Train Trip to Southern California from the Bay Area
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Amtrak to Disneyland??
April 2014
Our 7 year old train enthusiast REALLY wants to take the train to Disneyland from the east bay. It seems like one could take the Coast Starlight into LA and rent a car from there - am wondering if anyone has done this trip recently and your thoughts on it? The appeal of not having to drive, the scenery and the ability to move around freely definitely appeals....thanks!! disney bound
My 5 year old and I traveled to Amaheim for a conference near Disney. We flew down and were picked up by a family friend and stayed at a hotel walking distance to Disney. We did not rent a car, on the way home we took a cab to Closest train. Transferred (in LA central?) and got a roomette home to Emeryville. Return trip was wonderful!!! Thinking of doing the round trip via train no car. Roomette!
I took Amtrak to Disneyland some years ago with my then 5 year old. My sister picked us up in Glendale. It was a looooong trip, basically one whole day on the train there, and another one on the way back. Before you decide, check the schedules on the Amtrak website and then add 2 hours, and think about whether you want to spend the time. A few months ago we took a train trip to San Luis Obispo and back. It was nice in a lot of ways, but on the way back we were delayed an extra 1.5 hours and we were so tired when we got in. Maybe do a Sacramento train trip instead, to satisfy your train fanatic - it's just the right amount of time and there's the train museum to visit. As to D-Land, the plane trip is short, and there are lots of hotels either in walking distance, or that have shuttles, so you really do not need to have a car. local mom
We took the train in 2008 with my 10 year old. It was a good idea. The Coast Starlight does take ~11 hours, but it was ok and not boring. There was an observation car. On the return, which you may consider, we took the bus/train route - from LA bus/train terminal, a very comfortable 2 hr bus ride to Bakersfield, then a 7 hr ride on the San Joaquin..a little faster than the coast route. There is also a connection in LA to the Surfliner which goes into Anaheim. kathy
Amtrak Coastal Starlite down the coast?
March 2012
Has anyone taken Amtrak's Coastal Starlite train down the coast? We are thinking of going from Oakland to LA on this train. It's a 12-hour trip, so our plan is to go down one day, spend the next day in LA, and then take the train back up. But perhaps that's too much train time. We also don't want to rent a car for the day, so we're wondering if we will be able to get around on foot/public transportation once we hit LA. So any advice on how to make this a fun and doable trip would be appreciated. Love public transportation
Around 30 years ago I took this train from LA to San Jose. It was about 2 hours late and we missed the last bus. This is the kind of question you want to google about. Recently I read in some column about someone taking the train to Denver (still Amtrak but a different train)(that I also took many years ago, and enjoyed), and that it was a super dump, filthy wet carpet, needed refurbishment etc. Maybe the Coastal Starlight is in better condition though. For a more do-able end point for overnight, try getting off in Santa Barbara, or even sooner, so you aren't exhausted already. Have fun! I like trains too. anon
I haven't taken the Coastal Starlight to LA, but I have taken it from the Bay Area to Santa Barbara, as well as from Santa Barbara to San Diego. I love to travel by train and it's a lovely train ride along the coast. But . . . I will warn you that this train is chronically late, especially (in my experience) in the Southern portion of the trip. More than once I tried to take it and it was snagged up in Oregon or something and was going to be hours, hours late and I was put instead on one of their buses. These buses are very nice, much nicer than Greyhound, but still, it's not at all the charming and relaxing train ride I was hoping for. Now, I haven't ridden the train in about 5 years, so maybe things have changed since then. (I hope!) -- choo choo
I took the coast starlite down to Santa Barbara a long time ago. I was really disappointed that by the time I got to the ocean, it was dark (hence the name?). I suppose you wouldn't have that problem on the way back. It was a loooong train ride and I never did it again. anon
We just took the coast starlight north, to Portland. I have taken the train south to LA as well, though it was a long time ago. I love the train, it's so relaxing and pretty too-the LA route goes along the coast. Going overnight is a bit hard, didn't sleep so well, but if it is going during the day, I say go for it! I don't know about LA itself and getting around there. My kids also love the train. love trains
It is reasonably cost effective, cheaper than flying. There are segments with bus or train so make sure you get all train segments and no busses and it will take 13-16 hours. It is really fun and beautiful. You can walk around and there are viewing cars. You have to stop and switch trains at Los Angeles union station. My husband who is pretty easily motion sick can read on the train without getting motion sick. If you want to test it out you could take the train to Davis its close by and would be a good test before commiting to possibly 16 hours. I recommend the trip. It's fun!
