Celebrating Retirement Tour October 2019 - Day 2 Fri 4 Oct - LA to San Diego

Fireworks · 26 Oct 19, 10:25 PM

Holiday Inn Express LAX was a decent hotel, really comfy beds and a good hot and cold buffet breakfast to set us on our way. We had both crashed out at 8.30 pm last night (4.30 am UK time) so as expected woke up at regular intervals and were both wide awake at 5.00 am.

View from hotel

Ordered an Uber to take us from the hotel to Union Station, downtown LAX at a cost of $25 which I thought was very reasonable. We had never used Uber before so we're a bit unsure of what to expect but I had literally finished putting the payment details in and the driver was outside waiting for us.

We have booked the 12.30 pm Amtrak Pacific Surfliner to San Diego. We were both excited about this as it wasn't in our original plans but starting our itinerary in LA rather than San Francisco meant we could delay picking up the car. Booked business class tickets for $90 one way for both of us, which includes access to the lounge at Union Station and snacks and wine on the train.

Union Station is a gorgeous building and we had a small wander round the local area which seemed really nice.

Union Station - outside and inside

Plaza Fire Station

Spent about an hour in the Amtrak lounge where you could get coffee, soft drinks, crisps, pretzels and cookies and it was really chilled. You could even get a lift to the platform in a golf buggy if you wanted to but we opted to walk.

Train was delayed by about 15 minutes but we were soon on our way, and the views from our side of the train along the coast were stunning. Our attendant on the train was the loveliest man, nothing was too much trouble for him.

Arrived at Santa Fe train station and retrieved our luggage which we had checked in, and were very pleased that our next hotel, Best Western Plus Bayside was just around the corner. The hotel is just on the edge of Little Italy which is full of lovely eating places and has a great atmosphere so we literally dumped the bags and went for a wander and to find something to eat.

We ate in Davanti Enoteca, which had a happy hour until 6pm and shared pate, meatballs and a pizza and Brian had a beer. Bill came to a very reasonable $30 including tip. We then walked a little bit further to Brian's favourite bar, Ballast Point - craft brewery and planes literally flying what feels like inches over your head on their way to the airport, he was in heaven 😁

Decided after that it was time to crash as still felt really tired so goodnight everyone.

KarenG · 20 Dec 19, 07:01 PM

What a fabulous way to travel. Love the photos of downtown LA! It�s great you were able to find a way to recreate your original plans albeit reordered!

TractorBoy · 7 Jan 20, 07:24 PM

San Diego is my favourite US city. Will be back the in June

Amtrak is a great way to travel as well!

Fireworks · 10 Jan 20, 09:28 PM

Originally Posted by TractorBoy

San Diego is my favourite US city. Will be back the in June

Amtrak is a great way to travel as well!

We could live in San Diego, and the Amtrak was brilliant, a really relaxing start to our holiday

26 Oct 19, 10:25 PM	#1
	26 Oct 19, 10:25 PM Fireworks Excited about Disney
Fireworks Excited about Disney Join Date: Jun 05	Celebrating Retirement Tour October 2019 - Day 2 Fri 4 Oct - LA to San Diego Holiday Inn Express LAX was a decent hotel, really comfy beds and a good hot and cold buffet breakfast to set us on our way. We had both crashed out at 8.30 pm last night (4.30 am UK time) so as expected woke up at regular intervals and were both wide awake at 5.00 am. View from hotel Ordered an Uber to take us from the hotel to Union Station, downtown LAX at a cost of $25 which I thought was very reasonable. We had never used Uber before so we're a bit unsure of what to expect but I had literally finished putting the payment details in and the driver was outside waiting for us. We have booked the 12.30 pm Amtrak Pacific Surfliner to San Diego. We were both excited about this as it wasn't in our original plans but starting our itinerary in LA rather than San Francisco meant we could delay picking up the car. Booked business class tickets for $90 one way for both of us, which includes access to the lounge at Union Station and snacks and wine on the train. Union Station is a gorgeous building and we had a small wander round the local area which seemed really nice. Union Station - outside and inside Plaza Fire Station Spent about an hour in the Amtrak lounge where you could get coffee, soft drinks, crisps, pretzels and cookies and it was really chilled. You could even get a lift to the platform in a golf buggy if you wanted to but we opted to walk. Train was delayed by about 15 minutes but we were soon on our way, and the views from our side of the train along the coast were stunning. Our attendant on the train was the loveliest man, nothing was too much trouble for him. Arrived at Santa Fe train station and retrieved our luggage which we had checked in, and were very pleased that our next hotel, Best Western Plus Bayside was just around the corner. The hotel is just on the edge of Little Italy which is full of lovely eating places and has a great atmosphere so we literally dumped the bags and went for a wander and to find something to eat. We ate in Davanti Enoteca, which had a happy hour until 6pm and shared pate, meatballs and a pizza and Brian had a beer. Bill came to a very reasonable $30 including tip. We then walked a little bit further to Brian's favourite bar, Ballast Point - craft brewery and planes literally flying what feels like inches over your head on their way to the airport, he was in heaven 😁 Decided after that it was time to crash as still felt really tired so goodnight everyone.