train trips from seattle wa

9 Unbelievable Scenic Trains From Seattle For A Relaxing Getaway

You'll find it hard to do anything other than watching the stunning scenery pass by the train window.

These scenic trains from Seattle deserve a spot on your bucket list.

You can hop on a train in Seattle and visit a Bavarian mountain town, pass through the Cascade Mountains, visit magnificent national parks, head to the beach, or ride all the way to Chicago. These incredible scenic trains from Seattle offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Read on for our top 9 scenic train trips from Seattle!

1. Los Angeles, CA

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Want to escape Seattle’s gray weather? Take Amtrak’s Coast Starlight train from Seattle to Los Angeles. This train route departs from Seattle daily and takes 35 hours, giving you time to relax and enjoy stunning views of the Cascade mountain range and the Pacific coastline. Book your trip on the Coast Starlight here .

2. Vancouver, BC

The Amtrak Cascades route provides two daily round-trip trains between Seattle and Vancouver, BC. You’ll soak up views of the Pacific Northwest on your way to the exciting city of Vancouver: a perfect weekend getaway. Get tickets on the Amtrak website —and don’t forget your passport!

3. Calgary, AB

Amtrak’s Seattle and Canadian Rockies Winter Discovery route takes you from Seattle to Calgary. This nine-day train ride gives you breathtaking views of the Canadian Rockies and includes breaks for you to explore Vancouver, Jasper National Park, and Sulphur Mountain. Book your Winter Discovery trip here .

4. Leavenworth, WA

This is one of the most classic scenic train rides in Washington State. Take this route and enjoy the rugged Cascade Mountains and the Skykomish River. If you’re looking for a true winter wonderland, we recommend visiting Leavenworth’s Christmastown during December. You can also go in the fall for Oktoberfest fun, or head there this summer to be among the first to try the new alpine rollercoaster . An Amtrak train heads to the Bavarian town from Seattle each Saturday.

5. Glacier National Park

Experience the rugged splendor of the American West. This route between Seattle and Chicago gives you the opportunity to enjoy majestic views, and pass through some major natural beauties. If you decide to go all the way to Chicago, you’ll enjoy a 46-hour long train ride that passes through Spokane and Minneapolis. You don’t have to go all the way though; hop off at the Glacier National Park and revel in the glorious sights of this wondrous park.

6. Snoqualmie Valley Railroad

Hop on the Snoqualmie Valley Railroad and enjoy a historic and mesmerizing 5.5-mile ride through the Upper Snoqualmie Valley. This 1880s Seattle Lake and Eastern Railway is a 90 minutes scenic ride between North Bend and Snoqualmie Falls. Enjoy incredible views and a unique historic experience on board. We recommend checking their website for more info on schedules and calendar updates.

7. Chehalis River Valley

Travel back to the 1920s aboard the beautifully restored Chehalis-Centralia Railroad, and enjoy a scenic ride through the Chehalis River Valley. Ride through the beautiful Lewis County countryside, and enjoy fascinating views of wooded forests, old farmsteads, country homes, and tranquil nature sites. The Chehalis-Centralia Railroad serves as both a train and a museum, and it offers various schedules, routes, and fares. We recommend visiting their website and choosing the best one for you!

8. Vance Creek Railriders

Want to try something a little different? This rare experience offers a unique scenic “train” ride for all visitors, where you can pedal through the amazing Olympic Peninsula aboard the Simpson Logging Company Railway. This expedition is perfect for nature enthusiasts, birders, cyclists, and rail fans that are looking to get out in nature.

9. Portland, OR

We know Portland is a short drive from Seattle, but we must make the case for taking the train from Seattle to Portland. This three-and-a-half-hour scenic train ride not only lets someone take in the true beauty that is the glorious Pacific Northwest, but Amtrak recently expanded this route, offering up to six daily round trip trains between two most popular U.S. cities on this route.

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Our train schedules, schedule tips:, view current schedule - effective dec. 11, 2023 (pdf 519kb).

