Amtrak

As a technical Salesman, I have been traveling from Santa Barbara to San Diego and even into Mexico. I had typically driven my car which means leaving my house at 5 AM working all day and then making that long and sometimes dangerous drive home sometimes arriving at 8 or 9 PM.
A few years ago, i had a vendor ask me to drop him off at the train station because he was going to San Diego. I had never thought about taking the train for work and had only done it once in CA for a day trip to Del Mar. It was a great trip so I started to look into taking the train and having one of my coworker’s pick me up at one of the many train stations along the way.
For the last two years I have been riding the Amtrak and I must say I really love it. Instead of fighting traffic and unexpected delays I can get some work done on the [very slow] internet or read a book OR do what I typically do, doze off.
I found the value of paying for the Business Class for several reasons: first, if you miss the train, you just call them and schedule the next train. Without the Business class upgrade, the ticket price would have been lost. Also, open amble seating. I was on one train where the conductor came into the car saying «their animals back there». When I got off I realized the problem. A group of 4^th & 5^th graders had taken a trip to Sea World and they were loud but they were back in coach. Yeah! The upgrade also gets you free coffee and danishes or muffins on the way down to San Diego and a little pack of snacks including red or white wine for the trip home.
The restrooms are big and comfortable. I hate using airplane bathrooms, I feel like I got to rub Vaseline just to squeeze in. These bathrooms are big.
Finally, I usually try to get some work done but today I just took the time to look out the window and enjoy our beautiful coast. I cant believe how beautiful some of the areas that we passed up. i am going to have to come back with the family.
Go Adventure!

This train station is easily accessible and the décor is nice and gives an older, historical vibe. I have used it numerous times and parking is available for long term up to 72 hours across the street from the station. I would have rated this station higher but the lady at the front desk was extremely rude and argumentative, was not at all happy with her customer service and unfortunately, it negatively affected my view of this station.

AMTRAK PARKING – Overnight parking up to 72 hours is in the structure on Santa Fe across Harbor Boulevard away from the station on the top level. Use the pedestrian bridge on the second level to cross Harbor to get to the station. Signs in the older parking structure at Pomona and Santa Fe close to the station are 3+ years out of date. You may be told to «park across the street» but both structures are across the street so go to the one over across Harbor. At least 8 other people made the same mistake. There is no elevator in the Pomona structure so it’s fun wrestling your bags up 4 flights. Just a warning: it’s party central in the Harbor structure on the weekends and this evening quite a number of people were in the Amtrak parking area smoking“smelly” cigarettes and drinking alcohol (I saw the bottles) from red plastic cups while reclining against the cars. Other reviews say this is common. Welcome to Fullerton.

I have taken three Amtrak trips to east coast cities and other Amtrak trips to the Midwest. I have been on every overnight Amtrak train except from New York to Florida.
I truly look forward to my Amtrak trips. It’s a great way to see cities and baseball parks.
The most scenic by far is the California Zephyr. The Zephyr travels between San Francisco and Chicago. It traverses the Sierras and Rocky Mountains. It parallels the Colorado River for several hours. The views are beyond spectacular.
Amtrak fares are supply and demand. The more passengers the higher the fare.
If you take an extended trip consider a 15, 30, or 45 day pass. The more days the higher the cost of the pass. Well worth the money!
Take time to study the Amtrak website. You will find maps, schedules and train locations. Also narratives of several routes.
Ask an an Amtrak agent for an Amtrak System Timetable book. They are free.
If your train is more than 2 hours late to your destination, at the end of your trip, call Amtrak (1−800-USA-RAIL) ask for Customer Service. You may receive travel credit to be used for Amtrak travel within 12 months
Do not leave your luggage downstairs on double decker trains. I have had things stolen twice.
Inappropriate behavior or drunk behavior will not be tolerated by the conductor. The inappropriate passenger will be escorted off the train at the next stop. Law enforcement will be notified.
Their are electric outlets at the seats to re-​charge phones and lap tops
The food is good and reasonably priced.
if you get a sleeper, your meals are included.
Before taking very small children on a long train trip, try a 5 – 8 hour ride to see if they like it.
The coach seats recline, are wide and very comfortable. The seats have plenty of leg room.
Enjoy the ride!!!
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Love taking the Amtrak, although it can be expensive. But you’re paying for the experience. It’s better than the MetroLink cause it offers better trains, more outlets to ensure you can plug in your electrical devices, seats are roomier, and just a better experience. Although, it is public transportation, many families still take the train. So when families with kids load in, it’s not a quite trip. And when the Metro isn’t running, you bet it will be more crowded than usual. Sometimes you’re seeing folks standing up without a seat. Don’t mistake that they’re out of seats, it’s cause people don’t like to sit with strangers and still want to talk to their friends and family during the ride. But I love the Amtrak and will take it cause it has more choices and convenient times and seats are better. And for this location, the overnight parking is in the structure on the west side of Harbor Blvd. Left my car there overnight with no problems. Felt safe parking there and there’s no charge. That’s one of the most important things on deciding which station I will park at, especially when I know I’m going overnight somewhere.

A very convenient way to travel. However, I’m not sure it is worth it to reserve business class over coach. Going to Palm Springs via Fullerton, the business class section had no attendant. Coming back to San Diego via Fullerton, while the business class had an attendant, who was very friend, competent, and attentive, there was no red wine available. However, there WAS white wine available… and if you wanted red, you could PURCHASE it in the coach café car… for $ 15!
Meh! on the amenities.

This station is okay. It’s nice and does have a historical value to it. They make it clear when trains are coming and which side of the tracks to be on. You do have to take a bridge over the tracks to get to the other side. But again, they do give plenty of notice to make it over.
The station could use a better cleaner. There’s not a lot of homeless and loitering going on so it’s strange to see the «scummyness» of the place, especially around the bridge.
Conveniently located and easy to go see family.

