Need San Diego Baggage Help

[John Bobinyec]

Later on this year, my wife and daughter will be touring southern California by rental car. When it's time to leave, they want to check their baggage at the San Diego (SAN) train station and then get rid of the rental car at the airport. Getting back to the station is easy. The tricky part, according to Amtrak, is that there is no short-term or long-term parking at the station.

Where can they park the car near the station so that they won't have to shlep their bags too far? Is there on-street parking? A nearby parking garage perhaps?

Thanks,

jb

 

[kbmiflyer]

There is parking in the area, some on street parking and some surface lots. There is a large parking lot on the west side of the station at the corner of Broadway and Pacific Coast Highway.

To save some time, you also might want to look for downtown rental car drop offs. There is a Hertz by the station, and I know there is an AVIS just a few blocks from the station. Probably other rental car company locations nearby also.

https://www.hertz.com/rentacar/location/unitedstates/california/sandiego/SANX20

https://www.avis.com/car-rental/location/details.ac?LOCATIONCODE=KS3

 

[rickycourtney]

That parking lot mentioned is the most convenient, unfortunately they only charge a daily rate. It appears that the cruise ship parking lot at the northwest corner of Broadway and Pacific Highway offers hourly parking, so that might be a better bet and it's not far from the station.

But before they pay for a parking spot, I suggest they look for short-term or metered parking along Kettner. There's only four or five spots that fit that bill but it's worth checking.

 

[seat38a]

The parking lot next to the station you can see it here between the engines. You literally walk across the platform to the station. The lot is not free parking as already mentioned above.

IMG_0339 by seat38a, on Flickr

 

[rickycourtney]

Right that's the parking lot I mentioned. It's super convenient but again it only has daily rates. So compared to an hourly lot they would have to pay a lot to park for 30 minutes.

 

[amtkstn]

A little off topic, but the nice thing about San Diego is that the airport in very close to the station.

 

[Bruce-C]

If they could return the car first. There is bus service (SD Metropolitan Transit System rt#992) every 15min. from the airport terminals to downtown (across Broadway & Kettner) from Amtrak station. I am assuming they are not carrying too much luggage.

 

[John Bobinyec]

If they could return the car first. There is bus service (SD Metropolitan Transit System rt#992) every 15min. from the airport terminals to downtown (across Broadway & Kettner) from Amtrak station. I am assuming they are not carrying too much luggage.

That WOULD work just fine, except that there WILL be too much luggage. So they'll need to get rid of the luggage first.

jb

 

[Bruce-C]

John

I'm sure they don't want to be separated between luggage check-in and rental return. So the only way I know (if there is no parking on Kettner to drop off luggage) is to take a cab from the rental return to the Amtrak station (less than 5mi.). Go to www.san.org for San Diego taxi service and fare calculators.

ps. What time of day are we talking about!!

 

[John Bobinyec]

ps. What time of day are we talking about!!

Mid to late afternoon. They need to catch 2 at Los Angeles, at 10 p.m.

jb

 

[Bruce-C]

ps. What time of day are we talking about!!

Mid to late afternoon. They need to catch 2 at Los Angeles, at 10 p.m.

jb

The area around SD Amtrak would be fine at that time!

I guess a ride around Kettner looking for a parking spot would be the first choice. Backed up by a $20.00 cab ride from the rental return.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

 

[the_traveler]

Another option is that if there are two or more, drive to the Amtrak station to unload the bags. One person checks the baggage and the other stays with the car - possibly driving around. All do not have to go to check the bags.

 

[John Bobinyec]

Another option is that if there are two or more, drive to the Amtrak station to unload the bags. One person checks the baggage and the other stays with the car - possibly driving around. All do not have to go to check the bags.

That's a possibility. Is there a drop-off area? Can you park there for a very limited amount of time - say 2 minutes? The problem is that my daughter is the one who will be handling the luggage AND will be the one who is driving. So the operation would be:

1. Park in the drop-off area
2. Both go inside, with my daughter hauling some luggage to the baggage window.
3. Wife stays inside with those suitcases.
4. Daughter runs outside to grab another load.
5. Daughter brings in the rest of the luggage and leaves them with the wife at the baggage window.
6. Daughter runs back out and minds the car or possibly starts driving around the block.
7. Wife handles the check-in of the suitcases.
8. Daughter picks up wife after baggage check-in is completed.
9. They proceed to the car rental place.
10. They return to the train station with the carry-ons.

So, is there a drop-off area where they can unload for a few minutes?

jb

 

[Bruce-C]

John

This makes it easier with an adult daughter.

There is a drop-off area on the Kettner Ave. side of the station. Please Google Map "San Diego Amtrak Kettner". When you go to the Kettner Ave. street view, you will see a white curb drop-off area at a low-covered side entrance to the building. This entrance will lead directly to the Amtrak desk. It is on the north-wall of the waiting area. Baggage check-in is to the west side of the Amtrak desk.

Sorry, I'm having trouble attaching anything today!!

 

[John Bobinyec]

John

This makes it easier with an adult daughter.

There is a drop-off area on the Kettner Ave. side of the station. Please Google Map "San Diego Amtrak Kettner". When you go to the Kettner Ave. street view, you will see a white curb drop-off area at a low-covered side entrance to the building. This entrance will lead directly to the Amtrak desk. It is on the north-wall of the waiting area. Baggage check-in is to the west side of the Amtrak desk.

Sorry, I'm having trouble attaching anything today!!

Wonderful! Thanks, Bruce!

jb

 

[neroden]

Later on this year, my wife and daughter will be touring southern California by rental car. When it's time to leave, they want to check their baggage at the San Diego (SAN) train station and then get rid of the rental car at the airport. Getting back to the station is easy. The tricky part, according to Amtrak, is that there is no short-term or long-term parking at the station.

Where can they park the car near the station so that they won't have to shlep their bags too far? Is there on-street parking? A nearby parking garage perhaps?

There's an on-street "kiss and ride" pick-up/ drop-off area on Kettner Blvd. Couldn't be easier! (I see that Bruce has pointed this out.)