SEATTLE – SAN FRANCISCO
Hey Strangers, we’re Jake & Georgia
There’s something wildly romantic about the idea of boarding a train and watching the West Coast roll by your window. So when we spotted $99 coach tickets for Amtrak’s Coast Starlight, we thought, “Why not trade wheels for rails and take the scenic route from Seattle to San Francisco?” (Well, technically Oakland. Close enough, right?)
We packed our snacks, pre-downloaded Netflix episodes, and said goodbye to Seattle at 9:55am sharp, ready for 24 hours of train life.
First Impressions: Coach Class Comfort?
Coach class on the Coast Starlight honestly exceeded our expectations. The seats were wide, had loads of legroom, and came with all the little extras that make a long journey bearable. Power sockets, tray tables, footrests, and that all-important recline. Sleeping wasn’t exactly five-star luxury, but it wasn’t a total write-off either. We managed a few patchy hours of rest thanks to our travel blanket (which doubled as a pillow), and would definitely recommend bringing an eye mask and earplugs if you’re sensitive to light or sound.
The train was fairly full throughout the ride, but it was mostly quiet, especially at night. Amtrak cleverly assigns seats based on where you’re getting off, so you’re not being climbed over at 2am by someone hopping off in Portland. We traveled on a weekday in April, which felt calm. We can only imagine how much busier summer might get.
Scenic Highlights (and Where to Sit)
While the whole journey had a steady rhythm of trees, towns, and coastlines, the real scenic jackpot was between Sacramento and Oakland. Rolling hills, sparkling water, and golden California sunlight. It was the kind of view that makes you forget you’ve been in the same seat for 17 hours. We passed through the Cascade Mountains around sunset, but it was already starting to get dark, so we didn’t catch the full magic. Pro tip: sit on the west side of the train for the best views.
Dining Car vs. Café Car
For lunch, we treated ourselves to the dining car experience. When ‘room’ passengers have been invited to dine, any available seating will be offered to coach passengers, which is where we managed to get in! We went for the grilled cheese. It was basic but hit the spot. It came with crisps (chips), a soft drink, and a brownie. Nothing fancy, but not bad for being cooked on a moving train. All in all, lunch cost $25 each, whereas the three course dinner menu was $50 per person.
Dinner was a more casual affair in the café car. Jake grabbed a hot dog (just okay), and Georgia went for the mac and cheese, which was surprisingly good. Cheesy, comforting, and perfect train food. Amtrak also themes their food packaging with train illustrations which I do enjoy. If we did it again, we’d probably try the dining car’s burger or chicken salad, which looked like stronger contenders.
The Vibe: Relaxed, with a Side of Social
Overall, the vibe onboard was super chill. A few louder passengers had us wandering into the observation car, which turned out to be a great spot to stretch our legs and soak up the views. The big windows, swivel chairs, and panoramic scenery made it one of our favorite places to hang out. The dining car also added a little social energy, since you sit community-style and chat with whoever you’re seated with. We didn’t end up having any particularly memorable conversations this time around, but the setup definitely encourages it.
The Essentials: Bathrooms, Blankets, and Games
Bathrooms were tucked downstairs in each carriage and stayed clean the whole way. We came prepared with a snack stash (which we surprisingly didn’t touch), Uno cards, an iPad full of downloaded shows, and our trusty fold-up blanket pillow. Honestly, between the occasional game and just staring out the window, the time passed faster than expected.
Would We Do It Again?
Absolutely. But probably just for one night again. At $99 each, it was a budget-friendly and scenic way to travel the West Coast, and a really unique experience. That said, if we had the extra cash to spare, a roomette would be tempting. At over $500 USD for the same route, it’s definitely a splurge, but comes with privacy, meals included, and a real bed to sleep in.
We’d recommend the Coast Starlight to anyone who wants to slow down and enjoy the journey. Coach class is a great way to dip your toes in, especially if you’re traveling solo or as a couple and don’t mind a little adventure (and mild sleep deprivation). Just remember your blanket, sit on the left side, and don’t skip the mac and cheese.
Pacific Surfliner
As a quick note to finish up. During a trip to Southern California we were able to enjoy a return trip ride on Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner. This journey was just a couple hours either way and we upgraded to business class. That train’s business class is very similar to the Coast Starlight’s coach class. I’d recommend checking out our Pacific Surfliner Vlog or Blog to compare these two California train adventures!
Are you interested in riding the rails with Amtrak? Let us know your thoughts in the comments! And don’t forget to check out our full experience on our YouTube channel…
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