Riding Amtrak's Coast Starlight, Los Angeles To Santa Barbara

A Grand West Coast Train Adventure, en route daily between Los Angeles and Seattle, the Coast Starlight train passes through Santa Barbara, the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento and Portland. Widely regarded as one of the most spectacular of all train routes, the Coast Starlight links the greatest cities on the West Coast. The scenery along the Coast Starlight route is unsurpassed. The dramatic snow-covered peaks of the Cascade Range and Mount Shasta, lush forests, fertile valleys and long stretches of Pacific Ocean shoreline provide a stunning backdrop for your journey.

[@josephalfonsoamantia7028]

Beautiful Southern California scenery. All the different kinds of trees is just something else.

[@christophers.o622]

Great video of my favorite Amtrak route of the Pacific Surfliner/Coast Starlight. The scenery is just fantastic, the ride very comfortable,relaxing & restful. I don’t have to deal with the I-5/U.S.101 & I-405 parking lots where people slow down on the freeway on purpose for the sake of slowing down when the weather is clear, dry, no construction zones & no accidents, people do this nationwide in all urban areas.

[@kennethmccann6402]

I've travelling on Amtrak train even before Amtrak merged private Railroad Company for over 52 years. I hopped once or twice a year acrossing in any part of USA as I love it and no matter if the train is delays or on time because trains travel is a blast with a wonderful socially different people from all over the world and a beauty by looking a view passing to different areas too.

[@tudieu-qng6817]

So beautiful video new friend! Greeting from Vietnam. Thank for sharing!

[@awaldron1949]

Took this train northbound from LA to Seattle in 2015. Taking it southbound all the way in 2 weeks. Great ride.

[@autumn_b905]

Was there scenery of the ocean on this route?

[@awaldron1949]

@@autumn_b905 Yes, there are views of the ocean at various times, especially south of San Francisco. There are also great views of mountains and forested areas from Seattle south into Northern California.

[@auntmoosevlogs898]

Taking this trip in like three weeks and I’m so excited!

[@MichaelJirochVisualArtist]

AuntMooseVlogs ...well, just make sure you put your butt and things down in a good seat in the observation car upon boarding. That car gets packed after Oxnard.

[@barbarashirland9078]

Loved your video! Just enough train, just enough scenery. Michigan does share a border with Illinois, though. It’s out in the middle of Lake Michigan. Check it out.

[@jeromemccollom936]

I was this close to think about booking an Amtrak that went through Bakersfield and Fresno until I put the filter on

[@boofert.washington2499]

I took this from San Jose to LA. I was tripping on LSD most of the time. It was amazing lol. Edit: I think im wrong. I went down the coast most of the way. Surfliner, I think.

[@AngelSusie57]

Beautiful video. I was born in Santa Barbara but we moved when I was 3 so I don't remember it. The train station looks lovely as does the surrounding area. I took the Coast Starlight from LA to Seattle back in 2012, when we stopped here, I only had enough time to get a few photos of the station, my goal is to one day be able to spend some time there.

[@MichaelJirochVisualArtist]

AngelSusie57 oh, you’ll love it...and never want to leave.

[@jolinepulliam4785]

Today I’m going from Santa Barbara to San Jose

[@1958zed]

"Illinois doesn't border Michigan." Technically, it does. They share a border in the middle of Lake Michigan.

[@captinbeyond]

So you can get off at Santa Barbara and return back same day to LA? How much is the cost?

[@MichaelJirochVisualArtist]

mark price $24 RT

[@robertmcglinchey3347]

Note (4:37) “No Illinois doesn’t border Michigan.” CORRECT ANSWER: So if you're drawing the state of Illinois, don't forget the piece the sticks out north and east of Chicago. Besides Ohio, Indiana and Wisconsin, Illinois also borders Michigan. haha

[@myrnafields2075]

The annoying thing for me is #1, they never keep the windows clean. You think they would knowing people want to take pictures. And #2, I hate the reflection from the other side of the train that shows in the window. You have to get just the right angle. I've never taken the train to SB but we did drive there once. Such a pretty town. This trip reminds me of taking the Amtrak to San Diego. Thanks for posting this.

[@MichaelJirochVisualArtist]

Myrna Fields , from what I know, the beginning of every new route the trains are cleaned inside and out. This ride starts in Los Angeles, so the train appeared spotless. But if I had gotten on in SF or Oakland...who knows how dirty it would be.

[@Cal90208]

All trains have a cleaning (in and out) before every route. You can look up Amtrak trains being cleaned.

[@Cal90208]

Why would you take the starlight when you could have easily taken a surfliner

[@MichaelJirochVisualArtist]

For a couple of reasons.....Timing. We bought our tickets with the first one came along. Also...as I remember we took the Surfliner back home that day. Also...if I can remember correctly...one had wifi and one didn't. No..they both did, its the Metrolink thet doesnt have wife.

[@Cal90208]

@@MichaelJirochVisualArtist starlight has no wifi. It’s the surfliners that do

[@govyiu]

So how long does the trip take from LA to SB ?

[@MichaelJirochVisualArtist]

About 2-3 hours, but it goes fast.

[@hanshernandezofficial]

Which class is the one that appears at 1:57?

[@MichaelJirochVisualArtist]

Hansel Hernández 2nd.

[@hanshernandezofficial]

Michael Jiroch thank you!

[@Cal90208]

That’s not a class really. It’s just a sightseeing car available for all passengers throughout the trip. It’s like a lounge

[@albert333pool]

Thank you for the video... Question. Can you park at the train station? Is this coach or business seating? Thank you... Can't wait to take a train ride

[@Cal90208]

You can park at every Amtrak station I believe, and the seats are 13:13 are coach. That is what I believe he was traveling in. The car he was in with the big windows is just a sightseeing car

[@ramahafez7370]

😰😰

[@autumn_b905]

???

[@nigeldawson8218]

Slow, rattling cars, mediocre service. Amtrak standards so low, it should be embarrassing but they don’t care.

[@MichaelJirochVisualArtist]

The truth is we really don’t need a passenger train service anymore. We’re not Europe. Our towns aren’t close together and compact. We get from place to place via air transportation. Less expensive. government subsidized Amtrak. It’s alive for nostalgic purposes. Now, let’s talk hyper loop! Now, there is where we should be going if you want ground transportation.