Happy April Reader!
This year, my newsletter’s focus is on chronicling both my personal trips and my journey to becoming an Advanced Travel Advisor. I hope this year of issues inspires you to find your next favorite vacation destination. So far, I’ve shown you a mix of client trips and trips I've gone on: a 13th birthday trip to Cancun, Palm Springs Modernism Week, Spring Break in Florida, and a curated list for a trip to New Orleans.
Today, I am going to tell you about a bucket list redo of a trip I took up the Pacific coast on Amtrak’s Coast Starlight.
LAX>Portland
One of the most common things I’ve heard this year is that people want to have less dependence on their phones and stop the perpetual doom scroll. I think the best vacation for combating tech neck is taking Amtrak up the California coast.
I tell everyone who feels like they need to reset to take an Amtrak somewhere. I’ve done it twice and can’t recommend it enough. The first time was during the pandemic; my husband and I were itching to travel, and Amtrak was the safest option. In 2021, we had to mask, socially distance, and the fancy meal service wasn't an option. It was a wonderful trip, but as soon as we were done, we wanted to do it again, but with the full Amtrak experience.
Pros
- California is f-ing gorgeous! Once you get to Ventura, it is non-stop views of this amazing state–from ocean views to snowy mountains. (See photos above.)
- You see scenery you can only see on Amtrak and access routes no car can reach.
- The roomette sale is the best way to travel. It includes your transportation, a room for the night, all of your meals, a glass of wine with dinner, and a large private window in your room to watch the gorgeous scenery go by.
- No wifi on the train. Cell service drops out after you pass Napa and Sonoma, and it is spotty until you pass the Willamette Valley. (The best pinots noirs IMO)
- The lounge at Union Station is a great place to relax before getting on the train.
Depends on the person
- When you are seated for dinner, you are paired up with strangers. The conversation can be great if you are an extrovert, but awkward if you aren't.
Cons
- You aren’t going to get the best sleep. The car shakes and rocks, and the horn goes off at random times throughout the night.
- Fresh air breaks are very short, and you need to stay close to the train.
Tips
- You are allowed to bring a bottle of wine to enjoy in your roomette. We jumped out at the SLO stop and bought one during the fresh air break,
If you love train travel, like I do, I would love to get you out and exploring the world by rail. From budget-friendly options like Amtrak or blow the budget trips on Belmond on the Orient Express or Andean Explorer.
CA trips on Amtrak
- Coast Starlight–Los Angeles > Portland 32 hours
- Coast Starlight–Los Angeles > San Luis Obispo 6 Hours
- Pacific Surfliner/Coast Starlight–Los Angeles > Santa Barbara 2.5 hours
- Pacific Surfliner–Los Angeles> San Diego 4.25 hours
If you have any questions about Amtrak or feel inspired, contact me. Reply to this email or fill out my trip inquiry form.
What I've planned this year
So far this year, I’ve planned Vancouver 2x, the Finger Lakes, Scotland, and San Francisco x3. I am currently working on Montreal, Rome, Florence, and Tokyo.
