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Hi! I am going on my first cruise ever in July and I've been researching transportation options to get to San Diego. I can't believe I've gone my whole life without knowing there are still passenger trains in service (beyond Chicago's 'L')!! I've been reading every bit of info on Amtrak's site and explored several different route possibilities and I think I've found a winner. It requires me to fly to Tucson, AZ (from Columbus, OH) and catch the Sunset Limited from there to LAX and then the Pacific Surfliner from LAX to SAN. I'm a little nervous about the timing though as the Sunset Limited is scheduled to hit LAX at 10:10 am and the Pacific Surfliner is scheduled to leave LAX at 12:25 pm. From what I've been reading of passenger experiences it isn't unusual for trains to be 1 - 2 hours late, which would mean I'm taking the chance of missing the Surfliner if the Limited was running that late. Is this a very real possibility or am I just nervous over nothing?
Also, there are actually two itineraries I'm trying to choose between, the one above or this one (which is twice the price): FLY from CMH to ABQ Ride Southwest Chief ABQ to LAX Ride Pacific Surfliner LAX to OLT
This second one I put together using the "multi-city" option on Amtrak's website and allowed a 12 hour layover in LAX and it gets me to Old Town San Diego where the departure port is. But, again, it is twice the price and I have (I'm sure) a bunch of extra cruise expenses I haven't figured out yet. It's funny, the time I've spent researching the train trip has really got me psyched - I think I'm almost more excited about the train trip than the cruise!!
Sorry I'm so long winded and Thank You for taking the time to read this. Any advice or recommendations are welcome and gratefully received.
Excited Newbie,
-------------------- Catherine Make the rest of your life the BEST of your life! Posts: 7 | From: Columbus, OH | Registered: Mar 2008
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I'm not sure I would try for a same day connection to a cruise unless I bought the connection transportation from the cruise line. If you miss the boat, YOU have to figure out what to do next. For your peace of mind, plan to spend the night before you sail in San Diego or buy your transportation from Columbus from the cruise line. When my daughter & I went to Alaska, we planned a night in Seattle before (and after) the cruise just to give us that margin of safety. There's plenty to do in San Diego - just look on it as a shore excursion. You didn't mention your cruise destination or cruise line, but regardless there are opportunities to spend a lot or a little extra on the cruise. If you take shore excursions, they are usually extra. You can save buying your own instead of from the cruise line, but again if your excursion vehicle breaks down & you miss the boat, it YOUR problem. Unless the policy has changed, soft drinks are extra (we brought along a 6 pack from the grocery & just got glasses of ice to save money). Have a wonderful time & enjoy the "land cruise" on Amtrak as well as the voyage on the ship.
-------------------- My new "default" station (EKH) has no baggage service or QuikTrak machine, but the parking is free! And the NY Central RR Museum is just across the tracks (but not open at Amtrak train times. . ..) Posts: 337 | From: Goshen, IN | Registered: Jun 2006
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Absolutely do NOT rely on Amtrak's long-distance trains to get you to a cruise with a same-day connection!! For example, today's Sunset Limited is running at least 6 hours late. The Sunset Limited does not have a reliable schedule AT ALL.
You will enjoy your train trip much more if you can relax and not worry about making a connection. I will second Judy's advice to build one night of "cushion" into your schedule. When I travel on Amtrak where a connection is required between two long-distance trains (for example, from the California Zephyr arriving into Chicago and then departing on another eastbound train, such as the Capitol Limited), I will always plan on staying the night in Chicago in a hotel. That way, it doesn't matter how late the train is and the trip is enjoyable. If you keep looking at your watch wondering if you'll make it, your relaxing trip will become a nightmare. Been there, done that......
But the key here is not to rely on a same-day connection to your cruise when coming from a long-distance train. If you were only taking a Surfliner for a same-day connection, that would be pretty safe as those trains run frequently and usually on-time. But coming from a long-distance train to a Surfliner, no way....I would never do it.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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By the way, you mentioned LAX to OLT on a Surfliner. I'm not familiar with OLT---was that a typo? Did you mean LAX to SAN (San Diego)?
