Expert: Steve Summers - 7/12/2003

Question
Hi Steve,
We live in No, Cal., above Sacramento and would love to find some where along the coast that we could go to on AmTrack for a few days. We are elderly and no longer drive those kind of distances, but really miss it. We have done Santa Barbara and had a good time, but our motel was across the hwy from the pier and beach so we never did really find a spot to get onto the sand, but did enjoy the pier. Anyway, I am straying-do you know of anyplace that we would be able to go?
Thanks for any help.
Joan  

Answer
Hi Joan,

How about Pismo? There are a number of hotels on the beach in Pismo, and it is a nice beach with a pier. Good surfing, too, if you are so inclined. :) It's a bit crowded in the summer (as most beaches are), but stays nice most of the year. There are lots of little shops to visit, too. Just take the train to the Grover Beach station, and you can take a cab or a shuttle to your hotel. Might even be able to rent a car from Enterprise and have them meet you at the station. Try eating at the Cracked Crab: It's a little expensive, but good seafood. Don't get the "Bucket of Crab" unless you bring along a group of friends. It's good, but it's a LOT of food.

Further south, just past Santa Barbara, is the cute little town of Carpinteria. How about this: get off the train at Carpinteria, and walk a block up Linden Avenue to Prufrock's Garden Inn, a great B&B. (Your luggage is on wheels, right?) See their web site at www.prufrocks.com. A good local eating spot is The Spot, located on Lindan at the RR tracks. The Palms is popular; you cook your own steak. The Fish Barrel has good fish. My wife hates fish, but she will eat it here. There are lots of little antique shops here, too. The beach is one long block from the RR tracks, and is touted as the "Safest Beach in America".

Ventura is a possibility, but not my favorite.

At that point, the tracks go inland, and you don't see surf until San Clemente. However, San Clemente is in the middle of the "California Riviera". There are plenty of hotels in San Clemente, Dana Point, and Laguna Beach. Dana Point Harbor Shops are fun to explore, and Doheney Beach is a nice cool place to spend the day.

Finally, the Solano Beach Amtrak station is the closest station to beach towns like Carlsbad, Leucadia, Encinitas, Solano Beach, and Del Mar. Legoland is a big draw for kids in Carlsbad, as well is the world-famous flower fields. Favorite restaurants include Juanita's Tacos in Encinitas, Leucadia Pizzeria (seafood & Italian), and The Potato Shack in Encinitas--MUST do.

And of course, there is San Diego. But for that, I defer to the expert "Local Wally", who is the guru for San Diego. See his site at www.localwally.com. Great weather year round, it's a great place to stay.

FYI, I use Travelocity to book hotels. I find the information inside very valuable.

Hope this helps,

Steve