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California Coastal Trail

Oceanside Transit Center

Season 1 Episode 6

The majority of San Diego's coastline may be developed, but it's fortunate enough to also be hugged by a major rail artery. Multiple trains come and go, with some traversing as far as 300 miles north to California's Central Coast. Not only that, the county's coastal cities and agencies have all agreed to build the Coastal Rail Trail, an ambitious bikeway project. Here's what you can grab from this important transit hub:

Coastal Rail Trail

When finished, the goal of this 44-mile bikeway is to be a robust mix of bike path and protected bikeway between Oceanside and downtown San Diego generally following the rail corridor (there will be some on-street bike lanes and routes throughout). As of spring 2015, It's nearly half way complete in separated segments. Want to take advantage of what's out there now? The GoBikeSD interactive map can deliver you to plenty of places along the coast with existing bicycle infrastructure.

Coaster

As its name suggests, the Coaster spans most of the San Diego County coastline running over 20 trains on weekdays and a modified schedule on the weekends. It takes about one hour to travel the whole thing, so good thing there are plenty of coastal views to take in for most of the ride.

Pacific Surfliner

One of the busiest Amtrak lines in the country, the Surfliner climbs up and down the coast between downtown San Diego and San Luis Obispo, hitting major stations in Anaheim, Los Angeles, and Santa Barbara. While it doesn't stop at every station in San Diego County, it can be used for some local commutes.

Metrolink

Usually associated with the Los Angeles metro region, two of Metrolink's routes dip into San Diego County at Oceanside: the lines from Los Angeles Union Station and the Inland Empire.

Sprinter, Breeze, and more

The Oceanside Transit Center also serves as an important hub for inland commuting. The Sprinter is a light rail travels to Escondido while the Breeze bus service offers numerous routes in the north county region. Additionally, Riverside Transit offers a commuter express options to here.

Support Provided By
Experiencing the Wild Sonoma Coast Along the Kortum Trail
5:08
Pristine conditions along this area are a result of decades of work from activists.
Devil's Slide Trail
6:35
Devil’s Slide was a treacherous section of Highway 1 until a landslide closed it for good.
The Ancient Coast of Wilder Ranch State Park
4:34
Once upon a time, Wilder Ranch State Park was a dairy known for its delicious butter.
West Cliff Drive: The Heart of Santa Cruz
3:54
West Cliff Drive is one of the most beautiful features of Santa Cruz.
Half Moon Bay Coastside Trail
4:39
The Half Moon Bay Coastside Trail offers sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean.
Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail
6:48
This popular segment of the California Coastal Trail almost didn’t happen.
Pleasure Point: Connecting Santa Cruz to Surf Breaks
5:07
East Cliff Drive is one of the newest sections of the California Coastal Trail.
Monterey Bay Sanctuary: Serengeti of the Sea
6:53
This "Serengeti of the Sea" offers some of the best wildlife viewing in the world.
Big Sur: Sanctuary of the Spectacular
5:56
Big Sur is a precious jewel that remains pristine, rugged and remote.
Moonstone Beach: Where Elephant Seals Roam
5:27
It's not every day you get to witness 5,000-pound elephant seals charge each other.
Point Buchon Trail: The Gateway to a Secluded Coastline
6:00
This section of the California Coastal Trail has only been open to the public since 2007.
Pismo Beach: The Central Coast's Recreation Destination
5:10
Pismo Beach is set to become a major destination for outdoor recreational activity.
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