In a previous story, I briefly mentioned the Solana Beach Coastal Rail Trail. In this post, I’ll break down our excursion to the always sensational Solana Beach. Of course, what I list below is literally just a sampling of what you can do there. Hop over to SolanaBeach.com for more inspiration when planning your next outing to this coastal community.
About the Solana Beach Coastal Rail Trail
This paved and flat 1.5-mile trail is sandwiched between train tracks and Highway 101…I know, that doesn’t sound particularly lovely, but this trail will surprise you. I enjoyed the artwork dotted throughout, and my daughter loved practicing her scooter skills on the smooth pavement, which makes this trail also perfect for those using strollers or mobility aids.
If you start at the Solana Beach Coaster Station like we did, make sure you walk all the way to Via De La Valle to see the mosaic arches from artist Betsy Schulz.
The trail runs next to the Surf Line, an active railway that first opened in 1882, connecting Los Angeles and San Diego. Amtrak took over service in 1971, extended service farther north, and rebranded as the “Pacific Surfliner” – it’s one of Amtrak’s busiest routes by passenger volume! In 1995, the Coaster (a commuter rail service) began between Oceanside and San Diego.
Curious about rail trails?
The eventual goal of the San Diego Coastal Rail Trail is to navigate 44 miles between downtown San Diego and Oceanside without a car via either a Class I or Class II bike trail. Class I trails are physically separated from vehicular traffic by barriers or distance. Class II trails are separate bike lanes on existing roads or highways, designated by signage or painted lines.
In other parts of the country, rail trails are more commonly recreational trails that have been developed in the place of an abandoned railway. The characteristics of abandoned railways–gentle grades and well-engineered rights of way and structures, such as bridges and tunnels–lend themselves well to recreational trails. They also tend to pass through historical and popular areas, further increasing the public’s interest in using them for non-motorized activity.
A breakdown of our day in Solana Beach
While we certainly could have drove to Solana Beach, we decided to make a day of it by taking the Coaster. We embarked the northbound train at the historic Santa Fe Depot (constructed for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition). Though these trains don’t run very frequently, they run enough that this out-and-back excursion is doable during the middle of the day…well, provided your little one isn’t still on a napping schedule.
The train ride wasn’t too short, but also not too long - my 8-yo daughter loved it. Immediately upon our arrival in Solana Beach, we headed up to the sidewalk/rail trail, crossed Lomas Santa Fe Drive, and headed towards the above-mentioned arches at Via De La Valle.
Although the roundtrip journey was relatively short for the average person, my daughter was “done” once we returned to our starting point at Lomas Santa Fe Drive. I convinced her, however, to scoot towards the coast for a visit to Fletcher Cove. The playground, sandy shoreline, and more artwork (again from Betsy Schultz) did not disappoint.
Our activity worked up quite the appetite. Fortunately, Pizza Port was nearby to satisfy our hunger pains and refuel us for the ride back to downtown San Diego. According to their website, Pizza Port came about in 1987 when an existing local pizza shop was purchased by a pair of siblings. Brewing came next, and Pizza Port’s first craft-brewed beer was served 5 years later. It’s now our go-to place on Highway 101 for yummy pizza and refreshing beer.
Plan your next outing with The GO Deck
Fun, family-friendly outings can be a breeze to plan when you GO with The GO Deck. When decision fatigue sets in, hand the deck over to your kid(s) and let them choose a location. It then takes about 2-3 minutes to read the card and know what you’re in for. While the card doesn’t always provide step-by-step instructions, there’s sufficient information that helps you select activities suitable for your family’s interests and abilities.
The North County San Diego deck is where you’ll find our Solana Beach adventure.
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