Sprinter to San Diego Breweries, Stone Brewing, Lost Abbey, Oceanside Ale Works, Backstreet Brewery, San Marcos Brewery

Ride the Sprinter to San Diego Breweries

Interested in visiting some of north San Diego County's breweries? The North County Transit District’s “Sprinter” commuter train may be the answer to your transportation needs.  There are eight breweries located along Sprinter's Highway 78 corridor route (Oceanside to Escondido).   San Diego is Brewing will be focusing on a tour of five of those breweries—each located within a short to moderate walk from a Sprinter station.

The Sprinter is a sleek, quiet train that travels the 22-mile route in approximately 50 minutes.  For more information about the Sprinter, visit their website (link provided at the end of this article).  At their website, you will be able to view maps, schedules and other important information about riding the Sprinter.

If you start at the west end (Oceanside Transit Center) of the route and travel east, the first brewery that is on today’s tour is Oceanside Ale Works.  Get off the Sprinter at the Rancho del Oro Transit Center.  Upon disembarking at the Rancho del Oro Transit Center, it is approximately a seven tenths (0.7) of a mile walk east to the Oceanside Ale Works.

After your visit to Oceanside Ale Works, return to the Rancho del Oro Transit Center.  Board the Sprinter and head east to visit the tour’s next brewery stop - Backstreet Brewery.  Exit the train at the Vista Transit Center.  From the Vista Transit Center, it is a short ¼ mile walk south to the Backstreet Brewery. Backstreet Brewery is part of Lamppost Pizza, where the menu focuses on their signature pizzas, as well as pasta, sandwiches and appetizers.  When you are ready to experience the next brewery, head back to the Vista Transit Center and proceed eastbound.

The third stop on today’s tour will take you to San Marcos Brewery.  To visit the San Marcos Brewery, disembark at the Palomar College Transit Center.  From this station, it is about 1-1/3 miles southwest to the San Marcos Brewery. You will cross under Highway 78 on your way to San Marcos Brewery.  San Marcos Brewery also has extensive lunch, appetizer, happy hour and dinner menus. When you are ready to continue the tour eastward, return to the Palomar College Transit Center and head eastbound to the next station.

The Lost Abbey is the fourth stop on today’s tour.  To get to Lost Abbey, exit the train at the San Marcos Civic Center.  From this station, walk about one mile east and you will arrive at the Lost Abbey.  Return to the San Marcos Civic Center and continue eastbound for one last stop.

The final stop on today’s tour is Stone Brewing Company.  To access Stone Brewing Company, disembark at the Nordahl Road Transit Center and trek south a little over a mile from the station.  It is a bit of an uphill trek, but well worth it – especially if you have never visited this brewery.  Besides the beautiful outdoor landscaping, koi ponds and fire breathing stones, Stone has a very unique and diverse food menu.

Keep in mind that if you intend to ride the Sprinter back west to Oceanside, the last train of the evening leaves the Nordahl Road Transit Center around 7:30 pm, so plan accordingly!  Depending on your activity level (and how much you imbibe throughout this day), it will likely take you 20-30 minutes for the downhill walk back to the train station from Stone Brewing. 

Even though five breweries are spotlighted on today’s tour, it doesn’t mean that you need to visit all five in one day.  Keep in mind that the last train leaves the east end (in Escondido) around 7:30 pm.  It would probably take an early start and rather short stays at each brewery if you were to attempt visiting all five breweries in one day.  At most, my suggestion is to try two or three tastings in one day.  You may then enjoy the other breweries on a different day.  Whatever you decide, the Sprinter is a great way to leave the driving to someone else so that you can really enjoy your time experiencing some of the San Diego area’s finest breweries!

Article by James Omlid, San Diego is Brewing

Additional information:

Sprinter info:  www.gonctd.com/sprinter_intro.htm
Oceanside Ale Works:  www.oceansidealeworks.com
Backstreet Brewery:  www.lamppost-backstreet.com/Backstreet_Brewery.html
San Marcos Brewery & Grill:  www.sanmarcosbrewery.com
The Lost Abbey:  www.lostabbey.com
Stone Brewing Co:  www.stonebrew.com