The California Zephyr: Amtrak’s Most Scenic Train
What’s my favorite Amtrak train ride? That’s the question I’m most often asked, and it’s very hard to answer. For instance, I can’t imagine a more spectacular ride than the Adirondack running though up-state New York en route to Montreal at the height of the Fall colors.
And there is very little in this world that gives me the kind of happy glow I get while contemplating what I’d like for breakfast and sipping a Bloody Mary in the Pacific Parlour Car on the Coast Starlight.
But month in and month out, there’s no doubt in my mind that the California Zephyr traverses Amtrak’s most scenic route. I offer the following as evidence in support of that statement.
The Zephyr about fifteen minutes before its stop at Glenwood Springs, Colorado. It’s easy to see why that highway was so controversial, isn’t it!
A spectacular rock formation in Nevada. Is that big enough to qualify as a mesa? I dunno.
The lounge car is the place to be for the best view of … well, of everything.
The Zephyr passes Donner Lake as it climbs through the Sierra Nevada mountains just an hour after crossing into California.
These were just a few of the photos I dug up, but I think they’re good enough to support my opinion that, if it’s amazing scenery you want, the California Zephyr is definitely the train for you.
Can you recommend a Travel Agent to help piece together an Amtrak expedition that includes the Zepher? I am based in the Phila, PA vicinity. Thanks.
I sent a recommendation. Did you get it?
Hi….
51 hours 20 minutes Daily. Experienced travelers say the California Zephyr is one of the most beautiful train trips in all of North America. As you climb through the heart of the Rockies, and further west through the snow-capped Sierra Nevadas, you may find it hard to disagree.
I don’t disagree.
How do I find the cost of a trip?
You need to provide a lot more information
When I was a yougun in the 50’s, my mom and ante would drive me to Reno and put me on a train to Cheyanne where I’d meet my Gramma. we’d drive all night to South Dakota to spend the summer on the Ranch, and return the same way. any idea what train I was riding on then?
That was The Pioneer. It left Chicago as the California Zephyr, but it was really three trains in one. In Denver, The Pioneer split off and headed into Wyoming and terminating in SeattleThen, in Salt Lake City, it divided again, with one section heading for Los Angeles as The Desert Wind and the original Zephyr continuing on to the Bay Area. The Pioneer was a wonderful train that ran on a very scenic route.
I’ve taken the CZ from Chicago to San Francisco and the views were magnificent. Going thru the Colorado Rockies was something I will always remember. It’s a view you can’t get anywhere else. Fantastic memory!
I couldn’t agree more.
My favorite time is March, when there is still snow on the ground and ice in the river. I hop off in Colfax, CA, just 5 mins. from my sister Suzanne’s house. Cousin Catherine
Hey, cuz . . . I agree. I love trans-continental train rides when there’s snow on the ground, both in this country and on VIA Rail in Canada. A spectacular experience,
Aloha Jim, I found this post as I was googling a trip on the CZ for a milestone birthday. I’ve done Via Rail across Canada and I’d love to do a long distance one in the US. I’ll be flying to the mainland from Oahu to take the train. Was surprised and delighted that you regularly fly from Maui to do long distance rail travel. I’ll be checking out the rest of your website for insight. Thanks for sharing!
No question, the CZ scenery is awesome! It is, however, equally awesome regardless of your direction of travel. For some strange reason, this leg is cheaper west- to-east than it is east-to-west. When I questioned an Amtrak agent, I was told that they charge what the traffic will bear!! Accordingly, I always travel the CZ west-to-east. Go figure!
My personal opinion is east-to-west is preferable. If the eastbound train runs late–and it often does–you can miss the wonderful descent through the Flatirons into the Denver area because it will occur after dark. I doubt that influences the fares, however.
I have a picture of that same rock! (Probably my favorite picture I’ve ever taken.) But it’s in Utah, not Nevada.
I’ll take your word for it . . . and regardless of state, we have great taste in rocks, don’t we!
Quite possibly the most beautiful train ride in the world. A runner-up would be the day trip from Cusco Peru to Maachu Pichu.
I’ve seen this train stop in SLC when I was there! A friend and I thought it would be awesome to travel cross country on a train. I think it would be very scenic.
Will Jenkins | http://www.scenicrailexcursions.com
I agree for the reason that there are two days of great scenery on the CZ. I love the EB and CS also, but they just can’t match the almost non-stop scenery on the CZ.