Originally Posted by
jimincalif
If you do try the train, be aware MetroLink goes to Oceanside, no farther south. Amtrak goes all the way to San Diego. You do not need a reservation for Metrolink, you can just board the train and roll your bike on. The regular cars have space for a couple of bikes and then there is the bike car with lots of room for bikes. You DO need an advance reservation for a bike on Amtrak.
If if you do try Metrolink, I recommend their phone app for ticketing. The machines at the stations can be unreliable.
After starting this post I realized that these is a difference between MetroLink and Amtrak. I guess I had never given it any real thought. It does look like I can catch MetroLink out of Buena Park which is relatively close. I was also looking into the app and ticket prices. Although the bus takes a little more time I think I'm going to try that first but it's good knowing all the other options that are available.