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Ms. Kendall, I totally concur with Ms. McFarland as cruise lines have little empathy for their passengers who do not use their 'approved" transportation to the port - that in 99.44% of the cases, means air.
The Sunset Limited is likely the most unreliable train on the system. For a thumbnail report on its performance go to www.amtrakdelays.com query #1 @ LAX, and see what you see.
Presuming your sailing is in the 4PM range, my best advice if you can accept a longer rail journey would be to make your way to Chicago and use Amtrak's #3 Southwest Chief for a journey to LA. It arrives LA early in the AM, and if late, you have a "backstop" in transferring to a Surfliner train to SD at Fullerton.
For all intent and purpose for a discretionary trip, don't even THINK of traveling Coach. Yes, I know we have a member here who went out of his way to note how traveling Sleeper is 'so Bourgeois', but he is a young fellow and by his own statement a Marxist - need more be said?
Further, if there are two in your party, you had best think Bedroom and not Roomette, as the latter is simply a single adult accommodation that (wisely I think) has two bunks.
Otherwise enjoy yourself on the Love Tub. If you want more info regarding to what extent a cruise is "all inclusive" nowadays (I have learned nowadays anything at the bar is "rip off" and the "hard sell' for 'ShoreEx" excursion products starts the moment you sail - but then, my last was twenty years ago) check out this site.
posted
I'm doing the same Sunset connection in two weeks going to San Diego. One thing is that if you miss your connecting Surfliner, they will put you on the next one south out of LAX. But the Sunset does a have relilable schedule, if there are no unseen delays. Like today's sunset was delayed by frieght congestion after hitting a trespasser inbetween Lake Chales, La and Beaumont, Tx. The Sunset is a pretty good option as it is almost always on-time into Tucson and El Paso.
posted
The problem with a long-distance train is that there are too many variables as the train travels across the country. For reasons that have nothing to do with Amtrak (such as the freight train hitting a trespasser), a long-distance train can be very late.
Because of this, when you spend big bucks on a cruise and you MUST be at a specific place at a specific time, it could be disastrous if you are relying on a long-distance train getting you somewhere. If someone wants to gamble with several thousand of their personal dollars, taking at least a week off from work (for the cruise), and all of the prep work involved in taking a cruise (passport, medical, house-sitter, and so on), then that's their own choice---but a very foolish one. The best bet if you plan on taking a long-distance train is NOT to have a same-day connection, no matter how good a certain train has been doing in recent weeks or months. Things happen on the railroad, some things in Amtrak's control and some things not in their control---but they do happen.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Why not take the Chief all the way to LA. You could have a land cruise and a ocean cruise in one trip.
Posts: 562 | From: Beaumont Texas | Registered: Jul 2005
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Just out of curiosity, why do you need to go to San Diego, Old Town ? Is the cruise check in point at a hotel ? The cruise ship docks are nearer Santa Fe Station at Broadway and Kettner in downtown SAN. In any case be aware that Amtrak service to Old Town station is limited. Most Pacific Surfliner trains don't stop there. If you need to get off at Old Town, make very sure your train does stop there.
Tonight, I am staying at the Vagabond Inn in Sacramento, and will be boarding the Zephyr tomorrow AM for Chicago. Should be beautiful in the Sierras and Rockies this time of year. Came up from San Jose today on the Capitol, and toured the California State RR Museum this afternoon. I will post anything of note from my Zephyr trip. Best Wishes, Russ.
Posts: 133 | From: Canaan, CT | Registered: Dec 2004
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WOW! Thank you all for responding - what a great group! I didn't expect reponses that fast. I have to apologize I think I should have included more detail. Both itineraries are planned to put me in San Diego the day before we set sail. It's just that the route Amtrak's website 'automatically' planned (Sunset to Surfliner) barely gives two hours between trains so even with a one day cushion I'm worried if the Sunset is late and causes me to miss the Surfliner I won't be able to find alternative transport in time.
