Festival of the Butterflies
October 3 | 10AM – 5 PM
Location: Los Rios Park and Historic Town Center Park
FREE EVENT – ALL AGES
A day of native plants, pollinators, live music, kids’ activities, local makers, food + community. Bring the whole family and spend the day with us in San Juan Capistrano!
Getting to the Festival: Parking & Public Transit Tips
We want your visit to the Festival of the Butterflies 2026 to be as smooth as possible! Since the festival takes place across Los Rios Park and Historic Town Center Park in downtown San Juan Capistrano, parking right next to the event will be highly limited.
We strongly encourage taking public transit or carpooling. Below is everything you need to know to plan your trip on Saturday, October 3, 2026.
🚆 Take Public Transit (Recommended)
Skipping the traffic and arriving relaxed is easy thanks to the San Juan Capistrano Depot, which is located just a short, 3-minute walk from both festival sites.
- Metrolink (Orange County & Inland Empire Lines): Metrolink offers affordable weekend day passes. Take the train directly to the San Juan Capistrano station.
- Amtrak Pacific Surfliner: If you are traveling from further north (Los Angeles/San Diego) or south (San Diego), Amtrak drops off at the exact same platform.
- OCTA Bus: Multiple Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) bus routes have stops along Ortega Highway and Camino Capistrano, steps from the parks.
🚗 Parking Options
If you choose to drive, please plan for extra time to find a spot. Street parking fills up quickly, but several public lots are available nearby:
- Historic Town Center Park Lot: Located right off El Camino Real. This lot fills up first due to event proximity.
- San Juan Capistrano Depot Lot: Located along Avenue Mercado. Convenient for those arriving early.
- Multi-Modal Parking Structure: Located at 26732 Verdugo Street. This multi-level garage is a short walk to the historic district and offers ample spaces.
- Los Rios Park Lot: Located on Paseo Adelanto. Spaces here will be strictly limited due to festival activities.
💡 Quick Tips for Visitors
- Arrive Early: The festival runs from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Aim to arrive by 9:30 AM to secure the best parking.
- Go Carless: If you live locally, consider using a rideshare service (like Uber or Lyft) to drop you off directly at the train depot to avoid parking altogether.
- Keep it Accessible: Designated accessible parking spaces are available in all major public lots and the Verdugo Street structure.