Daily round trip service includes:

• Six daily round trip trains between Portland and Seattle - twelve trains
• Two daily round trip trains between Seattle and Vancouver, BC, Canada - four trains
• Two daily round trip trains between Eugene and Portland - four trains
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TRAIN STATIONS

Northwest Scenic Train Rides and Museums

Scenic rides, vintage trains and unique rail museums.

Train travel was once the way many saw the region, leisurely sitting and looking outside as the train rumbled down the tracks to destinations crisscrossing the Pacific Northwest states. Today, only a handful of these once numerous railroads have passenger capabilities, but railroads deliver an unforgettable experience.

There is no denying that the Pacific Northwest is a wonderland, but as we zip to and fro in cars, attentive and responsible motorists may often miss some of the more subtle nuances of the terrain. With hands at 10 and two, and a focus on the road and the cars all around, drivers may miss the towering stands of evergreens, the rolling hills, the glaciated peaks or the rugged geology of the ancient flood lands. Thankfully, there is a way to see the breathtaking landscape — the scenic train rides of Washington.

Leavenworth in Winter and Beyond

One of the classic, scenic train rides in Western Washington is the route to the Bavarian-inspired mountain town of Leavenworth . Passing into the rugged Cascade Mountains, skirting Highway 2 and the Skykomish River, riders will be in awe at the natural beauty of the region. Towering peaks and dense forests are visible from the train, but for many, the highlight before reaching Leavenworth is passing through the Cascade Tunnel, an 8-mile-long tunnel that is one of the longest in North America.

Amtrak’s Empire Builder is an option for a scenic trip to Leavenworth any time of the year. Be aware that there are no day-trip options, however. A layover of a day or more in Leavenworth may be required to make this a round-trip train ride. The Empire Builder also allows riders to go to Leavenworth from Spokane.

(In December, a local tour operator also charters an Amtrak train that leaves Seattle for Leavenworth each Saturday, giving riders a chance to bask in the town’s renowned holiday celebration. After a scenic train ride, passengers can partake in the festivities during the annual Christmas Lighting Festival before heading back to Seattle.)

AAA Travel Tip: Interested in rail travel? Chat with a  AAA Travel agent  and get expert help planning an incredible vacation.

Glacier National Park

The Empire Builder runs a much longer journey from Seattle to Chicago, and it passes through jaw-dropping landscapes as it crosses the northern part of the country. One doesn’t have to go all the way to Chicago, though. The train stops at Glacier National Park, giving passengers a chance to get off and see the sights of this wondrous park before returning back home a few days later.

For a change of pace and scale, head up to Highway 2 and visit the Great Northern and Cascade Railway in Skykomish. Located at a fully restored 1898 Great Northern Railway Depot, this is a unique stop for all ages. What makes it so special is the free train rides on a 1/8-scale train around a 0.5-mile track to enjoy.

The train runs from May through October, and the museum is open five days a week (closed on Tuesday and Wednesday). With an emphasis on the history of the Great Northern Railway, stopping here lets visitors experience and learn about the region’s rail history.

Snoqualmie Valley and Falls

Off of Interstate 90 at North Bend, a short, scenic railway adventure awaits. Starting at the North Bend Depot , the Snoqualmie Valley Railroad traverses through the Upper Snoqualmie Valley all the way to views of the iconic Snoqualmie Falls. From historic railroad coaches, passengers can take in the sights of the lower Cascades along a 5.5-mile stretch of railway that has been used since the 1880s.

Trains depart for this roughly 2-hour roundtrip ride on weekends from April through November, with a number of special themed rides around holidays. A Yuletide Express and Santa Train also make 25-minute and 2-hour holiday excursions, respectively, on select dates in late November and December. Consider staying in the area and exploring the Northwest Railway museums along the route, located at multiple spots in the Snoqualmie Valley.

