The California Zephyr is a daily long-distance Amtrak train connecting downtown Chicago to the San Francisco Bay area (Emeryville, near Oakland). The journey takes about 51 hours, making it the second longest passenger train route in America and one of the longer ones in the world. Equipment used is common to most Amtrak long-distance routes, with two-level Superliner passenger cars, sleeper cars, dining cars, an observation/snack bar car, and possibly several baggage/expedited cargo cars.

Route overview

Amtrak California Zephyr (interactive map)

The California Zephyr begins its westbound journey at Chicago's Union Station. Passengers see the Chicago River and central Chicago as the train eases out of the station. The train soon leaves the urban zone behind, and crosses the open prairie of central Illinois, southern Iowa, Nebraska, and Colorado. The following morning, the train pulls into Denver's Union Station.

After Denver, the California Zephyr climbs the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, passing through resort towns like Winter Park and Glenwood Springs as it follows the path of the Colorado River. Soon, the East- and West-bound trains pass each other, high in the mountains. The train continues following the increasingly-larger Colorado River, leaving the Rockies behind. The train crosses into Utah after sunset, and stops in Salt Lake City (typically before Midnight).

The bulk of the night passes as the train clears the salt flats west of Salt Lake City before entering the Great Basin of northern Nevada. In the late morning, the train arrives in Reno, gateway to the Sierra Nevadas. Early afternoon of day three, the train goes through the extraordinary scenery of the Sierra Nevada mountains, gradually descending to Sacramento. A couple of hours later (approximately 6PM) the California Zephyr arrives in Emeryville.

Passengers continuing on to San Francisco can use an Amtrak-provided bus or connect to public transit (AC Transit buses or BART commuter rail) out of Oakland via a free shuttle out of Emeryville.

The California Zephyr is timed so passengers will see the most-scenic points of the Sierras and Rockies, regardless of direction traveled.

Total route length is just over 2,400 mi (3,900 km).

The American Industry Tour, an itinerary which features the industrialization of the United States, ending in mid-20th century Chicago, is a good prelude to the California Zephyr. Similarly, those who wish to retrace the entire route of the original transcontinental journey might want to consider transferring to or from Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited, which plies the journey between New York City and Chicago overnight.

Stations

From east to west:

• Chicago, Illinois
• Naperville, Illinois
• Princeton, Illinois
• Galesburg, Illinois
• Burlington, Iowa
• Mt. Pleasant, Iowa
• Ottumwa, Iowa
• Osceola, Iowa
• Creston, Iowa
• Omaha, Nebraska
• Lincoln, Nebraska
• Hastings, Nebraska
• Holdrege, Nebraska
• McCook, Nebraska
• Fort Morgan, Colorado
• Denver, Colorado
• Fraser, Colorado
• Granby, Colorado
• Glenwood Springs, Colorado
• Grand Junction, Colorado
• Green River, Utah
• Helper, Utah
• Provo, Utah
• Salt Lake City, Utah
• Elko, Nevada
• Winnemucca, Nevada
• Sparks, Nevada
• Reno, Nevada
• Truckee, California
• Colfax, California
• Roseville, California
• Sacramento, California
• Davis, California
• Martinez, California
• Emeryville, California

Prices

There are various options available depending on the distance traveled, with group discounts also available. Alternatively it might make sense to buy a "USA Rail Pass" which is available in 15 (8 segments), 30 (12 segments) and 45 (18 segments) day increments, and in 2015 the prices for an adult were $459, $689 and $899 respectively. The prices for the child (2-12) version is half of the respective full fare. Unlike some other rail passes (e.g. Interrail), prices are not calculated by distance or "zones" but by "segments". During the time of validity of your pass you are entitled to a maximum number of segments as determined by your type of pass. In most cases one segment begins every time you enter a train and ends every time you exit one. Thus the same route can be two segments if a change of train is involved and one if you take a direct train. Some more details that are to special to be covered here in detail can be found out at Amtrak's website or in person with the sales agent you get the pass from. Also keep in mind that all passes are second (coach) class only and do not entitle you to use the sleeper accommodation. However, if there is room, you can buy an "upgrade" to sleeper class on the train. As the California Zephyr is a rather popular train - especially in the summer - you should not rely on this being possible, however.

Accommodations

There's no shower available for coach tickets. Passengers should bring a wash cloth, towel and soap or upgrade for a portion of the trip to get a room with a private shower.

In new trains, there are electrical outlets at each seat and in the lounge car. On the older cars electrical outlets are only to be found in the observation car.