Amtrak Coast Starlight
Los Angeles, CA - Sacramento, CA - Portland, OR - Seattle, WA
with additional intermediate stops.
Sunset over the Pacific Ocean, as seen from on board Amtrak's South Bound Coast Starlight.
Amtrak's Coast Starlight is a Long Distance, Overnight, Passenger train that travels 1,377 miles along the Western Coast of the USA from Los Angeles, California, to Seattle, Washington. The Coast Starlight departs daily in each direction.
The train features Amtrak Superliner Equipment and includes Coach, Business Class, and Sleeping Car Rooms as well as a Full Service Dining Car and Sightseer Lounge Car, which are available to all passengers.
Note - The "Pacific Parlour Cars" have unfortunately been retired from service and are no longer operating on the Coast Starlight. For a trip down memory lane to see photos and a history of these cars check out my post here --> remembering-the-coast-starlights-pacific-parlour-cars.html
The train features Amtrak Superliner Equipment and includes Coach, Business Class, and Sleeping Car Rooms as well as a Full Service Dining Car and Sightseer Lounge Car, which are available to all passengers.
Note - The "Pacific Parlour Cars" have unfortunately been retired from service and are no longer operating on the Coast Starlight. For a trip down memory lane to see photos and a history of these cars check out my post here --> remembering-the-coast-starlights-pacific-parlour-cars.html
The Route
Amtrak's Coast Starlight Train is one of the most scenic long distance trains in North America. The train offers a variety of scenery including Iconic City Skylines, the Coast of the Pacific Ocean in California, Vineyards in California and Oregon, Breathtaking Mountains in Oregon, and various scenic farmlands.
As a note, I reccomend taking the train North-bound for scenery. This is to ensure daylight running on the California Coast (a late southbound train could see the sunset before the Ocean views are finished, although an ocean sunset from the train is pretty remarkable), but more importantly, a north bound train sees the briliant Mt. Shasta, and the Cascades Mountains in daylight.
Scenic Highlights of Amtrak's Coast Starlight Train-
Departing Los Angeles Union Station you can catch a glimpse of the "Hollywood" Sign as you pass the Hollywood Hills.
Simi Valley, CA - View of the Santa Susana Mountains and Simi Hills.
Departing Santa Barbara, CA - Elmwood Oil Field and then a 104 mile stretch of track offering clear views of the Pacific Ocean.
Departing San Luis Obispo, CA - The train crosses the Stenner Creek Trestle and climbs Cuesta Grade using a series of horseshoe curves and tunnels.
Salinas Valley, CA - Following the Salinas River, the Diablo Range and Santa Lucia Range are visible.
Santa Clara Valley, CA - Views of the Santa Cruz Mountains and Mt. Hamilton as the train passes through various agricultural areas.
Departing Oakland, CA - A brief few moments of rare "Street Running" through Jack London Square.
Departing Emeryville, CA - The train travels along San Francisco Bay, with views of the skyline and Golden Gate Bridge in the distance.
Suisin Bay, CA - Views of former WWII Ships (aka. "Mothball Fleet) and Mt. Diablo in the Distance.
Sacramento, CA - California State Capitol. Northbound Trains cross the Sacramento River upon arrival and the American River upon departure.
Look for the former Southern Pacific Railroad "Sacramento Shops" visibile from the Sacramento Amtrak Station.
California State Railroad Museum is visible from the train right before arrival into the station.
Mt. Shasta, CA / OR - If the train is on time in either direction, this portion of the route will most likely be in the dark.
Southbound, if you stay up late, you may see the moon lighting up Mt. Shasta, Northbound, wake up early for a stunning sunrise.
Sacramento River Canyon, Grass Lake, and Mt. Shasta herself are all scenic highlights visible.
Departing Klammath Falls, OR - The Train travels along the shore of Upper Klammath Lake with views of Mt. McLoughlin in the distance.
Later, look for views of Diamond Lake, Mt. Thielsen, and Mt. Scott.
Departiing Chemult, OR - The Coast Starlight Train passes Odell Lake before climbing towards Cascade Summit through breathtaking Mountain Railroading. The train travels through 22 tunnels, passes conifer forests, and crosses the Williamette River before reaching Eugene, OR.
Departing Eugene, OR - The Three Sisters Mountains can be seen.
Willamette River Valley, OR - Between Salem, OR & Portland, OR, the Coast Starlight will follow the Willamette River and pass scenic farms and wineries with views of the Cascades, the Coast Range, and Mt. Hood.
Arriving Portland, OR - Watch for a quick view of the Oregon Rail Heritage Center before the train passes over the Willamette River with views of the city of Porltand. After a stop at Portland Union Station, where you can usually step off the train for a few minutes, the train will again cross the Willamte and the Columbia River, with more views of Mt. Hood on a clear day.
Departing Vancouver, WA - The train follows the Columbia River towards Kelso WA where it will follow the Cowlitz River, and later the Toutle River.
Centralia, WA - Look for views of the famous Mt. St. Helens.
