Has anybody taken the Amtrak from LA to Portland? If so, how was it? I am going on Aug 22/23, staying there on Aug 23/24, returning on Aug 25/26. Must see places? Do I need to rent car or are there hotels nearby the train station?

Taken Amtrak from Portland to Seattle. Some of the trains are the same. It's wonderful. Lots of space, cute little snack cars, dining cars. Some trains have movies.

The train station is in the downtown area, though you'd have to take a cab to the downtown hotels from there (or maybe public transit). In Portland, the Japanese Gdn, Rose Gdn., Saturday Market, Chinese Gdn, waterfront are all grand. Good shopping on NW 23rd Av and Hawthorne District. If you stay in town you won't need a car. If you want to go to the Gorge or see Mt. Hood, you will. You don't have a lot of town, and might just stick to town things. Gotta run, but I can add more later. What are you interested in seeing?

Your entire vacation is going to be spent cooped up on the train. Only 1 full day to see Portland? You're going to miss the beauty of the Columbia Gorge.

We took Amtrak from LA to Seattle which, obviously, stopped at Portland on the way. It was a wonderful ride, and our compartment was great. We did it round trip, and in retrospect, I would have gone one way by train, and took a plane back, because it is spending a LOT of time on the train. They may still have the rail/fly option. Check with Amtrak.

Geez - that lisa person always beats me to the best suggestions!

I did a round trip from Albany Oregon (south of PDX) to Oxnard. We had a great time. We had first class, sleeper compartment with a bathroom. It was cozy to sleep for 3 of us but worked. It is a long time on the train with only such a short time in between. The train should be the trip - thought of as the destination not just a way to get there. Bring a book an cross stitch/crochet etc. Food was ok, better than I expected. Don't do it if you NEED to get someplace on time - you can get several hours behind.

See the stuff Lisa recommended - it is all you'll have time for.

The scenery is wonderful close to San Luis Obispo and close to Seattle, otherwise gets boring IMHO. I liked going south much more - better timing. Expect the trains to be late.

YOu have to love train travel to enjoy this trip. If you're anxious to get from point A to point B, then take a plane. The train is frequently delayed and late, but it's great fun (I think) to ride on a train again. We found the food basic but wonderfully old fashioned---loved the chicken pot pie. You can get off wherever you want and then board the train the next day or so. We stopped in San Luis Obispo and rented a car--drove over to Cambria and enjoyed a day there. The train is not for the business traveler, but for a tourist who loves riding a train, it's probably the best of what's left in the US.