Judy - We are sailing to Cabo San Lucas - and when I say "we" I mean me and a bunch of other people I met on a different forum www.bodyforlife-tracker.com; It is a big 'group package' kind of deal so I'll just be joining whatever excursions are planned for the group. (I would be the one to miss the boat otherwise!)
Smitty - OLT is the station abbreviation (on Amtrak's website) for Old Town San Diego. Old Town is where our group's pre-cruise hotel is located.
Mr. Norman - What a great site (amtrak delays) I guess it says a lot that someone went to all the trouble to create a site like that! I queried for three weeks of history and looks like it was 2 hours late twice. HMMM. Yes - I've definitely priced out the sleeper for the longer leg of the journey - I want to socialize but I also need my rest - I don't want to be tired and cranky for the cruise.
SunsetLtd. - Yikes! Thanks, that's good to know.
gp35 - I can't afford to take the train from CIN to LAX (I checked it out and it would cost me right around $1000) so the next best thing is to get cheap airfare to a place I can afford to take it from.
RussM - The pre-cruise hotel the group I'm meeting up with is in Old Town. If the Amtrak website says the train stops at OLT, is it possibly not accurate?
Oooh, any advice regarding luggage? I have to bring enough for the train trip *and* the cruise (which is 4 days) - and well, I'm female. so I'm wondering how much luggage is too much luggage for traveling by train?
Thank you ALL for the great advice and information! This group is so knowledgeable and helpful, I hope that this is the first of many future interactions with you AND the rails!
-------------------- Catherine Make the rest of your life the BEST of your life! Posts: 7 | From: Columbus, OH | Registered: Mar 2008
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Looking at the Pacific Surfliner schedule, I don't see the 12:25 out of LAX stopping at Old Town. I see a train at 9:40am, and then not again until late night. Go to the Amtrak website, and print out the schedule. If you do need to take a train into SAN, just walk across the street from the RR Station to America Plaza, and get the Blue Line trolley up to Old Town. It is a 12 minute ride. Get a ticket first out of the vending machine. Make sure you get the trolley to Old Town ( on the side nearest the Amtrak Station), not the one going in the revese direction to San Ysidro.
Posts: 133 | From: Canaan, CT | Registered: Dec 2004
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One thing to note about the San Diego "Trolley". When I first visited San Diego, I kept looking for the Trolley. I saw light rail vehicles at the San Diego Amtrak station, but I could not locate the Trolley....even though it was supposed to be RIGHT THERE! Well, stupid me......I didn't realize that San Diego's light rail system is called the "San Diego Trolley". So if you're expecting a quaint, old-fashioned trolley of some sort (like I was), you won't find it. It's just a normal, municipal light rail system, and the route north out of the downtown San Diego station towards Old Town is S L O W ! ! !
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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I agree with everyone who has said that you should NOT plan arriving later than the day before the cruise especially since you have not arranged your transportation through the cruise line.
We only discovered cruising three or four years ago and love it. We generally do repositioning cruises which are VERY affordable. As an example we did a TransAtlantic from Fort Lauderdale to Cork (Cobh), Dublin, Falmouth, Le Havre and Southampton last spring on Celebrity Constellation for about $85 a day each in a balcony cabin.
Things that are NOT generally included are liquor, soft drinks, laundry, gambling and tips. Most cruise lines add a $10.00 per person per day amount to cover that. You can adjust it up or down at your pleasure. Shore excursions, too, are extra. Do some homework and you may find better deals doing things independently but, again, you are on your own if you do that. We left about 40 people the year before in Le Havre when they got caught in Friday afternoon traffic trying to get out of Paris back to the ship.
I know you'll have a great time!
Frank in warm SBA
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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I would seriously consider taking the Southwest Chief (#3) to get to LA with the option to change to the Pacific Surfliner at LA or Fullerton (both trains service this station in either direction). I think you will also find sleeper class a little more relaxing with your own private room. The Chief has a better on-time schedule than the Sunset, but anything is possible enroute. Plus I think the Chief has better scenery on it (my personal opinion). I've always liked the westbound trip better as well. You'll find the Chief has pretty good time in it to make up time (as does the Sunset, but this often does play out as it should).
posted
I would also concur with Mr. Norman - take the longer rail journey and board at Chicago for the Southwest Chief. You'll get a more flavor of the long distance experience and socialization onboard. The Chief still has a pretty good reputation, of the long distance trains. At ABQ, you get a little break, if the train is on-time or early and can check out the trackside array of local vendors!