Departing Olympia, WA - The Coast Starlight crosses Nisqually River, and later will travel along Puget Sound's Commencement Bay with views of the Olympic Mountains.
Arriving Seattle, WA - Trains travel past the Boeing Company "Boein Field" before arriving Seattle's King Street Station in Downtown Seattle, WA.
Amtrak's Coast Starlight Train is one of the most scenic long distance trains in North America. The train offers a variety of scenery including Iconic City Skylines, the Coast of the Pacific Ocean in California, Vineyards in California and Oregon, Breathtaking Mountains in Oregon, and various scenic farmlands.
As a note, I reccomend taking the train North-bound for scenery. This is to ensure daylight running on the California Coast (a late southbound train could see the sunset before the Ocean views are finished, although an ocean sunset from the train is pretty remarkable), but more importantly, a north bound train sees the briliant Mt. Shasta, and the Cascades Mountains in daylight.
Scenic Highlights of Amtrak's Coast Starlight Train-
Departing Los Angeles Union Station you can catch a glimpse of the "Hollywood" Sign as you pass the Hollywood Hills.
Simi Valley, CA - View of the Santa Susana Mountains and Simi Hills.
Departing Santa Barbara, CA - Elmwood Oil Field and then a 104 mile stretch of track offering clear views of the Pacific Ocean.
Departing San Luis Obispo, CA - The train crosses the Stenner Creek Trestle and climbs Cuesta Grade using a series of horseshoe curves and tunnels.
Salinas Valley, CA - Following the Salinas River, the Diablo Range and Santa Lucia Range are visible.
Santa Clara Valley, CA - Views of the Santa Cruz Mountains and Mt. Hamilton as the train passes through various agricultural areas.
Departing Oakland, CA - A brief few moments of rare "Street Running" through Jack London Square.
Departing Emeryville, CA - The train travels along San Francisco Bay, with views of the skyline and Golden Gate Bridge in the distance.
Suisin Bay, CA - Views of former WWII Ships (aka. "Mothball Fleet) and Mt. Diablo in the Distance.
Sacramento, CA - California State Capitol. Northbound Trains cross the Sacramento River upon arrival and the American River upon departure.
Look for the former Southern Pacific Railroad "Sacramento Shops" visibile from the Sacramento Amtrak Station.
California State Railroad Museum is visible from the train right before arrival into the station.
Mt. Shasta, CA / OR - If the train is on time in either direction, this portion of the route will most likely be in the dark.
Southbound, if you stay up late, you may see the moon lighting up Mt. Shasta, Northbound, wake up early for a stunning sunrise.
Sacramento River Canyon, Grass Lake, and Mt. Shasta herself are all scenic highlights visible.
Departing Klammath Falls, OR - The Train travels along the shore of Upper Klammath Lake with views of Mt. McLoughlin in the distance.
Later, look for views of Diamond Lake, Mt. Thielsen, and Mt. Scott.
Departiing Chemult, OR - The Coast Starlight Train passes Odell Lake before climbing towards Cascade Summit through breathtaking Mountain Railroading. The train travels through 22 tunnels, passes conifer forests, and crosses the Williamette River before reaching Eugene, OR.
Departing Eugene, OR - The Three Sisters Mountains can be seen.
Willamette River Valley, OR - Between Salem, OR & Portland, OR, the Coast Starlight will follow the Willamette River and pass scenic farms and wineries with views of the Cascades, the Coast Range, and Mt. Hood.
Arriving Portland, OR - Watch for a quick view of the Oregon Rail Heritage Center before the train passes over the Willamette River with views of the city of Porltand. After a stop at Portland Union Station, where you can usually step off the train for a few minutes, the train will again cross the Willamte and the Columbia River, with more views of Mt. Hood on a clear day.
Departing Vancouver, WA - The train follows the Columbia River towards Kelso WA where it will follow the Cowlitz River, and later the Toutle River.
Centralia, WA - Look for views of the famous Mt. St. Helens.
Departing Olympia, WA - The Coast Starlight crosses Nisqually River, and later will travel along Puget Sound's Commencement Bay with views of the Olympic Mountains.
Arriving Seattle, WA - Trains travel past the Boeing Company "Boein Field" before arriving Seattle's King Street Station in Downtown Seattle, WA.
The Stations
Amtrak's Coast Starlight serves the following Stations -
Seattle, Washington - King Street Station - With Connecions to Amtrak Cascades, Amtrak Empire Builder, and Sound Transit Commuter Trains.
Tacoma, WA
Olympia-Lacey, WA
Centralia, WA
Kelso-Longview, WA
Vancouver, WA
Portland, Oregon - Union Station - With Connections to Amtrak Empire Builder and Amtrak Cascades.
