West - Amtrak Coast Starlight or drive SF to Klamath Falls

Have relatives inquiring about whether to drive from SF up to Klamath Falls or take the Coast Starlight.

Which would be more scenic?

thanks in advance!

Check the Amtrak schedule - I believe this part of the route is mostly at night.

Check the Amtrak schedule - I believe this part of the route is mostly at night.

That is correct. In summer months they would get some daylight in the final few hours of the trip in both directions, but by and large this is an overnight run both ways.

If scenery is the main factor, they'll definitely want to drive. If cost is no option and they want to relax en route, they could book a sleeper.

thank you both for the info!

I would rent a car and drive highway 101 to Brookings, OR and than head east to your final destination.

Might be a little late on my reply, but we just did this drive in reverse - started in Klamath Falls and drove to SF. We went southwest on US 97 to I-5 briefly where we exited onto Highway 89. This basically takes you about 3/4ths of the way around Mt. Shasta - very pretty. Then south on 89 to Lassen Volcanic National Park - very unpopular yet pretty park with some beautiful high altitude lakes and a pretty drive that takes you about 1000 feet from the summit of the peak there. Also some neat geothermal features in the park. Then it was back West on Highway 36 to Red Bluff and I-5/505 to SF. Very easy drive to do in a day - if you don't spend too much time at the park. We also hit the Jelly Belly factory in Fairfield about an hour out of SF -- if you have kids (and even without to be honest), a fun thing to do!

Enjoy!

-Mike

Personally, the one suggestion I have is to avoid I-80 between Sacramento and SF. Traffic jams around Fairfield and Berkeley are routine, especially during both morning and afternoon commute hours on weekdays, but it can be bad mid-day and weekends as well.