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Sometimes a car just doesn’t
work. Are you crazy to even think about public transit?
Well here’s a guide to the northern coast of San
Diego County — one of the most beautiful spots in the world —
that uses the available bus and train connections.
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| See some sights along Old Highway 101
on the Beach'n 101 Cruise video. |
And it's also one of the most accessible, with North
County Transit’s aptly named Route
101 running
nearly the entire length, from Oceanside to Torrey Pines. Some spots
require a transfer to another route to reach the sands, but there are
several, centrally located transit centers along the way to speed your
journey.
For the car-less, there are many options to get here,
even from central San Diego, as it’s also serviced by day and into
the evening by Amtrak
and the Coaster.
Looking for a day in Solana Beach or at the Del
Mar Fair? Take the coaster to the Solana Beach station.
Want to sun on the wide sands at the Strand in Oceanside,
followed by a romantic dinner at one of the night spots in Oceanside
Harbor? Catch North County Transit’s Route
391/392 from the Oceanside Transit Center, then the Coaster or Amtrak
south to San Diego.
 Or
ride the 101 south as the sun sets over the Pacific.
There’s also a couple of side trips to a California
Mission and one of the ritziest communities anywhere.
Legoland, the amusement park based on the popular kids
toys, is in southern Carlsbad, just a bit inland from the beach. From
the 101, Pointsettia Coaster Station, take the 344
or 444
to Legoland.
Other sites along the Coast Route include quaint downtown
Carlsbad, the Alt
Karlsbad Spa, and the Army-Navy Academy. Camping is available at
the South
Carlsbad State Beach, in Carlsbad, and San
Elijo State Beach in Cardiff-By-The-Sea.
There’s golf at the Torrey
Pines Golf Course, along with several other spots. Surfers love
Swami’s, the beach in Encinitas adjacent to the onion domes of
the Self Realization Fellowship.
The local bus company, North County Transit, and local
merchants, even have special
deals for riders in the area, not to mention a special rate for
a day pass.
And you’ll avoid traffic on Interstate 5, which
tends to back up in both directions even on weekends.
Be sure to follow the links to the local transit sites
for the up-to-date schedules and enjoy your ride.
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