California Train

[tealin]

I've finally got pictures up from the spectacular rail route between LA and San Francisco. Once I weeded out the ones that didn't turn out there aren't that many left, but I hope they give at least a diluted reflection of the trip. I really can't recommend this train ride highly enough. Aside from the scenery the train is great in itself, especially if you're used to flying. You can walk around as much as you like, visit the cafe car, get some really good coffee (with free refills if you keep the cup!), take it back to your comfortable seat with positively decadent legroom, and never once have to worry about falling out of the sky. If San Francisco weren't so awesome in itself I'd be tempted to say the trip's the best part – I would seriously consider taking a weekend, going up on Saturday, spending the night, and coming down Sunday, if I didn't know what I was missing by not staying up there longer.

Comments

[ardys-the-ghoul.livejournal.com]

This just serves to remind me how sad it is that I hardly ever get the chance to travel. Indianapolis just isn't that interesting. I'd love to visit San Francisco.

I love taking pictures, but half of the ones I take don't turn out, because I get hand tremors.

The only train trip I can remember taking was on France's TGV high speed train (many years ago now, back in high school--coolest field trip ever)--it made me really woozy for some reason and I slept for most of the journey. I would definitely prefer a train ride to a plane ride, though, I really don't like flying.

[laurick.livejournal.com]

I live in LA and just recently made the 6-hr drive up to San Fran. Where do you catch the train???

[twirlynoodle.livejournal.com]

It picks up at Union Station and Van Nuys ... I think we caught it at about 10:40 am at Van Nuys. It only runs once a day but it does run every day. It's a long trip, about 10 hours, but much more relaxing than being behind the wheel all the time. Here's the route's website. (http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Route/Vertical_Route_Page&c=am2Route&cid=1081256321841&ssid=132)

[laurick.livejournal.com]

Awesome, thanks! That's good to know, I actually work right next to that stop.

[sydpad.livejournal.com]

Sometime if you have a couple of weeks and are feeling a bit nutty, you should do the circular route from LA, to Chicago, to San Fran, and back. It takes about 4 or 5 days solid on the train, but you can get a little wee room of your own, and lie on the folding bed looking out the window at the darkness rolling by.... also Chicago is a brilliant city.