Emeryville Amtrak Station

California Zephyr: Scenic Beauty with Some Trade-offs ⭐⭐⭐⭐ I traveled on the California Zephyr from Chicago to San Francisco (February 1-3, 2026) in a private room, and while the journey offered stunning views, there were several aspects worth noting. The Good: The staff was genuinely nice and friendly throughout the trip, which made the experience more pleasant. Once we passed Denver, the scenic views were absolutely spectacular—this is where the route truly shines and justifies taking the train. The Challenges: The private room was quite compact, especially the shower. If you’re booking a sleeper, keep your expectations moderate about the space. The dining experience was also underwhelming—lunch consisted of sandwiches, and you’re seated at shared tables with other passengers to fill groups of four. The tables and seats aren’t particularly spacious, which can feel cramped during meals. The trip itself felt overly long. Honestly, longer isn’t always better. From Chicago to Denver, the scenery is mostly flat farmland, which becomes monotonous over such a long stretch. My Strong Recommendation: If you’re coming from another city as we did, fly to Denver and board the California Zephyr there. You’ll catch all the magnificent mountain scenery, spend only one night on the train, and save money. The Chicago-to-Denver portion simply isn’t worth the time or expense. Skip the Amtrak Bus: We purchased the connecting bus from Emeryville to San Francisco and ended up waiting 45 minutes for what turned out to be a 30-minute drive. Not recommended. Bottom Line: The California Zephyr offers beautiful scenery and friendly service, but the cramped accommodations, mediocre food, and excessive length detract from the experience. Board in Denver for the best value and experience.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Beautiful station with clear announcements and frequent train and connecting bus service. Recommend using gps to find the station. Rode “The Golden” deep into the valley mid-day on a weekday and it was not crowded and arrived a few minutes early—likely due to fewer travelers. Got a discount code online when I booked ahead and saved a few dollars on the trip.

Otherwise known as the Nora Davis Transfer Station, the Emeryville Amtrak station is small but nicely designed stop for the Capitol Corridor line Davis and Sacramento. Street and structure parking nearby, and a free bus bus may be available to the McArthur BART station a few miles away.

The Emeryville Amtrak Station is a vital transit hub in the East Bay, serving as the primary departure point for several major Amtrak routes, including the California Zephyr, Capitol Corridor, and San Joaquin. Known for its clean, efficient, and relatively modern facilities, it offers a more relaxed boarding experience compared to larger metropolitan terminals. Comprehensive Transit Connections: The station is seamlessly linked to local transit options, including the free Emery Go-Round shuttle, which connects passengers to the MacArthur BART station and various shopping districts. Passenger Amenities: The indoor waiting area features ticket kiosks, a staffed ticket window, and clean restroom facilities. Convenient Access: It provides ample short-term and long-term parking options nearby, as well as a Thruway Bus connection that bridges the gap between the East Bay and downtown San Francisco. Strategic Location: Situated near the Bay Street shopping center, travelers have easy access to a variety of dining and retail options if they have a long layover.

This is a awsome amtrack train station in Emeryville California with connections for the san Francisco California area and around beyond here ...wish the sation was right in downtown san Francisco but better then nothing....its got alot here snack stand, comfortable seats, areas to plug 🔌 your electronics , bus connections to ashby bart sation and amtrack bus to downtown San Francisco , washrooms ,book area . Staff here are extremely friendly and helpful thanks so much for helping me today ....ive used this sation before on past amtrack train trips to san Francisco . Its a very busy sation here .

Very clean. The power outlets are every chair so we can charge our phones.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Emeryville Amtrak Station The Emeryville Amtrak Station is one of the best train stations in the Bay Area. It’s clean, modern, and very well organized. The staff are friendly, professional, and always ready to help with tickets, luggage, or travel questions. The station is conveniently located near major roads and freeways, with easy access to San Francisco via connecting buses and shuttles. Parking is available and reasonably close to the platform, and there are rideshare options right outside the entrance. Inside, the waiting area is comfortable, bright, and well maintained, with restrooms that are cleaner than most transportation hubs. Digital boards clearly show train schedules, and announcements are easy to hear and understand. Boarding is smooth and efficient, with plenty of staff to assist passengers with mobility needs or luggage. It’s also the main connection point for the California Zephyr, Coast Starlight, and Capitol Corridor routes, making it an important and reliable station for travelers heading across California or all the way to Chicago. Whether you’re traveling for business, vacation, or just a day trip, Emeryville Amtrak Station is a pleasant, safe, and convenient place to start your journey.

Lost my phone while riding home on the train. Turns out the lost and found employee only works mon-fri 5 am to 1 pm. Luckily, the woman working the counter at almost 10 pm was able to help me out and produced my lost phone with no problems! Station is well kept and the announcements are clear. If your train is on time there's nothing here to slow it down.

Clean and efficient station. No interaction with staff because I already brought my ticket online. You need a code to use the bathrooms, and the SF connection bus driver let us know the code before we got off the bus. Did not use this visit. The kiosk/cafe that sells coffee/drinks was not opened, but they have vending machines for water/sodas and snacks. Did not use. The train was a little late, but we were adequately informed by the platform signage. No issues getting on the train. Coming back from Sacramento, the train was late and we didn't have time to even go into the station. It was directly to the bus to connect back to SF. Very quick boarding. And if you have larger luggage, they store it under the bus. Efficient service. Located on Horton and 59th Street.

