First-time rider advice - This Thursday!

[backdrft76]

Ok...I'm leaving this Thursday on the Empire Builder (Chi-Sea). From there, I'm going down the Coast Starlight on Tuesday (Olympia - Emy). Spend a day/night in Emeryville. And then leave on the CA Zephyr Thursday (Emy - Npv).

1st of all...is this a good itinerary for a 1st time rider (30 y/o male) who just wants to sight see and do the train experience? Should I have done the reverse this time of year instead? Or should I do it next summer?

2nd...any advice/tips for me? Things to do? Sights along the way? Do we have enough time to smoke a cigar at any of the train station layovers? Is Emeryville a good train station to railfan and take some pics?

Many thanks for your help!

Andy

 

[Bill Haithcoat]

Ok...I'm leaving this Thursday on the Empire Builder (Chi-Sea). From there, I'm going down the Coast Starlight on Tuesday (Olympia - Emy). Spend a day/night in Emeryville. And then leave on the CA Zephyr Thursday (Emy - Npv).
1st of all...is this a good itinerary for a 1st time rider (30 y/o male) who just wants to sight see and do the train experience? Should I have done the reverse this time of year instead? Or should I do it next summer?

2nd...any advice/tips for me? Things to do? Sights along the way? Do we have enough time to smoke a cigar at any of the train station layovers? Is Emeryville a good train station to railfan and take some pics?

Many thanks for your help!

Andy

I am sure it will be a great vacation. However, many would think it woud be better in reverse due to the best of the CZ scenery (the Rockies) could be dark when you go through it. This is the scencery west of Denver. But all is not lost , there is more good scenery on that route-- but the Rockies gets the most publicity.

 

[yarrow]

andy, are you in sleeper or coach? if coach, bring some snacks and soda. there are service stops on the empire builder where you can get off for a half hour or so(stay near the train). they are in st paul, havre and spokane.

i am sure you know that emeryville is right across the bay bridge from san francisco. you can take an amtrak bus across. we have always ticketed oursleves to sf and the bus is then included. not much in emeryville though you can take good pictures from the station and a pedestrian bridge across the tracks. nearly constant amtrak california traffic. have a great trip

 

[backdrft76]

andy, are you in sleeper or coach? if coach, bring some snacks and soda. there are service stops on the empire builder where you can get off for a half hour or so(stay near the train). they are in st paul, havre and spokane.i am sure you know that emeryville is right across the bay bridge from san francisco. you can take an amtrak bus across. we have always ticketed oursleves to sf and the bus is then included. not much in emeryville though you can take good pictures from the station and a pedestrian bridge across the tracks. nearly constant amtrak california traffic. have a great trip

Thanks yarrow! I hope to have a great time! Thanks for your advice (yes, I am "coaching it" this time around since I'm solo).

 

[sky12065]

Ok...I'm leaving this Thursday on the Empire Builder (Chi-Sea). From there, I'm going down the Coast Starlight on Tuesday (Olympia - Emy). Spend a day/night in Emeryville. And then leave on the CA Zephyr Thursday (Emy - Npv).
1st of all...is this a good itinerary for a 1st time rider (30 y/o male) who just wants to sight see and do the train experience? Should I have done the reverse this time of year instead? Or should I do it next summer?

2nd...any advice/tips for me? Things to do? Sights along the way? Do we have enough time to smoke a cigar at any of the train station layovers? Is Emeryville a good train station to railfan and take some pics?

Many thanks for your help!

Andy

In addition to what Bill said about CZ west bound, I picked up on another opinion from a previous topic that the the east bound EB has a little better viewing also.

If you can afford it and are interested enough, I would add an extra day in Emeryville to take in a full day of exploring San Franscisco if you think the time you are currently planning doesn't give you enough.

As for a cigar you might want to bring a pack of mini-cigars if there are any you like. You probably won't have enough time to really enjoy a full sized one... unless you don't mind extinguishing and relighting stubs!

 

[PRR 60]

You might want to consider asking for an on board upgrade to a Roomette for a night or two. If a room is available, you get it at the lowest rate, have a real bed, and almost free meals (tips only). Particularly after a few nights in coach, a room might be a welcome treat. Just ask the conductor.

 

[Guest_pismobum_*]

concur with upgrade, having done 'solo' myself in younger days. 1st night out is fine in coach - by 2nd night you're ready for a bed. Upgrade 2nd night of each 2 night trip if possible.

 

[George Harris]

See if you can get your ticket changed to the San Francisco Ferry Building. Should not cost any more. From there you can spend the day wandering around San Francisco. Go to Market and Powell intersection and there is a Muni kiosk. I believe that they sell touist day passes. Get that and a map of the Muni bus and streetcar system. They go everywhere and most routes run frequently, as in every 5 yo 10 minutes. You can get a bus, with a change, up to the south end of the Golden Gate, walk the bridge, come back to Pier 39 or other places on Fisherman's Wharf, and do much else. Even if you do not get a day pass, basic bus fare is $1.50 and a Muni transfer is good in any direction on any bus for about 2 hours, sometimes longer, depending upon how the driver tears it, so for about $6.00 you can run around all day. Note: Cable cars require a seperate fare, $5.00 I believe.

If you can't get the ticket changed, all is not lost. Get a taxi, maybe even a bus at Emeryville, go to the nearest BART station and ride across the bay to SF.

SF does not know what either hot or cold weather is. Normal temperatures are 55F to 70F all year long.

 

[p&sr]

See if you can get your ticket changed to the San Francisco Ferry Building. Should not cost any more. From there you can spend the day wandering around San Francisco. Go to Market and Powell intersection and there is a Muni kiosk. I believe that they sell touist day passes. Note: Cable cars require a separate fare, $5.00 I believe.

Across from the Ferry Building is the Hyatt Regency Hotel, at the foot of Market Street. Next to the front door, on California Street, you can catch a Cable Car. Once on board, you can purchase a Day Pass for $11.00, good for unlimited use of Cable Cars, Street Cars, Light Rail, and Busses throughout San Francisco. Could be a good way to get started.

 

[backdrft76]

See if you can get your ticket changed to the San Francisco Ferry Building. Should not cost any more. From there you can spend the day wandering around San Francisco. Go to Market and Powell intersection and there is a Muni kiosk. I believe that they sell touist day passes. Note: Cable cars require a separate fare, $5.00 I believe.

Across from the Ferry Building is the Hyatt Regency Hotel, at the foot of Market Street. Next to the front door, on California Street, you can catch a Cable Car. Once on board, you can purchase a Day Pass for $11.00, good for unlimited use of Cable Cars, Street Cars, Light Rail, and Busses throughout San Francisco. Could be a good way to get started.

I definately want to try the cable cars! That should be fun.

Thanks to everyone for their advice! I will definately try to get the 2nd night in a sleeper car. Any rough idea of how much I should pay on the train for just the 1 night? And at what point do the inclusive meals kick in? As soon as I make the purchase?