This 365-mile Train Route Is One of the Prettiest in California-With Charming Small Towns and Access to 4 National Parks

"The valley floor is populated with row upon row of agricultural staples such as almonds, pistachios, corn, tomatoes, and grapes,"

"As trains make their way into the Bay Area, there will be western views of the San Francisco Bay for miles and miles, with a backdrop of [the city] as you are nearing or departing Oakland."

"The Gold Runner is a beautiful snapshot of California agriculture. You pass long stretches of almond orchards and vineyards, and on clear days you can see the snowcapped Sierra Nevada running parallel in the distance,"

"It highlights how the Central Valley can serve as a destination in itself or as a starting point for bucket list adventures."

The Gold Runner crosses 365 miles of track to connect the San Francisco Bay Area to Sacramento and Bakersfield. The route travels through the Central Valley past almond orchards, vineyards, pistachio groves, corn, tomatoes and grapes, with views of the snowcapped Sierra Nevada on clear days. The service includes 18 station stops, multiple daily departures, onboard Wi-Fi, and complimentary snacks. The journey from Sacramento to Bakersfield takes about six hours, with Amtrak Thruway buses extending connections to Los Angeles and Southern California. The route offers access to Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon, and Death Valley.

Read at Travel + Leisure