Over the next two weeks, we are partnering with BuildSD and Strongtowns Oceanside on a multi-part series on SB79 implementation in San Diego County. Read part 1, here. – DN
On June 18, 2026, the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) released a draft map for the implementation of 2025’s Senate Bill 79 introduced by Scott Wiener (D-SF) in San Diego County. SB 79 upzones the areas surrounding qualifying bus and rail transit stops. One notable stop missing from this map is Solana Beach Station. Solana Beach, governed by SANDAG Board Chair Lesa Heebner, is a small coastal town of roughly 12,000 people along the former Highway 101 corridor in North County.
However, the Solana Beach station should be a Tier 2 stop, per the provisions of SB 79.
Solana Beach Station is served by every COASTER trip and nearly every Pacific Surfliner trip. Monday through Thursday, there are 15 round-trips on COASTER, with an additional round-trip on Fridays. On Sundays, there are 10 round-trips on COASTER, with an additional round-trip on Saturdays. The Pacific Surfliner provides a consistent 13 daily round-trips all week. Additionally, future service expansions are planned for both services, and funded for the Pacific Surfliner. Thus, the minimum amount of daily train traffic on weekdays is 56 trips. Per SANDAG’s own methodology, and guidance from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), the Pacific Surfliner is to be considered commuter rail for purposes of SB 79 implementation. Thus, Solana Beach easily clears the Tier 2 rail service requirement of 48 daily trips. Additionally, North County Transit-San Diego Railroad bus route 101 provides service to the station every half hour, although this does not create SB 79 eligibility alone…