Sometimes a car just doesn’t work. Are you crazy to even think about public transit?

Down The Coast: Oceanside to San Diego

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.

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 or races? Take the Coaster or Amtrak to the Solana Beach station.

Want to sun on the wide sands at the Strand in Oceanside? It’s the Coaster or Amtrak from San Diego or Los Angeles. Then continue 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 North County Transit Route 444/445 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.

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.