Most scenic seaside route on the Coast Starlight IMO is Ventura area to SanLuis Obispo. The train from San Diego also runs this route several times a day. A few years ago I took an Amtrak Thruway bus overnight from San Francisco to Santa Barbara - the bumpiest ride I have ever had!
The Coast Starlight could make the trip from Seattle to Los Angeles in no more 28 hours tops. It spends an hour in Portland Union Station, a stop that should be only 15 minutes, spends a hour in Oakland, another 45 minutes can be cut from the schedule. Up to 7 hours can be cut from the schedule. A good portion of the route has double track sections which can allow for faster speeds.
That’s why Amtrak and other transit agencies put extra padding time into the schedules to account for potential delays. One thing I want to point out. For those coming from Sacramento and points north trying to connect either to Train 2 Sunset Limited or Train 794 the last southbound train to SD, its best to take the transfer in Sac, Stockton, and BFD and get to LA quicker
The Amtrak California route through Bakersfield is not only faster, but much CHEAPER. The difference in price is almost HALF between NorCal and SoCal, and you have many more options for time of travel.
@@mikeymutual5489 - My post provided useful information for potential travelers. What we really need is an overnight train between NorCal and SoCal, one that doesn't cost $300 like Dreamliner is proposing. I'm looking for an experience like the old Amtrak (ex-PRR) slumbercoaches. Europe and Japan have new cars with little sleeping compartments. Scenery won't matter and neither will diner cars, with a nightime departure and early morning arrival. The old Lark arrived at 830a on an 11h 30m schedule; I'd like a train that arrives about 630am, to leave time for an morning meeting.
![[ Amtrak Train Ride ] One of America's most scenic train rides, All 35 Stops, Complete Trip Report](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/43_wTcG3nw8/mqdefault.jpg)
Most scenic seaside route on the Coast Starlight IMO is Ventura area to SanLuis Obispo. The train from San Diego also runs this route several times a day.
A few years ago I took an Amtrak Thruway bus overnight from San Francisco to Santa Barbara - the bumpiest ride I have ever had!
Starlight has good scenery
Thanks! Food for thought!😀
The Coast Starlight could make the trip from Seattle to Los Angeles in no more 28 hours tops. It spends an hour in Portland Union Station, a stop that should be only 15 minutes, spends a hour in Oakland, another 45 minutes can be cut from the schedule. Up to 7 hours can be cut from the schedule. A good portion of the route has double track sections which can allow for faster speeds.
That’s why Amtrak and other transit agencies put extra padding time into the schedules to account for potential delays.
One thing I want to point out. For those coming from Sacramento and points north trying to connect either to Train 2 Sunset Limited or Train 794 the last southbound train to SD, its best to take the transfer in Sac, Stockton, and BFD and get to LA quicker
Refueling
The Amtrak California route through Bakersfield is not only faster, but much CHEAPER. The difference in price is almost HALF between NorCal and SoCal, and you have many more options for time of travel.
And with much worse views, plus you have to transfer three times. Fun.
@@mikeymutual5489 - My post provided useful information for potential travelers.
What we really need is an overnight train between NorCal and SoCal, one that doesn't cost $300 like Dreamliner is proposing. I'm looking for an experience like the old Amtrak (ex-PRR) slumbercoaches. Europe and Japan have new cars with little sleeping compartments. Scenery won't matter and neither will diner cars, with a nightime departure and early morning arrival. The old Lark arrived at 830a on an 11h 30m schedule; I'd like a train that arrives about 630am, to leave time for an morning meeting.
Amtrak bus > train advantage is stronger with Seattle-VancouverBC
And with all this, arrive in LA in time to have to miss the connection to the Southwest Chief by a couple of hours.
No talking = no watching. Better luck next time.