Shelton’s the Peninsular

Scenic rides aren’t just limited to trips around the Cascades. Out on the Olympic Peninsula near Shelton, the Peninsular Railway and Lumbermen’s Museum is one of the newest scenic train ride and museum locations in Washington. Riders and visitors to the museum are able to learn about the rich logging history of Mason County by touring the rail lines at the old Simpson Timber dry lot. The current ride around the industrial park is approximately 2.25 miles and takes 20 minutes. Longer rides are being planned, with hopes to get passengers deeper into the woods of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula.

Chehalis-Centralia Railroad and Museum

Along the I-5 corridor, the Chehalis-Centralia Railroad and Museum should not be missed. The rides grant passengers glimpses of Mount Rainier, passing over wooden bridges and rolling through forests next to the Chehalis River. This is a gorgeous ride along a scenic route pulled by a 100-year-old steam engine . There are also numerous themed rides, including a Murder Mystery Train, a Wild West Train, a Mother’s Day Train and a Santa Holiday Train.

Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad

One of the classic scenic train rides in Washington is at the Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad in Elbe. The passenger train service, pulled by historic steam engines, runs along the heritage railroad to the Mount Rainier Railroad and Logging Museum. The museum and rides are closed for the foreseeable future because of COVID-19 and other complications, but should be visited when it reopens for the fun rides and seasonal events it hosts.

In August 2022, the railroad announced it had formed a new board of directors and was developing a phased reopening plan, with the ultimate goal of restoring several steam locomotives, restarting the railroad operations and building a new museum. More updates will be published here .

Chelatchie Prairie Railroad

Down in Yacolt, under the watchful eye of Mount Saint Helens, the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad has a number of themed rides through mid-December, including fall leaf peeping, Halloween-themed and patriot rides, and special Christmas excursions. The train follows the old lumber and passenger line, which was started in 1888, and is a favorite of train enthusiasts.

Vance Creek Railriders (Self-Propelled)

If you have ever wanted to travel down railroad tracks at your speed, the Vance Creek Railriders near Shelton, Washington, is ready. Following a line of track laid by the Simpson Logging Co., this ride is unlike anything else around. Instead of sitting back on a train car, passengers are part of the action as they help to pedal a multi-seat, open-air, human-powered vehicle.  

The 2-hour, 13-mile round-trip journey passes through forests and winds along and passes over Goldsborough Creek. The adventures into the Olympic Peninsula start at the end of May and run three times a day, Thursday through Monday, until October.

Not-to-Miss Train Museums

Although scenic rides are only located in a few spots around the region, the impact of train travel and commerce is readily apparent at the numerous train museums of North Idaho and Eastern Washington. The Northern Pacific Depot Museum in Wallace, Idaho, is an incredible glimpse into the region when driving along Interstate 90. Located in an old chateau-style depot building, the museum details the rich railroad, mining and history of Wallace and the surrounding Silver Valley.

In Eastern Washington, the Railroad Depot Museum in Ritzville is a good stop while out exploring the Palouse. While Ritzville is off the beaten path today, at one time the town was frequented by up to 10 passenger trains a day. Today, the museum houses historical displays inside, while a colorful caboose sits outside.

West of Spokane along Highway 2, near the small town of Reardan, is a can’t-miss for train enthusiasts. At the Inland NW Rail Museum , visitors will find a huge collection of engines, diner cars, boxcars and railroad vehicles of all ages, shapes and sizes. Inside, the museum houses model railroads and numerous displays about the railroad history of the Inland Empire. The museum is open seasonally, so check before you go.

Two more train museums, the Northern Pacific Railway Museum in Toppenish and the Yakima Valley Trolleys’ Electric Railway Museum, an electric railway museum in Yakima, are excellent stops.

–Written by Douglas Scott, last updated in October 2022 .

–Top image is a view of Glacier National Park as seen from the Empire Builder

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Best Amtrak Trips From Seattle

There are some amazing Amtrak trips from Seattle, which can be done in a day or as an overnight trip in a sleeper car. If you are in search of a quick city break, consider Amtrak to get away from the Emerald City. All Amtrak trains leave Seattle from the King Street Station .

