VISTA — Cyclists, pedestrians and local leaders recently celebrated the opening of a new segment of the Inland Rail Trail connecting Mar Vista Drive to Civic Center Drive.
The Inland Rail Trail is a multiuse path that runs through Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos, Escondido and a portion of unincorporated San Diego County. The trail is an important element of the San Diego Regional Bike Plan, according to the San Diego Association of Governments.
The easternmost portions of the trail were built in 2009 along a 7-mile stretch between Escondido and San Marcos as part of the project’s “prework” phase.
In 2017, the first phase added a 1-mile segment between North Pacific Street and Cherimoya Drive along the north side of the North County Transit District rail tracks.
In 2021, the second phase opened to the public, adding a 2.5-mile segment along the north side of the tracks between Cherimoya Drive and York Drive in Vista and the south side of the tracks between Woodland Drive and Mar Vista Drive in unincorporated county land.
Together, the first and second phases cost about $54.1 million.
The recently completed third phase added a 1-mile segment between Mar Vista Drive and Civic Center Drive. Construction began in June 2024 and finished in September. This phase cost about $30 million and was funded through TransNet and grants from the California Transportation Commission’s Active Transportation Program.
“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 SANDAG Chair and Solana Beach Mayor Lesa Heebner at a Sept. 26 ribbon-cutting ceremony. “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.”
With the latest segment completed, the trail offers more than 12 continuous miles of pathway separated from traffic between Escondido and Vista. Once finished, the Inland Rail Trail will provide 21 miles of continuous pathway for cyclists and pedestrians.
“The community is so excited for this bike trail,” said Vista Councilmember Corinna Contreras at the event. “I am so thankful that today we get to celebrate the grand opening of this incredible bicycle facility.”
The newly paved pathway also features drought-tolerant landscaping, drainage channels that filter stormwater and upgraded curbs, inlets and pipes that direct rainwater away from the path. A pocket park with a small rest area is at the corner of Mar Vista Drive.
The fourth phase, now in the final design stage, would add a 2-mile segment from Civic Center Drive to North Drive. According to SANDAG, these are two of Vista’s busiest streets.
The fourth phase may take longer to complete than originally planned after SANDAG had to return about $11.7 million to the state because the funding was at risk of expiring. The funds were awarded in 2021 during Cycle 5 of the California Transportation Commission’s Active Transportation Program.
SANDAG intends to reapply for funding in a future program cycle. The fourth phase is expected to cost about $34.2 million.
