A high-speed train from Los Angeles to San Francisco has been planned for some time in California. It is estimated that it will go into operation by 2030. In theory, this route will take passengers from one end of the state to the other in just 2 hours and 40 minutes. For now, however, a train ride from LA to San Francisco is nothing more than a relaxed experience on Amtrak's Coast Starlight. On the way, you can admire the views of the coast overlooking the Pacific. This train is the only one to cover almost the entire West Coast (more than 2,000km) from Seattle to Los Angeles and back. It gets its name from the combination of two train names from Southern Pacific, an ancient American railway company: Coast Daylight and Starlight. Currently, the service is active every day. Need to travel by train from the City of Angels to Frisco? This article will tell you how.
Steps
Step 1. Plan a pleasant trip
The Coast Starlight is not renowned for its punctuality, but it is famous for the spectacular views it offers. The journey itself takes approximately 12 hours, from 10 in the morning to 10 in the evening, but this can vary depending on the timetable of the Amtrak trains.
Step 2. Book your ticket on the Amtrak website
You should do this early and during the week. Amtrak advertises weekly promotions for those booking one-way travel between Tuesday and Friday. Book early to get the best possible deals. There are 7 different options available regarding seats and carriages. Prices range from 50 to 600 dollars (34-413 euros, 31-371 pounds) per person.
Step 3. For the departure location, select “Los Angeles”, while for the destination, indicate “Emeryville”
This city is located in the East Bay area of San Francisco. You will depart from Oakland's Jack London Square Station and take a bus that will take you to the San Francisco Ferry Building, Caltrain Station, Union Square or the San Francisco Shopping Center.
Step 4. Book a sleeper berth if you intend to, and indicate if you would like access to other services
Although the Coast Starlight works primarily during the day, you may want to sleep for part of the trip.
- If you book a berth, you will get bigger seats and have a lot more space, especially when you compare it to what you would have on a plane. They will give you pillows and serve you a meal if you don't feel like going to the restaurant carriage.
- Always by booking a berth, you will have what Amtrak calls a "stay on wheels". This service includes internet access, complimentary meals that you can enjoy in the Parlor Car and a kit that will make your journey more comfortable.
Step 5. If you're going to be carrying a bicycle, get a box
This rule does not apply to other trains, but in this case it exists. You can buy one at Los Angeles Union Station. You will have to pay 5 dollars (3.4 euros, 3 pounds) to transport it.
Step 6. Go to Los Angeles Union Station on the morning of your departure
The address is 800 North Alameda Street, Los Angeles Union Station, Los Angeles, CA 90012. The train station is located near the Chinese American Museum, near the Santa Ana Freeway. It is open 24 hours a day, and baggage checks start at 5:45 am.
Step 7. Be prepared to wait
Trains often arrive late, although the service has improved in recent years.
Step 8. Enjoy the view
The Coast Starlight travels a good part of the Californian coast. Admire the landscapes from the observation carriage.
Step 9. Get off at Oakland's Jack London Square Station
Travel on the bus that will take you to San Francisco is included in the cost of the Coast Starlight ticket. While not all trains provide this service, the Coast Starlight does include it, including baggage checks.
Step 10. Listen to the announcements made on the train, which will give you information on where to take the bus to San Francisco
You can do this on the side and middle platforms. Hop on the Coast Starlight bus to get to your destination.
Step 11. Get off at the station of your choice
You can choose from the Ferry Building, the Financial District, Fisherman's Wharf, S. F. Shopping Center and Caltrain Station.
Step 12. Grab your bags and continue on to your final destination in the city
In San Francisco, you can travel by taxi, subway, and electric buses.
Advice
- You can also book multi-city tickets, which will allow you to make stops during the journey, both on the outward and return journeys. Alternatively, you can book a multi-ride ticket, which will allow you to travel unlimitedly over the course of a certain time frame. It might be a good option if you'd like to spend time in coastal California cities and catch the Coast Starlight the next day. However, keep in mind that it only passes once a day.
- You can also decide to take more buses and trains. This will restrict the time you will actually spend on the train, but it may be a quicker method, as buses are less likely to be late. You can decide to take the Pacific Surfliner from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara and the Amtrak bus from Santa Barbara to San Francisco. The train journey will take approximately 2.5 hours, the one by bus 8. You can also decide to take a bus from Los Angeles to Bakersfield and the San Joaquin train to Oakland, where you will board the bus to San Francisco. You will travel for 6 hours by train and 3 by bus.
- If you book a berth, you can sample local cheeses and wines in the Pacific Parlor Car, but the tasting isn't free.