I get car sick and had no trouble on the Amtrak to Reno. Maybe take a test-run on the Amtrak by going back and forth to Sacramento to make sure he is OK.
I took the Coast Starlight to LA with my daughter. It takes a long time but is very pretty. There is also a train/bus that goes via Bakersfield. Train to Bakersfield and then a bus to LA. My husband has taken that, but we haven't. It is faster.
As someone who gets wretchedly car sick I can say I've almost never had trouble with trains, even as a child. Big thumbs up!
I also get super carsick, and did as a child as well. I used to take Amtrak to SLO to visit my grandparents during summer as a kid and never had any issues. I could even read on the train without getting sick (if I was in a forward facing seat) which was far and away the best part :)
Two days ago I left Oakland for LA and then returned via Amtrak's "Coast Starlight" --catch it at Jack London station ONLY. (If you choose the 'coliseum' station then Coast Starlight route won't appear.) I chose the 'coach' seating--upper deck.
My 1st train trip in 30 years. Wonderful. Scenic. You can walk around. Get off the train for a few minutes when it stops in San Jose, San Obispo, etc., going I had 15 - 20 minutes to walk around as new passengers boarded. Returning, because we left 15 minutes late, the off-train, leg-stretchings were 10- 15 minutes. You can spend the whole time in the Observatory car, where the views are even more spectacular. Going there was a young man, in the observatory; he said he'd just been released from prison. All he had was a pasteboard box with a bunch of Heineken beers.. Blonde, blue eyed, handsome guy, 32 he said. "chief petty officer" in a former life. He kept drinking & getting louder; I moved away. In San Luis Obispo, because he got way too drunk, he was diplomatically, quietly, told he'd have to get off the train. "No problem".
Returning, I shared the observatory with an elegant African -American woman, about 65, who was a minister--her parishioners? Soledad prisoners. Then, 3 years ago, her eldest son was murdered, also a minister, on his way to visit her in the hospital. Broad daylight. Gang initiation for a teenager who's been in custody ever since. also there was a B-string, performing comedian, a woman who suddenly knew what her PhD focus would be, another woman, blind, who read braille while I watched her beautiful fingers move across the page.
Those who ate in the dining car said the food was delicious. I brought my own food (you can eat at your seat or Observatory table). I had a big jug of water--for I didn't want to pay $3 plus for their water, small bottle. Lots of reading material. Neck pillow, blanket.
My son takes train from LA to San Diego --not sure which Amtrak train makes that leg. He recommends it highly.
Train travel isn't about getting there. You're already there; already on vacation. Slow down. Breathe deeply. Enjoy.
I had vicious car-sickness well into young adulthood. I still get car-sick on buses. Trains have NEVER been a problem, so I think it might be worth a try. Either that or medicate with Dramamine or Bonine.
I can remember those curvy roads to Stinson being such a problem! But no problem on the trains. The tracks are much straighter than the roads.
As an adult who gets terrible motion sickness, I'd say no way to the train. But if your son is old enough, put him in the front seat of the car with a full belly, water, and Dramamine! And no looking down/reading/playing on his phone. That always does the trick for me!
PS: to my earlier comments regarding my recent trip on Amtrak (to LA).
Growing up I got so car sick that my parents wouldn't even tell me we were going to see my grandparents --who lived only an hour away-- 'til it was time to leave. BUT, the one time I wanted to make a bus trip, with all of them, I didn't get sick. Looking back I feel it was because "I" wanted to do that trip. My recent experience on Amtrak suggests that it will work for your son as this is HIS idea. And really a train gives you so much freedom to walk around, look at things, talk with people, and get off now & then.
Is it possible for you/him to take Amtrak's "Coast Starlight" (out of Jack London station) to San Jose one day? Just try it out. If you can, spend the night there & then catch it when it comes back the next day?
May he soon learn to enjoy traveling.