Posts: 337 | Registered: Jun 2003
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Well,, Ms. Kendall, after poking around the body for life website you linked, I must say "y'all look good'. I doubt if any of your group will fit the stereo type (well, save Dyan Cannon) found in flicks such as 'Out to Sea".
If this is your first cruise, possibly you have heard the stories of 'the wonderful food'. My best advice is 'forget 'em', the only thing I can say of cruise ship food (my cruises all were on Holland America Line) is they have quite an accent for "eye-appeal' and also quantity. At best, think hotel banquet food - it can't be anything else considering they are feeding 2000 souls at one pop.
But with the discipline you obviously have in that area (regretably for myself I don't), you will nevertheless find the cruiselines do offer fresh fruits in quite abundance.
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Chiming in with this even though I'm late to dinner too -
Agree with all who say plan to arrive the day before your cruise departs......safer all the way around.....even though the Southwest Chief is a far better performer in terms of on-time arrival.
Cheap flight to rail possibilities -
I like flying to Albuquerque and catching the Southwest Chief from there. You might be able to save major dollars by driving to the airports in either Indianapolis or Louisville and flying Southwest Airlines to Albuquerque.....or even going all the way to Chicago Midway.
Once you get to Albuquerque, it is a relatively small, clean, attractive airport. There is a CITY BUS which for $1 or $2 and 30 minutes tops will take you from the airport to their downtown transit center (Alvarado Transit Center). The transit center is NEXT DOOR to the combined Albuquerque Amtrak and Greyhound station. They are kind of security conscious at ABQ and I believe that only ticketed passengers are allowed into the waiting area....a plus for a female traveller.
Finally, if taking the city bus from the airport to Amtrak is Albuquerque is more than you want to try, the ABQ airport is only 5-6 miles from downtown. It would be a quick and not horribly expensive cabride.
FINAL REASON for preferring Albuquerque - the train departs at a daylight hour and not during the middle of the night like in Tucson.
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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And you get some pretty good sunset high desert scenery coming out of ABQ now that daylight savings has started, and some pretty fast running on one of Amtraks speediest long distance runs. The convenience of ABQ and the reliability of the Southwest Chief make this a much better alternative.
Posts: 1572 | From: St. Paul, MN | Registered: Dec 2002
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I agree on the timeliness of the Chief. Just came home from Williams AZ; pick up there was 19 minutes late (after the train came all the way from Chicago) and arrival at LA was on time (really an hour early as the time changed during the night to daylight savings). I also concur with arrival a day before the cruise departure as missing a cruise departure is no small matter.
A brief trip report will be posted soon.
-------------------- Vicki in usually sunny Southern California Posts: 951 | From: Redondo Beach, CA | Registered: Aug 2006
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quote:Originally posted by RussM: If you do need to take a train into SAN, just walk across the street from the RR Station to America Plaza, and get the Blue Line trolley up to Old Town. It is a 12 minute ride. Get a ticket first out of the vending machine. Make sure you get the trolley to Old Town ( on the side nearest the Amtrak Station), not the one going in the revese direction to San Ysidro.
Just a very small correction to Russ's post...you do not need to walk across Kettner to the American Plaza trolley stop for an Old Town trolley at the Amtrak station in SAN. You can board these trolleys on the tracks directly adjacent to the main Amtrak tracks, plus there are ticket machines there. Just make sure you get the one going north! There are about 4 stops before the Old Town stop. Hope this helps, Bob.
Posts: 588 | From: East San Diego County, CA | Registered: Oct 2004
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Sorry I didn't see this post before but I want to chime in with my two (or twenty-two) cents.
First, I agree, whatever you do, don't try to catch a train to the cruise on the same day, as others have said.