If you plan on taking The Coast Starlight to travel from Fresno to Portland or Seattle, do it. I originally was going to take the Coast Starlight from Fresno to Emeryville and then Emeryville to Portland, but I had 8 hours in Emeryville until the next train from Emeryville to Portland so I went the crazy route and took Fresno to Bakersfield, Connecting Amtrak bus to LA and then LA to Portland and I was on the train for 30 hours because I was scared of being in Emeryville for 8 hours. However, when I returned, I took the train from Portland to Emeryville and then Emeryville to Fresno and this was still a 19 hour ride, but 10 hours less than going to LA and back. Next time, I will be taking train to Emeryville instead to go to Oregon and then Washington- I plan on going to Leavenworth during Christmas time. Emeryville was not what I thought it was. The Amtrak station is small like Fresno's, but nicer newer and cleaner. The trains that go from Fresno (San Joaquin) and these different cities are state funded- they are trains for the state of California. They have nicer seats, wifi and are newer and give out complimentary sodas, waters, snacks and sweets. The train that I took to get to Oregon (Coast Starlight) are older, from the 1970s so they creek and are Federally funded since they travel across state lines. It has an observation deck, like a dining room on a train car, a cafe on the bottom of the observation deck and a little dining car (the restaurant car) you can eat at. You can take both the San Joaquin and the Coast Starlight here at Emeryville. If you take the Coast Starlight- You have to wake up at Sunset to catch the views. Waited for my train back home to Fresno here. There are no announcements and not a clear board. They do have a snack station and one outlet that i found to charge my phone. However, it is very clean and there is one little café there that takes cash only. (If you did not have time to go to $ tree and are taking the Coast Starlight from here to Oregon or Washington, I would load up on snacks and energy drinks here. You'll have plenty of water, sodas, coffee and snacks to be provided to you for free on San Joaquin, but you will have to buy it in Cafe Car on Coast Starlight and Coast Starlight has absolutely no energy drinks. The train is on time, but just like Fresno, it pulls up quickly and you hop on and off. While at Amtrak, I looked up things to do and a one day trip to Emeryville would be nice. (It used to be part of Oakland and is near the Bay and I missed the earthquake by a week.) It is one of the better Amtrak stations. Next goal- get into an Amtrak lounge or get a lounge pass!

We traveled from S.F. To Glenwood Springs. So it was an over nighter. We purchased two sleeping cabins. Good things: The kids loved being on the train. Great views from the upper "viewing cart". Fun playing games while cruising along. Bad things: Dinning cart dinner food and service. Workers seem to be working towards their break vs quality of service. Workers constantly stating and restating rules for walking, sitting, eating, reservations, and my personal favorite a lecture on respect with threats to be kicked off the train at the next stop. That was done over the PA system for the whole train to hear. Not sure what happened, but since the announcements our two children were now scared to talk to anyone. Dinner in the dining cart was rushed, rude, and tasteless. All four of us sat down, ate, and left in 35 minutes. Their microwave wasn't working well or the servers couldn't care less, because my daughter's pasta had frozen chunks of noodle and sauce mixed in, my green beans were hard rubber if that makes sense, etc. As we ate dinner they would ask if they could take our plates. That was while forks were in our hands. While eating dinner they wanted to know what we wanted for dessert. Little side note: The kids and their father in the cabin next to us were playing games and yelling until 12:00 am. Long story short, don't expect much. Bring your own food. This is not a quick train by any means. Cars pass you whenever cars are in sight. The views are amazing.

Needed a weekend get away but did not feel like a road trip , so we took Amtrak to Reno Nevada. The views were amazing Diffidently going again when there's snow on the ground. The views are breathtaking going through the mountains and tunnels , This experience you can't get from a road trip. This picture was taken in the view cart you can sit here for 30 minutes at a time , then back to your seat . This allow everyone an opportunity to experience the view cart. Also the train station is in downtown Reno so we got off and walked 5 minutes to the row. Beautiful experience will do again and again .

A solid train station that has a modern feel, with plenty of indoor seating. More digital signs on train arrivals and departures would be helpful as it was hard to understand the employee over the mic announcing the info. It has a few vending machines and a little cafe area. Across the street is an additional cafe where you can get some fun coffee drinks. There's also a walking bridge and path to the Public Market if you have some extra time. Overall, a solid station to grab the Amtrak. * I took the train to Truckee, which was a fun experience. No wifi, but beautiful views. It was supposed to be a 5 hour trip, but did take 7 due to freight train traffic.

Relaxing, Scenic, and Hassle-Free - A Great Solo Amtrak Journey In July 2024, I took an Amtrak train from Oakland, California to Vancouver, Canada--and it turned out to be a wonderful solo travel experience. I was traveling alone, and everything about the journey felt safe, smooth, and relaxing. The train ride was very pleasant. The seats were comfortable, and I was able to sleep through the night easily--it was quiet, dark, and peaceful. I didn't have any issues or special needs, so it was a basic but very comfortable trip. The bathrooms were clean, the service was friendly, and I grabbed a coffee from the cafeteria car during the ride. I also appreciated being able to walk around the train and stretch my legs whenever I wanted. I made a stop in Eugene, Oregon for one night, then took a bus to Portland the next morning. From there, I continued by train to Vancouver. The views were absolutely stunning. From Northern California through Oregon, Washington, and into Canada, the scenery was breathtaking--ocean views, forests, snow-capped mountains (including Mount Shasta), and so much natural beauty along the way. Crossing the border into Canada was easy and quick. Customs in Vancouver was well-organized and hassle-free. Once I arrived, everything went smoothly. On my return trip, I flew from Vancouver back to California, which was convenient--but I have to say, the train ride was the highlight of the journey. It was peaceful, scenic, and perfect for solo travelers. Tip: I brought a small lunch and snack bag that my daughter packed for me, and it was a great idea. I didn't need to spend money on food during the ride--just a coffee from the café car--and I was all set. Definitely recommend bringing your own snacks for the journey! I highly recommend Amtrak for anyone looking for a scenic, relaxing, and enjoyable travel experience--especially if you want to enjoy the journey, not just the destination.

One must travel by train! I took it all the way to JXN, MI. It was the most beautiful, spiritual, picturesque, peaceful time of my life! Get yourself a room! This is such a special way to travel through so much of the US of A. Grab yourself a train ride this year and take this trip! It's really like living the dream folks!

