Commute options from San Clemente to San Diego?? (Oceanside, Irvine: home, transfer)

[AtlantaAngel]

My husband has accepted a job in Irvine. I can transfer my position to our office in downtown San Diego, so we'll be moving to CA in a few months. We would like to live in San Clemente since it is somewhat in between. I only have to commute into my office 2-3 days a week. My hours are flexible - I really just have to be there for about 8 hours anytime between 6:30 am and 6:30 pm, although I prefer to work earlier hours (I currently work 7 to 3:30).

I have been trying to figure out my commuting options. Unfortunately, the Surfliner doesn't stop in San Clemente often and even if I picked it up in Oceanside, the times are not that great since the earliest it could get me into San Diego is past 9am and then the return either leaves San Diego about 4 (too early) or 6:45 (too late). I would actually prefer to drive (or vanpool if I can find one) but wondered what the peak rush hour times are. Is it better to leave home at 5:30 am or 9:00am? What about the return - will there be more traffic if I leave San Diego at 3:30 pm as opposed to 6:30pm? Thanks!

[LuvSouthOC]

Originally Posted by AtlantaAngel

My husband has accepted a job in Irvine. I can transfer my position to our office in downtown San Diego, so we'll be moving to CA in a few months. We would like to live in San Clemente since it is somewhat in between. I only have to commute into my office 2-3 days a week. My hours are flexible - I really just have to be there for about 8 hours anytime between 6:30 am and 6:30 pm, although I prefer to work earlier hours (I currently work 7 to 3:30).

I have been trying to figure out my commuting options. Unfortunately, the Surfliner doesn't stop in San Clemente often and even if I picked it up in Oceanside, the times are not that great since the earliest it could get me into San Diego is past 9am and then the return either leaves San Diego about 4 (too early) or 6:45 (too late). I would actually prefer to drive (or vanpool if I can find one) but wondered what the peak rush hour times are. Is it better to leave home at 5:30 am or 9:00am? What about the return - will there be more traffic if I leave San Diego at 3:30 pm as opposed to 6:30pm? Thanks!

You do not need the Surfliner. You can drive to the Oceanside Train Terminal and take the Coaster to downtown San Diego. The Coaster ride is among the most beautiful and wonderful in the world. People drink in the evenings. It is a wonderful train. Note that it is about an hour ride from Oceanside.

If you want to drive it, it is not too far but traffic starts 5 Southbound at or about the Canon Road or Poinsettia and is slow go thereafter. The I-5 in San Diego county is not like ours. It is in bad shape but there will be no relief, if at all, for 20 years.

[elizzie4000]

Driving to Oceanside would work if you live in the far south of San Clemente. Otherwise I would take the Pacific Surfliner from San Juan Capistrano (SNC). It's just a few minutes drive North of SC. The first train is at 7:25 am and gets you to SAN at 9:00.

Going back to San Juan Capistrano (SNC) they have trains 1:40, 2:40, 4:00, 6:45 .... so on

Even if I lived in south SC I'd probably still use the station at SJC. I hate getting stuck on that stretch of Camp Pendleton with no way out. At least if you have traffic on the freeway going the few mins North you have exit opportunities and surface streets to take.

[elizzie4000]

<< Is it better to leave home at 5:30 am or 9:00am? What about the return - will there be more traffic if I leave San Diego at 3:30 pm as opposed to 6:30pm? Thanks!>>

If there are days that you do drive and need to be in SD early and don't mind leaving at 5:30a that will work. Otherwise, if you don't need to be in SD too early leaving at 9:00a works too because you'll have missed the rush hour traffic. The only issue with driving other than rush hour is if there is an accident and traffic backs up.

Going back north, if you don't leave SD by 3:00 I'd wait until 6:30. If you leave at 3:30 you'll have some slow downs but it shouldn't be like a parking lot. Although, when there are events at the Del Mar Fairgrounds it can back up around there.

[AtlantaAngel]

Thank you both!