Carlsbad Poinsettia Coaster Station

This location is one of the nicest you’ll find. Lots of close parking. Quiet & secure. From 6 to 12:00 noon you can get coffee & snacks. 10 minute walk to some of the nicest beaches you’ll find on the California coast. Also 10 minute walk to Carlsbad state campgrounds. Walk directly west from the station. You’ll walk through a small neighborhood to the crosswalk on the 101. Easy.

never take this service to a chargers game!!! we were told not to be a minute late for the 9;07 departure after the chargers game. we left the game early to facilitate making this time deadline. without any announcements they delayed the departure to 10 pm as dozens of us sat for another hour.
the only part worst than the hours wasted sitting on a train and missing the end of the game was the treatment from a san diego police officer at the old town transit center! a total bully!!!

Despite this station lacking shaded areas near the track I actually like this station. There is a cute little coffee stand, bathrooms near the front and there seems to be a lot less vagrants hanging around. It’s really close to a grocery store and 24 hour fitness which makes this station very convenient. There’s a lot of benches to sit on, just wish there were more shaded areas.

They need to put up some shade. There is no shade at all, other than the sliver behind the lamp posts. The other stations I’ve been to has shade, why can’t this one?!
Also, it sucks when they change the track numbers on you without notice. Sometimes they announce it on the PA system, but it’s hard to hear unless you’re right next to it.
I’ve once missed a train because they didn’t announce the change. I even ran to the front of the train with my heavy luggage to try to make it, after I found that the back of the train overhung the crossing area at the back of the train. By the time I reached the doors, which had JUST closed… the heartless train conductor honked at me and wouldn’t open the doors (even though it was at a full stop) and left.

A great visit to the San Diego. Took the Coaster train from Carlsbad to Old Town… so enjoyable and didn’t have to fight the traffic

The good:
1. A decent alternative to SD airport (get off Santa Fe Station and airport is a $ 10 or less über ride). That’s a fraction of the cost compared to the $ 85 I paid for town car service
2. Beautiful beach view going southbound
The bad:
1. Limited schedule (especially weekends)
2. Limited public transit connecting to additional locations.
3. Track can be confusing at times – and you may miss the train because of it. However, here’s a trick – pretend you are in London (or Hong Kong or Ireland) where they drive on the left side of the «track.»
When going South, the train is on Track 1 (East side). When going North, it’s on Track 2 (West – close to ocean)
You are welcome.
Tip: When going to airport, get off at second to last station (SD old town, not Santa Fe). Easier to take taxi due to less traffic. $ 18 on taxi to airport, $ 10 on Über or Lyft. Typically those drivers are around and will arrive within 5 minutes.

It’s a commuter train station. There’s more than ample parking. It seems safe, with clean, working restrooms, and a simple coffee station. Note: A coffee station may not have all walls, seating, or fancy coffees, but in a pinch, they’ll get you a caffeine fix.
Amtrak only stops here for specific stops to aid the Coaster for extended hours, and it’s so good that they do.
Otherwise it’s not terribly close to anything or easy for mapping software to get to, but without it, I’m not sure I’d have a job (where I do.)

The city has removed all of the shade, there is nobody working the ticket booth and you cannot buy amtrak passes here — so you are pretty fucked all around.
Amtrak only makes occasional stops which sucks for commuters.
No wonder the freeways are choked — public transit is shit.
I watch every day as the poor old folks have to sit in the roasting 80+ heat.
Utter dogshit.

I only parked here because there is ample parking if you are going to the Carlsbad Village Street Faire and they will give you a free bus ride back and forth on a nice bus (not one of those small kid only seat yellow school buses like they do at the SD County Fair). Not a fancy stop or anyone to help if you want to catch the train. Just a basic on/​off stop.

I’m guessing this stop is mostly used for commuters… not much going on here! My recommendation — keep on going to Carlsbad Village and get off and explore around there. Much more interesting!

I double dog dare you to get off at this stop!
I give this stop 2 «wasted minutes» out of 10

FYI You can only get to this location by car from Avenida Encinas on the East side of the tracks, unless you don’t mind a little walk along a trail.
Tons of wide open parking this isn’t as busy or crowded as the Carlsbad Village or Sorrento Valley or most any other coastal station. Don’t expect there to be a volunteer there showing you how to use new machines. Less creepy as it’s wide open, but also not really close enough to anywhere close to run to for help if something happens.

This station is fairly basic. Very little in the way of aesthetics, its pretty straight forward. There are access points on both ends of the station that will cut west to the beach. The north side doesn’t have a gate so I recommend you go that way. The restrooms are clean but are often closed. Very unsteady schedule so don’t count on them. There is a coffee shop that is open early every weekday so that is nice. There are also two vending machines for drinks. There is more than ample parking and the lot is clean. Be mindful of the small dirt islands though as they are often littered with doggie land mines. The lot is patrolled by police regularly. The train runs latter during Padre games so you will find some less tasteful members of society disagree with the bathroom schedule and relieve themselves in the parking lot. The tracks are on a remote monitor and you will often hear the voice of a face and nameless individual come over the speakers reprimanding bad behavior or reminding you to buy a ticket before you get on. Overall a nice, small frills station that does all it needs to do.

This station, serviced by the Coaster train, is primarily designed for working commuters, both outbound and inbound. There is ample parking, and there is service by 2 Coaster connection bus lines. However, there’s not much of interest for the casual traveler, as it’s set far back from the main roads. I suppose you could access the Carlsbad Outlet Shoppes (on Palomar AIrport Dr., on the other side of the 5) from this station, but it’s not a quick walk. I’d estimate about a 20 – 30 minute walk… I haven’t done it nor do I have the desire to. But, it IS within walking distance of a Porsche dealership in case you need your 911 Turbo fix. The nearby beaches are doable as well, if that was your only goal. Otherwise, the Carlsbad Village stop is much more interesting.