Second, I agree, take the SW Chief, not the Sunset Ltd, if you can. The Sunset Ltd can be excruciatingly late; the SW Chief is generally far more reliable, and the red rocks around Gallop NM that you see from the train are simply spectacular--like Sedona without the condos.
Third, most of the hotels in San Diego have free shuttle service, so you can get off at the main San Diego stop (to which there are lots more Pacific Surfliner trains)--it's right downtown and a nice old station--and the hotel shuttle will likely pick you up (for free, that you will want to give a little tip, of course)--just check with your hotel in advance to make sure they ahve one.
Fourth, I would actually splurge and take the SW Chief to San Diego to arrive not the day before but TWO days before your departure. San Diego is really lovely, lots to see and do (don't miss the boat to Coronado Island, and Balboa Park--no need for the zoo if you don't want, but the old part of the park is simply lovely; Old Town is very nice too), and the hotel shuttle will take you up to Balboa Park too (and you can take that cool trolley to Old Town). So getting more time in San Diego will be great, and just in case there is some problem with the train, you will be very relaxed about making sure you don't miss your cruise. I always leave a BIG cushion like that when I'm taking the train to something that I have to get to at a time certain, like a cruise.
Fifth, don't worry if you miss your connection to the Pacific Surfliner in LA; you can just take the next one. If you take the SW Chief, your arrival into LAX is in the morning, so even if the SW Chief is late, you'll have plenty of time to get down to San Diego. As noted, there are lots more Surfliners to the regular San Diego stop, so if you go to that one, you should have no trouble.
I don't know if all the cruise ships in San Diego leave from the same spot, but the cruise port I saw was by Downtown, not Old Town. The closest hotel was a Holiday Inn but that was rather overpriced; however, not so very far away was the Best Western Bayside Inn (be careful, there are more than one BW in SD), and that was fairly reasonable. The address was 555 W Ash.
BTW, Mr Norman, I took Holland America on my only cruise, to Alaska, and the food was simply delicious--and I am kind of a foodie, as you may have noticed! It was far superior to any wedding banquet food I've ever had, though it did vary, with the best food on the first night, last night, formal night, and special staff appreciation night (or whatever it was called). What's more, we never did this, but if you wanted to spend just $20 extra a person you could eat food that was even more gourmet in a certain fancy restaurant on board. OTOH I've heard some cruise lines don't have nearly as good. So I think it depends on the cruise line and the cruise.
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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Kendall To add to what RussM, Railroad Bob and sojourner have said about San Diego do take the Surfliner all the way in San Diego station (SAN). The Surfliners from Los Angeles only stop at Old Town San Diego on weekends and some holidays and only for trains 564,566,768. I would contact your hotel for pick at the station. Most hotels in the old town are a good walk and some what up hill from the combined trolley and train station in old town. If you do take the trolley from the station just take the Blue Line north it ends at old town station, for more information on the trolley go to www.sdmts.com get ticket at the machines on the south bound trolley platform then cross over to the north platform. What hotel is your group staying at in old town?
Ron
-------------------- R Milot Posts: 9 | From: San Diego, CA USA | Registered: Jun 2004
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I'm actually flying in to San Diego in a couple of weeks and looking forward to riding the Trolley and an Amtrak Surfliner!
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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No one has chimed in on the luggage question, so here's my opinion (for whatever it;s worth). With all the talk about trolleys and local trains, be sure that you can handle whatever you decide to bring by yourself. For a trip of this magnitude, think one good-sized wheeled bag & a little tote bag. If you have a sleeper on the train, leave the wheeled bag in the luggage rack & only take the tote bag to your compartment. If you are flying, check the big bag (if you dare) & carry on the small one or carry on the bigger bag if possible with the little one inside it. If train traveling in coach, again put the big bag on the luggage rack & carry the tote to your seat. Leave some packing room for souveniers. Above all, remember that for the best trip take half the clothes and twice the money that you planned & all will be well.
