80-Hour Train Ride Across America: San Fran to NYC on Amtrak's California Zephyr (Part One)

This video took me days upon days to edit as I sifted through hours of footage. If you enjoy it, I would so appreciate a thumbs up and share it with someone else who might enjoy it! ...and stayed tuned for part two! :D

I took the Texas Eagle from Arkansas to California in 1996 and loved it. Here’s an old sailors trick for when your plates slide around. Dampen a towel and lay it out like a tablecloth. The damp towel clings to the table and holds the plates in place through most of the bumps and shimmies.

Chloe, I took this trip with my parents in 1960(!!) with my parents and brother. I’ll never forget it, and I’m glad I got to thank my dad (a lifetime train nut) again for it before he died in 2010. It is an absolutely incredible way to get a feel for how magnificently beautiful this country is. I’m 70 now and I remember a lot of the trip.

I love your positive energy! I’m a retired Amtrak Train Attendant and Conductor. My wife and I still love traveling by train and do it every chance we get. Hope you have many more wonderful adventures here in the USA. Blessings!

My 6 year old daughter and I took the Zephyr from Chicago to Davis, CA. It was an unbelievable experience for both of us!

This video was so nostalgic for me! I lived on a train, in a 3 1/2' x 6' room, for 2 years while performing with Ringling Brothers Circus waaay back in 1981-82. Hanging out on the open vestibule with my coffee and watching the world go by. Thank you for posting it.

A train would always be better than flying! You actually get to see stuff, and relax. Thanks for sharing...great video.

I did three solo Amtrak trips. The first was a 3+ day cross-country from Boston to Portland Oregon - and back along the same tracks after a week in Portland. The next was a one-way from LA to Seattle (I had flown from Boston to LA). I had a full room to myself. I spent most of my time in the observation car, the snack/bar car, or the dining car. The food was great, and I always took the desert to-go, and enjoyed it a couple of hours later in my room when I was less full. The return cross-country had a 6-hour layover between trains in Chicago, so I was able to do quite a bit of walking, and went to the top of Sears tower.

Definitely this trip will be on my bucket list. Less stressful not worrying about traffic and road rage. 👍👍

I dont watch videos like yours to plan future travels, videos like this one are the only way I can travel......me and my wheelchair dont do so well on transport and my body doesnt much like the movement anyway so Im very, very grateful that people like you are having the adventures for me to enjoy instead. I particularly enjoy your engaging style of commentary and have just subscribed. Im looking forward to your next video. Love from across the ditch.

This is the first video of yours that I have seen and I am completely blown away! How do you only have 9k subscribers! 😮 the filming, the editing, and the storytelling absolutely incredible 😊 definitely subscribing ❤

When I tell my friends I'd like to take a trip they say stuff like "what's the point, it takes so much time?". And that's exactly my point! I enjoy travelling far more than the time at my destination. :D

"I've never heard of Donner Lake." One of the most historically fascinating areas you passed through. There was a "party" there. Worth researching... and going back too, since the nearby Truckee is fun as it looks form the train.

I traveled the Coast Starlight years ago in the disabled section. My fellow passengers took care of each other like family, getting extra pillows and whatnot for each other. It was very sweet. And the views were spectacular. It's one of my most pleasant memories.

I really love that you did this. You are right, we get so used to just flying over everything, we fail to stop and see the beauty we would otherwise miss if we just flew from SF to NYC

Growing up, we'd travel every other year across Canada on VIA Rail. Then as an adult, I worked on board. Your videos are awesome! It's great seeing how other countries do it.

Just booked my Roomette from Denver to Colfax, CA for the Christmas Holidays. Glad to catch a glimpse of Colfax in your video.

Great video. I've lived in California for over 40 years and have never been on the California Zephyr, but this video has renewed my interest in taking a trip on this Amtrak line.

Awesome trip report! If you want another sleeper train with amazing scenery, The Canadian between Toronto and Vancouver is a must.

This is certainly one of the best train travel videos I've watched. Thoroughly enjoyed it - great job Chloe.