My Train Ride Through the San Joaquin Valley

Last weekend I found a new transportation method to Modesto--the Train! What a concept! As far as coming to visit Lara and the folks in southern California, i.e. airplanes, cars, and walking, I found the train the most appealing. Cars take a little less than six hours if you miss Los Angeles traffic, if not, add on another two hours. As far as airplanes, God-forbid if you get caught with deodorant and toothpaste in your bag, and those security Nazis, baggage Nazis, ticket Nazis, and just try to get on the plane an hour before departure with Starbucks and a burger… “No food or drinks on board sir!” You might as well walk. And don’t forget parking and layovers in San Francisco. What is one to do for three hours in San Francisco? What, the plane is delayed? It is only twenty minutes to Modesto from San Francisco. Was that really $15 a day to park my little truck? Help! And walking, I could do that if it was a little closer, it would be easier.

The train was fun and quick. It was an eight-hour journey through the San Joaquin Valley. They had scrumptious snacks, flounder and sesame chicken, an electrical plug for the computer, a quick two-minute check in, and no security Nazis. When I arrived at my destination in Modesto, it was “get-off, the train is leaving!” We didn’t stay at the station longer than a millisecond. Yes, it was on time at every station, and no delays with exception to on-coming south-bounds, which were obviously planned for.

As many of you know, I am fond of public transportation. I would certainly abolish car pool lanes, buses, slow drivers, inconvenient freeways, freeways that have three lanes in populations over 15 million, and politicians that build light-rails that go nowhere… Did you know the Red Line in Los Angles goes two miles from Los Angeles International Airport and then just stops? Who would build a train that didn’t complete the journey? Amtrak does have a bus that goes to LAX via Union Station. It is only three dollars more if you take the train. And to get to the airport from Bart in Oakland you have to take a bus. But Amtrak goes there! Car pool lanes, traffic in Los Angeles, slow drivers, freeway driving… do I have to say more about this? Did I mention CalTrans (Sorry Gus)? I am still perplexed as to why CalTrans works and blocks freeways on holidays. Union overtime maybe? Help me here! If I don’t get any comments below, I’ll write an article about these wonderful transportation methods.

The San Joaquin Amtrak provides a great way to travel throughout California's Central Valley. The Valley is California's premier agricultural region, bordered on the west by the coastal mountain range, and on the east by the Sierra Nevada mountains, where you can visit Yosemite, Kings Canyon, Sequoia, and Death Valley National Parks. There is a bus from Los Angeles to Bakersfield. Not to worry if you are running behind, the buses go all day to deliver you to your waiting train.

The San Joaquin Amtrak runs multiple times daily between the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento, and Bakersfield. Other stops along the way include Stockton, Modesto, Merced, Martinez and Fresno. I know you would love to visit Fresno and Martinez. I hear they have great taco trucks there too.

Don’t Forget to Visit Yosemite National Park

It's a trip you won't soon forget! If you don’t stay at Sean’s Tropical paradise, catch the San Joaquin Amtrak to Merced. There, board a waiting luxury motor coach for a scenic ride through Mariposa and El Portal (there is nothing in El Portal so keep going), and then directly into Yosemite National Park. With spectacular waterfalls, giant sequoias, scenic overlooks and winding trails throughout 1,169 square miles of parkland, Yosemite deserves its reputation as one of the crown jewels of the American National Park System. Don’t forget to stop by Sean’s Tropical Paradise to borrow the National Park Pass. It is “mucho buckaroos” ($20) to get into the park, unless you take the luxury motor coach.

Visit Six Flags Marine World

Ride the San Joaquin Amtrak to Martinez and board the extravagant motor coach for a quick ride to the park's main gate. Six Flags Marine World is open seasonally. Lara loves roller coasters and she would love to give you a personal tour.

Easy Connections

Make the train your connection to other destinations. At Bakersfield, you can connect to Santa Barbara, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Palm Springs and more. Amtrak service is financed and operated in partnership with the State of California (yes it is taxpayer subsidized). However, it is public transportation at its finest.

Next Week:

Next week a full article on my drive to southern California. Will it be crowded in Los Angeles? Will there be an accident on the 99 or the Grapevine? Will CalTrans be clogging the freeways, or will it be a new record? Be here or be on the freeway waiting. I wonder if there is flounder on the way?

--S