This is a sketchy station but the Fullerton to flagstaff straight shot is fabulous. If you use your AAA discount, it is even better (just make sure to purchase a bit in advance, think it needs to be 3 days ahead).

The lady today @2;00pm that worked in the 2^nd booth from the left, was extremely genuine and nice! Gave me information about everything i needed to know with patience and with a smile! Thank you!

Sweet.

The café at the station is tasty with a variety of food and beverages (4 stars for that). The train was on time but very crowded. Took us quite awhile to find 4 seats together. It ended up being standing room only with people’s armpits and buttocks in my face the whole way down south to Solana Beach. In fact, we couldn’t enjoy the view of the beach /​ocean the entire trip. The ride or trip back wasn’t any better. The Amtrak staff is rude and not helpful. Like another Unilocaler mentioned, these people are on par with the DMV or any government agency.

These people are on par with the DMV or any government agency.
I asked to use the restroom and the guy behind the glass said he would buzz me in. I go there and there is no buzz. I go back and ask a woman if I could use the restroom. She replies «Do you have a ticket? You can’t use the restroom if you don’t have a ticket.»
Geez. I walked to Knowlewood and they let me use theirs.
I have used Amtrak multiple times. It’s like $ 20 over way to get to Los Angeles. Their staff often sucks and their tickets are way over priced.
Someone needs to break this monopoly.

Rode the Amtrak Surfliner from Fullerton to San Diego on Saturday. It was a pretty freakin cool experience. Just showed up, ordered a breakfast burrito from the super good café, and hopped on the train when it came. I thought it would be difficult to find which train, but It worked out because theyre very clear on the loudspeakers. Once on the train, it took about 2 hours and 15 minutes to get to San Diego and was a super good time. I really think this train experience is solid. On the way back, it was all smooth from SD and we left happy customers. I highly recommend that you jump on the train ($ 29/​ea way per person) and head to SD!!!

I like the mix between the old and the new. Close to downtown restaurants, bars, etc. u can walk to most places. Small waiting room but they got a snack shack with all kinds of goodies and beer. They also have a patio where u can eat at while watching the trains go by. Small town feel. Parking lot next to station and there is also a parking structure close by but can fill up. Service is typical of other train stations. The station is Clean overall, never encountered a pee smell or felt unsafe. There is a parking structure across the street not associated with the station that can be dirty or seem like homeless live there.

OMG… visiting my mother in Camarillo this weekend and didn’t want to drive. Took the amtrak and had a great trip there and a horrible trip back!!!
This horrible man named «Gene» was so rude after waking me from asleep he ask me…“can I see your ticket” I ask why? This I’ll already showed my pass for the 3^rd time? I quote «because I can» I could barley handle his rudeness! He treated me like a criminal and I asked… is everything okay? He rudely answered… if you validate your train pass. I was appalled and turned away. Last time I ever ride here

This Amtrak station is one of the cleanest I’ve seen so far. I used to take it to San Diego frequently and now to Merced once in a while. The Station is fairly easy to find and is pretty big. The bridge over the tracks were a bit confusing at first, but the employees are very accommodating and helpful.

Taking the train for the day down to old town San Diego. Parking for the day is at the far end of the parking lot. There is a regular lot and a parking structure. We did the parking structure.
The train was on time. We haven’t traveled on a train for a few years so we were pretty nervous getting on the train. We had our tickets out for the conductor. She said. «You guys are going into old town, why are you sitting in the next car with the better seats?» She pointed us to the seats and said push the part of the seat down and relax. The seats back here are super nice. Big windows to see Orange County business parking lots before seeing the ocean.
So far so good. It looks like a relaxing trip so far. Will have to see what the trip back is like. Stay tuned! LOL!
Taking the surfliner north we were on a different train. The southbound train we took was 564. The seats on car 5 are the bomb compared to these that are on 595. The 595 seems like an older train from the 70’s. the 564 seats in car 5 had leg rest and easier accessible restooms as well. If you are going to see the view make sure you are seating on the right side of the train southbound and the left side of the train for northbound to see the ocean views. After the ocean disappears you will see the lovely back lots and parking lots of the Orange County business. Just enjoy it and let them drive!

From Fullerton train station (
), I took the Amtrak train to San Diego.
I found the Amtrak train itself to be pretty spacious. The train is two levels! I was fond of the fact that they had several outlets on the side where one can plug-​in their electronics!
Train ride itself was nice and smooth. They would tell the travelers ahead where the next stops were.
I’d give Amtrak four stars except for two reasons: one, certain areas of the train had a weird smell and two, we were 40 minutes late to when they were supposed to arrive.
Overall however, the Amtrak was a nice and convenient way to get to the destination I wanted to get at. It’s a easy peasy, stress free way of traveling to San Diego.

I probably should have read through more reviews to find out where the free overnight parking area was. The attendant directed me to the parking structure located across the street and on the other side of Santa Fe Ave. You’ll see the structure as soon as you cross over. No passes needed. Once you enter the structure, head to the very top and park in the yellow spaces for free 72 hour overnight parking.
From here, the walk to the train station was not bad at all. Once inside the waiting room the a/​c was icy cold which was awesome. Inside was pretty standard, not too many seats though. But there are plenty of seating outside.
There is also a small café next door where you can get snacks or have a brew while you wait.
Overall, this station is nice and convenient, and gives you options to go to or relax as you wait for your train.

The train station has tons of parking– and some for like 3 days.
I have taken this train to Carlsbad, which was fun, but I would love to use the train with more function versus just to take the train.