Just an enjoyable ride going to Sac. Kinda like a recon mission. I plan on using it as an option to travel back and forth to visit my grand children. Thinking they may like a trip or two as they grow up. Same 2 hours. Factor in Uber if needed and you have nice experience. Station seating area has a pretty cool mural. Not too enthused about the food options coming home. But when I take a longer trip there is a larger menu.

The Amtrak station employees here have a bad attitude. I've been through many amtrak stations. I have had really enjoyable experiences, but not here. Today, we took Amtrak from Truckee to Emeryville. I was born and raised in the Bay Area, and I get it. There's a hustle bustle to the Bay, but it does not entitle people to be rude. We were kind and tried to he cheerful even though we were tired from traveling all day. Our train was delayed 5 hours. Originally supposed yo board at 10AM. Boarded at 3PM. Delayed another hour en route. We did not get to the Bay until 9:40PM. A long travel day. We were fine with the long travel day as our attendants on the train were kind and happy to answer our questions. When we arrived in Emeryville, we said goodbye to our great attendants. Emeryville was where the chaos ensued. Everyone was confused about the bus, and there were no signs. No instructions. We were never told where to buy a ticket or if we even needed a ticket. We were simply told that there was a connection bus. As we were told it'd a connecting bus, most assumed we didn't need to take a side trip to an office. Everyone stood in line, dazed as the driver yelled at all of us. Clearly frustrated. Why are you frustrated? Why doesn't your company do better? They should be preparing the customers with instructions. Anyways, most of us were turned away and told us to buy an additional ticket. When we asked her how much it would cost, all she said was, "I don't know. Go to the ticket office. " We decided to pull our bags from the undercarriage so we could get out of people's way. Instead, the bus driver walked over and yelled at us, "What are you doing?!". At that point, we were done. We noticed other people also leaving. We opted for Uber instead. I will never opt for this station. However it's easier said than done. I much prefer getting off at Oakland Jack London station and taking the ferry or Bart across the Bay.

This is a major, staffed station. That said, there is no Metropolitan Lounge. Amtrak staff are courteous and helpful. There is a small cafe kiosk (nothing special, limited hours, but convenient) and vending machines. Restrooms and plenty of seating. Checked baggage services are offered for the long-distance services (Coast Starlight, trains 11 & 14, and California Zephyr, trains 5 & 6). Capitol Corridor services do not handle checked baggage. If your train is scheduled to arrive later in the evening, or is delayed en route, you may need to claim checked bags at trainside. Check with the agent when checking your bag, or ask on-board staff. Despite being the station for San Francisco (via dedicated Thruway bus), you can't check bags to or from SF. Be sure to claim your checked bag before getting on the bus.

I like to Railfan the trains and record them on my YouTube channel. Also I always catch Amtrak California Zephyr Train #6 to Reno Nevada to visit my family and Riding on Amtrak is more fun then driving and it's takes to places where no car has ever been. The train is more comfortable to relax and take a nap while you're traveling. I also like the Heritage Units in the Amtrak Engine like the P42DC-164 50th anniversary of Amtrak Engine. And sometimes I like the Freight train engine on the Amtrak for the train rescue Helping out the Amtrak engines

This has been my go-to Amtrak station since going to college at UC Berkeley. Now living in San Francisco, this is still my go-to station since there is an easy 15-minute bus connection from/to FiDi. I usually take the early morning San Joaquin train which is usually on time since the line begins at Emeryville. I also have taken the beautiful Star Coastline train to San Luis Obispo, which is often late since it comes from Seattle or LA. I haven't had to park a car longterm here but however you get here, I definitely recommend finding a way to avoid climbing the bridge stairs while carrying all your luggage. Lots of adequate seating in a big open room as well as some seats outside. Definitely older cracked seats with very few wall outlets, but there are water fountains and gendered bathrooms that need a passcode. In a corner, there are also some phone power banks for rent and a shelf of free books donated by a library. There is also a good size coffee shop inside with a variety of snacks but personally I would rather grab a bigger & cheaper latte from the Coffee and Snack Shop that is a 2-minute walk from the station. Haven't had to interact much with the staff but they were very helpful the few times I missed my connection bus! I haven't run into any issues or hostile situations here so I have felt pretty safe with all my belongings. Definitely recommend & love my Amtrak station!

No restroom for public. We paid all the California taxes for this. What a joke. I don't get the idea why we have to purchase the train ticket to use it. They didn't do that before. I was shocked.

I got enticed to travel on he Amtrak Zephyr from Emeryville, CA to Denver CO. The consensus amongst train officianados is that this is the crown jewel of unforgettable train rides in North America. We had a roomette, the cheapest sleeper cabin available. It is very compact but designed to use every piece of space that is there for maximum efficiency. There is no toilet there's no shower in the room, but the sleeper car has these facilities to share with similar sleeper car travelers. Daily, there is complimentary coffee and water and all meals, breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. Unfortunately, if you're gonna be in the car for a few days, it is the same menu that you will see daily. I'm told that other Amtrak trains that run long distances also have the same menu (see my pictures). After dinner, the train staff make your beds for you. The sheets are clean, nice pillow, and a plastic wrapped blanket. Very small towels are also supplied, including shampoo, conditioner, and bath gel. The bed is comfortable ....in the roomette you get one bed made where the seats are, and another one on top of that which is a pull out bed. Both are prepared by the staff. In the morning, they convert the beds back to the original arrangement of two seats. The food needs something more to be desired. I had the omelette for breakfast, the Angus burger for lunch on one day and the baked potato with vegan chili on the other. The burger was the best meal and the most fresh. The omelette was okay. The steak for dinner was fine but as I ate more, it became really chewy. It also needed more sauce. The vegan chili had flavor, but it was dry, tasted old, and could've had more taste. Point to note, is that when you order the food it comes out really fast. I didn't like the fact that at dinner, they brought out the dessert at the same time as the entree. Both the cheese cake and chocolate mousse were superb. There is also a cafe below the lounge car, where you can get beverages, including alcohol and snacks, but you have to pay for it. Nobody wanted to go there because the lady who was in charge was unfriendly to several travelers. The staff that were on the train were also very different. Only a couple of them were willing to engage in conversation. The lounge car could have done with some heat. It was freezing most of the time, my hands iced and I had to use the restroom more than I should have. I spoke to a conductor and asked him to give us some heat in the lounge car. He replied without empathy, saying he could not because it was already set. On the whole it was a good trip, if you can stomach the food (a lot of it pre prepared and heated) and patchy service. Also drown your frustration of not having WiFi on the train. Come with lots of data and hot spot capabilities. Instead, you need to concentrate on the views and the unparalleled scenery and route the train takes to get you to Denver. The journey is breathtaking, and will provide awe, spectacular vistas and unforgettable memories for years to come.

