{"id":1653911,"date":"2026-06-11T15:17:56","date_gmt":"2026-06-11T19:17:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/observer.com\/?post_type=listicle&p=1653911"},"modified":"2026-06-11T15:18:03","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T19:18:03","slug":"best-train-trips-summer-los-angeles","status":"publish","type":"listicle","link":"https:\/\/observer.com\/list\/best-train-trips-summer-los-angeles\/","title":{"rendered":"No Car, No Problem: The Best Summer Train Trips From L.A."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Train travel is a quintessential way to easily\u2014and swiftly\u2014explore Europe and Asia<\/a>, but in the United States, rail culture isn\u2019t nearly as robust or convenient as it is in countries like Japan and Spain. <\/strong>The issue with domestic passenger trains isn\u2019t new: aging infrastructure and the high cost of supplies have discouraged innovation and received plenty of political pushback for decades.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the U.S. was at the forefront of train travel in the 19th century<\/a>, it largely declined in the following century. The vast topography and sprawling cities across the U.S. are generally seen as better suited to personal vehicles, and in the 20th century, automobiles and aviation were prioritized, while the promise of a high-speed nationwide rail system fell by the wayside. More recently, however, there\u2019s been a bit of a shift, with Amtrak welcoming a record number of passengers over the past few years<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With national average fuel prices at a four-year high, train travel has never looked more appealing\u2014at this point, filling up your tank or buying a plane ticket feels like highway robbery, causing travelers to think outside the box. In Los Angeles, we\u2019re lucky enough to have Amtrak operating with direct routes to various vacation-worthy destinations in the Golden State, and we\u2019ll\u2014allegedly\u2014have even more options come 2030.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2008, voters approved a high-speed rail system designed to connect San Francisco and Los Angeles<\/a> in less than three hours. The project was originally supposed to be completed in 2020 and cost $33 billion<\/a>, but as of the first half of 2026, no electrified track has been laid, and it is now about 400 percent over budget. Moreover, the initial goal of creating a direct line from San Francisco to L.A. has been put on the back burner unless additional funding is received, so rather than being able to easily travel between cities, L.A. residents will have to bus to and from Bakersfield, largely defeating the original purpose of the train. At this point, it might be best for the United States to stick to planes and automobiles until we\u2019ve learned to stop forsaking efficiency in the name of bureaucracy.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While that day may never come, Angelenos can (and should) take advantage of the Amtrak routes currently available to us. Though train travel tends to take a bit longer than a regular road trip via car (at least in SoCal), there is a special charm in being able to kick back in your seat as you zoom along the coast. Most stops drop you directly into city centers, ensuring that you can enjoy a car-free adventure without the hassle. Whether you\u2019re craving a weekend in the American Riviera<\/a> or a laid-back escape in San Diego, we\u2019ve rounded up a few of our favorite summer destinations to visit by train from L.A.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\t
\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\tTrain Travel from LA\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t