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My family and I have just booked a trip to Seattle in March during Spring Break, on the Sunset and Starlight round trip. We do know that we're not guaranteed and Parlour and if we don't have one my parents will probably not want to travel by train again for a long time (They're REALLY picky about travel). We did the same trip back in March of 2000 and was fun. My parents stayed in the Parlour for almost the entire trip and we ran early or on-time at every station on the route. As long as there is a bar open (whether there be a Parlour or not) my parents will be satisfied. So what I need to find out is what can we do and see in LA (for the layover from the Sunset to the Starlight both ways) and stuff to see in Seattle. We might do Vancouver Island and travel on the Cascades either there or back (not enough time in-between the northbound and the southbound). I know the Parlour situation has improved with only 2 cars out of service. So I'm already calculating which consist we will get in March. Do they still keep 5 sets for the Starlight since the horrible timekeeping has passed? If they did get rid of the 5th set that improves our chances of getting a Parlour. Thanks in advance!!!!
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Yes, I think the 5th set is still in use, based on what I've seen while passing through the LA yards.
Your parents will be disappointed in the level of service that is now offered. See my thread a few below this one.
Posts: 286 | From: Knee deep in the retention tank | Registered: Jan 2006
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In Seattle, you'll probably want to go to the Space Needle and the Pacific Science Center -- there are easy connections there from downtown via city bus.
L.A. -- most things in L.A. are quite a distance from AMTRAK, I believe, but I will defer to someone from that area for advice. Make sure you have at least one meal at Phillipes's, though -- just a few blocks down Alameda Street from L.A. Union Terminal
Posts: 2428 | From: Grayling, MI | Registered: Mar 2002
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Alot of that would depend on how much time you have between trains. Olvera street is just across the street from the Amtrak station. Or you could catch a metrolink train to the OC or Long Beach. In Seattle there tons of brew pubs if your that sort of fellow.
Posts: 229 | From: Long Beach CA | Registered: Jan 2007
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I felt I did lots in downtown LA in the time I had between my early morning Pacific Surfliner from San Diego and my afternoon Sunset Ltd departure that day. I was there on a weekday; I cannot vouch for what you may or may not find on weekends, and I suspect Sundays should be avoided . . .
Anyway, I got into LA around 9:30AM. I had to pay $2 a bag to check my luggage even though I had a sleeper later that day on the Sunset Ltd (a red cap later told me I should have checked them with him . . . but whatever . . . ) but otherwise found Union Station quite nice. As I left the station, I took a right on N Alameda, to the famous original Phillipes, 1001 North Alameda Street, at the corner of Ord, and had breakfast there, as recommended by Frank in SBA and others here. This wonderful throwback of a place, with its good cafeteria food and train memorabilia, made me feel like I was in an art deco movie set, or do I mean 40s movie? Anyway, it is where the French dip is said to have been invented; though mostly cafeteria style, I think they carve lamb at the table? Well, I'm not sure, as I had breakfast. Staff very nice, there are even souvenirs. . . . Alameda is a bit dingy and quite commercial in this direction (from Union Staiton to Philippe's I mean) but on leaving Philippe's I walked through Chinatown, which was more interesting for me. Had I not been suffering then from the very beginning of the medical ailment that recently culminated in my hospitalization (and I hope is OVER!), I might have breakfasted in Chinatown instead, or at least had a pork roll . . . but instead I was just able to look a little in the shops (not too much, since I'd been in San Francisco Chinatown plenty a week before!) but I went out by the Chinatown gate and crossed over the highway into the more office-y part of downtown LA.
I then walked all around the new buildings here, visiting the not-to-my-tastes very modern new cathedral (where I saw a TV commercial being filmed!), walking around by the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and Mark Taper Forum (now WHERE had I heard of those???), over by the new Disney building designed by big-deal architect Frank Gehry (I think this is 2nd Av?), taking a left back to LA's City Hall (and courts, I think--things I'd seen in lots of films and TV shows) etc. One can also go over to something called Historic Downtown, a bit further in, though I didn't I will next time!
I also did not get to Little Tokyo, also in this area.
