I am thinking about taking a trip frof seattle down to LA this summer and I was wondering how much of the actual route is actually as coastal as the travel planner shows?(right on the beach)Thanks!
Posted by MPALMER (Member # 125) on :
From south of San Luis Obispo, through Santa Barbara to Ventura (almost to Oxnard). The rest of the route is further inland, but still scenic.
Posted by RRRICH (Member # 1418) on :
Between Tacoma and Olympia-Lacey, WA, much of that portion of the route runs along Puget Sound also, which is quite scenic. And between Martinez, CA and Emeryville-Oakland, the route runs next to a part of San Francisco Bay
Posted by PullmanCo (Member # 1138) on :
My days of discovery as a railfan were watching the Daylight, sugar beet freights, and drags at Gaviota and Refugio State Beaches.
Yes, the Espee Coast line IS that scenic!
John
------------------ The City of Saint Louis (UP, 1967) is still my standard for passenger operations
Posted by Konstantin (Member # 18) on :
I think the Coast Starlight route is extremely scenic. My favorite part is Cuesta Grade, just north of San Luis Obispo. Another beautiful part is through the Cascade Mountains south of Eugene.
------------------ Elias Valley Railroad (N-scale) www.geocities.com/evrr
Posted by jp1822 (Member # 2596) on :
Will you be returning on the Starlight as well (LA to Seattle)? You get the best and maximum daylight hours of the coast/ocean going north. The scenery along the coast is better than the pictures! The Starlight is one of my favorite trains - scenery is superb north or south. I prefer the northbound train though. Good luck!
Posted by RICK777200 (Member # 1525) on :
I was not planning on going back north since i will be staying with family in socal. But, if the scenery is better I will think about taking the northbound trip. Thanks!
Posted by dilly (Member # 1427) on :
Take the northbound home if you can. In daylight, the L.A. to Oakland segment is an amazing ride.
Scenery-wise, it's also far more varied and interesting than the heavily forested (and often monotonous) stretch through Washington and Oregon.
[This message has been edited by dilly (edited 06-28-2003).]
Posted by azrailer (Member # 2429) on :
Have taken the Coast Starlight north 3 times in as many months and although the views along the coast are beautiful the trip thru the mountains is awesome, never find it boreing.We came back south on one trip and the timing north is much better.Regardless of which way you go you will love the ride and the people of the starlight amtrak.