I wanted to take a train from SF to LA but the Amtrak schedule looks like it is many hours. I took a wonderful train trip from San Diego to LA and expected something similar. I know it is a long distance between the two cities; any suggestions for a scenic ride? I don't want to drive so may end up flying.

Thanks for any help.

Flying between SFO and LAX is about $49 one way on Southwest Airlines. It's about an hour flight, much quicker than the train between those two cities.

The route between SF and LA is inland for the most part - through farmland, so not terribly scenic. I'd fly.

If you take the local train San Joaqin (sp?) to Bakersfield, then connecting bus to LA - it's mostly boring, but you can save several hours. The one that runs along the ocean is beautiful approx. from San Jose to Santa Barbara, but long.

If you don't want to drive, there are bus tour taking 2 days. Or fly.

Fly. It's easy and if you fly during the day you can see some coastline and the SF city and the sparkling Bay when you come in to land. My favorite airline is http://www.virginamerica.com. Clean and affordable.