America's Longest Coastal Train Ride Offers Scenic Views From LA To Seattle

If you're traveling between Los Angeles and Seattle, you have several options. Flying is the quickest option, taking just a few hours and offering scenic, bird's-eye views from 30,000 feet. However, travelers with more time who want to see some of the West Coast's most iconic sights should consider the slow, scenic route between SoCal and the Pacific Northwest aboard the Amtrak Coast Starlight Train.

While passenger trains have chugged between Washington and California for more than a century, the area was a patchwork of routes until Amtrak began operations in 1971. Amtrak consolidated several existing Southern Pacific train routes into the Coast Starlight, which took its name from a merging of two routes, the Starlight and Coast Daylight. Today, the route passes some of the most beautiful and emblematic sights in the region, including the Hollywood sign, distant views of the San Francisco skyline, Mount Hood, and Mount St. Helens. Moreover, the train journey exudes much of the romanticism of travel from the last century. The Coast Starlight boasts a communal dining car serving full meals, a lounge car with large glass windows to take in the sights, and multiple classes of service. While it's possible to take the Coast Starlight in both directions, riders recommend heading northbound from Los Angeles to get the best views.

The Coast Starlight departs daily from historic Union Station in downtown Los Angeles at 9:51 a.m. and is scheduled to arrive in Seattle 34 hours later at 7:51 p.m. the next day. If you don't want to head downtown, another option is to take the train from Burbank Station, right next to Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), the first stop outside of Los Angeles.

Known to be one of the most beautiful train trips in the world, the Coast Starlight offers travelers incredible sightseeing experiences they can't get on a plane or traveling by car. The 1,377-mile-long route begins by snaking along the scenic Gaviota Coast in Central California before heading inland. You'll want to keep your camera ready and sit on the left side of the train for the best photos of the rugged cliffs as you pass between Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo. By the time you reach Northern California and approach towering Mount Shasta, it may be dark, though you may be able to see it in the moonlight or at first light out the window on the right side, depending on the time of year.

In the morning, the train then climbs into the Southern Cascades and passes through the rich forests of Southern Oregon around Klamath Falls. As the train heads north toward Portland, you'll have striking views of the snow-capped Three Sisters mountains in the distance before descending into the Willamette Valley and passing Oregon's longest covered bridge. Past Portland, the train crosses the Columbia into Washington, where you'll get views of Mount St. Helens and Puget Sound outside of Olympia before cruising into Seattle in the evening.

Travelers wanting to explore cities or towns along the way can add a stop to break up their trip. Both Portland and Sacramento, California's unique state capital, offer plenty of sights and well-developed public transportation networks. Ideally, aim to travel in late spring or early fall, as you'll avoid summertime crowds and the weather throughout the region is frequently sunny.

A full journey on the Coast Starlight takes nearly twice as long as driving, but going fast isn't the point. Taking the train leaves you plenty of time to dive into a book, relish the onboard meals, or relax and enjoy the relatively stress-free travel experience. Per past travelers, it's highly recommended to book a sleeping cabin (roomette, bedroom, bedroom suite, or family room) as you'll have a lot more room and comfort on the train. Amtrak provides showers, three-course meals, bedding, and a turndown service for passengers in sleeping cars. Coach passengers can watch the scenery roll by from their seat or the observation car and grab food and beverages à la carte from the train's cafe. Meals in the dining car start at $20 (at the time of writing) for coach passengers and are subject to table availability. 

If you're stressed about what to pack, Amtrak has a generous luggage policy. Travelers are allowed to bring two carry-on bags and a personal item, and can also check two bags for free. Sports equipment, including bicycles, is also allowed to be checked trainside; however, you'll need to make a reservation ahead of time. If you're sure you'll bring your bike or e-bike, you can add it to your reservation when you buy your ticket. Small dogs and cats are also welcome on the train for shorter trips up to seven hours. Unlike at airports, Amtrak passengers do not have to pass through security checkpoints; however, you may still see police and security units on the train and around the stations.

The Coast Starlight is one of Amtrak's most popular long-distance routes in the United States. It's always a good idea to book early, especially if you want a room. Travelers looking to explore a wider stretch of the U.S. by train should check out a trip on the California Zephyr, America's longest train ride.