USA: Amtrak Surfliner, LA to San Diego

I always wanted to take the train along the California Coast. Not that I hadn't been on coastal trains before - even the ones between New York and Boston sometimes (briefly) pass next to the sea. However, I had a goal of riding the one in California for years. Finally, I got my chance. I was taking a cruise out of San Diego and prior to that I stayed with TFR in LA.

After leaving the massive Los Angeles sprawl (it takes an hour), just after San Juan Capistrano, the train finally hits the coast and stays close to the beach almost the whole way to San Diego. The rails reach the sea at Doheny State Park. The view is immediately beautiful.

After some time, the train reached San Clemente with its lone pier jutting into the Pacific. The station is right by the pier making it easily reachable from both LA and San Diego as a day trip. I thought, "this place is worth returning".

January 2026

Just before arriving, the train snakes into some sandy hills near San Diego and finally creeps through downtown to the Santa Fe Depot [see: Santa Fe Depot, San Diego].

Final analysis: yes! the three-hour ride from LA to San Diego is worth it and highly recommended. In fact, the train station is located right in the center of everything. On arrival, that made it easy for me to walk to a hotel and then board the upcoming cruise the following day. In fact, the trains are so frequent now, it is possible to do a day trip to either city.

California coast train ride - check!