Is it still the custom for a few days in the summer to have a bunch of people moon the train? If so, that alone might make the trip quite, uh, interesting,
Where and when is it supposed to happen?
Zorak
Feb 19, 2025 9:54 am
After some Googling, the custom specific to SoCal (this happens all over, apparently :D) originated at the Mugs Away Saloon. If Googling "mugs away Amtrak" the AI summary says usually 2nd Saturday in July.
FlitBen
Feb 24, 2025 11:04 pm
A-ha, mounds everywhere in Amtrak summer :)
YVR Cockroach
Feb 25, 2025 9:08 am
The SJC <=> SD ride is quite iconic (as parts of the ride from Ventura <=> Vanderberg AFB) and one shoudl try it at least once as the tracks on the former section may no longer be viable before long (lots of shoring up work as portions of the track keep getting eroded away).
Originally Posted by lrdpenn
(Post 36695929)
Anyone know how busy the train is on Sundays these days? As others have already said, I took it once pre-COVID on a weekend and it was jam-packed; people were standing in the vestibules and sitting on the stairs. So the modest upcharge for business class is a good deal for guaranteed seating. People boarding at origin stations have less of a problem finding seats, but it's still nicer to have fewer people standing around in the car.
Mid-May last year, quite busy. Was surprised as I made a last-minute (<24 hr) award redemption. Was pretty full (80%+) in the BC carriage out of LAX and it might have been SRO in coach by the time it got to Anaheim (lots of people boarding there for some reason, baseball games, theme parks?) in late mid afternoon.
We had just gotten of a cruise ship at San Pedro and had some suggestions that it's be better to take the train from ARTIC transit hub. Glad we didn't listen.
