By Train

Several cross-country Amtrak (www.amtrak.com [1]) trains rumble into California each day. If you’re arriving from another part of the country, the train can be a relaxing way to make the journey to the Golden State; long-distance train routes usually include dining and lounge cars.

There are eight train routes that service California: The California Zephyr travels to Chicago, Denver, and Emervyille; the Capitol Corridor services Auburn, Sacramento, Emeryville, Oakland [2], and San Jose [3], and a popular route with local communters; the Coast Starlight travel down the west coast, from Seattle to Portland and ending in Los Angeles [4]; the Pacific Surfliner will get you to the Central Coast [5] and southern California, while the San Joaquins services the Central Valley; the Southwest Chief, Sunset Limited, and Texas Eagle brings travelers from the south and midwest into California.