Train to San Diego (was 'Meetings in other regions')

At 1:05 AM -0400 8/18/06, Marshall Eubanks wrote:

>  On Aug 17, 2006, at 8:44 PM, Randall Gellens wrote:
>
> >  I'm a great believer in the train between SAN and LA, by the way. 
> > I've taken it a number of times and always prefer it to driving. 
> > Note that for a slight extra charge you can get an upgrade to 
> > 'custom class' where you get a larger seat, a power outlet, and 
> > something called a snack.  There are terrific views of the pacific 
> > ocean and beaches during the latter half of the trip, and for much 
> > of it the train is right on the sand.
>  I have heard that this is one of the best train trips in the US, 
> and I have always wanted to take it, especially at Sunset. Can you 
> get it near the coast (more specifically, near one of the 3 coastal 
> airports), or do you have to go all the way to Union Station ?
I can't speak to it being one of the best train trips in the U.S. 
(but considering how much the U.S. train system has deteriorated, I 
wouldn't be surprised).  This train is called the Pacific Surfliner, 
by the way.  It has double-decker cars, so you can ride upstairs if 
you like.  There is also a club car (a sort of cafe) which has swivel 
seats that face the side, for more comfortable viewing.
Most of the trains originate at Union Station in Los Angeles, but 
there are a small number that start further north.  You could connect 
to these from Burbank Airport.  Between LA and San Diego, there are 
several stops, including Irvine and Santa Ana, to which you could get 
a cab, shuttle, or car service from SNA (Orange County John Wayne 
Airport).
There is an Orange County operated commuter rail service (called 
Metrolink) that you could also take from Burbank Airport, Irvine, or 
Santa Ana.  You could connect from it to Amtrak at any of several 
stops, including Oceanside.  At Oceanside, the San Diego County 
commuter rail line starts (called the Coaster), which you could take 
to San Diego.  Both of the county-operated lines use double-decker 
cars.  The county lines stop at more places, which can give you more 
options, but also takes longer.
The Coaster has a stop in San Diego where you can pick up the San 
Diego trolley, which goes to the Mexican border, as well as to 
several places in the San Diego area.
Note that checked baggage service is only available on a few of the 
Amtrak trains.
The Amtrak timetable is available here: 
<http://www.amtrak.com/timetable/apr06/W31.pdf>
Information on the Orange County commuter rail (Metrolink) is 
available here: <http://www.metrolinktrains.com>
Information on the San Diego County commuter rail (Coaster and 
trolley) is available here: <http://www.sdcommute.com/>.
If you'd like to stop off at the beach, there are several choices. 
The San Clemente station is right at the pier.  The Solana Beach 
station serves Amtrak and the Coaster, and is walking distance to the 
beach.  Of course, in November it will be too cold to actually go for 
a swim, but still it is nice to walk around.  You could even stay a 
day or two at a beach city and relax.
--
Randall Gellens
Opinions are personal;    facts are suspect;    I speak for myself only
-------------- Randomly-selected tag: ---------------
A long-forgotten loved one will appear soon.  Buy the negatives
at any price.

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