-------------------- My new "default" station (EKH) has no baggage service or QuikTrak machine, but the parking is free! And the NY Central RR Museum is just across the tracks (but not open at Amtrak train times. . ..) Posts: 337 | From: Goshen, IN | Registered: Jun 2006
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Sounds like you have more advice than you need for your trip. As you probably know, there are nine Surfliners on most days and more on weekends. So whichever Long Distance train you choose, you will have options. Been there, done that. No matter what your ticket says, Surfliners are unreserved except around Thanksgiving so you can get on any one you want
Locally, you can get to most of the things you want to see in San Diego on public transportation including Balboa Park, the Zoo, Coronado Island, Seaport Village, etc. So plan to enjoy a day in San Diego. If you're not traveling on a weekend, you will have to go to SAN and trolley back to Old Town if there is no shuttle. The San Diego Trolley is not really "luggage friendly" especially at commute times.
We took our first cruise in January and it was a little disappointing that there is no crowd to see you off like in the movies. But it is 2008 and a different world. However, do get out on the deck when you leave. The view of San Diego and the Harbor and Point Loma is fantastic. Don't miss it.
Mr. Norman's advice is usually very good. Remember that you're expected to gain a pound a day on the cruise and that three laps around the deck equals a mile. Just enjoy it.
-------------------- Railrev Escondido, CA Posts: 99 | From: Escondido, California | Registered: Jul 2003
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I DID IT!! I took all your wonderful advice and I did it!! I managed to get a $70 flight from CMH to CHI so I just booked the Southwest Chief from CHI to LAX and the Pacific Surfliner from LAX to SAN!! I'm so excited I can hardly stand myself! I booked it so that I'm scheduled to arrive in San Diego 3 full days before we embark. I'm expected to stay at the groups' pre-cruise hotel the night before we embark but at $159 per night I'm going to find somewhere else for the first two nights. I'm hoping to find someplace safe with easy public transport to local attractions for (hopefully) under $80 per night. Do you suppose that's a pipe dream? Boy, I've got a lot of web research to do! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you ALL SO MUCH! Now I just have to figure out how to get some spending money for the trip - guess I need to learn how to use ebay and start my spring cleaning!
-------------------- Catherine Make the rest of your life the BEST of your life! Posts: 7 | From: Columbus, OH | Registered: Mar 2008
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Oh! and thank you Mr. Norman for the nice compliment. I'm working toward having as much vitality and verve as Dyan Cannon when I'm her age! That's what BFL is all about! The eating doesn't really take as much discipline as one would immediately suppose - when you're eating 6 times a day you hardly have time to get hungry! We are on Carnival and I've heard mixed reviews on the food, but that's okay because mostly I'm going for the people (and the sun and the sand...) Thanks again!
-------------------- Catherine Make the rest of your life the BEST of your life! Posts: 7 | From: Columbus, OH | Registered: Mar 2008
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Yikes, I never dreamed Dyan Cannon is 71 (b 1937); I knew her "Mother", Elaine Stritch, in that flick was "pretty well up there'(b 1925 or 83) - I think she still performs.
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Way off topic! But yes, Mr. Norman, Ms. Stritch is going strong with TV guest roles, and also just finished a gig at the Carlyle in NYC (where she also lives) repeating her one-woman Broadway show of several years ago.
Posts: 87 | From: Snowmass, CO USA | Registered: Jun 2003
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Others may know more than I about accomodations in SAN, but when I was there with a car I stayed in a motel on a street called Motel Circle(?)that was right off I-8 near Old Town. Sandy Eggo is kind of a pricey town to stay in, but the many motels concentrated around Motel Circle had relatively competitive prices. Under $80 though I doubt is possible.
I could hear the trolley go by from my motel window, but I am not sure where the nearest station is (probably Fashion Valley mall). SAN is an easy town to get around in without a car, and it is difficult to drive in without a good map. I really enjoyed the Ocean Beach part of town for eating and being on the ocean.
Another time I stayed all the way up in Poway to save money on a motel.
