travel options from bay area to LA (Los Angeles, San Jose: live in, vs.)

[ggcd951]

I am reserving seat SFO to LA for this long weekend but contemplating which one is better, anyone has experience travelling with any of these trip?

- airfare is 200$ bit outside my budget plus i wanted to be relaxing journey and not in a cramped seat of airplane, so this is out of equation.

- amtrak - somehow, if i choose origin and dest. from their website, itenary includes bus trip to at both ends. I am confused. Also the route is along 101 so i guess this might be boring trip. Plus, somehow routes goes all the way to bakersfield and 2 hrs bus ride from there to LA, I'd say WTF? However judging from other forum, amtrak is better than bus in terms of leg room, space.

- megabus - sounds like a great option, from their website, all kinds of seats are available (upper deck, table etc.,), but then on the bus outline, only handful of them can be reserved for specific spot all other seats can not be reserved. Well, I want window seat on upper deck, but since it can not be reserved, it can not be guaranteed, so it is kinda risky. Big plus is ticket is only 48$.

- greyhound - well well well, i did before. some people has bad experience and 10 years ago 300miles trip was OK, lot of stops in little town (i know) when I travelled from eastern WA to seattle. Lot of weird people too. One time I had horrible experience with no A/C bus with 2 hr from Spokane to Pullman WA. it was worst.

But I see routes from here in bay area to LA, it looks far better than Amtrak in terms of sightseeing. From bay area, it goes to Santa cruz, back to 101 all the way to San Lius Obispo, Santa Barbara, Oxnard and off to Los angeles. Can not complain if bus itself is not too crowded. So I wonder how crowded this weekend would be.
Cheers!

[aramax666]

Have u checked ride shares?

[starshrike]

Busses are usually first come first serve. If you get on from SF (end of the line) vs. San Jose you can usually get your pick of seating. It can get warmer up on the upper deck. Megabus>>Greyhound experience as of late. Route will be boring.

Train is usually not worth it unless you are conveniently located walking distance.

[fluffythewondercat]

Originally Posted by ggcd951

- amtrak - somehow, if i choose origin and dest. from their website, itenary includes bus trip to at both ends. I am confused. Also the route is along 101 so i guess this might be boring trip. Plus, somehow routes goes all the way to bakersfield and 2 hrs bus ride from there to LA, I'd say WTF? However judging from other forum, amtrak is better than bus in terms of leg room, space.

Amtrak does not have a San Francisco terminal. That's what's messing you up.

Try Oakland - Jack London Square (OKJ) -> Los Angeles (LAX)

All train, all the way. The route is not all along 101. Part of it runs along the coastline. There are views that can't be seen from a car. A piece of the route is through Vandenberg AFB, where they still do missile launches.

It is a beautiful, relaxing, very scenic trip. It takes about 12 hours. You get into L.A.'s Union Station around 9 pm or so.

More than you wanted to spend, but... If you really want space and value privacy, book a roomette in First Class. Meals and amenities are included.

[humboldtrat]

Originally Posted by ggcd951

- amtrak - somehow, if i choose origin and dest. from their website, itenary includes bus trip to at both ends. I am confused. Also the route is along 101 so i guess this might be boring trip. Plus, somehow routes goes all the way to bakersfield and 2 hrs bus ride from there to LA, I'd say WTF? However judging from other forum, amtrak is better than bus in terms of leg room, space.

Since you live in Fremont, you can take Amtrak's Coast Starlight from San Jose to Los Angeles. Lots of leg room plus there is a dining car, snack bar and observation car Coast Starlight - the Train from Los Angeles (LAX) to Seattle (SEA) through San Francisco | Amtrak

It leaves San Jose about 10am and arrives in LA at about 9pm - yes, an all day trip! You don't need a roomette, just go coach.