Mike & Co

The train does not go from SFO but from Oakland. (It actually starts the day before in Seattle). You have to get across the bay to Oakland, or one of the other stops (Emeryville & San Jose).
Train is No. 11 Coast Starlight from OKJ to LAX.
At a lot of the stations you get a 10-15 minute wait when it is great to get out and have a quick look around.

Details from Amtrak are:
Sunday, January 1, 2012 11 Coast Starlight (OKJ - LAX)
Depart: 8:50 am, Sun, Jan 1, 2012
Arrive: 9:00 pm, Sun, Jan 1, 2012
Duration: 12 hr, 10 min
2 Adult $136.00 Discount- $28.00
2 Child $68.00 Discount - $14.00
1 Family Bedroom $336.00
Subtotal $498.00