See the California Coast from the Comfort

of the Amtrak® Coast Starlight®

By Don Wong

Considered to be one of the most beautiful of all train routes, the Coast Starlight connects the great cities of America's West Coast between Los Angeles and Seattle.

You'll find more than 1,000 miles of gorgeous and ever-changing scenery at  see level. The journey is a stunning canvas of the Pacific coast, fertile valleys, lush forest and snow-covered peaks of the Cascade mountain range.

The Coast Starlight is a land cruise on rails and a collection of memories from sightseeing, spending time with family and friends, meeting new acquaintances and enjoying the on-board experience of riding a train.

Amtrak trains give passengers comfortable and pleasant travel experiences. On the Coast Starlight, you can travel to your destination in comfortable reclining seats or private accommodations.

Reclining coach seats are spacious, big and comfortable. You have plenty of room to spread out and relax. Sleeping cars offer private rooms with seats for day travel and beds for sleeping. Some rooms are outfitted with a restroom and shower. For the mobility-impaired, the Accessible Bedroom has ample space for a wheelchair plus restroom facilities. The Family Bedroom can accommodate two adults and three small children.

Exclusive for sleeping car passengers on the Coast Starlight, the Pacific Parlour Car lounge is your living room and entertainment center away from home. It offers an array of amenities such as movies in the theatre room, alternative dining and daily tasting of local wines and artisan cheeses at a nominal fee. Wine tasting on the Coast Starlight is an experience to share and remember.

The dining car is a unique setting that offers not only hot meals but an opportunity to meet other passengers over good food and good conversation as the scenery glides past your window. Meals are included in the ticket for sleeping passengers.

An array of destinations characterizes the uniqueness of the Coast Starlight route. From small towns to largely populated cities, the train can take you places.

San Luis Obispo: The gateway to Hearst Castle, Morro Bay and the artisan town of Cambria.

Paso Robles: Boast over 40 wineries and is home to California Central Coast wines.

Salinas: Your rail stop to visit beautiful Monterey / Carmel

San Francisco: Chinatown, Fisherman?s Wharf and Ghirardelli Square

Portland: Columbia River Gorge, Rose Gardens and Cascade Mountains.

Seattle: Puget Sound, Pike Place Market and the Space Needle.

From San Diego, Orange County and points-in-between, you can ride the Pacific Surfliner® to Los Angeles to connect with the Coast Starlight. It's convenient and easy.

Amtrak offers reduced rail fares for children. Up to two kids, ages 2-15, may ride at 50% off rail fares per adult ticket purchased and seniors age 62+ ride at 15% off best available rail fares.

Whether you're traveling with family or friends, you spend quality time together on the train. It?s a nicer way to travel. For fares and schedules, visit Amtrak.com or call 1.800.USA.RAIL.