Amtrak to Oakland for Pacific Coast Route?

[bbbach]

Hello all!

I'm looking for some advice or maybe just being pointed in the right direction... I currently live in Southern California and am hoping to do the Pacific Coast Route in a couple of weeks (if the fires let up along the way).  I'd love to start in the North Bay area -- with the opportunity to cross the Golden Gate Bridge... but here is where I'm running into problems.  

I am planning on taking the Pacific Coast Starlight Amtrak train from LA to Oakland or Emeryville.  But once I get off the train I don't know how to go about either getting to San Francisco -- or (preferably) getting to Marin/Santa Rosa/etc.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!
Thanks,
Brent

[jonathan]

Hey Brent.  

My wife and I were just looking at doing that same route sometime
around July 23.  We're prepping now and haven't yet figured out where
we'll start.  Would be nice to compare notes.....

Are you riding alone?  

You can reach me at jonathan.savitch@mac.com

[sam21fire]

Hi Brent!
I've done this very route a couple of times.  I usually catch the train in LA.
The Emeryville station is reasonably close to a BART station. Take BART in to the City and get off at Embarcadero (sp?). This will put you near Fisherman's Wharf.
Another option is to get off at Martinez, then ride across the bridge just to the west (forgot the name) and around the North side of the bay to cross the GG Bridge.
Something to keep in mind for your planning is the Amtrak Rider's Rule (at least on the west coast) ie; Amtrak is always late, and if they're not late, they're VERY late.  The scheduled arrival in Martinez is something like 1030 pm, but I arrived closer to midnite!
This year (early Sep) I'll be taking the San Joaquin train from Bakersfield which is scheduled to arrive in Emeryville about 430 pm (630 pm??), find a cheap motel, then hit the road early the next morning.
Good luck and have a great ride!
Sam
btw, direct email is sam21fire@aol.com if you have more questions on this.

[wanderingwheel]

I agree, BART is probably your best option.  Another choice if you want something a little more interesting is to hop on a ferry.  From Jack London Square i Oakland you can take a ferry into San Francisco, and then a second ferry to Tiburon or Sausalito on the other side of the Golden Gate.  I'm not sure how the schedules will work out for you, but it may be worth investingating.  You could always replace the first ferry with BART, too.  Check http://www.511.org for all the Bay Area transit info.

Sean

[jfitch]

You could take Amtrack to Martinez, then ride across the Carquinez bridge (dedicated bike path) to Vallejo, and catch the ferry to SF. That will land you at the ferry buildling, at the foot of Market Street. If you decide you want to do it this way and need more detailed directions, I can provide.