ncounty

Wow, I had no idea Ruby's had closed.


Dawn- let's do our GTG at Ramos!

aliced

With your family I would recommend first and foremost: Laguna and if you have time, San Clemente on the way back. Solana and Oceanside will not offer enough for the stops, and although the mission at San Juan Capistrano is very lovely and interesting, we stopped back there about 2 years ago after first having visited about 20, and there is really not much else to see in the town. Laguna is the one; lots of shops, restaurants, lovely beach, small art museum. Can't picture where the train station is however. Irvine just too big a city and not walkable, etc. We go to southern CA regularly from the east coast for the last 25 yrs (son and family there). The train would way too long to even consider Anaheim. Also, Encinitas is a nice beach town and very walkable, just north of Solana, in case you choose not to go as far north as Laguna Beach. In what month are you going?

bigtyke

there is no train station in Laguna Beach - the train has gone inland by then

MomDDTravel

yes, no train station in Laguna...

definately Nocounty on Ramos!

Bisbee

"The only other place that makes even slight sense to see in terms of being near the sights and sounds of the area is Solana Beach."

Carlsbad definitely deserves to be on the list. Just as many things to do there as SB. Take the Coaster to Cbad Village Station (note there is very limited service on Saturdays and no service on Sunday).

aliced

Right! No beach train station in Laguna, and that would be a long ride to coast. Go to 'downtown' Carlsbad; wonderful beach one block from station, lots of shops and restaurants, and a paved path up high over the beach for running, walking, sights. I think the "Mom" would have more fun in Solana than the others; if you go there, check out South Cedros, a very long block of interesting shopping -- but good shops and restaurants and a short stroll to beach.

Loriinthedesert

So sorry that I didn't answer back sooner. I need to ask a couple more questions now. We are leaving for a road trip to San Diego tmw morning.

We are planning to take Surfliner train this Friday for a day of fun.

Looks like San Juan Capistrano so far but when I googled the map. Looks like a train station was too far away from the beach.

We do want to visit a lovely town with mission, history, shopping etc and be able to walk to the beach to play a bit. We want a whole day to enjoy a town.

It is ok if beach is a few miles away if it is walkable with no car nessasary. But if its really too far (like more than 3), it is still worth going and just get a cab ride to the beach?

Does San Juan have more than one station to get off? The one I looked at is so close to freeway 5 and away from the coast. Is this the only train stop? If so, which station we should get off?

What do you recommend for the plan we have?

We have been to Carlsbad & Oceanside once already. wE just want someplace new. THANKS!

Thank you sooo much for your help. I really enjoy reading your comments. I've learned much. I love this forum.

ncounty

San Juan only has one stop and it offers everything you want except the beach. If you want the beach experience, Solana Beach is preferable. The beach is 5-10 minutes walk from the station and Cedros has lots of boutiques and there are restaurants all along hwy 1. Everything is within about 20 mins walk. It is also easy to hop on the coaster and fit in another stop like Carlsbad or Encinitas. All offer nice explorations within 10 minutes walk of their train stations.

Loriinthedesert

How many miles to the beach from train station?

Is it easy to grab a cab to go there? a bus?

THANKS again

ncounty

which train station? there are many places that have been discussed here.