Decided to take Amtrak to Reno this weekend from Emeryville. This train station smells like urine! Literally the whole seating area. Anyways, I sat in coach on the top. If you have multiple people with you like I did, we were 6 in total, tell the train attendant and they will try their best to seat you all together depending in how full the train is. If you want to sleep, the seats recline and there is leg and foot rests so you can get comfortable. Bring your blanket and neck pillow! Also an eye mask and noise canceling headphones cause it is a little loud. The train can get stuffy so dress in layers. The train is also dirty so bring Clorox wipes to wipe down the trays and arm rest cause they were filthy! Oh and the bathrooms were also outdated, small, filthy and the fixtures were either broken or rusty. I have my essential oils spray so I literally spray everywhere! Wish I took pictures but didn't want to contaminate my phone! Lol They have a small Cafe with snacks like microwavable food wrapped in plastic, chips, cheese trays, hummus, oatmeal, soda, alcohol, etc, There is a restaurant also that serves limited food for a limited time on board. It is $25 for a drink, entree, and dessert. But I would suggest you pack your own food and snacks though. Other than that, the view was breathtaking.

Terrible service, terrible conductor, terrible all around. Frustrating, Uncomfortable, and Unorganized - A Disappointing Experience at Emeryville Train Station I recently traveled through the Emeryville train station, hoping for a smooth and pleasant experience, but it was anything but. If I could give zero stars, I would. Here are the many reasons why I won't be returning to this station any time soon. 1. Disorganized and Poorly Managed From the moment I arrived, the station felt chaotic and unorganized. There were few signs or directions to help first-time visitors navigate the layout. The lack of clear information left passengers confused, with some people missing their trains because it was unclear where to board. The announcements were often hard to hear or came last minute, making the boarding process incredibly stressful. Station staff seemed overwhelmed and uninterested in helping, only adding to the disarray. 2. Unpleasant Waiting Area and Limited Seating The waiting area was uncomfortably cramped and poorly maintained. There were very few seats available, which meant many passengers, myself included, had to stand for long periods. The seating that was available was worn down, uncomfortable, and looked like it hadn't been cleaned in ages. I expected a more comfortable waiting area for such a busy station, but it felt neglected and uninviting. 3. Dirty Restrooms and Lack of Basic Amenities The restroom facilities were shocking. They were dirty, smelly, and clearly hadn't been properly cleaned in a long time. There was no soap in the dispensers, and the paper towel holders were empty. The floors were sticky, and the stalls looked like they were falling apart. It was disappointing and unsanitary. For a station that sees so many travelers, basic cleanliness and hygiene should be a priority. 4. Lack of Food and Beverage Options The station had almost no options for food or drinks. The single vending machine was out of stock, and there were no cafes or kiosks where I could grab a coffee or a quick bite. For a station that serves as a connection point for many routes, it's baffling that they don't offer more for passengers who might have long waits. 5. Poor Accessibility and Limited Parking For anyone with mobility challenges, Emeryville station is not user-friendly. There were very few ramps and accessible features. On top of that, the parking lot was small and often full, making it difficult to find a space. I had to park in a far-off location and carry my luggage quite a distance, which was both frustrating and exhausting. 6. Safety Concerns The overall security presence felt minimal, and there were instances where I felt uncomfortable, especially later in the evening. The lighting outside the station was dim, and I saw several people lingering who didn't appear to be traveling. It didn't feel like a safe environment, and I was relieved to leave once my train finally arrived. In Conclusion My experience at the Emeryville train station was frustrating and unpleasant from start to finish. From the lack of organization and seating to the unsanitary restrooms and safety concerns, the station failed to meet even the most basic expectations. I'll be avoiding this station in the future and will likely explore other travel options altogether. Save yourself the hassle - find another station if you can.

Elizabeth is super efficient and clear - there were multiple delays this morning which caused three trains to arrive very close to each other, and evidently some of the guests waiting for their trains became a bit confused, but Elizabeth stood in the center of the room and made sure everybody knew exactly how to operate and made sure that everybody got on the right train at the right time. Thank you Elizabeth!

Customer service at this station is very, very poor. One agent was downright hostile and aggressive. The least enjoyable leg of our trip.

A remarkable place in 2023. No sign inside displaying the train schedules. A staff member explained the reason why, but it doesn't matter. Humans want to know if the trains are coming. And if they are delayed. Public address system is terrible - can't understand announcements. No working Wi-Fi. In the San Francisco Bay Area, tech central. Also, their app sucks. If you can tell me where the buses and trains hand-off, good on you. I had to call. Understaffed phone lines. Friendly staff member here. I would give it one star, but there hasn't been a military assault, and it's not filthy. So there's that. If China attacks right now, it's going to piss me off.

The five-star review is for the station and not for the delays for almost two hours. Our train was scheduled to depart at 9:45 pm, and the announcement said the train is delayed. I must apologize to the nice people working at the station because I had bugged them a few times. After almost two hours later, the train finally came and the superstar Keisha announced it with her sweet and uplifting voice. That definitely had brightened up my night. She was very helpful, kind, patient(especially, with me), and professional. The facility itself was clean, and the bathrooms are kept clean with plenty of essential supplies. Keisha helped me transformed from a dragon lady to a happy train rider. Thank you Keisha!

