Redwood National Park - Three Tips to Effectively Travel to Redwood by Amtrak Train and Bus

Redwood National Park was created in 1968 to3:25 pm for the six to seven hour ride to the
protect land adjacent to the California state redwoodRedwood area.
parks that were formed in the 1920s. Currently theTwo: Since there is no shuttle service at Redwood
combined state and federal lands are administeredNational Park, you must rent a car to see the entire
under a joint agreement between the National Parkpark. Therefore, the McKinleyville stop at the Arcata
Service and the California Department of Parks andAirport is the destination for your bus ride. If you
Recreation. The combined parks cover over 110,000arrive before the rental car counters close in the
acres including 37 miles of pristine California coastline.early evening, you have a choice of companies from
Since Delta is the only commercial airline into the localwhich to rent. If you arrive when the rental car
airport, it is expensive to fly into the area. Althoughcounters are closed, you can take a complementary
not close to an Amtrak train line, there is bus serviceshuttle bus to your hotel for the night and come
from Amtrak stations to the Redwood area, whichback to the airport in the morning to rent your car.
may be the cheapest way to travel to the park.There are a number of hotels in the area that will
Here are three tips/hints for effectively traveling toprovide this service. The motorcoaches back to
from Redwood by land:Martinez leave McKinleyville at 6:15 am and 10:30 am.
One: Martinez, California is your Amtrak connection toThree: The need to make reservations for the train
Redwood National Park. The San Joaquin line fromportion of your trip depends on the service you take.
Bakersfield (with connecting service from San DiegoAlthough the Capitol Corridor trains are unreserved,
and Los Angeles) and Oakland (with connectingthe San Joaquins are all-reserved trains. Although you
service from San Francisco) stops there. Martinez isdo not need reservations for the Thruway
also on the Capitol Corridor line from San Jose,Motorcoach Connection service, you may be able to
Oakland and Sacramento (with connecting servicereceive discounted advance purchase fares or special
from Reno.) From Martinez, there are two Amtrakfares for students and seniors by buying both your
Thruway Motorcoaches departing at 10:25 am andtrain and bus ticket in advance.