#USA #California #Southern California #Amtrak #Pacific Surfliner

As the summer season approaches, Southern California is bracing itself for a bustling calendar of exciting events, and Amtrak® Pacific Surfliner® invites travelers to ditch their cars and hop aboard the train for convenient access to the region's most anticipated activities. Whether it's international sporting events, Comic-Con, horse races, wine festivals, or county fairs, the Pacific Surfliner serves as a practical solution to the problems of traffic congestion and skyrocketing parking fees.

In anticipation of the high traffic during these events, Amtrak is rolling out additional seating and enhanced services on select trains to accommodate the influx of passengers eager to attend these summer highlights. Major events are expected to draw crowds numbering in the hundreds of thousands, likely leading to considerable road congestion and limited parking options.

Traveling via the Pacific Surfliner not only alleviates the stress of driving but also allows passengers to bask in the comfort of onboard amenities while soaking in breathtaking coastal views on their journey to various destinations throughout Southern California.

"One of the most significant advantages of taking the Pacific Surfliner is the ease with which it connects travelers to many of Southern California's iconic hotspots," stated Jason Jewell, General Manager of LOSSAN. "Whether you’re attending a major sporting event or a local festival, our route enables you to leave the car behind and spend more time enjoying your destination, rather than worrying about traffic and parking."

Events Easily Accessible by Pacific Surfliner this Summer

Here are some of the key events you can reach via the Pacific Surfliner this summer:

• - California Wine Festival – Santa Barbara (July 17-18)

For wine enthusiasts, the California Wine Festival in Santa Barbara offers a stress-free way to attend without the hassle of limited parking. Passengers can travel directly on the Pacific Surfliner and take a short walk to the festival activities.

• - Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Fan Zone – Downtown Burbank (July 18-19)

Soccer fans wanting to enjoy the thrill of the game without outrageous ticket prices can take advantage of the official FIFA World Cup 2026 Fan Zone in Downtown Burbank. This location is just a stone's throw from the Burbank train station. Special stops will be offered throughout the day by the Pacific Surfliner to support fans.

• - Del Mar Horse Racing Season (July 17 – September 7)

The opening day at Del Mar is a cherished summer tradition in Southern California. With over 21,000 attendees expected for the inaugural day, the Pacific Surfliner plans to expand capacity and improve services on certain trains to meet the rising demand. Travelers can ride the Pacific Surfliner to Solana Beach Station and easily transfer to a complimentary bus service that will take them to Del Mar Racetrack on race days.

• - San Diego Comic-Con International (July 23-26)

Expected to attract over 135,000 attendees, Comic-Con International is notorious for its parking challenges. Given that nearby spots are allocated through a highly competitive lottery system, as well as the high costs of private parking lots, some Pacific Surfliner trains will offer additional seating options to facilitate travel to the event. The service provides direct access to downtown San Diego, placing attendees within walking distance or a short public transport connection to the convention center.

• - Ventura County Fair (July 29 – August 9)

The Ventura County Fair is one of California's most popular annual fairs, welcoming over 267,000 visitors in previous years. The Ventura station is conveniently located just a few steps from the fair’s main entrance, allowing guests to skip parking and dive right into the festivities. To further assist attendees, the Pacific Surfliner is providing a 20% discount on round-trip train fares to the Ventura County Fair from July 16 until the fair concludes.

Travelers are encouraged to plan ahead and book tickets early, particularly for weekends and major event dates, by visiting PacificSurfliner.com or using the Amtrak mobile app.

About Amtrak® Pacific Surfliner®

The Pacific Surfliner operates a scenic coastal route stretching 351 miles through San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties, serving 29 stations along the way. It is recognized as the busiest state-subsidized intercity rail service in the U.S. For more information and to plan your trip, visit pacificsurfliner.com.

About LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency

The Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency is a joint powers authority comprising railway owners, operators, and planning agencies along the LOSSAN rail corridor. In addition to enhancing passenger rail transportation, revenue, punctuality, operational flexibility, and safety, LOSSAN assumed the management responsibility of the Pacific Surfliner service in July 2015 following an inter-agency transfer agreement with the state of California. For further details, visit Lossan.org.