Petting Zoo will have a live nativity scene, free photos with Santa, train rides and more. Mission San Juan Capistrano will also kick off its Christmas season (AKA “Christmas at the Mission”) with live music, cookie and ornament decorating, a nativity scene and more.

See www.sanjuancapistrano.org for more information about the shuttles and Holiday Tree Lighting.