Los Angeles to Seattle on Amtrak’s Coast Starlight
The first leg of this extended trip is over … and was pretty much everything I had hoped. I met my daughter, Kris, and granddaughter, Olivia, in Los Angeles and together we boarded Amtrak’s Coast Starlight on Sunday morning for the overnight ride to Seattle.
Shortly after departing, I led them on a brief tour of the train, starting with an orientation of their roomette. As I expected, they were both surprised at how small the room first appears, but soon realized that it’s very well designed and quite functional. Besides – and this is one of the big plusses for train travel – you’re not confined to your accommodations, but can get up whenever you wish and walk around from car to car.
Immediately to the rear of our car, for example, was the Pacific Parlour Car, a delightful lounge car exclusively for sleeping car passengers. There are plush easy chairs, booths for playing card games and where the attendant serves meals for those not opting to go into the adjacent dining car. And should you be in the mood for it, the attendant, will be delighted to serve you drinks – soft or otherwise. (Kris and I each opted for a Bloody Mary … a delightful way to begin our journey up to Seattle.)
Olivia was fascinated to see the small theater on the Parlous Car’s lower level – some 20 seats facing a giant screen TV. In fact, at 3:00 on our first afternoon, she spent two hours in the theater watching a movie.
After dinner in the dining car, I spent some time reading on my new Kindle while Kris read and Olivia played games on one of these new electronic devices.
The next morning we met a mother and 4-year-old daughter who had boarded in Sacramento. The child was introduced as Maili, which is a popular Hawaiian girl’s name.
I remarked on that, of course, and the mother said she had lived in Hawaii for many years. Where in Hawaii? In the town of Kailua on the island of Oahu, about a dozen houses up on the same street i where I lived for 25 years. What are the odds of that!
As always the ride across the Cascade range in Oregon was extraordinary and we arrived in Seattle about 45 minutes ahead of schedule.
To be continued.
Hi Jim, I have another question for you.
I had mentioned to our group that even at night there is much to see on the Coast Starlight trip. Passing around the Bay area with the lights of San Francisco across the bay is just beautiful.
One of the group has asked if they could stay in the Parlour car at night with a blanket. I am aware that the bar closes around 11ish, But to be honest I have never been in the parlour car after that time to find out if people do spend the night watching the scenery pass by with a blanket draped over their laps.
Cheers,
Glenda
Hi Glenda,
My rule-of-thumb is a minimum of $5 per night per passenger in sleeping car accommodations for a car attendant who performs the basic services in a pleasant manner. Feel free to increase that if you get any extras, if he or she is obviously hard-working and goes about the job cheerfully and competently. And, of course, there should be additional tipping for any meals brought to your bedroom or roomette. Hope that helps. Have a grand time! If you’re going to be traveling northbound, remember to look out the left side of the train early in the morning for a glorious view of Mount Shasta, which will still be snow-capped at that time of year.
Hi Jim, 30 of us are travelling from Australia on the Coast Starlight in May 2012 as part of a North American tour.I have added your information to our Amtrak section of the Oz Cruise Club forum.One of our members has asked about tipping. I usually tip the room attendant $20 for both my husband and I. Is this still about the right amount. I have the second edition of All aboard which is now getting a little dated.
It certainly is that. I think the Coast Starlight and the California Zephyr and probably my two favorite Amtrak routes. Certainly they have to be the most scenic rides.
Looks like a relaxing way to travel! I know I’d enjoy that!