We will be in the USA next year from late May to early July - tourists from Australia - and have a choice (to fit available time etc).

#1. Amtrak from Los Angeles to San Antonio (Sunset Limited) - late May.

#2. Amtrak from Denver to Sacramento (California Zephyr) - early July.

Which would you recommend (please ignore if you don't like Amtrak - we like trains - just wish to know which of the above is the better in your opinion!)?

Thanks.

Denver to Sacramento on the California Zehpyr would give you a really lovely scenic ride! Moreso than the Sunset, IMO. We just entertained friends from Sweden who had taken the Ca Zephyr train to our town, and really enjoyed the ride. I've taken the Ca Zephyr several times over the years. I also like trains (have ridden the Ghan from Adelaide to Alice and the also the Indian Pacific from Sydney to Perth)!
Carol

If it were me, I'd take the California Zephyr. You'll get daylight in the Rockies and in the Sierra Nevadas in Caliphornia. Scenery should be spectacular.

The Sunset Limited would also be good, but for me the Rockies would win.

I agree with the previous responses. I've ridden both of these routes several times. The Sunset Limited is nice for relaxing and just watching the scenery roll by but the California Zephyr has the most spectacular scenery by far.

My vote is for Denver to Sacramento. I did the full route Chicago to Emeryville, and this part is the most scenic.

Of course my vote is biased, never took Amtrak LA to San Antonio, but you cannot go wrong with Denver - Sacto.

so far it is unanimous - the California Zephyr would be my choice for sure.

Many thanks to all. The Denver to Sacramento trip wins by acclamation. I'll stay on-line and book it right now.

I hope you enjoy that portion of the California Zephyr as much as I did... a real beauty! Get a seat in that Park Car shortly after Denver for the Park Service volunteers' informative words on the scenery you're passing through (and the views of both sides of the train). The landscapes start transforming pretty quickly after Denver.

Best wishes, Daniel

Booked!! After a minor tussle with the web site which insisted on a valid zip code - even though I'd identified my address as in Australia from the drop down! After 3 failed attempts it accepted no zip code at all. Funnily enough it accepted my Australian credit card without demur!

Have a wonderful trip, obione. But do realize that the Amtrak trains can run quite late at times so keep that in mind regarding your plans for when you arrive in Sacramento.

Funny you say that obione980

I've found it very annoying this past year or so trying to book Amtrak tickets from here in Canada. We have a postal code... the pull-down menu even shows you how they want you to type in your Canadian postal code. But then it says you can't book it... with some message like "must provide a valid zip code". Very bizarre. I've had resort to booking Amtrak tickets at Montreal's Central Station!

I'll try putting in nothing next time!

Enjoy the ride...agree with LoveItaly about Amtrak lateness. I was about 4 1/2 hours late arriving in San Francisco, which meant I arrived after my guest house locked their doors unmanned. Luckily, somebody offered their cell phone (which I didn't have at the time) and I was able to warn the guest house in advance so they could tell me their protocol for late-arriving guests.

I'd still recommend the ride, lateness and all. It's kind of like this good friend Lisa I have... notoriously late for everything... but worth it.

Daniel