Added Buses Go to the Beach

Going to the beach this summer just got a little easier.

Local bus operators have announced two new services to let residents of the San Fernando Valley and the city of Santa Clarita get to the beach without the hassle of driving.

Beginning today, beachgoers can take Metro bus Line 161 from Warner Center in Woodland Hills to the corner of Las Virgenes and Agoura roads and then catch the National Park Service ParkLINK Shuttle to several beaches.

The Metro bus, which operates only on weekends and holidays, is set to depart Warner Center at 9:53 a.m. and 10:53 a.m. It leaves the Las Virgenes Road bus stop for Warner Center at 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

To pick up the bus in Warner Center, riders can board Metro’s Orange Line in North Hollywood, near Universal Studios.

Once on the Park Service shuttle, riders can choose from 13 stops within the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, including Zuma, Malibu Lagoon and Dan Blocker beaches.

The Park Service shuttle was started last year to encourage visitors to leave their cars at home, spokesman Charles Taylor said. With the shuttle, he said, “You can go for a hike in the morning when it’s cool and then go to the beach.”

The Park Service is offering free shuttle rides today through Tuesday. After that, shuttle rides will cost $1 for adults; children under 12 ride free.

Metro riders can take the shuttle at no cost by showing their Metro tickets or passes. A Metro day pass costs $3.

The Metro bus service from Warner Center to the shuttle will run through Labor Day.

In a joint effort, Los Angeles County and the city of Santa Clarita also are offering beach bus service, running between Santa Clarita and Santa Monica Beach. The Beach Bus started last week and operates Wednesdays and Saturdays through Sept. 1, as well as on Labor Day.

“Using the summer Beach Bus helps save on gas, parking fees and it’s a great way for the entire family to relax, enjoy a day at the beach and a stress-free comfortable ride,” said Santa Clarita Mayor Laurene Weste.

The Beach Bus is set to stop at Val Verde Park at 8:30 a.m., at the McBean transfer station at 8:50 a.m. and at Richard Rioux Memorial Park at 9:05 a.m. It is scheduled to arrive at Santa Monica Beach at 10 a.m.

It returns from Santa Monica Beach at 3 p.m.

The fare is $1.50 each way, 75 cents for senior citizens and people with disabilities. Children under 12 must be with an adult.

For more information on the Metro bus line, visit www.metro.netor call 800-COMMUTE. For beach shuttle information, visit www.ParkLinkShuttle.comor call toll-free 888-734-2323. For Santa Clarita’s Beach Bus information, visit www.LAGoBus.infoor call 888-524-6287.