First time on train! I did an early morning trip, @9am -location: near plenty of hotels, it does stink like pee all @ outside and inside the elevators. Inside is decent and clean. They have both I side and outside seating. Bus stop with in same location. -service: I didn't get much info as to where I am supposed to wait, seat, etc. They do the call for train arriving @15mins prior. Took @20-30 mins to fully get everyone on the bus. (I learned coach was gate C, and they provide you a number once walking up the train) -price: we bought about a week before trip so it was a bit on high end, not sure if price is different if purchased in advanced. -Clean: train was very clean, so where the restrooms and lounge area. However after day 1, restrooms get dirty and continue like that until you get off. -food: Frozen, snacks (I didn't know I could bring my own) they do have alcohol for sale, hot dogs, burgers, pizza, bagels, muffins, noodles, candy... Time: we were @ 7 hours behind ETA, I personally didn't mind, the train route had lots of scenic views all @. However I would not recommend making plans the ETA due to any hip-cup that might happen and delay. Some of the things I didn't see and feel like would of help my rating would be; -Having a security person on board(didn't see any) -having a cleaning crew (restrooms get stinky)

The Amtrak station is clean with pleasant staff. Restrooms can be dicey as with many train stations. Amtrak validates parking for the very small lot next door. We stayed in a nearby hotel the night before to avoid a full lot and reduce our traffic stress. Your best bet is to take ride share unless you get to the station very early. Amtrak is a fun way to travel if you aren't on a schedule. I wouldn't try a connecting train unless you have a long layover. Amtrak shares rail lines with freight trains so expect delays. Additionally, train control equipment is very old and can cause delays like the multi-hour delay we had near Portland due to out-of-order bridge signals one December. Amtrak is part of our history. Riding on Amtrak is almost like taking a trip down memory lane even though trains are powered by diesel. If you have the time, Amtrak is a fun way to travel. If not, simply jump on one of the metal cigar tubes (called an airplane) at nearby airport.

This is a bigger Amtrak station near San Francisco Bay Area, we came here to get on our coast Starlight train to central coast Paso Robles. Unfortunately the train was delayed so we just had to hang out here for a while. A Peet's coffee shop here, some bakeries and snack food, the coffee drinks were more expensive. There is a market place which is a food court across the bridge above the railroads that is walking distance from the station. I think that is a better place to hang around and wait for a train. First time got on Amtrak train, I was surprised at how spacious the seats were, most restrooms were clean enough. An observation cart, snack bar and dining cart with a sit down restaurant. We had lunch at the dining cart, ordered half bottle of Pinot Grigio, Merlot, Bloody Mary, chicken salad, burger, chicken sandwich, bread and desserts. Yeah we were hungry and thirsty after the many hours of train delay, food was actually delicious. Just the food selections were extremely limited, the service was good though. Staffs were friendly and helpful imaging they had been working long hours because of the train delay. We'd take coast Starlight again cause I liked how relaxing train trips were!

We had two women in wheelchair. Four of seven of us approached the bus stop in front of Sales Force Building at 7:38 and said the other three are a block away. The driver became angry and said he wasn't waiting even though the bus wasn't supposed to leave until 7:40. We arrived with a wheelchair and two others at 7:41. Yes we were 1 minute late as he saw us approaching. We said thank you but he was clearly pissed. No compassion. So unkind. Not happy with this experience.

Took the Capital Corridor train from Emeryville to Sacramento on a weekday morning. Arrived at Emeryville about 20 minutes prior to boarding. The station is undergoing a little construction, but there are indoor and outdoor seating. If you park in the nearby parking garage on Horton, there is a machine inside the station were you can get your ticket validated. Not sure what the validation entails. I noticed there were port-o-potties outside, but not sure if these were the only restrooms available. There are also a few snack machines, but if you're looking for more food and beverages, there is a deli across the street. Or, wait to purchase on the train. Definitely recommend booking your tickets online and quickly getting on the train when it pulls into the station. This commuter train waits for no one and leaves as quickly as possible. Otherwise, everything is clean and the ride to Sacramento was fine. You do need to wear a mask when not eating or drinking. Not too many people are riding this train, but maybe it picks up during the weekend. The current promotion is taking the special train to 49ers home games. Not sure when I'll be on the train again, but I like having this option.