Salem, OR
Albany, OR
Eugene-Springfield, OR
Chemult, OR
Klamath Falls, OR
Dunsmuir, OR
Redding, California
Chico, CA
Sacramento, CA-Sacramento Valley Station- Connections to Amtrak California Zephyr, Amtrak Capitol Corridor, Amtrak San Joaquin, and Regional Light Rail
Davis, CA
Martinez, CA
Emeryville, CA - Connection to Amtrak California Zephyr, Amtrak Capitol Corridor, Amtrak San Joaquin, and Amtrak Thruway Bus to San Francisco.
Oakland, CA
San Josse, CA
Salinas, CA
Paso Robles, CA
San Luis Obispo, CA
Santa Barbara, CA
Oxnard, CA
Simi Valley, CA
Van Nuys, CA
Burbank - Bob Hope Airport, CA - Connection to Burbank Bob Hope Airport.
Los Angeles, CA - Union Station - Connection to Amtrak Sunset Limited, Amtrak Southwest Chief, Amtrak Pacific Surfliner, Metrolink Regional Rail, and Metro Rail Subway and Light Rail.
Amtrak's Coast Starlight serves the following Stations -
Seattle, Washington - King Street Station - With Connecions to Amtrak Cascades, Amtrak Empire Builder, and Sound Transit Commuter Trains.
Tacoma, WA
Olympia-Lacey, WA
Centralia, WA
Kelso-Longview, WA
Vancouver, WA
Portland, Oregon - Union Station - With Connections to Amtrak Empire Builder and Amtrak Cascades.
Salem, OR
Albany, OR
Eugene-Springfield, OR
Chemult, OR
Klamath Falls, OR
Dunsmuir, OR
Redding, California
Chico, CA
Sacramento, CA-Sacramento Valley Station- Connections to Amtrak California Zephyr, Amtrak Capitol Corridor, Amtrak San Joaquin, and Regional Light Rail
Davis, CA
Martinez, CA
Emeryville, CA - Connection to Amtrak California Zephyr, Amtrak Capitol Corridor, Amtrak San Joaquin, and Amtrak Thruway Bus to San Francisco.
Oakland, CA
San Josse, CA
Salinas, CA
Paso Robles, CA
San Luis Obispo, CA
Santa Barbara, CA
Oxnard, CA
Simi Valley, CA
Van Nuys, CA
Burbank - Bob Hope Airport, CA - Connection to Burbank Bob Hope Airport.
Los Angeles, CA - Union Station - Connection to Amtrak Sunset Limited, Amtrak Southwest Chief, Amtrak Pacific Surfliner, Metrolink Regional Rail, and Metro Rail Subway and Light Rail.
The Train
The Coast Starlight is a train created by Amtrak. While no one train traveled this entire route before the creation of Amtrak, the name is a combination of the Southern Pacific's Coast Daylight and Starlight Trains that both ran on the former SP "Coastal Route" from Los Angeles to San Francisco.
The Southern Pacific #4449, a restored streamlined steam locomotive now based in Portland Oregon, was built to pull the SP Coast Daylight.
Check out "MAINLINE STEAM" for more info on the #4449 and how you can see it on display and operation.
The Coast Starlight uses Amtrak Superliner, Bi-Level, Equipment. A Typical train consist for the Starlight is -
2 Diesel Electric Passenger Locomotives
1 Single Level Baggage Car
1 Crew Dormitory Sleeper (aka "Transition Sleeper" since it transitions from the single level baggage car to the bi-level Superliners).
1-3 Superliner Sleeping Cars (each car contains Roomettes, Bedrooms, Family Rooms, and Accessible Rooms).
1 Superliner Dining Car
1 Superliner Coach as Business Class Car
1 Superliner Sighseer Lounge Car (Up-stairs Lounge with Large Wrap-Around Windows, Down-Stairs Cafe / Snack Car).
2-4 Superliner Coach Cars.
The Coast Starlight is a train created by Amtrak. While no one train traveled this entire route before the creation of Amtrak, the name is a combination of the Southern Pacific's Coast Daylight and Starlight Trains that both ran on the former SP "Coastal Route" from Los Angeles to San Francisco.
The Southern Pacific #4449, a restored streamlined steam locomotive now based in Portland Oregon, was built to pull the SP Coast Daylight.
Check out "MAINLINE STEAM" for more info on the #4449 and how you can see it on display and operation.
The Coast Starlight uses Amtrak Superliner, Bi-Level, Equipment. A Typical train consist for the Starlight is -
2 Diesel Electric Passenger Locomotives
1 Single Level Baggage Car
1 Crew Dormitory Sleeper (aka "Transition Sleeper" since it transitions from the single level baggage car to the bi-level Superliners).
1-3 Superliner Sleeping Cars (each car contains Roomettes, Bedrooms, Family Rooms, and Accessible Rooms).
1 Superliner Dining Car
1 Superliner Coach as Business Class Car
1 Superliner Sighseer Lounge Car (Up-stairs Lounge with Large Wrap-Around Windows, Down-Stairs Cafe / Snack Car).
2-4 Superliner Coach Cars.
The Scenery
Below are a sample of photos I've taken while riding the Coast Starlight during various seasons.
Below are a sample of photos I've taken while riding the Coast Starlight during various seasons.
