Train trip, LA to Salinas

Amtrak Train 3 The Coast Starlight

San Louis Obisbo

This is one of Amtrak's best routes to travel as it quickly goes through the suburbs of LA and then on past the smaller town like Santa Barbara and soon you are traveling along the edge of the Pacific Ocean. It is amazing to see the beaches almost empty after the crowded areas close to LA. A great part of the coast is used as a military area so is off limits to the public and so traveling by train is a way to see it. Not that there is much to see . It is mostly unused land of wood and fields and dunes. This time as we traveled it was very hazy with the early morning sea fog but still very pleasant and relaxing

After a while you head inland and go over the mountains virtually getting over the mountain by zigzagging back and forth. You cross the famous Horseshoe Curve at Cuesta Pass. 

Watch the link here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8joaICqizzo

The train really is this long and has 2 engines pulling it.

We were fortunate to be eating lunch and could check the train engine by looking out the window as it went round the curving bends. Most impressive.

The beautiful coast line

Next is a change of scenery as you come into Central California and see where much of the food we eat is grown. Large fields are being cultivated and tended to by hardworking people. The fields go on and on .So it's time for a little afternoon nap.

Soon we reached our destination at Salinas as we were going from there to the Monterey peninsula and to see the races at Laguna Seca race track.

If you continue on the train you can eventually get to Oakland and then other major cities in Oregon and Washington state and even make connections to British Columbia in Canada. We have done this trip previously and can really recommend it. I would however get a sleeper to travel in as it will be a very full 2 day journey.