Took a 32-hour Amtrak trip up the West Coast. It was great, but I wouldn't recommend it for routine travel.

A 32-hour Amtrak Coast Starlight trip up the West Coast highlighted the tradeoffs between scenery and cost in a personal travel account. The writer rode solo from Santa Barbara to Seattle, describing the journey as memorable for ocean views from a west-facing window and occasional dolphin sightings, while questioning whether it was worth nearly $500 for a private roomette. They said the roomette was “bare bones,” with two seats facing each other and a fold-down tray, and no toilet or sink inside, though a shared bathroom was downstairs. Meals were included, and they reported enjoying dinner in the dining car. They also noted there was no WiFi, so they relied on a hotspot to work. The article situates the decision amid recent fears about flight delays.