North County without a car

Asked by a neighbor

"I couldn't get a rental car. Can I get around without one?" asked by a visitor, Oct 9
Along the coast, yes: the COASTER runs Oceanside to downtown San Diego, and Fletcher Cove, Moonlight Beach and the Carlsbad Village beach are about a third of a mile from their stations.

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Along the coast, yes, if you plan around the COASTER. The train runs the coast from Oceanside through Carlsbad, Encinitas and Solana Beach to downtown San Diego, and the beach is a short walk from the Solana Beach, Encinitas and Carlsbad Village stations. Weekends run fewer trains (30 today, 30 Wednesday at Solana Beach), so check the last train home.

Inland (the hills, Rancho Santa Fe, most of Carlsbad east of I-5) is a different story: buses run, but less often.

• Stop Closure on Route 101 (101: Hwy 101 & Grandview St) until Sun Nov 1
• Stop Closure on Route 101 (101: Hwy 101 & Bishops Gate Rd) until Sun Nov 1
• Stop Closure on Route 101 (101: Hwy 101 & La Costa Av) until Sun Nov 1

• From the airport: San Diego airport to Solana Beach by train and bus.
• Fares: COASTER one way $6.50, $3.25 for seniors, people with disabilities and Medicare cardholders: every NCTD fare and pass.
• Shows and games: what's on today you can reach by Coaster · Del Mar Fairgrounds by train and bus.
• Short hops: bike rides from Solana Beach; the BREEZE 101 bus runs the coast road and the 309 runs El Camino Real: next bus at any stop.
• No driver at all: Waymo in San Diego, where it runs. Older relatives: the getting-around ladder.
• Where to stay: pick a place within a walk of the Solana Beach, Encinitas or Carlsbad Village station and the coast is yours.

Bags, a board or groceries that won't fit on the train: PJ carries things (not passengers), $25 a stop. Text PJ.

Sources: NCTD schedule data and live service alerts; California Coastal Commission access points; NCTD fares. Checked October 13, 2026.

Need a human?

This page is built every morning from public data by SideGuy, run by PJ, a local in Solana Beach. If something looks off, or you want a hand with your plans, text PJ at 858-461-8054. A real person answers.

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