Question on the Coaster (San Diego, Escondido: sales, transfer to, living)

[barb624]

I have been offered a job in downtown San Diego and we are looking at areas to live. We found a place we love in Cardiff by the Sea but my question is how reliable and frequent is the Coaster? I'd like to be able to take it to work and back and avoid the driving. Does anyone here have any information to offer on using the Coaster to commute in to downtown? Thank you!

[tande1n5]

To get to downtown, you'll take the Coaster to Santa Fe Depot, and if you need to go any further, you'll have to transfer to the trolley. Day-to-day reliability, I really don't know for sure since I've only taken the odd trip on it here and there, mainly just to check it out. The nice thing is that it's double-tracked and Santa Fe (who owns the right of way) doesn't have too many movements per day on it, so in theory it should be relatively free of slow-downs, but I'm not sure. The schedules are a bit odd, they run around half-hour intervals at peak times, but get spread way out during the middle of the day, so if you're working close to traditional banker's hours, you'll probably be okay.

[MiTaylor]

I haven't had many problems with Coaster reliability, but be prepared for trains to arrive 3-5 minutes ahead or behind schedule on a regular basis.

I don't know if you've already been to the site, but you'll find all the info you need about Coaster schedule here: North County Transit District

Good luck with your decision!

[loveautumn]

I've been taking the Coaster since its inception...about 12-13 years ago.
It's safe, reliable, and a great way to get downtown if you don't need your car.

From Cardiff, you could go to either the Encinitas or Solana Beach station. Encinitas would probably be easier. Like the previous poster said, you can ride to Santa Fe station, which is end of the line, and then either walk or take a trolley depending on where you will be working.

The train runs about every 40 minutes during rush hour morning and late afternoon, and there are a few trains throughout the day. During Padre season there are a few more late night trains.

I love the Coaster and it's saved me at least the cost of 2 cars by now!

[Encinitan]

The Coaster is great. When I need to go downtown SD for a meeting, I always take it. It's comfortable, reliable, and clean. A definite asset to coastal San Diego.

[ranzchic]

Yeah's it's a great service. Public transit in downtown is the best in the whole county so it should be easier to integrate the trolley and bus into your commute. We need a similar service that goes to the East County, South Bay and eastern North County that parallels the 15.

[barb624]

Thank you everyone for the feedback!

I was hoping the Coaster would be good especially as it now looks like Cardiff or vicinity is going to be the best place to live for us for my husband's work. ( He is in sales and needs to drive and it looks like his territory will be the Carlsbad, Escondido area).

Since by using the Coaster I won't need a car during work most days I can save the drive time to downtown and we can live in a place that will save gas and mileage on his car.

I was concerned because someone at my new workplace said he heard the Coaster wasn't reliable but he doesn't use it and I'm happy to hear from those who do that it really is a good way to go.

Thanks again! This forum is very helpful - I haven't posted before but I've been reading and have gotten tons of helpful information that really has helped in my decision to take this job and relocate from Phoenix to San Diego.

I'm feeling nervous about the move - not the best economy to do it in but the opportunity I've been offered is too good to pass up and now it seems things are falling into place.

So now all that's left is to finalize our living place and it looks like we will be out there in about a month.

Thanks again!

[MiTaylor]

Best of luck! Give us an update when you're settled. I'd love to hear how you are doing

[The Artist]

It's great, I've never had any problems with it

[happ]

I wish the state would re-model the tracks between Solana Beach & downtown. It takes forever because the tracks curve all around in a canyon while the trains goes 10 MPH! I love the Coastliner from LA to San Diego except that stretch of tracks east of La Jolla\ Pacific Beach.