Surf Line

Surf Line
The southbound San Diegan passes through Capistrano Beach, California on the Surf Line in April 1973.
Overview
OwnerBNSF Railway (Los Angeles-Fullerton)
SCRRA (Tracks, Fullerton-OC/SD County line) OCTA (right of way)
NCTD (OC/SD County line-San Diego)
LocaleSouthern California
Termini
Stations34 (11 Amtrak stations, 23 commuter rail stations)
Service
TypeInter-city rail
Higher-speed rail
Commuter rail
SystemAmtrak (through SCRRA)
NCTD
BNSF Railway
Operator(s)Amtrak (Amtrak California)
Metrolink
Coaster
Ridership1,517,425 (FY23) Decrease -7.1%[a][1]
History
Opened1882 (first section)
1885 (final section)
Technical
Track length128 mi (206 km)
Number of tracks1-4
Track gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
ElectrificationOverhead line25 kV 60 Hz AC (Los Angeles-Anaheim, 2030-2033)[b]

The Surf Line is a railroad line that runs from San Diego to Orange County along California's Pacific coast. It was so named because much of the line is near the Pacific Ocean, within less than 100 feet (30 m) in some places. It is the second busiest passenger rail corridor in the United States after the Northeast Corridor.

The tracks are now owned by Metrolink in Orange County and the North County Transit District (NCTD) in San Diego County[c] and hosts Metrolink's Orange County Line and Inland Empire–Orange County Line, San Diego County's Coaster, and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner passenger trains. BNSF Railway operates freight over the line using trackage rights.


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  1. ^ "Amtrak Fiscal Year 2023 Ridership" (PDF). Amtrak. November 27, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.