We're thinking of taking Amtrak's Coast Starlight from LA to Oakland, or maybe farther north. Has anyone taken this trip? Would early October be a good time? What class of service do you recommend?

I don't know alot about Amtrak, but have taken the
The Coast Starlight from San Jose to LA. It was a lot of fun then (1988) and I have heard it has gotten even
better. October is usually a beautiful time in Northern California. No rain till mid to late October, but with El Nino, who can say. As far as I know there is no "classes" on The Coast Starlight. I think people who book sleepers cars may get more attention, but from L.A. to Oakland one would not need a compartment. Have fun!

I don't know alot about Amtrak, but have taken the
The Coast Starlight from San Jose to LA. It was a lot of fun then (1988) and I have heard it has gotten even
better. October is usually a beautiful time in Northern California. No rain till mid to late October, but with El Nino, who can say. As far as I know there is no "classes" on The Coast Starlight. I think people who book sleepers cars may get more attention, but from L.A. to Oakland one would not need a compartment. Have fun!

My son, ll, and I took Starligtht last summer Oakland to L.A.--since it was a 9 hr. affair and we hadn't ridden many trains-splurged and got the cheapest sleeper car. We once pulled down the top bunk for him to pretend sleep--but there are no windows to look out up there! The two lower seats pull forward and together so 2 people can stretch out and then you have pillows, blankets, real carnations, daily paper, privacy and a personal usher for your car. This class ticket comes with 3 meals-anything off the menu, even $22 steak at dinner--so figure out how much train food costs-calculate and you'll come out better splurging an extra $l00 or so and live it up. The "room" entitles you to free wine and fresh fruit/cheese and crackers from 3-6PM in the lounge car, which has free Monopoly and board games and a downstairs room with movies playing. This car is not accessible to regular coach/seat passengers. You can make reservation in dining car for meals or have them brought to your room by attandant to eat on the small table (I would eat dinner in the dining car.)
I think 8-9 hrs. was fun but we were ready to get off and spend the night in the hotel. At Oakland Station there is a very nice Jacks Hotel right on the Oakland Estuary(with pool), and Yoshi's has Japanese food and jazz concerts as late as l0PM. Also there are 8 cinemas complex and shopping, Barnes & Noble all right down there at the Jack London Square as well as an old bar "Last Chance" that Jack London drank at and it has just been put on the histoical register. Safe at the J.L. square until 1-2 AM-very touristy--you can walk the 4 blocks to Jack's Hotel or catch a cab.

We are just back from a California/Coast Starlight trip and cannot recommend it highly enough!!! We took it all the way from LA to Seattle (with a six day interruption for familiy visit, etc). It leaves the Los Angeles station at 9:30 a.m., and once you are clear of LA, you begin the ride along the ocean....spectacular; you are looking right dowon at the water. The service and food are great. But...you DO want to book a compartment because then, as noted, you have access to the "first-class" observation car (with complimentary fruit, sweet rolls, coffee and juice in the a.m.; cheese and wine tasting in the afternoon) and your meals are all included. There were many kids on the train we took, and they seemed to be having a fine time. Go -- it's the experience of a lifetime and you'll love it! (But count on running behind schedule, probably about two hours). I found an "Amtrak specialist" travel agent thruu the net...they were terrific, and save me money. E-m me if you'd like more details about that.

Last August, my husband & I took our 2 sons, ages 10 & 4-1/2 on the Coast Starlight from LA to Chuenult, OR. We had a wonderful time. We went 1st class with a Family sleeper compartment. The stewards were very helpful, the food was better than on the airlines, but not 5-star. The scenery was worth the trip. We loved the 1st class lounge car with the large windows. The best part was waking up after we had crossed the CA/OR border, to find outselves in the forests of southern OR. Like something out of Dr. Zhivago. Don't recommend the return trip. Scheduling gives you only northern Ca. during daylight hours and some of the coast later in the day. We'd do it again, but fly back. ***

Has anyone of you ever gone from San Diego to Oakland?? I have a dear friend down there and would like to fly down and bring her up here to the Bay area via Amtrak. Not sure how it connects with the train (I know there is one) from San Diego though. She would want to fly home to San Diego afterward. Thanks for any help.