Sprinter Folks Keep Coming to the 101 Cafe

The Westminster Presbyterian Church group from Escondido was a pleasure to lead today. They came to have a good time and it appears an historic tour of downtown Oceanside and a meal at the 101 Cafe was just what they wanted. They seemed to enjoy reaching back into their own lives to compare some of our local history with theirs.

They discovered how much fun an adventure on the Sprinter can be. They all said they would be back.

Oceanside's Wide Sandy Beaches

Most visitors to Oceanside do not know how our beaches stay so wide, but if you lived in town for almost any time you would have seen that there is dredging of our Harbor mouth more years than not. Built in the early 1960's it was predictable that sand would fill the mouth our our Harbor and the Camp Pendleton's boat basin next door.
We are fortunate this year to have a very capable company, Manson Construction completing our project in just a few weeks. The last company failed to get the job completed and by the time another contractor was hired the dredging was completed in the summer.
It would be easy to guess that over five million cubic yards of sand has been deposited on our beaches since 1963.
While other communities grapple with sand erosion on their community's beaches we have had an endless supply. It makes our Harbor safer and our beaches wider, a win-win for us all.

Unintended Consequences

Saturday was a day for something new at the 101 Cafe. After eighty years of doing business that is saying something.
This Saturday in rolled a fire truck filled with passegers at the Cafe who had begun their journey in Valley Center. Of course we have had many guest from Valley Center over the years, but none had made the trip beginning in a fire truck followed by a Sprinter ride to Downtown Oceanside and a finally another fire truck ride to the Cafe. Yes the Papa Bear Breakfast Club had made the historic trip to make their Sprinter ride even more unique.
Ron Powell made the arrangements to come to the Cafe with his breakfast club friends plus one, Christa their favorite waitress from Papa Bears, a Valley Center Cafe. Kevin Johnson drove the completely restored classic 1954 Ford Crown fire truck for the days outing. A good time was had by all.

Later this week an Escondido church group is meeting me at the Sprinter Station in Downtown Oceanside to continue their adventure. I will walk them around some of the historic sites including the Pier and then lead them to the Oldest Cafe on US Highway 101 on the West Coast, the 101 Cafe.

It looks as if the unintended consequences of the New Sprinter service is good for business.

From here to There

It seems so long ago that two towns, Oceanside and Escondido were connected by a train that brought passengers and products to market. Of course that changed so many years ago few remember it. But, now 'Sprinter' rail service has begun passenger service again and these two cities now are bracing for a success few envisioned. Already the numbers of eight thousand a day are being reached and with each new day records may fall. Primarily setup for commuters the new 'Sprinter' is carrying more Explorers than anyone envisioned and its not even Summer yet. These Explorers are your Aunts and Uncles, Sisters and Brothers, Moms and Dads as well as vacationers who have found the $ 4.00($ 2.00 for Seniors) for all day riding a great deal.
We can already see the riders in town looking for things to do and where to eat.
We have received phone calls letting us know that groups are coming to the 101 Cafe for a meal. Just a few blocks South on Coast Highway from the Depot it is an easy walk for anyone wishing to take their trip back in time. The Cafe offers a free brochure on the Historical buildings in the downtown. It is open from 6:30 AM till Midnight everyday, Christmas.
The new Sprinter is a great ride, new, quiet and smooth and offers views of the four cities (Escondido, San Marcos, Vista and Oceanside) along the route few have ever seen. Make plans now for this great ride.

Downtown Oceanside, A busy place

Over 120 year ago Oceanside began as a train town when the railroad came from the East in Colton to San Diego via Oceanside. The early train builders knew the Coastal Plain was ideal to build the rail on because of the narrows where the rivers and streams hit the coast. Yes they were saved money.

So what has gone on Downtown, well I think a lot of credit should be given to the thousands of Downtown Merchants themselves. After the train era ended in the 1920's with the advent of the automobile businesses thrived and tried hard to keep up with their owners needs and growth was impressive.

Our community had growth spurts and downturns as would be expected in the new West. Stock market crashes, a depression and World Wars slowed and accelerated our growth, but after WWII our growth seem to never stop.

Lets skip forward to today. MainStreet Oceanside (MSO) began as the Downtown Business Association in the 1990's. It was formed to help promote the Downtown and solve some of its problems. Through partnership with the City, School District and businesses the Association became a shaper of a New Downtown. Many years later the Association took their organization to a new level and applied for and became a Main Street Association. Under this moniker it has grown to become the Downtown Business connection that facilitates its programs and help operate some typical City functions to continue the improvement of Downtown. Dedicated business people and volunteers work tirelessly to keep making our Downtown the jewel next to the shore. And yes you can still visit it by train, Amtrak , Metrolink , Coaster and Sprinter

Bicycling in Oceanside California

Ever since I got my first Bike I have ridden the streets of Oceanside. Now called a beach cruiser I rode my Schwinn fat tired bike in 1958 up and down The Strand and Hill Street (Coast Highway) to explore all a nine year old could. By the time I was twelve I was cruising a non-descript ten speed. I made my first cross-county trip OK to Escondido and back alone. I was wheeling wherever I could. I rode bikes until I could drive in 1965. It wasn't until about twenty years ago that the Bike bug hit me again. I rode borrowed beach cruisers until I started going inland and up lots of hills away from the flat coastal plain. I looked into and bought a Schwinn beach cruiser with a seven speed hub. It was a perfect match, I could cruise The Strand and climb inland no sweat.
Oceanside is like many other beach communities with lots of traffic when the sun is shining. it also has some pretty cool trails
The City also a has a Dasini Blue Bike Program that loans out bike at no cost to the rider. One of Oceanside's best trails is the San Luis Rey River path a Class one trail. Of course our beach area and primarily The Strand and Harbor are great areas for the occasional rider and kids to ride.
The 101 Cafe has the Coolest Bike Rack which is a ten foot long bicycle for two ( see above ) where you can leave your bikes and enjoy all the eighty year old joint has to offer. Its sits at Coast Highway and Wisconsin Street where you can cruise directly to the Beach .
Enjoy your ride.

Looking good for the Ford Ironman Tomorrow along the beach in Oceanside

Every racers dream is cool weather on race day. Today, the day before the Ford Ironman in Oceanside it was 51 degrees at 5:30 AM and 56 degrees at 8:45 AM and that should mean good things for tomorrows race. I have some experience in marathons and know how much I dreaded hot race days. The course hugs the coast for the most part and should finish up under 67 degrees tomorrow.
It is awesome looking over the setup for an Ironman. The huge tents for changing after the swim along side the bike racks setup for thousands participants. This is quite a spectacle and if you can you should go and check it out. Look to the Ironman website for information about where to view the race best. If you want to experience a Carbo Load meal like the participants you can check out the Spaghetti at the 101 Cafe.