It’s beautiful ocean views, beach towns and fun attractions to visit on Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner route. Trains travel in California between San Diego and San Luis Obispo and stop at more than 20 stations along the way. If you’re considering riding this route, here are the 10 best destinations that are great for a day trip or weekend getaway.
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Anaheim
Travel on the Pacific Surfliner to Anaheim for easy access to Disneyland and California Adventure theme parks. They are less than a 15-minute drive away from the Amtrak station, and there are many Uber and Lyft cars in the area that can pick you up and drop you off at the entrance. If you plan to stay overnight in the area, check out the hotels closest to Disneyland.
Burbank
For easy access to Universal Studios, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Griffith Park, Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles Zoo and Pasadena, travel to Burbank instead of Los Angeles. Select the Hollywood Burbank Airport Station as your destination, which is a 20-minute or less drive away from these popular attractions. In addition to avoiding downtown L.A. traffic, you can easily rent a car at the nearby airport or use rideshare to get around.
Oceanside
Oceanside is a relaxing getaway with miles of beaches, surfing lessons and an iconic pier. Harbor Village is a must-visit for oceanfront dining, shopping, whale tours and boat rentals. Inland you can explore the historic downtown where you’ll find top-rated restaurants, breweries, local shops and the California Surf Museum.
San Clemente
For beautiful Spanish architecture and easy access to beaches, plan a trip to San Clemente. Pacific Surfliner trains stop next the pier, and you can walk to restaurants, surf spots and the Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens. Other attractions include the San Clemente Beach Trail, Surfing Heritage and Culture Center and the outlet stores.
San Diego
San Diego has two Amtrak stations that are great for sightseeing: Old Town Transit Center and Santa Fe Depot. Travel to Old Town to walk to the Old Town Historic Park or be a short drive away from the San Diego Airport, SeaWorld and Mission Bay. Or travel to the Santa Fe Depot for easy access to city cruises, Gaslamp Quarter, USS Midway Museum and the Seaport Village. Use either station to reach the San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park.
San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo is a great family getaway or wine trip. The charming downtown is full of hotels, restaurants and attractions, including a children’s museum, railroad museum and historic mission. Adults can also check out the many wineries and wine tours in the area (the Kelsey See Canyon Vineyards has peacocks). For more things to do, the food and walking tour is a popular activity.
San Juan Capistrano
San Juan Capistrano is full of history and hidden gems. You can tour the San Juan Capistrano Mission (founded in 1776), which includes a museum, beautiful gardens and nesting cliff swallows in the spring. Consider planning your trip around the Return of the Swallows celebration. There’s also a historic district with shops and restaurants near the Amtrak station, and kids will love the petting zoo.
Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara has beautiful architecture, beaches, restaurants and shopping on State Street. Plus, there are many attractions to check out, including the Santa Barbara Zoo, Mission Santa Barbara and Cabrillo Bike Path. Consider visiting in July or August if you want to enjoy the beaches and go to the Old Spanish Days festival. For whale watching, plan to visit Santa Barbara between November and April.
Solana Beach
An laid-back oceanside community north of San Diego, Solana Beach is full of local shops, fantastic restaurants, stunning beaches and places to hike. You can easily walk from the Amtrak station to most of the top attractions, Holiday Inn Express and Courtyard by Marriott. For a more local experience, search for an Airbnb or other vacation rental in the neighborhood if you plan to stay overnight.
Ventura
Ventura is a classic vacation spot with great tacos and beaches. The 1872 pier is the oldest in California, which you can support at the yearly food and drink festival. Surfers Point is a popular surf spot or visit Ventura Harbor for other water sports, boat rentals, winter whale watching cruises and ferries to the Channel Islands.
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Top photo credit: Niranjan Arminius (Butterfly Beach in Santa Barbara)
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