• 1.1 Getting to Eugene on Amtrak
• 1.2 What to do in Eugene
• 2.1 Getting to Los Angeles on Amtrak
• 2.2 What to do in Los Angeles
• 3.1 Getting To Portland On Amtrak
• 3.2 What To Do In Portland
• 4.1 Getting To Sacramento On Amtrak
• 4.2 What To Do In Sacramento
• 5.1 Getting to San Francisco On Amtrak
• 5.2 What To Do In San Francisco
• 6.1 Getting To Spokane On Amtrak
• 6.2 What To Do In Spokane

Getting to Eugene on Amtrak

Eugene, Oregon can be reached from Seattle by riding the Amtrak Cascades . Coach prices start at $44 and there are business class seats available for $89. The Amtrak trip from Seattle to Eugene takes about 6 hours and 30 minutes. You could also reach Eugene on the Coast Starlight , but the trip is more expensive and will take longer. The Coast Starlight does however have an observation car to help you see the sights.

What to do in Eugene

Highlights in Eugene include the Cascades Raptor Center, the Willamette River bike trail, and the University of Oregon. The Amtrak station in Eugene, Oregon is centrally located and is near the Eugene Saturday Market and the Shelton McMurphey Johnson House.

Plan to stay at the Campbell House Inn or the Inn at the 5th Eugene , which are both near the Amtrak station.

Los Angeles

Getting to Los Angeles on Amtrak

Los Angeles is easily reached by taking the Coast Starlight from Seattle. This is the full route of the train and is one of the prettiest train routes in the United States . It’ll take just under 36 hours to go by train from Seattle to Los Angeles, but you’ll have incredible views along the way. You’ll be able to see Mt. Rainier , Mt. St. Helens and the Pacific Ocean shoreline.

Seats on the Coast Starlight from Seattle to Los Angeles are available in Coach for $160, Business Class for $219 or a Sleeper Car for $765. The mountain views in Washington state will be on the east side of the train, and the ocean views in California will be on the west.

What to do in Los Angeles

Of course when in Los Angeles, you should go see the Hollywood Sign, visit the walk of fame and hit up one of the fabulous beaches. We also recommend a visit to Disneyland in Anaheim and maybe a Dodgers or Angels game!

There aren’t any great hotels near Union Station in Downtown LA, so plan to pick your favorite near an attraction you want to see and get a ride to it.

As for food, we really loved the Formosa Cafe , which as a bonus is train themed!

Getting To Portland On Amtrak

A trip to Portland from Seattle on Amtrak is quick at 3.5 hours. You can do this trip in just a few days or a long weekend. The Amtrak Cascades is your best bet to Portland at only $27 for a coach ticket and $56 for a business class ticket. You could also ride the Coast Starlight to Portland.

What To Do In Portland

From Portland you could take a Columbia River Gorge tour, or stay in town and visit the International Rose Test Garden. Other top attractions include the Portland Japanese Garden and the Pittock Mansion.

The Portland Amtrak Station is in the Pearl District by the Willamette River. A great choice for a hotel would be the Residence Inn by Marriott Pearl District , or the Hampton Inn & Suites Peal District. They are both near the Amtrak Station.

Getting To Sacramento On Amtrak

To get to Sacramento from Seattle on Amtrak you can ride the Coast Starlight. Seats are available in coach class from $133, business class from $182 and sleeper car rooms from $543. The train does arrive in Sacramento at 6:28am so pack light if you can’t check into your hotel until later in the day.

What To Do In Sacramento

In Sacramento you could visit the California State Railroad Museum, the Crocker Art Museum, and the State Capitol Museum. Our favorite hotel in the area of the Sacramento Amtrak Station is the Kimpton Sawyer Hotel.

San Francisco

Getting to San Francisco On Amtrak

To get to San Francisco on Amtrak you need to switch to the Amtrak Thruway Bus Service in Emeryville, CA. You’ll be riding the Coast Starlight from Seattle to Emeryville, and coach prices start at $145, business class is available from $198, and sleeper rooms start from $606.

