Amtrak Surfliner 2 week trip with elementary age kids

Question

I want to take a two week trip to SoCal and am for sure going to Anaheim for 3-4 days to do disney, and San Diego for 4ish days as well. I’d really like to do most of the trip on the Pacific Surfliner and am looking for another place or two to stop anywhere on the route. Preferably atleast one with a beach and more of a low-key vibe to relax between disney and san diego. I was leaning toward santa monica, but am not familiar with the other stops.

Answer

The Pacific Surfliner is a fantastic way to explore Southern California with kids—easy, scenic, and much less stressful than driving in SoCal traffic. Since you already have Anaheim and San Diego planned, adding 1–2 relaxing coastal stops along the Surfliner route is a perfect idea. Several towns offer beaches, walkability, kid-friendly activities, and train stations close to the action.

Below are the best Surfliner stops that fit your goals, plus details to help you choose where to spend those low-key days between Disneyland and San Diego.

Top relaxing coastal stops along the Surfliner, ideal for kids:

San Clemente – A quiet beach town with a true laid-back surf vibe. The Surfliner stops at San Clemente Pier (weekends) and San Clemente North Beach (daily). Both stations are right next to long sandy beaches—no car required. You can walk along the shoreline trail, relax at the pier, or hop between casual beach cafés. This is one of the best “low-key” choices on the route.
Oceanside – A great family-friendly stop with a huge beach, long pier, playgrounds, waterfront dining, and an easy 5–10 minute walk from the station to the sand. Oceanside has an emerging arts district, a nice harbor area, and plenty of room for kids to run around. It’s relaxed without feeling sleepy and is very conveniently located between Anaheim and San Diego.
Carlsbad Village – One of the nicest beach towns on the Surfliner route. The station is right in the charming Village area, and the beach is just a short walk away. Great for families who want boutique shops, ice cream stops, kid-friendly restaurants, and long beach days. Much calmer than LA beaches and extremely walkable.
Santa Barbara – A bit farther north on the route but an excellent stop if you want a few days before heading toward Anaheim. Beautiful beaches, a long beachfront path, a pier with kid activities, and a very walkable downtown near the station. It’s not as “low-key” as smaller towns but offers a wonderful coastal vacation feel.
Ventura – Often overlooked but very relaxed and family-friendly. Wide beaches, a historic downtown about 10 minutes from the station, and a fun pier. It’s an excellent stop if you want something mellow and less expensive than Santa Barbara.

More details to help you decide where to stop:

Best “low-key beach town” experience: San Clemente or Carlsbad Village. Both are walkable, calm, and perfect between the busyness of Disneyland and San Diego attractions.
Best for families who want amenities + beach: Oceanside. Lots to do without being overwhelming. Beaches are huge and great for kids.
Best for scenery and a more polished atmosphere: Santa Barbara. A little farther, but worth it if you want a beautiful, upscale beach destination.
Best budget-friendly mellow stop: Ventura. A peaceful option with a slower pace and good food.

Suggested Itinerary Flow:

If you want the most convenient and smooth railway-based itinerary with kids, this is a great order:

Start in a relaxing coast town (Carlsbad, Oceanside, or San Clemente) for 2–3 nights
Head to Anaheim for 3–4 days of Disney
Continue on the Surfliner to San Diego for 4+ days

This structure gives your family a calm beach break before Disney crowds and again before diving into San Diego’s museums, zoo, and other activities.

Overall, sticking to the Surfliner is absolutely doable with kids, and the beach towns along the route are ideal for slower, relaxing days. Carlsbad, Oceanside, and San Clemente are the most seamless stops with the best mix of beach access, walkability, and kid-friendly amenities.

You’ll get a great mix of fun, rest, and ocean views all trip long.