One Of California's Most Scenic Trains Offers A Coastal Ride With Pacific Ocean Views

When it comes to traveling throughout the United States, automobiles are still the most popular way to get from point A to point B. The country's skeletal network of train tracks is often overlooked when it comes to travel, but some routes can offer incredible views along with the transportation. Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner is one such route, stretching along California's Pacific coast.

The Pacific Surfliner is among the most scenic Amtrak routes in North America, according to reviews, and it earned a spot on Amtrak's list of the four most scenic train routes in the country. And it's not difficult to see why. The 351-mile route stretches between San Diego in the south and San Luis Obispo County in the north. Near the halfway point is Los Angeles, which also happens to be home to the massive LAX International airport — so accessing the train route is easy, which is a plus for out-of-state travelers wanting to see the coastal cities of California. However, the popular route can be crowded, so planning ahead is recommended.

Along the way, portions of the track follow right along the California coastline and include stops in Santa Barbara and Ventura, among other cities. It's a memorable and convenient way to navigate California's western edge without the hassle of freeways and rental cars. While the Pacific Surfliner route is far from America's longest train ride, it does take a whopping nine hours to complete.

While the entire 351 miles of the Surfliner's route is not directly on the coast, roughly half of it is. According to Amtrak's route map, some of the coastal scenes from the rails are found along the stretch between Solana Beach and San Clemente and between Ventura and Grover Beach. Some sections are right on the coastline, meaning there are no condos or towers blocking the views of the ocean shores.

If you're looking to visit some of California's top 10 tourist hot spots, Amtrak's Surfliner may be your best transportation bet. The popular line offers 13 daily round-trip trains between San Diego and Los Angeles, with a stop in Anaheim, home to Disneyland Resort. Between Santa Barbara and San Diego, five round-trip trains each day give guests opportunities to reach multiple destinations.

The ride itself is comfortable, especially if you book upgraded seats, according to the lifestyle blog site Posh in Progress. The site lauded the reclining seats and expansive windows on Amtrak's Surfliner trains that help passengers enjoy the coastal views. Plus, the transportation experience via train is much more relaxing than fighting other drivers on the freeway, the blog noted. California is a big state, and while automobiles may still be the most popular mode of transportation in the U.S., multiple options are at your fingertips. Amtrak's Surfliner is just one of several train journeys available to explore the Golden State.