What To Do In San Francisco

No trip to San Francisco is complete without a trip to the Golden Gate Bridge, Oracle Park and Alcatraz. We recommend getting a room in San Francisco and not Emeryville if you are planning to visit these attractions. The bus will drop you off in the heart of the city, so pick any hotel that fits your needs.

Getting To Spokane On Amtrak

Spokane is easily reached from Seattle on the Empire Builder. The train leaves Seattle just before 5pm and arrives just after midnight. Coach tickets from Seattle to Spokane can be bought for $29, and if you’d like a sleeper room for the evening trip, you can get one for $391. The trip takes just under 8 hours, so coach should be fine and will save a lot of money.

What To Do In Spokane

In Spokane we love Manito Park, Riverfront Park and Spokane Falls. If you have time, check out the Centennial Trail, which can be used for walking or biking. The best hotel near the centrally located Spokane Amtrak Station is The Davenport Grand, Autograph Collection .

No matter where you choose to go on your getaway from Seattle, Amtrak has you covered. There are so many great choices for a weekend trip that you may need to do a few!

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Find train tickets to Seattle

Good to know, top tips for finding seattle train tickets.

• Located in a building that dates back to the early 1900s, King Street Station is the main train station in Seattle. It offers a selection of amenities and facilities for passengers, including drinking fountains, sitting areas, and public restrooms. There are outlets for you to charge your electronic devices, as well as vending machines if you would like to purchase a snack or drink. You will also find a few ATM machines in case you need to take out some cash.
• Those that will be traveling with Amtrak to Seattle have the right to bring a small pet on board with them. Keep in mind that you must always keep your furry friend in an animal carrier when they are on the train and that they cannot be brought into the food car. Service animals are always welcome on board no matter their size, and they do not need to be in a carrier.
• Train tickets to Seattle that are sold through Amtrak allow travelers to bring a certain amount of luggage with them for free. For example, you will be able to have two personal items and two carry-on items with you, which you can either store under your seat or in an overhead compartment. You may also have two suitcases and can bring up to two additional suitcases by paying an extra fee.
• Seattle is a major hub for both tourism and business, which has resulted in the area having quite a bit of traffic. By booking a train to Seattle, you can avoid getting caught in congestion while either driving or taking a bus and can instead relax and enjoy the scenery.
• Looking for cheap train tickets to Seattle? 25% of our users found round-trip tickets to Seattle for the following prices or less: From Portland $55, from Vancouver $56, from Spokane $68
• Seattle's most searched train station on KAYAK is Seattle King Street Station. It is located 1 mile from the city center.
• You will generally catch the best train deals if you travel to Seattle in the morning.

FAQs when traveling to Seattle by train

What is the most popular train station in seattle.

Seattle King Street Station and Seattle Ferry - Pier 69 are the most searched stations in Seattle by KAYAK users.

Which train companies travel to Seattle?

Amtrak is the only train company serving Seattle.

How long is the train journey to Seattle from the closest popular cities?

Emeryville to Seattle - 22h 10m Vancouver to Seattle - 4h 25m Wenatchee to Seattle - 4h 44m Vancouver to Seattle - 3h 07m Spokane to Seattle - 8h 10m

What options do I have for traveling from King Street Station to downtown Seattle?

There are a few different ways that you can travel from King Street Station to downtown Seattle. One of the quickest options is to drive, which will normally take you around 5min in total. You can also choose to walk, a trip that will take approximately 15 to 20min. Public transportation typically cannot be used to travel between these two locations.

Where should I go if I would like to take a day trip by train from Seattle?

If you would like to go on a day trip from Seattle, consider heading to Tacoma, Washington, a city that is directly on the banks of Puget Sound and is popular for its many interesting art museums. You can also visit Portland, Oregon, which is famous for its many bicycle paths, parks, and coffeehouses. Vancouver, British Columbia is another fun place to visit, with its scenic mountains and thriving music industry.

Will I have access to free Wi-Fi on my train to Seattle?

Many of the trains to Seattle are operated by Amtrak, which usually has free and unlimited Wi-Fi for passengers. You can connect to Wi-Fi on most portable electronic devices, like tablets, laptops, and smartphones. Once you connect to the network, simply go to the Amtrak website to finish the connection process. Your seat will likely have its own outlet which can be used to keep all of your devices charged during your journey.

