Normally, I like to have our family trips locked down 9 - 10 months in advanced, but due to a variety of unknowns, it looks like I'm "last minute" booking this year (only 4 months in advance).
Background:
Family of 4 with 2 kids around 10 years old.
In 2012, we did a Planes, Trains, Automobiles trip around the country CBS - GPK, GPK - PDX (train, bus), PDX DFW (plane), DFW, MSN (plane). It was only supposed to be Planes and Trains, but since we were taking the EB, we ended up with a 4 hour bus ride.
In 2013, we did a Planes, Trains, Automobiles trip with a 6 hour knee-kissing, no snacks, no water, bus ride included at no extra charge. CBS - PDX, PDX - MIL (plane).
We love the trains and planes, we do not love the surprise bus trips.
This year:
I have an Amtrak voucher to use + points. Our choices are:
CBS - GPK for 10 days (last time we only stayed 3.5 days)
CHI - EMY
My son wants to go back to Glacier, my daughter is a little too young to enjoy the constant hiking and getting up early. Since we're there for much longer, I don't think we need to cram quite so much into our time there, but there will still be a lot of hiking.
I wouldn't mind showing the kids a new state and happened upon a few discussions of Sacramento / San Francisco. Plus, this would be 2 solid days on the train and we would all like that very much. And, we'd be looking at 7 or so days actually in the area once we arrive.
So, here are my questions:
If we were to go to San Francisco, is this really a good destination to have a family of 4 take via the Amtrak?
I believe it's EMY and then a bus to SF, is that correct? Is the bus something that is "booked" as part of the Amtrak travel?
If this isn't a bad idea, any suggestions as to the best hotel(s) for arrival as well as close to public transport for sight-seeing (I'm really hoping to not have to rent a car.).
UPDATE:
Thanks everyone for the information / suggestions (and how QUICK they came!). Here's what we decided and I booked (roomette's all the way for 60,000 points and $168 due to my having a certificate to use):
CHI - SFC on California Zephyr, 2 full days on the train
6.5 days in SF
Then, SFC - PDX Coast Starlight, overnight in Portland (hopefully dinner and visit with family)
Then PDX - CBS, 2 more days on the train and we're home
With hotel points, we should be able to stay in the fisherman's warf area with little-to-no out of pocket. But, with the transportation booked, I have a little bit more time to investigate hotels.
Yes, it'll be a lot of time on the train, but CZ and CS are new legs for us and we've done CBS - PDX but not PDX - CBS so that'll be newish and we've all really liked our time on the train in the previous trips.
As I get the hotel(s) nailed down, I'll report back here and then at the end of the summer, I'll have a trip report.
That said, if there are more suggestions or tips / tricks regarding the area, keep them coming (and thanks again!).
Background:
Family of 4 with 2 kids around 10 years old.
In 2012, we did a Planes, Trains, Automobiles trip around the country CBS - GPK, GPK - PDX (train, bus), PDX DFW (plane), DFW, MSN (plane). It was only supposed to be Planes and Trains, but since we were taking the EB, we ended up with a 4 hour bus ride.
In 2013, we did a Planes, Trains, Automobiles trip with a 6 hour knee-kissing, no snacks, no water, bus ride included at no extra charge. CBS - PDX, PDX - MIL (plane).
We love the trains and planes, we do not love the surprise bus trips.
This year:
I have an Amtrak voucher to use + points. Our choices are:
CBS - GPK for 10 days (last time we only stayed 3.5 days)
CHI - EMY
My son wants to go back to Glacier, my daughter is a little too young to enjoy the constant hiking and getting up early. Since we're there for much longer, I don't think we need to cram quite so much into our time there, but there will still be a lot of hiking.
I wouldn't mind showing the kids a new state and happened upon a few discussions of Sacramento / San Francisco. Plus, this would be 2 solid days on the train and we would all like that very much. And, we'd be looking at 7 or so days actually in the area once we arrive.
So, here are my questions:
If we were to go to San Francisco, is this really a good destination to have a family of 4 take via the Amtrak?
I believe it's EMY and then a bus to SF, is that correct? Is the bus something that is "booked" as part of the Amtrak travel?
If this isn't a bad idea, any suggestions as to the best hotel(s) for arrival as well as close to public transport for sight-seeing (I'm really hoping to not have to rent a car.).
UPDATE:
Thanks everyone for the information / suggestions (and how QUICK they came!). Here's what we decided and I booked (roomette's all the way for 60,000 points and $168 due to my having a certificate to use):
CHI - SFC on California Zephyr, 2 full days on the train
6.5 days in SF
Then, SFC - PDX Coast Starlight, overnight in Portland (hopefully dinner and visit with family)
Then PDX - CBS, 2 more days on the train and we're home
With hotel points, we should be able to stay in the fisherman's warf area with little-to-no out of pocket. But, with the transportation booked, I have a little bit more time to investigate hotels.
Yes, it'll be a lot of time on the train, but CZ and CS are new legs for us and we've done CBS - PDX but not PDX - CBS so that'll be newish and we've all really liked our time on the train in the previous trips.
As I get the hotel(s) nailed down, I'll report back here and then at the end of the summer, I'll have a trip report.
That said, if there are more suggestions or tips / tricks regarding the area, keep them coming (and thanks again!).
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