Uncover Hidden Gems In The Us: Why The California Zephyr Train Journey From San Francisco To Chicago Is America’s Best Kept Travel Secret!

Published on September 8, 2025

Amidst nan allure of America’s car culture, marked by immense highways, affordable gas, and an undeniable roadworthy travel spirit, an replacement mode of recreation is often overlooked. While roadworthy trips person agelong been synonymous pinch exploring nan US, location is an exciting, albeit lesser-known, replacement that offers a unsocial measurement to spot nan country—the long-distance train journey. Amtrak’s California Zephyr, which traverses nan state from San Francisco to Chicago, provides an opportunity to bask breathtaking views, absorbing stops, and a much relaxing gait of travel.

California Zephyr: An Introduction to Scenic Travel

The California Zephyr is simply a renowned train that operates a regular service, connecting San Francisco to Chicago successful 53 hours. Over nan people of its journey, it passes done 7 states, offering passengers a chance to witnesser immoderate of nan astir stunning landscapes successful nan US, from snow-capped upland peaks to godforsaken vistas and everything successful between.

Rather than embarking connected a one-shot, non-stop journey, a two-week acquisition tin beryllium much rewarding. By breaking nan travel into manageable chunks and stopping astatine lesser-known destinations on nan way, passengers tin acquisition nan US from a different perspective.

Uncovering nan Hidden Gems of nan California Zephyr Route

While awesome cities specified arsenic Sacramento, Denver, and Salt Lake City are known to many, nan existent entreaty of nan California Zephyr lies successful nan unexpected stops on its route. These smaller towns and locations are often overlooked but connection fascinating experiences for those looking to observe thing unique. The train provides an fantabulous opportunity to research these lesser-known destinations, galore of which mightiness beryllium skipped successful nan unreserved of a emblematic American roadworthy trip.

During nan journey, passengers are capable to sojourn Truckee, California, a municipality celebrated for its picturesque surroundings, including Donner Lake, a celebrated spot for e-biking and scenic exploration. In Elko, Nevada, travelers tin research nan fascinating operation of cowboy and Basque culture, a motion to nan thousands of Basque shepherds who emigrated to nan US successful nan 1800s. Grand Junction, Colorado, offers nan chance to hike into Rattlesnake Canyon, which boasts nan second-highest attraction of earthy stone arches successful nan world.

Incredible Landscapes Along nan Way

One of nan main draws of taking nan California Zephyr is nan unparalleled beauty that unfolds arsenic nan train makes its measurement crossed nan country. The travel originates pinch stunning views of nan Sierra Nevada mountains earlier descending into nan arid expanses of Nevada’s precocious desert. From there, nan train travels done nan colorful mesas of Utah, wherever travelers tin admit nan stunning geological formations of nan region.

One of nan astir melodramatic stretches of nan travel is nan transition done nan Rocky Mountains, wherever nan train winds on nan Colorado River, yet entering nan Rockies’ towering peaks. The Moffat Tunnel, which cuts done nan Continental Divide astatine an altitude of 2816 meters, is simply a item of nan route. Following this, nan train moves into nan Midwest, wherever nan plains of Nebraska and Iowa agelong retired earlier passengers, offering a stark but beautiful opposition to nan mountainous landscapes earlier successful nan journey.

Comfort connected nan California Zephyr

The accommodations connected nan California Zephyr are elemental yet comfortable. Passengers walking successful coach people tin expect wide, comfortable seats pinch ample legroom and generous reclining options. For those seeking a much backstage experience, Amtrak offers roomettes—small self-contained cabins pinch 2 opposing seats that person into a bunk furniture for overnight stays. While nan roomettes are compact, they supply a cozy retreat during nan longer stretches of nan journey.

Travelers besides person nan action to upgrade to a larger bedroom, which features a compact en suite bathroom. However, while Amtrak’s amenities are functional, they are not luxurious. The two-storey carriages are built for practicality, offering powerfulness outlets for charging devices but lacking nan opulence 1 mightiness expect from immoderate of nan world’s much celebrated train routes. There is nary Wi-Fi connected board, which further encourages passengers to disconnect and bask nan scenery.

Dining connected nan California Zephyr

A important facet of nan train travel is nan eating experience. Although nan nutrient options are simple, nan eating car offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner, pinch meals included for passengers who book a room. Coach passengers tin besides acquisition meals connected board, pinch a action of options available. The meals served are often satisfying, pinch a notable item being nan three-course dinner, which typically includes a salad, a main people specified arsenic steak, and dessert.

For those willing successful socializing, nan eating car provides an fantabulous opportunity to meet chap travelers. During nan trip, nan writer meets an eclectic operation of passengers, including a breathwork coach, a casino-loving couple, and moreover an 80-year-old Californian who attributes her bully wellness to a nightly solid of chardonnay. These encounters not only supply a chance to study much astir others but besides connection a glimpse into nan divers lives of those who take to recreation by train.

The Cost of Train Travel: More Affordable Than Road Trips?

While train recreation whitethorn not ever beryllium arsenic opulent arsenic immoderate mightiness hope, it presents a much affordable replacement to renting a car and driving cross-country. The value of a roomette for a two-night enactment connected nan California Zephyr tin fluctuate, but booking successful beforehand tin importantly trim nan cost. A emblematic travel mightiness costs astir $432 for a roomette, pinch nan value rising arsenic nan departure day approaches. A coach seat, which is simply a much affordable option, costs astir $126 for an overnight journey, including meals successful nan eating car.

For comparison, renting a car for nan aforesaid play could costs upwards of $2,000, making nan California Zephyr a much cost-effective action for those looking to recreation agelong distances crossed nan US.

Conclusion: A Journey Worth Taking

The California Zephyr offers a unsocial measurement to acquisition nan United States, peculiarly for those who are willing successful seeing nan state from a caller perspective. While nan train itself whitethorn not connection nan glamour of luxury routes for illustration nan Orient Express, it much than makes up for it pinch stunning views, fascinating stops, and a laid-back recreation experience. Whether for its breathtaking landscapes, nan chance to research hidden gems, aliases nan opportunity to meet absorbing chap passengers, nan California Zephyr proves that long-distance train recreation successful nan US tin beryllium a rewarding and memorable experience.