Coast Starlight:

The train from Seattle to LA and vice versa are both scheduled to leave their respective origins around 10 in the morning. Will breakfast be served that late or will we need to buy something from the snack car?

We will be booking a sleeper. Are all meals and snacks included or only the dining car meals?

Neither my mother nor I are morning people and will probably want breakfast served in our room on the second day. How far in advance will we need to let the car attendant know?

Are there any restaurants in Los Angeles' Union Station that are open when the Starlight arrives?

Are taxis lined up outside of the LA Union Station like they are at King Street Station in Seattle when the train arrives?

Pacific Surfliner:

Does Business Class work like it does on the Cascades route where seats are assigned, or does going Business Class just guarantee a seat wherever?

Since we'll be going on a day trip and won't have any luggage, how far in advance of the Surfliner's departure should we arrive at Union Station?

You can get meals in your room, although most people just choose to eat in the dining car. The car attendant often comes around to find out who will be having breakfast, and that is the time to ask. Also, another continental breakfast is offered the following morning in the Parlour Car, and late risers can help themselves to that.

There is a restaurant in LA Union called Traxx, but it's upscale and pricey, and probably wouldn't be open as Kostroma said. There will be dinner onboard before the arrival in LA.

As for the Surfliner, Business Class seats are technically reserved, but they are not assigned, at least from my experience. Going unreserved coach is probably a better deal, and actually it's little different. (Those little TV's in the backs of the seats seem to be the one major perk of Business Class, but they never work.)

Reggie

There are plenty of pretty darn good Mexican food holes in the wall there, and the price is reasonable, even considering the tourist-trap environment.

In addition to Traxx, there is a coffee bar a la Starbucks in the main waiting room as well. It is also a tad upscale in its prices.

John

I guess I'll handle the breakfast thing as it comes up. If the attendant doesn't mind, then we'll eat in our compartment the second morning, but if they're extra busy or seem put out, we'll drag ourselves out of bed early.

I'm asking about restaurants or snack bars in Union Station simply because I'm thinking of the worst case scenario. When I plan a trip, I always allow a plan B, though I rarely have to use it. Here's why:

We're not looking for a place to have a sit down meal when we get off the train, but I know that between dinner and bedtime, we will want a light snack. Our hotel stops food service at 11 and if the Starlight is substantially behind, as it sometimes is, then we'll need to have an alternative planned. I guess we'll just buy something from the lounge car just in case.

I'm not fixated on food or anything. It just seems that way.

quote:

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Originally posted by mytetravel:
If you go to San Diego, make sure you ask the conductor or ticket person which is the ocean side. You'll see ocean once you leave San Juan Capistrano.

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During my most recent southbound trip, only one other passenger sat in my car. My return trips to LA (usually in late afternoon) have been only slightly more populated.

So it's possible you'll have a choice of many empty seats. If something outside the opposite window catches your eye, don't be shy. Simply move across the aisle.

I usually hop back and forth several times during the course of a single journey. But then, I've also been known to move to a completely different car, simply because it's there.