Posts: 1572 | From: St. Paul, MN | Registered: Dec 2002
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San Diego is VERY pricey for hotels. For the hotel properties located on Hotel Circle, you'll pay a premium (usually, but not always). If you like to gamble on websites like HotWire or Travelocity, you can get a fairly good rate sometimes, but you won't know the hotel name until after you've purchased your non-refundable room.
I have stayed at a few places in Old Town. Personally, I like the Holiday Inn Express in Old Town. If you have rolling luggage and don't mind walking, it's about a 5 minute walk on flat (very, very small hill) sidewalk to/from the Old Town Trolley station. In this same area, there is also a La Quinta Inn which is quite nice, as well as a Courtyard By Marriott. All three of these hotels are just around the corner from each other, and all three would require roughly the same length of walk.
There is a motel located next-door to the Caltrans Headquarters building, which is very close to the Old Town Trolley station. It's probably the closest hotel/motel to the Trolley. However, a few friends stayed there recently for a conference at Caltrans, and I got to see the inside of their motel room. DO NOT STAY THERE. It's got a name that's something like "El Rancho"? I can look up the name if you'd like, but absolutely, positively, do not stay there. Very yucky, very dirty.
If it were me, I'd stay again at Holiday Inn Express. This hotel is heavily used by the cruise lines for pre and post departure passengers, so make your reservations NOW as that hotel fills up extremely quickly. Don't be shocked when you see the hotel prices in San Diego. It's just about as bad as New York City.
Sounds like a fun trip! (PS: I don't know what your budget is, but I recently stayed at the Omni in downtown San Diego, next to PETCO park. The Trolley is right next door, and this is a beautiful, brand new hotel---but you will pay big $$$ for it).
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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We were there about 3 or 4 years ago. Its on the opposite side of the bay from downtown, in Point Loma. I think we paid $65 per night. Its around $80 per night now. Its on a main drag, and not far from the airport, so public transportation should be available (we had a rental car, so I can't be sure what public transportation is available. I do recall seeing busses). Its clean, comfortable, in a nice suburban neighborhood, and the owners were excellent hosts.
You'll love SD. We flew in last time. We plan to go back some day, hopefully the same route you're taking, the Chief and the PS.
-------------------- Chuck
“Adventure is just bad planning.” - Roald Amundsen Posts: 80 | From: Wisconsin | Registered: Feb 2007
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'Bourgeois';I never used that word. Marxist I may have used, but I would actually consider myself more of a Socialist...but perhaps we should not talk politics, Mr Norman. I am a believer in Coach Travel...and I'm a consumate CHEAPWAD.
I concur with others Kendall that a same day connection IS NOT WISE. Maybe you could consider flying to LAX and saving the long distance train trip for the ride home.
Reliability wise, the Southwest Chief is your safer bet. One other idea is to fly to Sacramento and take the Coast Starlight down for a scheduled arrival the night before your cruise. The hrs by rail overlooking the Pacific Ocean (especially with daylight savings time) will get you in the mood for your cruise.
-------------------- Patrick Posts: 387 | From: Bakersfield, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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But trains can still run into problems along the way. Yesterday's Southwest Chief arrived into LAX over 13 hours late. An Amtrak locomotive broke down, so BNSF sent a freight unit to assist. Then the freight unit broke down, so BNSF sent another freight unit to assist. Then THAT one caught on fire. Not a good day for train #3.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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How cool that you are taking the SW Chief. Did you get a sleeperette for the whole trip?
Crossing the Mississippi on the train for the first time was a major event for me--I did it on the SW Chief too. You might be at dinner when that happens, so take a window seat if you can. It's a bit after Galesburg, which btw is a not-bad looking town.
If you wake up early next morning, you can see Dodge City on the right side facing forward; it's little and maybe fake but still kinda cool. And later that day, be sure to be in the observation car before you leave Colorado. In fact, I stay in the observation car almost from breakfast on. I like seeing the vague outline of the approaching mountains, and looking for prairie dogs . . . Anyway, be sure to be there before you leave Colorado over the Raton Pass, the highest point on the trip, there is a cool old mission and a sign to see (on the right side facing forward) but nice scenery both sides--it's very exciting. The rest of the trip that day is pretty gorgeous too--you'll want to see the old Harvey hotel Coronado right near the train stop in Las Vegas, NM, and then you go through Apache Canyon to Lamy (the stop for Santa Fe)--pretty scenic.
