5 best Amtrak trips on the West Coast

The West Coast of the United States is full of beautiful and diverse landscapes. There are deserts, agricultural valleys, mountains, rainforests and endless views of the Pacific Ocean. An Amtrak trip is a great way to see it all and there are multiple long-distance and regional trains to choose from. To start planning your next rail adventure, here are the five best Amtrak trips on the West Coast with recommendations on where to start and end your trip.

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Southern California Coast

Pacific Surfliner in Del Mar, California — *Photo by Catlin Wolfard via Creative Commons (Pacific Surfliner next to the ocean)*

Start or End: San Diego

The Pacific Surfliner has stunning views of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, especially if you start or end this trip in San Diego. It’s a great route for kids or riders with limited time as day trips are doable. Multiple trains travel between San Diego and San Luis Obispo each day with many great stops along the way (including near Disneyland). Travel between Los Angeles and San Diego is a popular option, and you can fly in or out of San Diego if needed — the San Diego Old Town Amtrak Station is closest to the airport.

Pacific Northwest Coast

Amtrak Cascades train in Washington State — *Photo by Washington State Department of Transportation via Creative Commons (Cascades train)*

Start or End: Portland, Seattle, Vancouver B.C.

Amtrak’s Cascades route travels through the beautiful Pacific Northwest and into Canada with a stop in Vancouver. There are views of Puget Sound, Salish Sea, Chuckanut Bay, Cascade Mountains and the Olympic Mountains on this relatively short train ride. You don’t have to go into Canada to see the best scenery; we recommend traveling to/from Bellingham if you don’t have a passport.

Coast Starlight

Start or End: Portland, Seattle

For long-distance travel through the Cascade Mountains and along the Pacific Ocean, book tickets on the Coast Starlight. It is one of Amtrak’s most scenic routes with majestic evergreen forests, mountain peaks, and views of the ocean and other bodies of water. To see the most scenery, travel northbound in June or July — we recommend boarding the Coast Starlight in Los Angeles, Van Nuys (near the Burbank Airport) or Santa Barbara.

California Zephyr

Start or End: Emeryville, Sacramento

The California Zephyr is a must-do train trip in the United States. When starting on the West Coast, you’ll have two days of amazing mountain scenery as trains travel through the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountains. Start or end this trip in Emeryville (near San Francisco and Oakland Airport) or in Sacramento (near the Sacramento Airport). Book tickets to Fraser/Winter Park or Glenwood Springs if you want to stay overnight in the Rockies. Starting or ending in this trip in Denver is another great option if you want to fly in one direction of travel.

Glacier National Park

Empire Builder in the Rocky Mountains — *Photo by Loco Steve/Flickr.com (Empire Builder in the Montana Rocky Mountains)*

Start or End: Portland, Seattle

With four Amtrak stations near Glacier National Park, it’s easy to reach this favorite national park by train. Travel time is 13 to 16 hours, and a summer trip is recommended to see the most scenery. If you begin your trip in Portland, you’ll have beautiful views the Colombia River Gorge. If you start in Seattle, you’ll see Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains.

For the most views of the Rocky Mountains from the train, book tickets to East Glacier Park. This station is open seasonally and you can walk to a historic lodge (plan to use park shuttles and bus tours to get around). West Glacier Station is in walking distance of the West Glacier Village and rental cars are available. Or travel to Whitefish for many restaurants, shops and rental cars. You just won’t see as much of the mountain scenery from the train if you exit here.