Mexican Border to San Diego AMTRAK

[Pat]

Hi - I am looking for recommendations on how to get from the end of the PCH (at Border Field State Park) to the San Diego AMTRAK Station.  I could just rewind part of the ACA map and redo the Silver Strand (maybe into the wind).  Has anyone done surface streets in San Diego?  Is the traffic bad?  Are there parts of town to stay out of?

Thanks,

Pat

[PeteJack]

it's not much of a ride from the border to the Amtrak station. Unless you absolutely have to stay off Friars Rd in San Diego (shouldn't be a problem as this is well north of the station and goes E to W). When I did the Sierra Cascades last summer finishing in San Diego this was the only scary bit.

[aggie]

Another possibility is to take the Trolley.  It goes right by the Amtrak station.  Check their internet site for times and stations (I know that one is next to the border crossing).

[jrswenberger]

+1 for the trolley.

Jay

[Pat]

Thanks for the feedback...I have no idea what time of day I will finish the actual tour...I'm thinking get it done...find a Motel 6 or hostel or something...spend the next day seeing some of SD...see if any bike shops have extra boxes...and go to the station the next morning.  If it sounds like I'm making it up as I go along...you would be right. 

Pat

[PeteJack]

There's a hostel (former YMCA) about a block from the Amtrak station. Quite cheap for downtown, about the same as a motel. I've stayed there a couple of times

[aggie]

Check with Amtrak to see if they have any used bike boxes.  That way it's only $5 to ship.  Otherwise they charge $15 for the box and $5 to ship.  The box is big so you only have to take off the pedals and turn or remove the handlebars(depending on type). 

[csykes]

Up and down the Silver Strand is one of my usual weekly rides.You can have headwinds either direction on the  Strand depending on the weather patterns, but it's still a nice route even when windy.  I even experienced headwinds both directions one day when a storm was approaching! The ferry landing is just a few blocks from the Amtrak depot once you cross the bay.  It is also pretty flat riding the eastern leg of the Bay Shore Bike Route that continues around the bay from Chula Vista/Imperial Beach.  You follow it into downtown San Diego to find the depot.  You might want to avoid rush hour in downtown, but it is always ride-able.   

[Pat]

Thanks everyone - I will let you know how it all turns out - we plan on starting our trip on 11 June in Seattle and expect to be in San Diego sometime after that (maybe end of July).

Pat