Redwood National Park: 3 Tips for Efficient Travel to Redwood by Amtrak Train and Bus

Redwood National Park was created in 1968 to protect the land adjacent to the California state redwood parks that formed in the 1920s. Currently, the combined state and federal lands are managed under a joint agreement between the Park Service. Nationals and the California Department of Parks and Recreation. The parks combined cover more than 110,000 acres, including 37 miles of the pristine California coastline.

Since Delta is the only commercial airline that arrives at the local airport, it is expensive to fly into the area. Although it is not close to an Amtrak train line, there is a bus service from Amtrak stations to the Redwood area, which may be the cheapest way to travel to the park. Here are three tips / suggestions for effective travel to / from Redwood by land:

One: Martinez, California is your Amtrak connection to Redwood National Park. The San Joaquin line from Bakersfield (with connection service from San Diego and Los Angeles) and Oakland (with connection service from San Francisco) stops there. Martinez is also on the Capitol Corridor line from San Jose, Oakland and Sacramento (with connecting service from Reno). From Martinez, there are two Amtrak Thruway buses that leave at 10:25 am and 3:25 pm for the six- to seven-hour trip. to the Redwood area.

Two: Since there is no shuttle service in Redwood National Park, you must rent a car to see the entire park. Therefore, the McKinleyville stop at Arcata Airport is the destination of your bus trip. If you arrive before the car rental counters close in the early afternoon, you can choose from the rental companies. If you arrive when the car rental counters are closed, you can take a complimentary shuttle bus to your hotel for the night and return to the airport in the morning to rent your car. There are several hotels in the area that will provide this service. Buses back to Martinez leave McKinleyville at 6:15 am and 10:30 am.

Three: The need to make reservations for the train portion of your trip depends on the service you take. Although Capitol Corridor trains are not reserved, the San Joaquins are reserved trains. Although you do not need reservations for Thruway Motorcoach Connection service, you may be able to receive discounted advance purchase rates or special rates for students and seniors by purchasing your train and bus ticket in advance.

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