The Coast Starlight is the train I’ve taken the most, followed by the California Zephyr.
I used to take the Coast Starlight to work sometimes in Monterey. Did you know that if you put the aquarium or the Monterey Transit Plaza as your destination in Amtrak, Amtrak will suggest a train plus shuttle option. They’ll pick you at Salinas station and drive you to Monterey.
This works for many locations without a nearby train station. The Amtrak Thruway service makes so many places possible by train. (They also pick you up in SF and drive you to Emeryville)
@skinnylatte I have enjoyed the Coast Starlight on trips down to the Central Coast. Pick-up is in the East Bay (Emeryville) for San Francisco folks, but great way to go if you can. Been a few years for me...
@pmdj all of America assumes you’ve got someone with a car on the other side. Even getting a driving license presumes you’ve got someone with a far to drive you to your test
@skinnylatte Amtrak stations somewhere on the outskirts of cities with no public transport or even rental car offices at the station always mystified me during our US trips. Either the Thruway service didn’t exist for the places we struggled with or it was poorly publicised. (Tucson stands out in my memory - I think we waited over an hour for a taxi to be available to take us to the rental car company downtown; the station was crowded with fellow passengers similarly needing a ride)
The private cabins are really expensive but I find that coach is extremely comfy. I spend most of my day in the observation car, only returning to the coach seat for sleeping overnight.
There is more leg room in Amtrak coach than business class flights on most airlines
@skinnylatte I'm looking at taking the Coastal Starlight from San Jose to Monterey next month and found some stats showing dismal on-time performance. Does that match your recent experience? I can't find what year these data are from.
"Coast Starlight
On-time arrival at final destination: 52 %. . . ( Average arrival, all trains: 50 mins late . . .( Average arrival, trains arriving late: 1 hour, 44 mins late"