5.0
Pros: I liked the cafe! As well as the window seat view and calm passage of the trip. Cons: Everything was perfect! Tips: Always be on time! Be kind to the passengers as respectful, and be mindful of other passenger, sitting next to you.
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There are usually 7 daily bus trips available from Santa Ana to Oceanside.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$29.93 | Avg. Price$18.00 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips7 | Daily Trips9 |
Duration | Duration0h 44m | Duration1h 5m |
There are usually 13 daily train trips available from Santa Ana to Oceanside. Traveling by train from Santa Ana to Oceanside usually takes one hour and 5 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train can make the trip in one hour and 3 minutes.
| Distance | 47 mi (76 km) |
| Fastest train | 1h 3m |
| Lowest price | $18.00 |
| Trains per day | 13 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Pacific Surfliner |
| Train lines | 1 |

Average score for trains from Santa Ana to Oceanside
(Based on 2 ratings and reviews)
5.0
Pros: I liked the cafe! As well as the window seat view and calm passage of the trip. Cons: Everything was perfect! Tips: Always be on time! Be kind to the passengers as respectful, and be mindful of other passenger, sitting next to you.
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner is the one and only train line which connects Santa Ana to Oceanside. However, there are 13 trains per day to choose from.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Pacific Surfliner | 13 | 1h 6m | $18.00 |
The Pacific Surfliner is Amtrak’s passenger train service that runs along the Pacific coast of Southern California, connecting San Luis Obispo to the north with San Diego to the south. The line is among the most famous Amtrak routes due to the unique scenic views it presents, as the train parallels the coastline for large portions of the 268-mile railroad stretch. The Pacific Surfliner offers first-class amenities like onboard restrooms, free WiFi, seats with extra legroom and power outlets, as well as storage racks for surfboards. On average, the service offers 13 train trips from Santa Ana to Oceanside every day, and prices for a one-way train ticket start from $18.
Friday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Santa Ana to Oceanside. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Friday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Monday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.
The earliest train departs Santa Ana at 7:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 11:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
There are 13 daily scheduled trains, all of which are direct trains that take you the entire way from Santa Ana to Oceanside.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Oceanside to Santa Ana.

Image credit: Unsplash
Santa Ana is a sunny city in Orange County located between Anaheim and Irvine in the greater Los Angeles area. Downtown Santa Ana bustles with independent breweries, diverse restaurants, unique retail shops, weekly pop-up markets, and art centers. This lively downtown area, in addition to Santa Ana's live-work housing and creative working spaces, make it attractive to young professionals.
One of the most popular spots for visitors is the Santa Ana Zoo, where little ones can enjoy a carousel and mini-train ride along with the animal exhibits. Architecture enthusiasts will love seeing the Bowers Museum, built in a Mission Revival style, and the Heritage Museum, which has restored homes from the 1890s.
The Orange County Transportation Authority and several shuttle services provide transit within Santa Ana. Santa Ana is easily accessible from over 20 other cities by Amtrak Thruway bus or on the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train. The primary airport for Orange County, John Wayne Airport, is located in Santa Ana and also makes it easy to travel to this vibrant SoCal spot.
Oceanside is a beautiful coastal city in Southern California, best known for its lovely beaches and stunning ocean views. Visitors can enjoy plenty of outdoor activities such as swimming, sunbathing, surfing, fishing, and more.
There are also many great points of interest worth checking out, including the Oceanside Pier, which offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. Also, don't miss the Oceanside Museum of Art, which houses a collection of art from across the globe. Other attractions include Mission San Luis Rey and the California Surf Museum.
The city also boasts a variety of popular neighborhoods and nightlife destinations, like Downtown Oceanside or Coastal Highway, which are home to several bars and restaurants, and The Strand, which offers a vibrant nightlife scene.
Most ground travel to Oceanside operates through the Oceanside Transit Center. Here, Metrolink trains and local buses connect to Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner route and intercity bus lines like Greyhound. The nearest airport is the McClellan-Palomar Airport, about 3 miles away from the center of Oceanside.
There is one train station in Santa Ana.
Reg Transp Ctr - 1000 E Santa Ana Blvd
Oceanside has one train station.
Oceanside Transit Center
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