The San Diego Coastal Rail-Trail project consists of a trail built alongside the active North County Transit District right-of-way from San Diego to Oceanside. Most of the northern section of the trail is within a block or two of the coastline, and only goes inland at Torrey Pines State Beach through Mission Bay. Each city along the right of way has assumed responsibility for construction and maintenance of their respective section of the trail. The 17-mile segment from Oceanside to Solana Beach will be the first to open. There are completed segments in Solana Beach, Carlsbad, and Oceanside. The project is strongly supported by the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), all the cities along the corridor, the North County Transit District Board, and is included in the Regional Transportation Plan, and all the Bicycle Transportation Plans of the cities along the route. The plan has won accolades from the American Planning Association and received an orchid at the annual Onions and Orchids city planning awards in San Diego. When the trail is completed, it will provide enhanced public access to Carlsbad, South Carlsbad, Leucadia, Moonlight, San Elijo, Cardiff, and Torrey Pines State Beaches, as well as Mission Bay Park, San Dieguito River Parkway, Marian Beare Park, and the Mission Bay Aquatic Area. It would also preserve natural areas adjacent to the San Dieguito River Parkway. The trail will benefit the low income community residing in South Oceanside, and provide easy public access from these areas to many open space areas and state beaches.
The Oceanside to Solana Beach segment of trail is still partially unfunded and requires an additional $2 million in capital construction funds. The City of San Diego is still in search of additional funding for their segment as well. In addition, funding for amenities such as landscaping and interpretive exhibits is uncertain at this point.
The City of Carlsbad is moving forward with their extension of the San Diego Coastal Rail Trail. Although relatively untouched in several years, city planners are now attempting to finish a project they had started in the mid-2000s. They are focusing on connecting the Coaster Carlsbad Village Station to completed trail terminus at Oak Ave as well as investigating connections between Poinsettia Station and Tamarack Ave. Trails are currently in the planning phases, but expected to begin construction in the near future.
Disclaimer: All project trails listed on TrailLink.com are in various phases of development and may not be open for public use. Rails-to-Trails Conservancy does not manage any trails listed on TrailLink.com. To learn more about the current status of trail development, please look in the "Related Links" section below to find contact information for the local organization or agency responsible for trail management.