OCEANSIDE —— It has been exactly a year since their son disappeared in upstate New York, but Bill and Victoria Frear have not lost hope.

The Scotia, N.Y., residents flew into San Diego on Tuesday to follow up on a tip that their missing 18-year-old son, Craig Frear, may be living in the area.

His mother said he loved the area and had come out here a couple of times, so when a clerk at a check-cashing business in Oceanside called to report somebody matching Craig's description trying to cash a money order from their hometown, they were hopeful.

However, after nearly a week of visiting police stations, homeless shelters and other locations in North County, San Diego, Palm Springs and Palm Desert, they have come up with nothing.

"We're kind of disappointed," his father said. "We had a lot of hope. It's really depressing to come all of this way and not even find anybody that saw him."

They said they believe their son is alive and still think he could be living in North County.

"We just don't want to give up," Bill Frear said.

His mother said there is no explanation for his disappearance June 27, 2004.

Frear walked out of a friend's home and into a wooded area in Scotia, a village of 8,000 people about 20 miles northwest of Albany, N.Y., and hasn't been seen since. He didn't have any cash, credit cards, clothes or his car, police said.

The Scotia police officers investigating the disappearance are out of leads, said Sgt. Tom Rush, one of the three investigators.

"We have been basically chasing our tail," he said.

Everything from psychics to a 300-person search party has been used in the attempt to locate Frear without any luck, Rush said, but the case will remain open until he has been found.

There is no indication of foul play, Rush said, but nothing has been ruled out.

Recently, the disappearance has brought national attention, including his picture on missing children Web sites, Court TV and the Montel Williams Show.

The Frears are offering a $5,000 reward for information that will lead them to their son. They said they plan to raise it to $10,000 soon.

"We've tried to do everything we possibly can," his mother said. "We have pounded the pavement like you wouldn't believe."

Frear is described as white, 5 feet 6 inches tall and 190 pounds, with curly red hair and brown eyes. More information is available on the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Web site at www.criminaljustice.state.ny.us. Click on "Missing Children" to see a photo of Frear.

Anyone with information on Frear's whereabouts is asked to call (800) FIND-KID.