5.0
Pros: The cafe - snack bar food was good. The server made us some Jack and Cokes. He was friendly and funny. Cons: The windows on the cars could be washed more often. Tips: If you want to be on the ocean side of the train, ride facing backwards on the right side of the train heading north into LA. The train backs up after leaving LA, and you will be facing forward on the ocean side from then on.
5.0
Pros: The chance to see a part of California off limits to most of the population - the beaches of Point Conception and Vandenburg Air Force Base. Also, the trip was cheaper than what I would have spent on gasoline to drive the same distance. The pre-made and microwaved hamburger I had for dinner was very tasty. Cons: The windows of the car we were riding in were a little dirty, which detracted form the otherwise scenic view. Tips: There could be minor delays. We had to stop near Los Angeles on our return trip because some people were vandalizing a freight train ahead of us. This required us to later pull into a siding to let another passenger train pass. Finally, we had to stop for a couple of minutes because a warning light on the train showed a door was open. This was quickly fixed. The overall delay was only 30 minutes total - much less than I have experienced with air travel.