The Road to San Francisco [and back] Part 1

A few weeks back my family and I took a five day trip down to San Francisco. Being the enviro types, we decided on the Amtrak train as our main method of transportation - turns out it was a pretty good trip all around.



Due to various economic and geographical factors getting around by train in North America has long been a challenge in comparison to air travel. However, in talking to several people it sounded like the train was an option in this case. The price was $89 one way for adults, this did not include the sleeper car, which is at least double the price. Having grown up in the UK and travelled the length of the island by train I was looking forward to the 24 hour plus train trek.




Starting in Vancouver in the early Monday AM [5.30] we took the bus to Seattle in order to catch the 9.45am Amtrak Coast Starlite Express from King Street station. The Seattle station is in the process of renovation, its roof needs help. Soon enough we were on our way south out of Seattle. Once out of the downtown area the train sped up. The various stops throughout Washington and Oregon saw the train eventually fill up to near capacity.


The train itself had comfortable seats in the E Z Boy style; you are free to walk up and down, take in the views in the viewing car. My only quibble with the train itself was the physical reality on being on the top deck of a double deck - the constant to and fro was disconcerting for several hours. The problem was far less noticeable on the lower deck, which can also be booked.


As the scenery flew by one could spy wildlife along the south end of Puget sound, however once the line turns inland the land stays flat, sheep cows and horses abound. It was not until climbing the 8000 feet in to the Cascades did the scenery become truly breathtaking.

Sadly it became dark just about the same time we entered the higher regions of the Cascades, however on the return trip we caught much of what was missed. By about 11pm most of the coach was sleeping, some loudly. I found one was able to catch enough sleep to still be functional the next day.



By sunrise at 6am we were already just outside Sacramento. Getting off the train in Sacramento was a needed break. Checking out their new transit extension was cool. Turns out they have only just linked the seven blocks from the last tram station to the Amtrak station, nineteen years overdue.


The trek from Sacramento in Emeryville saw an increase of industrialisation particularly around Martinez. My camera caught a familiar sight to Eagle Ridge Bluffs protestors at the south end of the Benicia-Martinez bridge. However, that was contrasted with the stop we had just south of Fairfield and north of 680 where this photo was taken, in the far distance is a large windfarm.


Our arrival in to Emeryville and subsequent bus ride in to San Francisco got us to the Opal hotel at Van Ness and Geary at around 11am on Tuesday morning.