Amtrak's COAST STARLIGHT; Los Angeles to Seattle by Train

Ever since I heard about this trip, I can't stop thinking about it. I've been dying to experience extended trainCoast Starlight travel for some time now. While the Trans Siberian Railway or the Venice Orient Express would be thrilling, I'm not sure if either is in my immediate future. This trip, however, starts right in my backyard.

Amtrak's COAST STARLIGHT route runs from Los Angeles all the way to Seattle. For all you Localphiles unfamiliar with United States geography, the journey from LA to Seattle traverses almost the entire west coast. En route to Seattle, the train makes stops in Santa Barbara, San Francisco, Sacramento and Portland. Perhaps I've been naive, but I didn't think this kind of leisure train travel even existed in the US! These are some of the most beautiful locales our country has to offer. Not only do you get to enjoy the stunning California coast line, but you also pass by the Cascade Mountains, protected national forests and stunning valleys.

Observation CarThe anemities sound unparalled. Luxury sleeping cabins, formal dining cars, even an "on board arcade car." They're really trying to put a local spin on things, too. There's a "Pacific Parlor Car," where you can sample local wines and cheeses as you pass through each region. During the stretch between Portland and Seattle, National Park Service Guides are on board to talk about the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. You can even continue by train all the way up to Vancouver. 

This is definitely going on my summer to-do list. I've been meaning to get up to Seattle and Vancouver, this seems like the perfect opportunity. More info here.

-L.