Good afternoon everyone, I’m thinking of taking family on Pacific Surfliner up to Anaheim on Monday after convention. What’s it like on Monday mid morning? Is it busy? Should I get reserved seating? And is reserved seating worth it? Some questions but any additional information would be appreciated. Thank you
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
I took the Surfliner a decent amount of times during uni and even very early morning. Now, I can't say exactly how it is in at the Depot downtown, but it's usually early morning that's the problem. Now, I imagine there will be people taking it to north stops maybe for work, but I imagine it'd clear out closer to North County SD.
As for whether you should get reserved seats, it does depend. I'd expect it to be busier on a Monday morning, just after the weekend, some regular drivers won't want to, etc. However, I've only had trouble finding seats a handful of times, even seats together. Those times are usually Thanksgiving, Easter, etc. and the stops near the universities, which you won't be hitting any of those times. So, personally I wouldn't go for reserved seats.
As for other information, I'm not sure exactly what you'd like. Regarding food options, I'd bring your own food if you want breakfast, the food on the trains/surfliners are maybe a bit of a step-up from convention food, but not great. The train is right by the coast until you get out of SD and then I think I remember that it goes a bit inland to hit the Santa Ana airport then Anaheim etc. It is a smooth and pretty ride, of course one side will have a better view each way, but even if you're not in the "prime" seats, you can see out the windows very well, as there's more room between seats etc.
If you do it, I recommend sitting near a stairwell, generally upstairs, I don't think downstairs have seats by them. You will have more movement around you, which depending on your family you might not want, but the stairwells generally have LARGE unimpeded windows along them. So it's easy to look outside even if you're not on the side you may want.
I hope that helped? Sorry that I can't give you a mid-morning perspective on the crowding. I only ever traveled from SD or arrived in SD at like 8PM-2AM or at 6AM.
