When people ask me how I traveled from Southern California to the Bay Area for work last week, their first assumption is always “you flew, right?” The look of surprise when I tell them I took the train instead never gets old. But here’s the thing: traveling California by train isn’t just possible, it’s actually one of the most enjoyable ways to experience our beautiful state.
Let me take you along on my recent journey from Irvine to Martinez, a trip that perfectly showcases why California without a car is not only feasible but preferable for those of us who value scenic views, productivity, and a more sustainable way to travel.
Starting the Journey: Pacific Surfliner from Irvine to Union Station
My morning began at Irvine station, where I boarded the 769 Pacific Surfliner northbound just before 10 a.m. As someone who works in the rail industry, I’m admittedly biased, but there’s something special about starting your day gliding along the California rails rather than sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic on the 5.
Pacific Surfliner is our pride and joy, connecting San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties with comfortable, reliable service. This leg of my trip, essentially commuting to Downtown Los Angeles, gave me time to catch up on emails, enjoy my coffee, and watch the landscape shift from suburban Orange County to the urban heart of LA.
A Luxurious Layover: Metropolitan Lounge at Union Station
Arriving at Union Station about just before 11 a.m., I had a two-hour layover before my next connection. But this wasn’t time wasted sitting on a hard bench. Instead, I made my way to the Metropolitan Lounge, Amtrak’s premium waiting area that’s available to select passengers.
If you’ve never experienced the Metropolitan Lounge, you’re missing out. Comfortable seating, complimentary beverages and snacks, a quiet workspace with Wi-Fi, and even a private restroom made my midday break feel less like a layover and more like a mini retreat. I grabbed lunch, responded to a few more emails, and recharged both my devices (and myself!) before the next leg of my journey.
Union Station itself is worth the visit, as it is a stunning example of 1930s architecture that reminds you that train travel in America once meant elegance and style. And it still can!
Crossing the Grapevine: The Bus Bridge to Bakersfield
Here’s where my journey took an interesting turn – literally. The connection I chose took me from Los Angeles to Bakersfield via a bus bridge, part of the California train network that ensures seamless travel even where direct rail service isn’t available.
Climbing aboard the comfortable motorcoach, I settled in for the ride across the Grapevine, that dramatic mountain pass on I-5 that separates the LA Basin from the Central Valley. While I’ll always prefer rail to rubber, this bus bridge is actually quite comfortable, and the views of the Tehachapi Mountains are spectacular.
The drive gave me time to reflect on the importance of connectivity in our transportation network. Every mode has its place, and this Amtrak bus service ensures that travelers can complete their journey from Los Angeles to San Francisco (and beyond) without needing a car.
All Aboard: Gold Runner from Bakersfield to Martinez
Arriving at Bakersfield station in the late afternoon, I was excited for the next chapter: boarding the Gold Runner train at 4:12 p.m. (less than 30 minutes after my bus pulled into the station) for the journey to Martinez. Gold Runner, which recently rebranded from the San Joaquin, represents an exciting new era for passenger rail in California’s Central Valley.
This Bakersfield to San Francisco corridor (Martinez being a key station for Bay Area connections) is truly underrated. As we departed Bakersfield and headed north through California’s agricultural heartland, I watched the sun begin its descent over endless fields, orchards, and farms. This is the California that feeds the nation and seeing it from the train gives you an entirely different perspective than you’d ever get from a plane.
The Gold Runner train offers comfortable seating, spacious legroom, electrical outlets at every seat, and that irreplaceable sense of space and freedom that train travel provides. I could walk around, grab a complimentary snack and drink from the café car, or simply watch the world roll by. I had my choice of seats and chose one with an accessible table so I could catch up on work from my laptop and then transition over easily to my craft project after-hours. The roughly five-and-a-half-hour journey passed quickly.
The Destination: A Gold Runner Celebration in Stockton
I wasn’t just traveling for the sake of travel, though the journey itself was reward enough. My destination was Stockton, where the Gold Runner, one of our sister Joint Powers Authorities in California, was hosting a major branding event at their maintenance yard.
The event celebrated the Gold Runner’s new identity and brought together local government officials, state representatives, and rail advocates who understand that California’s transportation future depends on expanding and improving passenger rail service. Seeing the newly branded trains up close and meeting the passionate people who make this service possible reminded me why I love this work.
Standing in that maintenance yard, surrounded by gleaming trains bearing the Gold Runner name, I felt proud of what we’re building together across California’s rail network. The Pacific Surfliner and Gold Runner aren’t just separate services; we’re part of an interconnected system that makes solo travel California not only possible but genuinely enjoyable.
Why Choose the Train? Reflections on Car-Free California Travel
My door-to-door journey from Irvine to Martinez took about 12 hours – longer than driving, yes, but incomparably more pleasant and productive. Here’s what I gained that I never would have experienced behind the wheel:
Time to actually work. I completed dozens of emails, reviewed documents, and even drafted this blog post – all things impossible while driving.
Zero stress. No traffic anxiety, no parking hassles, no white-knuckling it through the Grapevine in a car (oh yeah, it was also raining!).
Scenic beauty. The Pacific coastline, the mountain passes, the Central Valley agriculture—it’s possible to see California’s incredible diversity on the train in a way that’s impossible when you’re focused on the road.
Sustainability. Train travel produces a fraction of the carbon emissions of driving or flying, and that matters to me.
Connection. I chatted with fellow passengers, observed local communities from a unique vantage point, and felt genuinely connected to the places I was passing through.
Practical Tips for Your LA to San Francisco Bay Area Train Adventure
If you’re inspired to try this journey yourself, here are a few tips:
- Book early for the best fares and seat selection, especially on the Pacific Surfliner during peak travel times
- Check transfer times carefully when planning your Amtrak from Los Angeles to San Francisco CA route.
- Bring snacks and entertainment though both trains offer café service or complimentary snacks and Wi-Fi
- Consider the Metropolitan Lounge if you’re eligible or buy a day pass. It makes layovers genuinely pleasant
- Build in flexibility as train schedules can occasionally shift; I always pad my arrival time when attending events
The Future of California Rail Travel
As I made my way home to SoCal at the end of the weekend, I thought about the future. California is investing in passenger rail infrastructure, which means the California corridors will see improvements. Innovative rail projects continue to progress. And services like the Pacific Surfliner keep getting better.
For those of us who believe in sustainable, equitable, and enjoyable transportation, this is an exciting time. Every trip I take reminds me that we don’t need to be chained to our cars to explore this incredible state.
So the next time you’re planning to travel from LA to San Francisco or anywhere else in California, I encourage you to consider the train. Leave the driving to someone else, bring a good book or your laptop, and rediscover what it means to truly journey – not just arrive.
The train is waiting. Where will you go?
Interested in planning your own California train adventure? Visit the Pacific Surfliner website for schedules, fares, and travel inspiration. For Gold Runner service information, check out the Gold Runner website.
Thanks to Alyssa Dowdalls, LOSSAN Marketing & Communications Manager, for writing this article.