We took the direct Emeryville to Chicago journey on the California Zephyr in July and it was our first time journeying nearly across country by train. Overall, we enjoyed our trip but departed the train in Chicago dissatisfied with the food and the cleanliness of the train. Here are our thoughts: 1. Customer service was great! Our Room Attendant, Tonya has been with Amtrak nearly 10 years and is from Chicago. She was quite attentive, very helpful and pleasant. Our dining car attendant, Stacy was kind and efficient and even remembered the little things about our orders each day. We met several conductors as they switch off every 12 hours or so and they were engaging and observant of what was happening on the train including who was not wearing a face covering. Amtrak is private property and facial coverings are required in all common spaces unless you are eating or drinking. We appreciated their attention to that detail and the reminder that is travelers could not or did not want to comply, they could continue their journey off of the Amtrak train. Thank you, kindly... 2. There was not enough frequent cleaning of the common areas of the train. The Purel hand sanitizers stations on the train were empty and had not been filled for months, according to Amtrak staff we mentioned it to. We had to ask the conductor to have his team clean the tables in the observation car as they appeared to have not been cleaned since we boarded the train. Do better, Amtrak! 3. We purchased a room in the sleeper car so meals and beverages were included in our fares. The food can only be described as airplane food and not first class airplane food. YUCK! Microwaved meals that were very bland with limited options. Amtrak apparently changed their meals last October to save money and no longer have a chef onboard. Not smart. We don't think that was a wise move as the savings don't come near to resolving the debt Amtrak is said to have and travelers are very displeased with the food. Very. I feel bad for the dining staff that have to serve food they know is subpar. 4. If you desire space when you book sleeper accommodations on Amtrak, pay more for the larger sleeping quarters. We stayed with the basic sleeping quarters and the space is tight. Very tight. So tight that you'll need to store your luggage outside of your room on the storage rack if you're traveling with a companion. The beds aren't very comfortable but that's to be expected. The sound and movement of the train traveling along the railroad tracks can be soothing and pulls you right to sleep. 5. The views on the California Zephyr are absolutely breathtaking! From Tahoe to Utah's Ruby Canyon to Colorado's Rocky Mountains to the cornfields of Iowa...you really get to take in the majesty of this country. We saw people rafting along the Colorado River and even caught a few folks mooning us as the train went by. Look out for Glen Wood Springs and be prepared to be amazed at how gorgeous the rock formations are. Absolutely stunning! A couple of tips if you are adventurous and want to see the country by train on the California Zephyr: Layer. Layer. Layer. It can get pretty chilly on the train and an extra light blanket or fleece jacket will do nicely. Bring snacks and bite sized eats! The food is not enjoyable at all and we survived by munching along the journey. Bring hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes and bathroom disinfectant spray because...COVID-19. Plus there are lots of communal spaces including the bathrooms and showers if you get the smallest room (bring shower shoes, too). Bring small bill denominations and tip your service staff as they work pretty hard during the 6 days they are on the train for this route before they get 7 days off. Everything on the train is cashless because...COVID-19 so be prepared. The California Zephyr does not have WiFi so know there will be parts of the journey you won't have internet access. The mountains, mostly. Be sure to download plenty of content to get you through those dead spots. Bring along books, magazines, cards and puzzles and board games to help pass the time. Be patient. Unexpected delays do happen when traveling by train and the schedule builds in time for that. Relax. Enjoy the leisure of seeing the country by train. Take naps in the sun of the observation lounge. Meet new people...so many interesting folks travel by train. Learn about the area you're traveling through with a fee "googles" here and there. All in all, we enjoyed our trip and count ourselves blessed to be able to see the country by train. Despite the areas where Amtrak can improve, we chose to focus on the adventure and were not at all disappointed. Scratch THAT off our bucket list! Happy traveling...

Very clean, quiet station with polite staff and very clean bathrooms. We were catching the overnight from San Fran to Portland and had a few hours to wait. One note...no charging areas as advertised. Everything is unplugged.

The highlight are the weeds growing under the benches here. Gives the station an extra dystopian feel to it; such blatant neglect of a high customer traffic area makes you wonder what else is neglected....

Super train ride home today from San Francisco Amtrak provides a bus from the financial district of San Francisco to the train station in Emeryville. Station had a clean bathroom. Indoor seating in the shade, nice coffee station for some snacks. The stuff on the Amtrak train was super nice. Got us home safe and answered all my questions of all different things that I had to ask for going to New York or LA etc. thank you Amtrak I will be back it was a nice ride tables and chairs, and very relaxing. Got to do some work and meet nice people.

Refreshment bar never seems to be open Station is drab and uninviting. It's convenient for Sacto

My husband and I have always talked about a train ride across country. We took the Zephyr Amtrak train from Chicago to Emeryville. Loved it, loved it, loved it. If you go, get a bedroom instead of a sleeper car, way more comfortable and you have your own private toilet and shower. We'll definitely go again.

When faced with a problem, Amtrak takes care of their customers to the best of their abilities and to the satisfaction of its customers. Although my connecting bus was late due to a passenger issue after a civilian trespassing on the tracks, yes their bus still got me to my destination to Santa Barbara on time. I was able to make my train with many minutes to spare, and I was on time to all of my days appointments. Thank you amtrak. Free Wi-Fi at the station, on the track, and on the connecting busses!

Would give this station zero stars if I could. What a horrific experience. I got to the station 3:30 for a train that was supposed to leave at 3:55. A train came into the platform and picked up some passengers and left at 3:42. Any announcement that was made, if there was one, was inaudible. I assumed it was not my train because it was 15 minutes ahead of schedule. A conductor on the other side of the track confirmed that it was indeed my train that had pulled away. I stood in line for 20 minutes figure out what I should do since I had purchased a ticket and missed my train. There were four windows with signs that all said closed, although there were employees behind the glass totally ignoring us. Another train came and went. All I needed to know was whether or not that was my train because they were no announcements. No one would help. No one. I ended up having to wait for another train an hour later. No one at this station cares. This is so different than any Amtrak experience I've ever had.

The California Zephyr train claims to adhere to federal mask mandates. Riders on this train go without masks, regardless of what the PA system announcements or Amtrak public reassurances say. The train windows cannot open, the air feels stagnant, and complaints mean very little. The scenery is gorgeous but the pleasure feels hazardous to your health.

The Emeryville station serves as sort of a hub for various rail lines, so it is a busy place. It's also used as the connecting point for buses that will take you into San Francisco. Despite the busy nature of this station, I thought it was clean and the staff was courteous. There's a small coffee place that sells drinks and snacks right inside. There are also several hotels nearby. You can walk to most of them, but you'll probably have to cross over the tracks using a pedestrian bridge. It's two flights of stairs at either end and there's also an elevator on each end , both of which were out of service the day I was there. Crossing over with the bridge may not be the easiest thing to do if you're carrying a lot of luggage, so you can always take a taxi for the short ride if that's your preference. Some, but not all, of the hotels provide rides to and from the station.

