The dome on the coast

One of the primary reasons to take this tour was the trip up the Pacific Coast in the dome of the Silver Solarium. It was definitely worth the wait. Soon after leaving LA the Coast Starlight route swings over next to the coast.  At first there is a row of not terribly large house between the tracks and the ocean.  I understand however that prices are in the millions.  As they say, location, location, location. Eventually there is nothing blocking the view of the ocean from the train.  At a few points the ocean is so close that a person sitting on the ocean side of the train can barely see the edge of the water.  There is one long stretch where a public campground provide sea side parking for RV's.  I understand there's a time limit however so not really possible to stay there long term. Around San Luis Obispo the tracks turn inland an the ocean view is gone. The climb up Cuesta grade has an attraction all it's own however. Mostly void of trees or even shrubbery, the view is only blocked by the rolling hills and curves of the rising terrain. One intriguing feature is a horseshoe curve where it's difficult to believe that you were on that track far below only about 18 minutes before. Also interesting is the huge prison that you look down on. Called the California Men's Colony, it was once the home away from home for Timothy Leary and a couple of the Manson Family members. Eventually the train enters the Salinas Valley where agriculture dominates.  Huge fields of vegetables stretch for miles and miles. At San Jose it would be possible to get off of an Amtrak train and continue on to San Francisco on a commuter train. Can't tell you much about Oakland 'cus I was sound asleep.