Pacific Surfliner
Not a country, nor a destination, but an awesome experience going on America’s Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train along the West Coast, visiting some of California’s most stunning beach communities and best theme parks.
GETTING THERE
Amtrak trains can be boarded at any station along the Pacific Surfliner route, which begins in San Luis Obispo, just north of Santa Barbara, and ends in San Diego, not far from the Mexico border. I used the Amtrak app to make my reservations and store my QR codes for the trip. The train had good Wi-Fi, a food car, room for luggage and bikes.
AMAZING EXCURSIONS
Riding Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner train was quite a spectacular journey! I could get off at any town along the route, it was very inexpensive , and the added bonus was exploring California’s coast without having to navigate freeway mazes and complex city streets in a rental car!
Starting in the north, in the college beach town of San Luis Obispo, the Surfliner train skirted along the beautiful shoreline heading south, past scenic bluffs and secluded coves, to Santa Barbara, a wealthy seaside enclave with one of California’s most famous first missions.
The train continued south, past the fun beach city of Ventura, then over the Conejo mountain range, into the sprawling Los Angeles area. It had several stops in LA, but most notably it arrived at Union Station, right in the heart of Downtown LA. Across from the station was Olvera Street, with museums, street vendors and authentic Mexican food. Next to that was Chinatown, with its temples, interesting stores, and delicious dim sum.
From Los Angeles, the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train moved down to Anaheim, not far from Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm amusement parks. Afterwards, the train headed out to the coastline again, past pretty San Juan Capistrano, traveling directly along white sand beaches. San Clemente was a popular stop too, for passengers who wanted to visit the renowned surf spot at Trestles Beach.
The Surfliner then went past Camp Pendleton Marine Corp Air Station near Oceanside. Some families who wanted to visit Legoland amusement park got off the train at this station. Next up was charming Solano Beach with its dramatic cliffs, and finally into San Diego, with one stop near Mission Bay, and the last stop in downtown San Diego.
I have travelled by train to dozens of countries throughout Europe and Asia, I loved it all, but I would rank America’s Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train as one the best in the world as well! The train was easy to use, it stopped at all the best locations, it helped me avoid driving on California’s busy freeways, and I saw many magnificent waterfront towns I never knew existed.
