There’s a scenic train ride in Northern California that not many people know about. The Zephyr train by Amtrak runs from Emeryville in the Bay Area to Chicago. We love the scenic journey from the Bay Area to Reno.

Traveling by train can feel like you’re stepping back in time. But on today’s modern trains, the journey comes with modern comforts.
Loco Steve/Flickr
The scenic train ride on the California Zephyr takes passengers on a beautiful trek from the Bay Area all the way to Chicago, if you choose. But many Californians prefer the ride to Reno. The train has several stops in the Bay Area, Sacramento, and the Sierra Foothills.
Once you pick a journey, you can choose the day you want to leave and the class of train you want to ride in.
Mitch Altman/Flickr
For day trips, there are coach seats, and roomettes. The roomettes are private cars with benches facing each other and a door for privacy. Booking a roomette comes with a dedicated attendant and complimentary meal service.
Pick where you start from and where you want your journey to end.
Loco Steve/Flickr
The journey from Emeryville to Reno takes about seven hours. You’ll need to purchase your ticket online.

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If you’re going to Reno, you’ll travel through the snowiest area in California and have some amazing views.
sandwich/Flickr
The Zephyr has an Observation Car with large windows and seats facing the windows. This is where you want to sit when passing through the snowy mountains for the best views.
Amtrak’s California Zephyr is loved by train travelers, but since most people typically don’t think about train travel– at least in the U.S., it gets overlooked.
Patrick Dirden/Flickr
Pre-COVID in 2019 the train carried 410,844 passengers. In 2022, the train carried 290,423 passengers. The next time you’re thinking of traveling from San Francisco or Sacramento to Reno, look into the Zephyr.
Train travel has improved immensely in the past 20 years.
The West End/Flickr
Amtrak’s trains are now outfitted with different lounges, dining cars, snack stands, and clean bathrooms. The Amtrak Zephyr does not have WiFi, so in that way it is like stepping into the past. All the more time to enjoy the trip!

Have you traveled on the California Zephyr? Tell us about your experience.

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