11 Things You'll Fall in Love With on This Southern California Train Trip

Your first official stop takes only eight minutes if you're hopping on at the Sante Fe Depot, or make this your jumping off point. It wouldn't be a quintessential SoCal stop without a salt-air stroll along the famous Mission Beach boardwalk. A quick Uber ride or jaunt on the Number 8 bus will connect you to the breeze as the skateboarders whiz by you and partake in some epic people watching on your boardwalk walk. Fun fact: there's a churro place to get your munch on, because no stroll is complete without a snack, obviously.

From Old Town, the next stop is a mere 13 minutes. It'll be worth the quickie cab ride for the ocean views. Trade your flip-flops for sneakers and do the classic Torrey Pines trails for some coastal eye candy and exercise, of course. The scenery is on point, and with a myriad of trails branching off the main one, there's enough to keep you busy for a good while.

Great news: you've earned some guacamole and a beer with that trail trekking! Before getting back on the Coaster, rejoice at the barstools of Shore Rider, tucked away in La Jolla, and our delicious little secret. Let's hope you've save some room for the next stop; it's time to bust over to Del Mar. Hop back on the train at Sorrento Valley and complete the 11-minute stretch to Solana Beach, just a touch north of Del Mar. Although there is no train stop, this little backtrack-ish jaunt will be well worth it, promise.

Told ya it'd be worth it. Because beer. And fire pits. And lagoon views. Convinced yet? Oh, did we mention the make-your-own-beer-flight thing they've got going on? Yeah, that. For $2 a pop, you can create your own assortment of brew tastings or take their recommendation from the menu. Easy, peasy. This brewery alone is enough for the train peeps to consider building a stop in Del Mar (hint, hint). Next up in Solana Beach . . . a little shopping shop.

Solana is the stop to shop. Seriously, though. With two big spaces hosting numerous vendors, it's a one-stop shop (literally) for the cutest, most thoughtful treats. It's so chic, in fact, that you'll want to move in. Leaping Lotus and Solo are right across from each other, so could it be any easier? It's like wandering around Etsy, but better because it's all right there in front of you. There are clothing choices, photography, and art — oh, and epic gift ideas galore. Once you've made some beer-induced purchases, take the five-minute walk to the Solana Beach station and head up to your next destination: Encinitas.

Swami's original is a must because, well, it's famous. Plus, that six-minute train ride probably has you hungry again. Grab a coffee and an acai bowl to channel your inner Californian. Or order up one of their many other glorious choices from an extensive menu of tastiness. This is the flagship location, and if you don't head across the street to Swami's beach to watch the surfers for a hot minute, then you're doing it wrong. A classic California scene awaits.

OK, so you might be full. This is an Encinitas bonus item, and if you're a sushi-lover, HapiFish will make you, well, happy. So make some room. If not, its happy hour special is enough to stop by for. Sake for $1, beers for $3 — can't go wrong from 3 to 6 p.m. EVERY day. Now that you're Hapi, it's time to head over to the Carlsbad area, where beach goodness awaits.

Another six minutes from Encinitas to the first stop in Carlsbad and a nice beachside walk. A solid stretch of walking/running path skirts the Pacific here and awaits your feet. Lose yourself in counting palm trees, breathing in the intoxicating salt air, or petting every puppy you see. Either way, it'll be an enjoyable entry point to Carlsbad.

Beaches were made for sunset picnics, so who are we to disagree? In six minutes, you'll be at the Carlsbad Village stop. BYO blanket and basket, and if you want to bring the experience full circle, fuel your picnic treats via the farmers markets on Wednesdays (3 to 7 p.m.). Stuff your face as the sun tucks itself in for the night. Who says bedtime stories can't be cheese and crackers? Just keep your eyes on that one sneaky seagull — it'll be persistent in swiping a snack from your blanket.

The shortest distance in between stops, you'll find yourself in Oceanside within five minutes from Carlsbad Village. Every Thursday evening, Oceanside gifts you with a sunset market bursting with scrumptious goodies under watercolor-streaked skies. It runs from 5 to 9 p.m., so even if you get there after dark, there's plenty of time. If you're in the market for happy hour specials, too, it just so happens that Davina's Cabo Grill has a perfectly positioned rooftop with a killer buy one get, one deal between 4 and 8 p.m. where you can view all the goings-on below. BOOM.

A bonus Oceanside spot, because jackpot! Hello Betty's is just plain cool. Go for the atmosphere, stay for the salsa trio. They have chill vibes, sweet decor, a rooftop, and live music on occasion. The tortilla chips are served in a generous portion. Pretty much never. want. to. leave.