From the City Hall, I headed back over the highway to Olvera Street, the old pueblo part of LA, right across from Union Station. Nice old buildings; I went in one where some kind of historic organization was headquartered and asked about the tours; though I'd missed the morning one, the lady there closed up shop and gave a tour of the whole Olvera Street area to me, JUST ME, it was great! She showed me all around the old pueblo area, and took me in some historic buildings where other docents showed me things too. It was VERY interesting and so nice I made a donation to the organization even though the tour had officially been free. I also went in various shops and examined the wares. I alas could not eat any of the tasty Mexican dishes in the many restaurants, but I did buy some jumping beans plus bananas for the train from a lady selling them in the plaza. I saw the old mission and took pictures of this and that. I then returned to Union Station, a little too early but I'm always nervous about catching my train . . . I had a baked potato when I returned there, which was sad instead of all that good Mexican and Chinese food, but it agreed with me very well.
Places that have been recommended for eating in the area:
Luz Del Dia, on the South end of Olvera St near the tattered donkey, a cafeteria style place offering a carnitas plate and chiccaron sidedish and excellent salsa in a huge bowl at the center;
or the somewhat more of an official restaurant is La Golondrina, W-17 Olvera, 628-4349, www.lagolondrina.com, historic landmark with strolling troubadours, mariachi Friday nights, B-L-D.
In Chinatown: Mandarin Deli (beef soup, scallion pancake, dumplings); Empress Pavilion, far end of Chinatown, dim sum supposedly very good here for L.
OR Philipe’s, as noted above, at Alameda & Ord, where French dip was invented. . . .
I will post about Seattle when I have more time; I still cannot sit for too long at a stretch!!!
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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Thanks for all of your guy's help! Now I know what we can see and do in both Seattle and LA. Just hope we can fit all of that into our schedules.
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Originally posted by SunsetLtd: >> So what I need to find out is what can we do and see in LA (for the layover from the Sunset to the Starlight both ways) and stuff to see in Seattle. We might do Vancouver Island and travel on the Cascades either there or back (not enough time in-between the northbound and the southbound). <<
You cannot travel to Vancouver Island on the Cascades; they go to the city of Vancouver on the mainland. You can take a ferry from Seattle to Vancouver Island if you like. The main city there is Victoria which is charming but likely to be cold, gray and rainy in March. The Butchart Gardens are a great summer destination there, though.
If you want to go to the city of Vancouver take the train up and the bus back. The train runs along Puget Sound much of the way and is a nice trip even on a gray day. The southbound train goes in the evening so you are likely to either have the setting sun in your eyes on the water side or it will be dark. If your time in Seattle is limited I would just stay there and save Vancouver and Victoria for another trip when you have more time.
In Seattle there is also the Seattle Art Museum and an aquarium. If you want to have a meal in the restaurant on top of the Space Needle go for brunch. The prices are high for all the meals but brunch is the best value for the money. Be sure to make reservations.
Enjoy your trip, and I hope your train has the Pacific Parlour Car!
Posts: 9 | Registered: Jan 2007
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Sojourner pretty much covered LA! (I'm glad you liked Philippe. And you're right, the lamb sandwich is the only one they still carve in front of you at the counter.) She really did make the most of her time during the layover.
The only thing I could add is that if you have any interest in movies you might take the Red Line (it leaves from right inside Union Station) to Hollywood and check out the Kodak Theatre complex where the Oscar's happen and also Grauman's Chinese Theatre or continue on to Universal City/City Walk.
In Seattle I always enjoy the Pike Place Market or taking a ferry ride. Great way to get a view back at the city. If you or your folks are into architecture I've heard that the new Library is worth a visit.
Off tomorrow to San Juan Capistrano on the Surfliner and on the Starlight next month to San Jose.
Frank in sunny and, finally, warm SBA
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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In Seattle, I enjoyed stopping at the central library, taking the elevator up to the top, and walking down the Dewey Decimal-organized spiral--as recommended here.
Frank, about how long does it take to go on the Red Line to Hollywood? I would enjoy doing that next time I change trains in LA, if time permits.
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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In Seattle, I enjoyed stopping at the central library, taking the elevator up to the top, and walking down the Dewey Decimal-organized spiral--as recommended here.
Victoria was magnificent. Following the advice of people here, I went there from Seattle on the Victoria Clipper, stayed 2 days, then took the bus/ferry from Victoria to Vancouver, a great city. When I came back down to Seattle, I took the 6PM Cascades train. A lovely ride, but that was late May, so it was light most of the way. I do not know what any of this would be like in March; though Victoria seemed to have a better, sunnier microclimate than either Seattle or Victoria, it still might be quite rainy in March.
Frank, Philippe was cool. About how long does it take to go on the Red Line to Hollywood? I would enjoy doing that next time I change trains in LA, if time permits.
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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