At Albuquerque you usually have a tad of a layover--you can walk on some streets nearby, but don't miss getting back to the train! There's a Coldstone Creamery close by, I'm told. Also vendors sell Native American jewelry and stuff right on the train platform, with some decent prices for the costume jewelry, at any rate. After you leave Albuquerque comes the most scenic part, the red rocks, around Gallup, NM. . . . .
Re San Diego hotels: I don't think you can find a conveniently located safe and clean hotel for under $100--I wouldn't stay out at the airport, for example, too much running around! But for around $100-$110 you might get the Comfort Inn, 719 Ash, or maybe the Quality Inn across the street--both have the same owner. I stayed in the Comfort Inn by myself, but I'm not sure I recommend it if you're alone, because it's motel-ish, the kind of place people have access to without going through a lobby, which is not the best thing for a female alone. But I had no trouble. The location was up the hill, from downtown, which gave me some exercise walking. There were a couple of tawdry streets, but nothing too bad, though I don't know what it would be like on a Sunday (could be very dead down there, though there was a trendy new apartment house nearby, and even a little grocery for it where I bought a banana. The price included breakfast and a free shuttle--when I phoned, they picked me up at the train station, and I also took the shuttle to Balboa Park one morning, because it was right there!) Make sure you get an email confirmation of your reservation; they lost mine! But they still had a room so everything was fine. I was there in the summer too, as I recall.
Still, if I were recommending, I'd go with that Best Western Bayside Inn I mentioned above. I think they were around $135 when I was in SD, but of course hotel prices have been skyrocketing lately, so I'm not sure.
Restaurants in San Diego can be pricey, esp. in the Gaslight area, so watch it there! There are cheaper places up near Old Town, for example, and in-between prices in Little Italy (which is cute). Asian (except for Japanese) and Mexican food is usually cheaper, too.
Re sites to see: Don't forget to take the ferry (it's not expensive) to Coronado Island; and once there, you take a little bus across the island to see the Hotel del Coronado. There's beach there too. At Balboa Park, don't miss the gardens. There's one called the Alcazar, I think, and then there is a desert garden, really cool.
I'm sure you'll have a great time!
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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I have the enviable benefit of family in San Diego so I am not knowledgeable regarding the hotels. If you visit Balboa Park, be sure to visit the Ruben H Fleet Museum and Planetarium. There is a VERY nice aerospace museum in the park as well. While near the embarcaderro, one dining option you might consider is Anthony's Fish Grotto.DOn't forget to check out the Maritime Museum. It's been about 10 years since I've been to San Diego, so I'm hoping these things are still in San Diego...
Posts: 387 | From: Bakersfield, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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WOW! Sorry I haven't been back in a few days, got really busy and computer time has been scarce. This is the first I've seen my email in as many days. I'm actually on my way to bed now but I'm printing this out to read in-between-times tomorrow. Thanks to all who posted, I'm overwhelmed at how helpful you all are here!
-------------------- Catherine Make the rest of your life the BEST of your life! Posts: 7 | From: Columbus, OH | Registered: Mar 2008
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Speaking of San Diego --- I should have asked this a few years ago, but kept forgetting to ask.
When I was in San Diego on my 2002 trip, there was a very detailed large-scale model of some kind of aircraft carrier or destroyer in the San Diego AMTRAK station -- is that large, very impressive model still there? And what ship is it a model of?
Thanks -- better later than never!!
Posts: 2428 | From: Grayling, MI | Registered: Mar 2002
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I queried for three weeks of history and looks like it was 2 hours late twice. HMMM. Yes - I've definitely priced out the sleeper for the longer leg of the journey - I want to socialize but I also need my rest - I don't want to be tired and cranky for the cruise.![[Wink]](wink.gif)
so I'm wondering how much luggage is too much luggage for traveling by train? ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
