SANDAG Celebrates Opening of New Multiuse Segment of the Inland Rail Trail in North County

Trail separated from traffic connects Vista to San Marcos and Escondido

SANDAG Chair and Solana Beach Mayor Lesa Heebner was joined by California Transportation Commission Chair Clarissa Falcon, Vista Councilmember Corinna Contreras, San Marcos Mayor Rebecca Jones, and community leaders to celebrate the completion of a 1.1 mile segment of the Inland Rail Trail in the City of Vista. 

“Completing this North County connection is a win for the San Diego region and is a testament to what we can achieve when we collaborate with our cities, transit operators, and the community to get things done," said Chair Heebner. “This new segment of the Inland Rail Trail provides a truly unique and safe experience for bike riders and pedestrians along the railroad tracks that would otherwise be inaccessible to the public.”  

The new section of the Inland Rail Trail is a paved multiuse path that stretches from Mar Vista Drive to Civic Center Drive in the City of Vista. With this section of the Inland Rail Trail complete, people can now bike, walk, or roll along more than 12 continuous miles of pathway completely separated from traffic from the Escondido Transit Center in the City of Escondido, through the City of San Marcos, to the Civic Center Station in the City of Vista. 

“Today’s completion of Inland Rail Trail Phase 3 represents the kind of forward‑looking investment our communities deserve. This new segment will strengthen regional connectivity, expands safe options for walking and biking, and reflects our shared commitment to building healthier, more accessible neighborhoods,” said CTC Chair Falcon. “I’m proud to see state, regional, and local partners working together to deliver infrastructure that improves quality of life and supports long‑term mobility for residents across North County.” 

The new trail, which runs parallel to North County Transit - San Diego Railroad’s SPRINTER tracks, is fully ADA-compliant and features new lighting along the entire route to enhance nighttime visibility and safety. Construction of the new path started in 2024 and required extensive leveling to address significant elevation changes along the rolling hills, where some areas reached heights of up to 25 feet above the railroad tracks.   

“The community is so excited for this bike trail! The Inland Rail Trail connects communities from Vista, San Marcos, and Oceanside and welcomed visitors from all over with a work-class bike trail that rolls along the natural beauty of North County San Diego,” said Vista Councilmember Contreras. “I am so thankful that today we get to celebrate the grand opening of this incredible bicycle facility.”  

Additional features include drought‑tolerant landscaping, drainage channels that filter stormwater before it reaches the drain, and upgraded curbs, inlets, and pipes that direct rainwater away from the path. A pocket park with a small rest area at the corner of Mar Vista Drive was also incorporated in the project’s final design. 

“Phase 3 of the Inland Rail Trail represents a major milestone in our commitment to building a more connected and accessible North County,” said San Marcos Mayor Jones. “This new segment strengthens the link between San Marcos, Vista, and the broader regional corridor, giving our residents a safer way to move through our communities. I’m grateful for the partnership that made this project possible and thrilled to see our community benefit from infrastructure investments that use taxpayer dollars responsibly and deliver meaningful, visible improvements for everyone.” 

The Inland Rail Trail is part of the SANDAG Regional Bike Plan Early Action Program, an initiative approved by the Board of Directors in 2013 to construct a regional network of high-quality, pedestrian-friendly streets and bikeways that reimagines how we use space on our streets to make them safer and more comfortable for every person who uses them, regardless of age, race, or physical ability. 

“North County Transit-San Diego Railroad is proud to support our partners with the development of the Inland Rail Trail,” said NCTD Vice Chair and San Marcos Deputy Mayor Mike Sanella. “These projects are vital as they help improve the lives of the vibrant communities we serve and strengthen connectivity across North County.” 

This $27.9 million segment of the Inland Rail Trail was funded through a combination of federal, state, and local sources, including Transnet, the regional half-cent sales tax for transportation administered by SANDAG.   
 
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For more information, visit SANDAG - Inland Rail Trail.