most scenic route from LA to San Diego.

Is there a train or bus (that travels down the coast) from LA to San Diego? If so, what is the name of the route, the station to catch the transport, and how much is the cost?

Pacific Coast Highway aka PCH.

The train takes a more scenic route than the bus. You can find the stations and schedules here (http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Route/Vertical_Route_Page&c=am2Route&cid=1081256322013&ssid=132).

I suppose this depends on your definition of "scenic" and how much you are committed to Budget Travel... :rolleyes:

On the absolute cheap end, you probably want to look up the thread on getting from San Diego (UC San Diego) to Los Angeles (LAX) using nothing but public transit.....for $5.15. Not only do most of the busses follow the scenic Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) but they also go through Camp Pendelton Marine Base, which is just about the only major undeveloped strech between LA and SD. Here's a LINK (http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=489998)

Another option is the Amtrak (http://www.amtrak.com) "Surfliner" from LA to SD. The fare is about $29 one way. It follows the coast about 40% of the journey from San Clamente to Del Mar.

If you want to drive a private or rental car, PCH is certainly an option for coastal views... (State Route 1) On the other hand, if you'd like to explore inland hills and valleys, try taking I-5 to the 91 freeway east up Santa Anna Canyon, turn south on I-15 through the hills of Temecula, Fallbrook, and Escondido. Both are longer, slower, and a bit more scenic than simply than hopping I-5 for the straight shot down to SD.

I just took Amtrak along that route last Spring. It is beautiful - you'll be almost on the beach along the Orange County/San Diego County border. There are several stations along the way - I went through the downtown LA and Santa Fe (downtown SD) stations.

I'm not sure how you would get to the LA station without taking a taxi, but I recommend it as it looks like they've kept a lot of original features of the building. It's almost like walking into a 1940's/1950's movie set.

I would recommend getting off in downtown San Diego as it will give you the best access to the city.

Enjoy San Diego!

I wouldnt jump onto PCH heading South until I got to about Seal Beach on the 405. PCH south of LAX is pretty disgusting through Harbor City, Lomita, Wilmington and Long Beach. Oil refineries and industrial wasteland.