LOS ANGELES — The Amtrak Pacific Surf Liner is one of the most iconic train lines in the nation. That track runs from San Diego to San Luis Obispo.

It’s not only one of the most beautiful train routes. It’s also one of the busiest.

However, the crumbling coastline has created obstacles and danger, and while the tracks are open again, some think it’s time to abandon that route for good.

LA Times reporter Gabriel San Roman spoke to Lisa McRee on “LA Times Today” about the history and why it might be time to move the route.

“The history of the Surf Liner dates back more than a century. The San Clemente is a centerpiece of transit between LA and San Diego. And it’s a really important part of the corridor. It’s just one of the most beautiful points along the way. They’ve just recently reopened, just in time for summer and just in time for Comic-Con in San Diego,” said Roman.

It’s not just passengers who use this train line. It’s also freight.

“This is the second busiest passenger route in the United States. It’s also incredibly economically important in the engine of our economy here in California and is responsible for $8 billion worth of freight goods transported by freight every year,” said Roman.

But with some suggesting moving of the line and it being so essential to the state, the question is, where would it go? And how much would it cost? 

“Billions of dollars in Del Mar. Billions of dollars in Orange County and San Clemente. There are a lot of different ideas about how to modernize the track not just within the consideration of climate change but also just how to make that trip from San Diego to LA not last 3 hours,” he said. 

Click the arrow above to watch the full interview.

Watch "LA Times Today" at 7 and 10 p.m. Monday through Friday on Spectrum News 1 and the Spectrum News app.