Encinitas Coaster Station

Good station ample parking and close to down town Encinitas. Moonlight beach is down the street. Schedule of trains posted. Extra trains during baseball season. Easy way to get to ball park. No alcohol allowed on trains

CHOO CHOO!!! This is where I get my choo choo on. In the morning there is a coffee cart run by a lovely lady who has been running it for years. So you can get your coffee on while you get your choo choo on. CHOO CHOO.

Clean, trains seem to be on time, but parking can be difficult at times so leave extra time to find a parking spot, which could be a few a few blocks down the street. I prefer the on on Vulcan across from F street.
Ticketing is self serve and easy to follow. There are schedules to take with you near ticketing as well.

Had our first visit to the Encinitas Coaster Station recently and thought I’d share my experience. When we hopped on the Coaster we wondered where should we stop to explore? How do we know what is near each station? Well, we found out by stopping and checking it out.
When you exit the train in Encinitas, you’re basically right smack in the middle of Encinitas and in walking distance to plenty to do! We walked the three blocks down to the beach to take a peek. Note that if you are going to the beach right here, you’ll have a long staircase to get down to the sand, but it’s a nice beach!
The station is a block off of Coast Hwy and you can walk in either direction to go exploring… there are plenty of restaurants and bars up and down the highway, not to mention some cute shops. If you head south far enough, you can reach the Self Realization Fellowship Hermitage & Meditation Gardens. In other words, there is lots to do in walking distance from this station, so if you’re wanting a place to stop on your Coaster route, Encinitas is a great stop.

This is your typical train station, albeit small and right in the heart of Encinitas. Whether you’re coming to Encinitas or leaving it, you’ll find that walking to nearby business and eateries is convenient and fun!
A few tips: there are several sizable lots around the coaster station — one directly east and one directly west of the tracks. The lot that is west of the tracks is mainly 1 hour parking, so be sure to avoid that lot or be aware of the signage if you are parking for the day. There are also two parking lots just south of the station.
Be aware that Amtrak trains frequently buzz through this station without stopping. They are loud but fast!
Be sure to pay for a ticket at one of the two kiosks — the patrol has been stepped up and they are asking people for tickets when you board or while you are in travel. If you don’t have a ticket, you can get a citation for up to $ 300! Way easier to just pay $ 4 to ride!
Since there is only one track, you’ll know where to board. If you get there early enough, a coffee station is at the far south corner of the station. If not, go get breakfast or lunch before you ride.
Schedule here:

I frequently ride the Coaster from this station without any trouble. Since there is only 1 track, it is easy to know where to wait for the train.
There is a lot of parking and there are a lot of buses that come here.

Nice park and ride feature, although the parking lot could be a little better. Clean and safe station in a nice part of town, great location to drop off if you are coming to explore Encinitas by foot from other parts of town. The Coaster is a great asset for San Diego although the trains run less frequently than desired. Not much in terms of resources (bathrooms etc), it is a minimal drop off point.

All aboard!!! I wish they said that when they stopped at every station, that would be hilarious. Unfortunately those people have been replaced with coaster patrol, who profile you as you get on the train… which isn’t really a bad thing as long as they are looking out for the health and safe of the passengers.
Anyway make sure you get there more than a few seconds before the train comes because you have to buy a ticket before you get one or else!!! I heard some people getting in trouble for not having a ticket and they said its a $ 400 ticket! So make sure you give yourself time to navigate that stupid machine they have because there is usually a line. Not only is there a line, but when the train gets close and people are under pressure they can’t seem to figure out how to use the machine… happens every time. The coaster needs to step up its game and do something about the stupid ticket machine, we have technology! Let’s make an app that allows you to buy your ticket electronically please, I heard it was coming soon, but I’ll believe it when I see it!
Oh yeah, NO DRINKING ON THE COASTER AFTER 9PM

It’s local, convient, and clean. Unfortunatly the card readers on the ticket machines are iffy. (I’ve been in a couple of clutch situations where I almost missed a train beacuse of the thing.)
There are no bathrooms but if you ride in the morning there is a coffee vender there everyday. (Coaster coffee; $ 1.75 for a small and $ 2.00 for a large). They have vending machines but they are over priced and not really worth it.
Trains are pretty much on time the majority of the time.

I recently took my daughters on their first train ride from Encinitas into San Diego.
We had a blast! The train was on time, clean and super fast. The price of a ticket was quite reasonable and the best part was that I didn’t have to worry about parking in downtown San Diego. I not only felt safe traveling with them but I felt a bit nostalgic as well.
I am now a full fledged train using junky!!!

Pretty standard as far as smaller train stations go.
I really don’t care at all except this is where the Coaster leaves me for my yoga classes at the Jois Yoga Shala.
The Amtrak whizzes through here at blistering speeds and I predict that someday there will be a horrendous accident here.

Very convenient if you need to hit a big convention in LA. Leave your car here, buy a ticket and get on board. A great alternative to sitting in traffic. From the LA station you can take the subway which is very convenient and stops a couple blocks from your destination. The train itself is clean, fast, comfortable and they give you a little snack box. The view to the ocean is beautiful. I suggest going to the top floor of the train car for the best views. My sons love Thomas The Train Engine, they would love a little trip north.