The Amazing Sights You'll See on California's Best Coastal Train Route

By Amtrak Vacations Tuesday, September 5, 2017 Read time: 2 minutes

If you’ve ever taken the train along California’s picture-perfect coastline, you know what a feast for the eyes the journey can be. With unprecedented ocean views and stops in beautiful oceanside cities like San Diego, Santa Barbara, and San Francisco, Amtrak’s routes winding along the California coast are some of the most scenic and popular in the country. Train ridership in California is up 13% over the past five years, and an estimated 95% of the population lives within 30 miles of an Amtrak station, making train travel within The Golden State an easy, convenient, and pleasant option for driving and flying. Read on to learn more about these iconic routes and discover the perfect train vacation along the California Coast!

Coast Starlight

Route: Seattle › Portland › Sacramento › San Francisco › Santa Barbara › Los Angeles

Amtrak’s Coast Starlight covers 1,377 miles of the Western U.S. in dramatic fashion, passing forests, mountains, and the great Pacific Ocean. Once in California, the line travels through Sacramento, San Francisco, and down the coast to Los Angeles and features both right and left side views of impressive mountain ranges, inland valleys and vineyards, and spectacular shorelines. Head to the train’s comfortable observation car and settle in for panoramic views the entire way. Heading into Sacramento, the train crosses the American River, passes through Old Town, then crosses the Sacramento River as it heads south through the scenic towns and agriculture of San Jose, Salinas, Paso Robles, and the breathtaking cliffside ocean scenery from San Luis Obispo to Ventura. Many travelers choose to stop in idyllic Santa Barbara, also known as the “American Riviera,” for its white-sand beaches, unique shopping, and local wine and food delicacies. From there, the train moves inland through the San Fernando Valley before its final stop in sunny Los Angeles. From here, many riders choose to continue the ride (and the views) further south on the Pacific Surfliner to San Diego.