California State Railroad Museum, Chicago

Lonely PlanetJul 16

The Amtrak route between the San Francisco Bay area to Chicago shows a diverse cross-section of the nation that you won

Docents from here board the train in Sacramento

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

California State Railroad Museum