Being that spring was coming and with it Easter and the moon I was itchy. Itchy I thought in a way that only the desert could cure. Sand and sun and hot springs and scrabbling all over the Panamints have at itchy times worked fabulously and calmed that tingling post haste. But BG said yes, lets's but could we also Portland it sounds so nice and everybody is going. Being a creature of custom and habit such contemplation of Change has in the past been difficult but interestingly this time it was easier. Vive le difference. Here's my recommendation to all of you. Go to Portland for three days of feasting and walking around. For the transport, do as we did - Coast Starlight up, airplane to return. 1. Take the train from San Jose, for as this permits you to board at 8:30 in the evening, in time for a later supper followed by three whiskeys in the parlor car. 2. Book the upgrade from coach to sleeper class, though splurge only a little and get the small compartment which is snug but you're only doing a single overnight so snug like a bug ain't no thing. And the upgrade gets you access to the aforementioned parlor car and your meals are included too. 3. When you walk back to your car from the parlor car after having three whiskeys make sure that you remember precisely the car in which your compartment resides. Because they all look the same. And if you count wrong you'll end up going hey what's this why is my compartment locked I didn't lock it and the attendant who wasn't the one who checked you in but still he goes all hmm that's weird and tries for 15 minutes to open it with a crowbar and then it opens and there's an older fellow sleeping inside and everybody will look at you like you're stupid or a burglar. 4. Make a joke with the proper car attendant who came down to help and tell him you're from Oakland and next time he's in town to look you up and you can bust into more cars together. Departs San Jose at 8:30 in the evening, arrives Portland at 3:30 the afternoon of the following day. Sun comes up in April just north of the Oregon border. Summer closer to Mt. Shasta. Sunrise near Shasta would be beautiful though in April it's lighter later but there's still snow in the southern Oregon plateau and it's all quiet and beautiful and makes you just want to lay in your berth and watch it scroll by forever. Trust. This is fun for a G of any stripe.

The California Zephyr... What an amazing route too see crossing the country - from California up and over the Rockie mountains into downtown Chicago. This train runs from the west coast up to Reno over Donner pass, the salt lakes, Denver, Omaha and on into Chicago for its final destination. You can not be in a hurry on the train - do sit back and enjoy the view! One of the prettiest routes of all that Amtrak runs. You can and will see amazing countryside that you never see from the roadways or the airways. Buffalo running, waterfalls, rivers and pristine lakes - the sun rising on the salt lakes... This over night train offers sleeping accommodations ( I highly recommend getting the sleeper for this long trip - with these all your meals are included), dining and a lower bar car, as well as an observation lounge bar car. It's about a two day trip to get from Sacramento to Chicago and you cross over some of the most beautiful land on the entire continent. Every one should take this trip at least once! 00070

I know the train ride was supposed to be 22-23 hours from Oakland to Seattle. I had all the 411 before the ride. I was scared thinking what am I going to do with my time on the train? I packed books, my laptop and a deck of cards. Seriously! I was preparing for the worst! I was thinking should I pack some cyanide too? But wait- where can I get cyanide? I don't work for HP anymore. That ship has sailed long ago. With all that drama in mind I braced for the worst. Oakland parking. check. Bring my other car. Check. Snacks laced with my imaginary cyanide check. Camera with a tripod to tape my suicide movie check. NO WAY I WOULD HURT MYSELF OR OTHERS ON THIS TRIP! The trip was awesome! I saw so much of the coast on the way to Seattle that i am so greatful I did the train trip. No need to worry about driving or being tired or what to eat or where to shower. The train has it all! I kept my eyes open thru most of the trip I thought I was going to need glasses after. It was amazing seeing things that we normally won't see if we fly or drive. Small towns, shacks, animals, trees that has never been touched by humans or a beautiful bridge that I would never drive thru-otherwise. The train stopped twice for about two hours each time and then on again. Although you are advised not to wander away from the train you can explore the vicinity where the train stopped. Now let's talk FOOD ON THE TRAIN: They have a menu :) You can have a steak or fish. You can eat as early as 7 or as late as 8. You just write your preferred time to dine and they will pick it up from you. Met some people along the way. Enjoyed a chat here and there and discovered that high heels are not good for walking on moving trains. But possible! You can get a sleeper like I had where you can have a double bunk bed and get comfortable with your own shower/toilet. A sink sits outside of the shower. Everything is tiny like in a submarine. The windows for looking out and enjoying the scenery are big. So- do the trip and don't worry about the money. It's worth it! Now the rest of my families did not fully enjoy the experience because they chose to be more adventurous and did not get the sleeper. I am not going to quote the price since I want you fellow yelpers to research this experience and go for it! It's not cheap but you're worth it!

The absolute worse ride of my life! My train (the California Zephyr, train 6) was delayed for 6 hours! We didn't board on time because of a GPS issue, but the conductor made up for that initial delay. What really set us back was the fact that we were stuck on the tracks for 4 hours in Nevada because of maintenance work. Maintenance work that Amtrak knew about because on the app that I downloaded the day of my trip I saw a disclaimer. When I booked my trip in early April on the Amtrak website there was nothing mentioned about maintenance work from July 18th-24th. That leads me to believe that it was scheduled after April and I didn't receive a email about possible delays because of this or even the option to cancel my trip and receive a full refund. This is completely unacceptable, I'm so disappointed because I really wanted to enjoy this. I was a coach passenger and the workers barely accommodated us, they just kept apologizing as if we have a choice of finding another way to get to our destination. There wasn't a discount on the snack store or a discount on the meals. Everything stayed the same as if we're on time and everything is smooth sailing, it was far from that. The snack car offered "complimentary" snacks and water but it was only mentioned one time when they set out snacks and water twice. It wasn't complimentary because they didn't make sure that everyone received a snack and a water, it was first come first served. People were grabbing 6 or 7 snacks and 6 or 7 water bottles just for themselves. Absolutely ridiculous! I was supposed to be in Denver on Friday July 21st at 6:23pm I didn't arrive until 12:30am July 22, a SATURDAY! I lost half of the day because of these ridiculous delays. I arrived in a state that I don't live in at MIDNIGHT, in a train station! That's not safe for anyone, let alone a woman. I'm just extremely upset at this experience. I called Amtraks customer service and was transferred over to customer relations and was left on hold for over an hour, just to be told that you don't give refunds, but I can get a $300 voucher. I don't want a voucher, I want my money. I'm not interested in being on another Amtrak train for as long as I live. I feel completely robbed of what should've been a nice experience. While on the phone with an Amtrak representative named Lee, she gave me a case number and the email to the corporate office because of course there's no phone number, how convenient. Lee told me that she can't guarantee a refund and that it would take 6 to 7 weeks before I hear from Amtrak. This is ridiculous! How do you expect to keep people coming back when you leave them on hold for over an hour, have delays that you know about and don't communicate it with your passengers prior to the trip? I will be emailing that office and I'll be waiting my 6-7 weeks because I want my money back. If I could give this bitch zero stars I would. GIVE ME MY MONEY BACK!

