A few weeks ago, my friend Garrick and I planned a trip up to Sacramento. It was a quick visit, just a few hours mid-day for lunch with our pal, Jenna. (Garrick and Jenna are also travel bloggers and we all talk online, but they hadn’t met in person yet.)
As we car-loving Californians often do, my first instinct was to drive. When Garrick suggested we take Amtrak, I balked at the cost of a day trip ($75 round-trip from San Jose), but I changed my mind when I considered the equivalent cost of traffic, tolls, and parking on that long drive. Also, I was excited by the idea of taking the train. I’m a big public transportation fan (which inspired the name, “Ever In Transit“) and while I admit to more often than not giving in to the convenience of my car, I prefer transit.
So, I bought a ticket to ride.
About the Capital Corridor
The Capitol Corridor is one of eight Amtrak routes that cross the state of California. The Capitol Corridor connects the San Francisco Bay Area (via San Jose and Oakland) to the California State Capitol, Sacramento. The line draws a lot of urban commuters, traveling between the two cities for meetings.
The double-decker trains have comfortable seats, tables to work at, and electrical outlets so you can charge your devices. The trains have wifi so you can work on the route.
Each train has a Cafe Car, and while it’s not quite as romantic as this poster…
It’s a comfortable place to order a snack, a coffee, or a beer.
Still, the best part of the trip were the views.
What You’ll See
Shortly after departing Downtown San Jose’s Diridon Transit Station, the Capitol Corridor passes through the City of Santa Clara and Levi’s Stadium, home of the San Francisco 49ers.
FACT: Levi’s Stadium will host the Super Bowl in 2016, so visiting football fans should know that they can take Amtrak to Levi’s Stadium.
Just past Santa Clara, the train passes the southwestern tip of the San Francisco Bay. This area, known as the Alviso Slough, is a protected wetland habitat and home to migratory birds and local aquatic wildlife.
FACT: This Amtrak train is the only way to see the few remnants of the San Francisco Bay Area’s only ghost town, Drawbridge, California.
The Alviso wetlands were formerly industrial salt marshes and there are still a few active salt plants and massive piles of evaporated sea salt. Again, you can only see these facilities by taking the train.
As you head farther north, you pass through the City of Oakland, and see colorful graffiti art and the Port of Oakland’s massive cranes.
Further north, you pass along the Richmond waterfront toward Benicia, and cut inland under the Carquinez Bridge, along the Carquinez Strait.
Just before Benicia, you’ll pass the old C & H (California & Hawaii) Sugar Company factory.
Just past the C&H factory, look to the left to get a quick glimpse of the main street in Port Costa, California. I’ve never been there, but Garrick has written that the quirky port town is worth a visit.
At Martinez, the train heads north into Solano County through Fairfield, Davis, and finally Sacramento. I stopped taking photos at that point, because Garrick and I got lost in conversation–as bloggers do, discussing Pinterest, our recent travels, and industry gossip. By the time we finally reached Sacramento, I hopped off the train without my backpack and laptop. Luckily, I got back on just in time to get it back.
We had a great day exploring Sacramento (photos to come), but our Amtrak adventure was the highlight of the day. I look forward to exploring California by rail again very soon.
Photos from the trip home and sunset over the San Francisco Bay.
Amtrak California Travel Tips:
- Book your ticket in advance, popular routes do sell out.
- Check the Amtrak / Capitol Corridor website for sales and discount codes. Buy a California Rail Pass and get almost unlimited travel through the state within 21 consecutive days.
- Be prepared for delays. The Amtrak rails and right-of-ways are shared with other transportation systems and trains are often delayed. Bring something to read, and remember–at least you aren’t sitting in traffic!
That’s a great looking train! While I’d also be a wee bit disappointed by that cafe car poster, the actual car looks really comfortable even it it’s not quite a plush as the art-deco picture.
I love taking the train, great views from this one. I’ve not really travelled in America, and while I’d love to road trip, I’d have to take a few trains, I wouldn’t be able to resist 😉
Definitely more of a mobile diner than a swank, Mad Men-esque lounge, but still fun. Also, beer!
If you do plan a trip to the US, come to California and I’ll help you plan an itinerary that includes some rail time 🙂
Great run down of this route, Cassie! I’m actually going to be in northern California for a few days at the end of August and have friends in Sacramento so had already decided I would take the train to go visit them. Looks like I’ll have a very pleasant adventure in store for me!
Oh no–you’ll be here at the end of August? For how long? I’m hoping I’ll be here, but we are off to Europe at the end of the month. I hope we don’t miss you!
I fly in on the 30th and fly back to Mexico on the 4th… sounds like you will already be Europe-bound by then!
Yay! We are getting back on Sept 1, so hopefully I can come up after that… Let me email you!
I loved my recent experience taking the Capitol Corridor from Sacramento to Berkeley. There were no delays and the train was so comfortable and easy; plus, I think it was only $22 roundtrip. I’m so glad you took the train up here and hope that more people will consider doing so since Sac (and nearby Davis, which has a train station downtown) is a fun destination for a day trip.
Agreed! There’s a lot to do in Sac, it’s definitely an underrated city. Like San Jose! And next time I’ll have you guys down here–or we can all meet up in Oakland/Berkeley.
Hi Cassie, very interesting! This would be THE TRIP for me, anyway as a German I like to sit in a train, but at first I will send “Bobbel Boy & Bobbeline” (who’s that???) to check this train trip out… hahaha
Matthias
PS: By the way – nice photos I and I can see them all! 🙂
Haha, I can’t wait to hear about their California rail adventure 🙂
And I’m glad you can see the photos, too! Glad we fixed that problem!
What a great post, Cassie! Those images beyond SF really are the showstoppers, esp at sunset. I highly recommend missing your train on way back! Altho C+H pics pretty great too. Wow, suddenly I have strong desire to do this again. Fantastic write-up.
Thanks, Garrick! It’s a really cool route and that area, near Alviso, is one of my favorite places in the South Bay. Great spot for hiking at sunset–though, you can’t get all the way out to the ghost town on public land, the only way to legally see it is on the train!
How fun!!! I wish train travel was more popular here in California. I really need to get out to Sacramento more, such good memories of when I was a kid!
Great, glad you like Sac! I don’t know it well, but I’m pretty sure from my quick visits that it’s a seriously underrated California city. I need to go back and explore!
Next time you’re in Sacramento you must go to Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates @ http://gingerelizabeth.com/macarons/ -> their really good Parisian Macarons are hand piped and free of artificial colorings. They currently have 5 permanent macaron flavors, and rotate the other 3 flavors on monthly basis. Their chocolates are top notch, and Ginger was voted a Top 10 Chocolatier in 2010 by Dessert Professional Magazine. I also love their hot chocolates, especially their delectably decadent European Sipping Chocolate.They have a seasonal 6 month ice cream/frozen dessert menu from May-October, as well have one day desserts they come up with and serve up.
FYI Megabus goes RT San Francisco/Sacramento for $19.50 = real inexpensive!!!
Janice, I’ve been putting off responding until I published this most recent post. Look what I included 🙂 https://everintransit.com/one-day-in-sacramento/
Really great tips! I didn’t know Megabus was running from SF to Sac, that is great to know! It’s a good city for city lovers, I hope more folks from the Bay Area come up to explore.