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My wife and I will be travelling on the South West Chief later this month, weather and floods permitting! We missed the Chicago-Twin Cities leg of the Empire Builder a few years ago because of flooding in Wisconsin. I have "USA by Rail" which gives a reasonable outline of what to expect. What will the highlights of the trip be? Having only experienced the costal belt of south-west Calfornia around San Diego we are looking forward to the scenery of New Mexico and Arizona. Being perhaps over-cautious about delays I have allowed for a one day stop-over in Los Angeles before continuing on the Pacific Surfliner to San Diego. We have already explored Union Station and the Olvera Street area as well as the Huntington Library and gardens. Our daughter, a film enthusiast, would like us to visit the stretch of Hollywood Boulevard near Mann's Chinese Theatre. Alternatively Santa Monica is quite appealing. I believe we could reach both by subway from Union Station and then collect our checked luggage later in the day before going to our hotel. Any comments or other suggestions? Having spent time with a friend in San Diego we are then continuing with her by car to the Grand Canyon, travelling by train from Williams and spending a night at the South Rim. Again any suggestions would be appreciated.
Posts: 168 | From: uk. northumberland | Registered: Jun 2007
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You do not indicate your direction of travel, or if both. The west bound in July will allow a clear viewing of SE CO, NM and AZ as far as Flagstaff before night overtakes you. Then in the morning (early) after leaving Barstow you will see the picturesque Cajon Pass, San Bernardino,Riverside and on through Fulleron to LAUPT.
Eastward you will awake at Flagstaff and also have Eastern AZ and all of NM before night overtakes you in SE CO. But perhaps you will board at Wms. Jct. or Flagstaff.
Have a meal. or two, at the El Tovar Hotel dining room which overlooks the Grand Canyon.
Posts: 467 | From: Prescott, AZ USA | Registered: Mar 2002
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This is just a suggestion, but I LOVE going to Universal Studios. You can take the Red Line train from Union Station in Los Angeles out to Universal City. There are no transfers to make--just hop on-board and get off about 20 minutes later (just make sure you're taking the Red Line in the right direction...the system map is easily available online with a quick Google search, but the Red Line is what you will use. It is located under Union Station, so you have to go downstairs to catch it).
Once you get to Universal City, you will exit the station and go back up to street level (the Red Line is pretty far underground at that point). Once you are back up top in daylight, look around you until you see a very tall high-rise building that says, "NBC UNIVERSAL" at the top. This is the building that you need to walk towards. You will cross the street at the traffic light (with crosswalk), and as you get closer, you will see the Universal Studios tram stop. The tram is free, and comes by roughly every 10 to 15 minutes when the park is open. It will take you up the big hill and will drop you at either Universal City Walk (free admission), or the 2nd stop is Universal Studios. If you have AAA, you can purchase tickets in advance at a reduced price. It's a lot of fun---lots to see and do while there, and of course don't miss the back lot tour! It is included in the price of admission. The "Waterworld" show is pretty cool as well.
If you'd like, you can go watch a TV show being taped and you could be a member of the studio audience. I have seen Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! twice each. A Google search will take you to a few different places where you can easily grab free tickets to watch a show being taped. If you have any problems finding it, let me know and I'll post some links.
The only problem with seeing a show is that you might not have time because they generally make you hurry up and wait, and it takes several hours to do this. But Universal Studios is very simple to do since there is no driving involved and the Red Line takes you right there.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Going west, you will have to start at the end of my guide and proceed "backwards" through the various page segments. Eventually, I will have the entire SWC route on the web site.
Posts: 2428 | From: Grayling, MI | Registered: Mar 2002
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mgt - Smitty's suggestion to take the Red Line to Universal Studios is an excellent choice. The Red Line will also take you to Hollywood and Vine. If you want to get on and off the line at more than one stop buy the day pass. Ticket machines are available in the station and they do give change.
Unfortunately the subway to Santa Monica is still a plan, not a reality.
Good luck with the weather getting here. Once here you will enjoy our weather, guaranteed.
-------------------- Vicki in usually sunny Southern California Posts: 951 | From: Redondo Beach, CA | Registered: Aug 2006
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Another choice would be to take the Gold line to Pasadena. This might be considered the Santa Monica at the Mountains. There is a great English restaurant pub there named Lucky Baldwins.
Posts: 229 | From: Long Beach CA | Registered: Jan 2007
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Thanks for the suggestions and the practical advice. I think the Hollywood area will probably win! What is the present situation with BNSF and Amtrak regarding this route?
Posts: 168 | From: uk. northumberland | Registered: Jun 2007
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Train is still using it's traditional Santa Fe routing via Raton Pass....... you'll hit it mid-morning following your first night onboard....right after departing Trinidad, CO. The scenery is very good until very nearly into Albuquerque. This is one of the great historic rail routes in the United States and one that is under threat given that freight traffic has been diverted.
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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Do they still have the open-air market at Albuquerque? It's literally right next to the platform and if you're on time you have an hour or so to look around as it's a service stop.
Posts: 395 | From: england | Registered: Sep 2002
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quote:Originally posted by mr williams: Do they still have the open-air market at Albuquerque? It's literally right next to the platform and if you're on time you have an hour or so to look around as it's a service stop.
I don't know about an open air market next to the platform, but there are several tables set up on the platform itself by local native Americans. They sell the usual jewelry, blankets, and other items. They are there every day when the train pulls in and are all set up, ready to sell. I wonder if the burrito guy is still there? Man those things were good, and it was such a welcome change from the AmFood.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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While I've never tasted such, and even though there is an outlet within two miles of my home, it appears Cold Stone Creamery ice cream has a following here at the forum. There is reportedly an outlet for such within a walk from the Albuquerque train station.
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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