Lonely PlanetJul 16, 2026
Riding the California Zephyr
The Amtrak route between the San Francisco Bay area to Chicago shows a diverse cross-section of the nation that you won
16 things in this story
- California ZephyrPlaceAmtrak's most scenic route, passes mountains, desert, prairie
- USA Rail PassPlaceOffers 10 journeys within 30 days, requires coach
- Colorado RiverSightTracks run parallel to it for hundreds of miles
- Golden Spike National Historical ParkSightCommemorates the Transcontinental Railroad's completion
- Sierra NevadaSightThe vast majority of the range lies in the state of California, although the Carson Range spur lies primarily in Nevada.
- SacramentoParkTrain station has a mural of the railroad's ground-breaking
- California State Railroad MuseumMuseumDocents from here board the train in Sacramento
- Soda Springs Ski ResortSightLift cables pass over the train tracks
- RenoRestaurantDocents depart the train here
- San FranciscoSightOrchid festival mentioned by passengers
- Pennsylvania Dutch CountryNeighborhoodDestination for Amish family returning home
- UtahParkTrain crosses state line into here
- Salt Lake CitySightNew conductor boarded here
- CiscoSightTown described as looking like it's from The Hills Have Eyes
- RockiesSight
- Donner Pass RdSight