Ok , booked the auto train from Sanford, Florida to Lorton, VA on Sept 2, 2020. We booked a family sleeper car , which comes with dinner. I picked the baked manicotti. What I received was some nasty pasta noodles in a watery vegetable sauce. No where near the description on the menu. Now due to Covid there really isn't any other options , like food in the cafe car , since it's mostly microwaved pizzas..... food is inedible and that's being nice. Our car attendant was surly and seemed to really not care. For 3 people it cost $1000, for that price I would hope there would be some decent food. Next time we will skip the expense and just drive. Now I know why Amtrak is dying off....

The people that work here are rude. Lazy people. I'm sure they put up with some stuff but that doesn't mean you gotta act the way you do. Dirty on the inside because the workers don't work. Racist as well. Would not let me have the bathroom code until I stood in an empty line. While several other people walk up and got the code for bathroom no hassle. Lady was mad about something and took it out on me. Luckily my train was only a few mins away.

I took the "most scenic route" the California Zephry from Chicago to Emeryville (San Francisco). The estimated trip was 52hrs, but the trip added 6 hrs, which is longer than flying time. The train is somewhat "vintage", dirts can be found on door gaps and the windows are covered with fingerprints. On the plus side, the conductors are nice and informative. Amtrak executive should take a look of how Japanese Railway runs.

An experience of a lifetime. You never know about what time your train will arrive, most likely it'll be late. Ours was 1 hour late coming from Seattle. We boarded, San Jose, Ca to Burbank, CA. It was a 10 hour train ride, that went by rather fast. So much leg room, lots of functioning bathrooms. We booked a dinner reservation, so much fun, it is pricey, but such a fun moment. There is a little area downstairs where you can pick up fast food, like beer, chips, etc. My tips for riding on the train, bring a blanket, neck pillow, camera, book, money, and games. You'll have a nice relaxing time looking out at remote areas you can't get to by car. When you book your trip, they accept AAA discount. Choo-choo!!!!!!

Amtrak has definitely stepped their game up from how their cars cleanliness used to be. Food is still 7-11 microwave type, so I suggest BYOF. The pics i posted w/this review are inside a San Joaquin train. San Joaquin route is a quiet empty route on weekdays, but on weekends.. especially when it hits the stockton station..the shit show starts. LOL

This station is not very elegant as compared to other Amtrak stations, (Sacramento station, for ex.), there is plenty of seating though, and there is a coffee shop/snack bar inside, but it is cash only. Our train ride from Emeryville to Sacramento on the Capitol Corridor was awesome, it was smooth, fun, and seemed like a quick 2 hours. There are outlets for your mobile devices and laptops wherever you choose to sit including free WiFi. The Cafe Car, which looks appealing on the photos on their website, is just basically store-bought snacks and junk, and any hot food you get there is just warmed up in a microwave. But you can get a cocktail there for $6.50. My friend lost his cell phone and surmised that he forgot it in the restroom at the Emeryville station. Our train to Sacramento already departed when we discovered his phone was missing so we told the attendant who checks tickets. He called in to the station and he said he'd get back to us with any news. Nothing. At our hotel my friend did an online device locator and it showed the phone being at the Emeryville Station. Apparently, employees there were too lazy to check the safe, which is where it was all along. Pretty lame. 5 stars for the train experience, 1 star for customer service at the Emeryville Station.

Nice and clean. Seems like a safe and secure station. Really helpful station agents. The parking lot is under construction and while there is a nearby garage, it closes at 11:00pm. My return was at 12:00am, so lost a star.

You must be meticulous in making your reservations when it comes to the people traveling. We bought tickets for a large family group -- 9 adults and 13 kids. One of the kids dropped out and another kid took her place. You'd think it'd be an easy switch -- they're even the same age! Nope! We were asked to cancel the whole ticket, and instead of getting a refund, we'd have to buy a new ticket. Then they'd give us a voucher for the canceled ticket. Thanks for effortlessly adding all kinds of stress to our family reunion, Amtrak! Our options were to spend several hundred dollars to fix the mistake or hope that the conductor only counts heads. I readily admit that I was human and didn't get my reservation perfect. But Amtrak made *zero* effort to make a very simple correction. I'll never use them again.

Omg ! What a shitshow Amtrak is !!!! Our 6:25 Bus in SF never arrived to take us to Emeryville to catch a train to Sac. The 7:55 bus arrived at 8:30 due to " poor communication with driver" ( their words, not mine). The 8:40 train in Emeryville was delayed indefinitely due to "a car on the track" and on and on ..... Then due to. " police action". And then due to " mechanical difficulties ". No way to call them. You just get a voicemail that says they'll call you back in 2 to 3 days. What a joke. My friend left SF 2 hours before me. His bus didn't :arrive from SF to Emeryville. He took an Uber to Emeryville and HIS train was 2 hours late because :.............." a car on the track". Hahahaha. ... The same excuse they told us two hours after my friend's train arrived and departed !!!! Amtrak is ghetto service and piss poor management.

We took the Zephyr yesterday for 80 dollars a ticket to see the views but the train was 2 hours late! Otherwise, it was a perfect trip. Nice comfortable seats, lots of food choices and nearby garage for 30 dollars for the day.