Trolleys heading to Fashion Island, Irvine Spectrum

It will be a beautiful day in the neighborhood when picturesque red trolleys pick up Irvine Spectrum Center and Fashion Island shoppers for the first time beginning mid-August.

The two Irvine Co.-owned shopping centers will offer free trolley rides to shoppers or just anyone who wants to experience a ride on the San Francisco-style vehicles.

The first trolleys are designed by Laguna Woods-based Saddleback Golf Carts and Irvine Co.’s in-house design group. Additionally, trolleys — each custom built — will arrive as they are completed until each center has four, said company spokeswoman Erin Freeman.

The trolleys will weave through the centers and surrounding parking lots, but not on any one set route.

Passengers will be able to request destinations to the trolley stewards, Freeman said.

“The trolley service will be an integral part of Fashion Island’s Guest Services program with the goal to make the guest’s experience memorable, convenient and fun,� Freeman said via email to the Daily Pilot on Friday.

Freeman said options for riders include taking the trolleys from the parking lots to the center, from inside the center to their cars, from one center to the other, or just riding them for fun.

The vehicles will serve Fashion Island’s 1.5 million square feet of leasable space and some 75 acres of parking lots, and Irvine Spectrum’s 1.15 million square feet of leasable space and about 89 acres of parking lots.