Exploring Aboard Amtrak:

When you want to get away sans stress and beaucoup bucks, hop aboard Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner for an easy, breezy trip along the beautiful California coastline.

One of the smoothest (and inexpensive) ways to travel, Amtrak offers scenic routes both north and south of the Conejo Valley. The Pacific Surfliner train runs from San Diego to San Luis Obispo, with multiple stops in between the two popular destinations. The most difficult part of the whole journey is deciding which way to go! With so many iconic places to explore, traveling aboard Amtrak may become your favorite way to get out of town.

Choosing to take the SLO (San Luis Obispo) route provided an epic adventure filled with special memories that my daughter and I will always cherish.

We boarded Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner in Ventura, parking for free at the Ventura Fairgrounds across from the train station and settled in for a 3.5-hour tour up the coast. The friendly conductors welcomed us aboard with fresh coffee and pastries, complimentary with business class seats. Reclining chairs complete with table trays and footrests made us comfortable as we gazed at the scenic beauty through panoramic windows located alongside every seat.

Relaxing as we sipped our drinks and caught up with one another without worrying about watching the road or driving, we took in the incredible views of the expansive Pacific Ocean and green meadows that you can only see along Amtrak’s coastal route.

We delighted with every animal sighting—starting with a seal cruising through the gentle waves close to shore, egrids, pelicans, cormorants, cows and even a couple deer standing in the field on the cliffs overlooking the ocean. Visiting the onboard café, we found an array of cocktails and food to choose from. Opting for a Bloody Mary and charcuterie snacks, including a variety of cheeses, crackers, fruit and nuts, we ambled back to our seats before arriving in SLO, feeling refreshed and ready to explore.

San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo is a laidback town chock full of history. Located within an easy walk from the train station in the city’s historic district, Hotel Granada was built in 1922 and preserves its original charm while providing comfortable modern amenities. The rooms are tastefully furnished with plush bedding, gas fireplaces and big screen TVs. Bikes and helmets are available for guests to ride around town, and the hotel’s central downtown location makes for an easy stroll to the area’s many shops, restaurants, bars and museums. The onsite Bistro serves up some of the most flavorful food in town—try the beef bourguignon, local scallops and crispy Brussels sprouts for a meal you’ll savor for years to come.

We ventured out for lunch, taking a short walk from the Granada Hotel to Novo Café, a cute little eatery with a rustic outdoor patio overlooking the San Luis Creek that runs through the town. After feasting on the best salmon bisque ever and an equally delicious Caesar salad, paired with SLO’s famous Hard Cider, we set out to see the sights of SLO.

Crossing the wooden bridge spanning the creek below, we followed the meandering pathway along the flowing stream. We learned about the Steelhead trout that spawn in the creek every season and admired the eclectic sculptures dotting the waterside. A few steps up from the creekside path led us to the San Luis Obispo Mission, built by Spanish explorers at the turn of the century and still serving as a focal point of the town today.

Steps away from the mission, we visited the SLO Museum of Art with its colorful and whimsical exhibits by local artists and noted the intriguing Children’s Museum next door. Another bit of local culture is known as Bubblegum Alley, where thousands of colorful globs of chewed gum adorn the walls of a narrow corridor along Higuera Street, one of the city’s main hubs.

SLO’s downtown area restaurants, breweries, wineries and shops offer something for everyone. From mainstream stores like Anthropologie and Barnes and Noble, to uniquely SLO spots like Humankind and Made in SLO, Brown Butter Cookie Co. and so many more, SLO is a fun place to spend the day shopping for treasures and trinkets.

In our short time exploring, we discovered Luisa’s all-day breakfast, Saints Barrel Wine Bar and the Ah Louis store. SLO is also home to the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo campus and award-winning wineries.

With so much to explore in San Luis Obispo, there's always more to discover in this charming little town.

Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner Destinations

Ventura to SLO

Things to Do in SLO

Visit the iconic Madonna Inn—stop by the hotel’s bakery to peek at the unique decor and grab a slice of its famous pink champagne cake.

Go wine tasting at one of the county's 300 wineries and tasting rooms.

Find fresh fruits and veggies from over 100 vendors Thursday evenings at the Downtown San Luis Obispo Famers Market.