Encinitas Coastal Rail Trail

Project Overview

The Encinitas segment of the 44-mile Coastal Rail Trail improves biking and walking connections to several destinations in the Encinitas community, including local parks, businesses, beaches, and schools.

The project is one of the improvements identified in the North Coast Corridor Public Works Plan/Transportation and Resource Enhancement Program (PWP/TREP). The PWP/TREP includes a package of highway, rail, biking/walking, environmental, and coastal access improvements along San Diego’s North Coast Corridor – a 27-mile stretch from La Jolla to Oceanside – over the next 30 years. The PWP/TREP was unanimously approved by the California Coastal Commission (CCC) in August 2014. Each project included in the PWP/TREP is subject to CCC review and approval of a Notice of Impending Development (NOID) permit before the start of construction.

Chesterfield Drive to Santa Fe Drive Undercrossing Segment

A 1.3-mile segment of the Coastal Rail Trail in Encinitas that opened to the public in May 2019 provides a multi-use biking and walking path along the east side of the railroad tracks near San Elijo Avenue, from Chesterfield Drive to the Santa Fe Drive undercrossing.

Caltrans constructed the project in conjunction with ongoing railroad improvement work in the corridor area. Crews began preliminary construction activities along San Elijo Avenue in April 2018 and the project opened to the public in May 2019. For more information, view the project fact sheet in English.

Santa Fe Drive to F Street Segment

Another segment of the Coastal Rail Trail is currently under development in the City of Encinitas, which will extend a half-mile (0.5 miles) between Santa Fe Drive and F Street along the east side of the railroad tracks, near S Vulcan Avenue. This segment of the multi-use path is currently in the final design phase.

Future Coastal Rail Trail – Planning/Alignment Study

In 2020, SANDAG led a planning study with the City of Encinitas, NCTD, and the California Coastal Commission that evaluated the opportunities and constraints of three potential Coastal Rail Trail (CRT) alignments within the City of Encinitas. The project team evaluated adjacent roadway, rail pedestrian, and drainage projects and the resulting findings are used as a basis for the future implementation of the next segments of the Coastal Rail Trail. View the alignment study or fact sheet for more information.

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