TrainDay2SanDiego: In Search of 2 Bridges

What We're Doing:
We are taking the train to San Diego for some urban exploration, San Diego style! There are 2 pedestrian bridges and some other areas in Balboa Park I want to check out. This walk features 5 of the classic 7 bridges, plus 2 new ones—making it my custom take on the 7 Bridges of San Diego walk.

We’ll ride a combination of Metrolink and COASTER trains from Irvine to Oceanside and Oceanside to San Diego, make our way up to Balboa Park, explore the bridges, grab lunch, and head down toward the waterfront/Gaslamp Quarter before returning to Santa Fe Depot for the ride home.

Schedule:

• 🕐 9:30 AM: Arrive at Irvine Train Station (15215 Barranca Pkwy, Irvine, CA), purchase tickets, and meet on Platform 2 under the shade of the pedestrian bridge.
• 🕐 9:49 AM: Depart Irvine Station on Metrolink OC Line 1660 (feel free to hop on at other stations; post a comment if you do).
• 🕙 10:48 AM: Arrive at Oceanside Transit Center.
• 🕙 10:56 AM: Depart Oceanside on COASTER 676.

(⚠️ Important Transfer Note: With only an 8-minute transfer window and a platform change, purchase your COASTER Regional Day Pass in advance on the PRONTO app to bypass the station kiosks!)

• 🕚 11:57 AM: Arrive at San Diego Santa Fe Depot.

San Diego Outing:

• 🕛 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Lunch in San Diego.
• 🕐 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM: Bus to Balboa Park & explore the Bridges of San Diego.
• 🕒 3:30 PM: Head back to Santa Fe Depot.

Return:

• 🕓 4:20 PM: Depart Santa Fe Depot on COASTER 683 (arrives Oceanside at 5:22 PM).
• 🕕 5:23 PM: Tight connection: Metrolink OC Line 667 departs Oceanside (1-minute transfer; only possible if COASTER arrives early).

or

• 🕕 6:23 PM: Standard connection: Metrolink IEOC Line 1860 departs Oceanside $\rightarrow$ Arrives Irvine at 🕖 7:24 PM.

🎟️ Tickets & Costs:

• Metrolink Weekend Day Pass: $10.00 ($5.00 for Seniors/Disabled/Youth). Buy at Irvine Station kiosks (Buy Tickets > Weekend Day Pass) or via the Metrolink Mobile App. (Avoid bills larger than $20 at ticket machines).
• COASTER Regional Day Pass: $15.00 ($7.50 for Seniors/Disabled/Youth). Purchase before the trip on the PRONTO app (recommended) or at Oceanside kiosks.

🧴 What to Bring:

• Comfortable walking shoes (expect 6–8 miles on paved surfaces with hills and stairs).
• Sun protection: hat, sunscreen, sunglasses.
• Refillable water bottle.
• A light snack (or pack your own lunch).

Meeting Points:

• Irvine Station: 9:30 AM on Platform 2 under the pedestrian bridge.
• Oceanside Transit Center: ~10:50 AM by the PRONTO ticket kiosks near the pedestrian underpass.

DISCLAIMER:
Group organizer, assistant organizers, and event hosts assume no liability; hike at your own risk. By being a member of this group, you hereby agree to assume all risks and liability related to or resulting from any group functions. You agree that neither you nor any third party will hold any of the group's leaders, officers, or representatives liable for any injury, loss, or damage to your own person or any members of your family, friends, acquaintances, children, pets, or property, arising directly or as a consequence from a group activity. You also agree that your membership of this group is based on an "at will" basis.