Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Train
throughout the USA. Trains are comfortable, if a bit slow and occasionally delayed; they're
equipped with dining and lounge cars on long-distance routes. Fares vary according to the
type of train and seating (eg coach or business class, sleeping compartments).
Amtrak's major long-distance routes to/from California:
California Zephyr
Daily service between Chicago and Emeryville (from $163, 52 hours),
near San Francisco, via Denver, Salt Lake City, Reno and Sacramento.
Coast Starlight
Travels the West Coast daily from Seattle to LA (from $92, 35 hours) via
Portland, Sacramento, Oakland, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara.
Southwest Chief
Daily departures from Chicago and LA (from $135, 43 hours) via Kansas
City, Albuquerque and Flagstaff.
Sunset Limited
Thrice-weekly service between New Orleans and LA (from $130, 47
hours) via Houston, San Antonio, El Paso, Tucson and Palm Springs.
GETTING AROUND
Most people drive around California, although you can also fly (if time is limited, but your
budget isn't) or save money by taking buses or trains, the latter often following scenic
coastal routes.
Air
Several major US carriers fly within California. Flights are often operated by their regional
subsidiaries, such as American Eagle, Delta Connection and United Express. Alaska Air-
lines, Frontier Airlines and Horizon Air serve many regional California airports, as do low-
cost airlines Southwest and Spirit. Virgin America currently flies out of Los Angeles, San
Francisco and San Diego. JetBlue serves LA County, the San Francisco Bay Area and San
Diego.
Bicycle
Although it's a nonpolluting 'green' way to travel, cycling coastal California's roads de-
mands a high level of fitness and the long distances involved make it difficult to cover much