Does King Street Station offer any facilities or services for individuals with limited mobility?

King Street Station has a few services to help those with limited mobility travel as smoothly as possible. All of the station's restrooms, platforms, waiting rooms, and ticket offices are accessible for individuals in wheelchairs. There is also a wheelchair lift to help travelers board their train. If you will need additional help, station employees are always there to assist you with anything you may need. Make sure to contact the station ahead of time so they will have an employee waiting for you.

Book train tickets to Seattle (round-trip)

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SEATAC to Kings Station for Amtrak via Light Rail - Seattle Forum

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SEATAC to Kings Station for Amtrak via Light Rail

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15 replies to this topic

It's King Street Station , not Kings, fyi.

its very easy to do. Once you get off light rail you will see two bldgs. Look for the Starbucks (if its still there) and walk between them. You'll cross over 5th ave and take the elevator to the parking lot and turn right and you will be at the station. This will save you walking to Jackson and around to the station. I think you'd easily be there by 5pm at the latest.

So total transit time, door to door from SeaTac terminal to King Street Station would be 45 to 55 minutes, depending on how well you time catching the light rail.

If you intend to check baggage, Amtrak has a hard, 45 minute cutoff prior to departure. This means the baggage is in Amtrak’s hands at 45 minutes, not standing in line. If you do not intend to check baggage, Amtrak closes the boarding gate 5 minutes before departure at King Street. In theory, you could show up at the gate at 5:55 for 518 and make the train, though your choice of seats would probably be poor. A half hour if not checking baggage is ample.

I think the timing is fine for using LightRail in the situation you describe. But you mentioned "luggage"... how much will you have? It if's more than one roller bag per person, I'd probably spring for a taxi. I find it a bit of a hassle taking large or multiple suitcases on LightRail.

Honestly, with the Horizons, the only real difference in Business Class is the priority deboarding to go through Customs and Immigration in Vancouver . Plus a $3 or $4 coupon for the cafe.

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Take A Scenic, Bucket List Train Trip From Los Angeles To Seattle

• Hop on the iconic Coast Starlight train for an unforgettable 35-hour scenic adventure from LA to Seattle.
• Choose from different ticket options starting at $100 to enjoy coastal views, mountains, and cities along the way.
• Consider the best season for your trip for stunning Pacific Coast views and unforgettable sunsets.

The beloved and memorable Pacific Coast Highway is one of the most iconic and scenic drives in the United States. The route starts in Los Angeles, California, weaving along the coast with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, through the mystical Cascade Mountains, and continuing into the pine-blanketed state of Washington, with Seattle as the final destination.

9 Scenic Amtrak Trips On The West Coast & Their Costs

While the PCH cruise is one of the essential things to do while visiting California (at least part of it), there is another way to take in the sights. Soak in the stunning views aboard one of the most scenic train rides in the United States: the Coast Starlight. Here's what to know about enjoying a trip on the Coast Starlight from Los Angeles to Seattle.

UPDATE: 2024/03/23 21:44 EST BY LANE VASQUEZ

There's So Much To See On A Train Trip From LA To Seattle

This West Coast train trip feature has been updated with current pricing information, more visuals that sketch out the itinerary, and add-ons that showcase what to expect during this trip.

Is The Coast Starlight Worth The Trip?

A train trip from los angeles to seattle takes around 35 hours.

The Coast Starlight is Amtrak's train service between Los Angeles and Seattle and is a trip that will require some planning to ensure a comfortable journey. The Coast Starlight is for those with some time on their hands, looking for that next, new adventure.

The ride takes around 35 hours from Los Angeles to Seattle with many memorable stops in between. Seattle makes a great ending point as one of the best cities in the US to explore without a car . Once travelers arrive, they will have the Emerald City at their fingertips.

There is a lot to consider while booking a Coast Starlight trip to ensure a pleasant and comfortable journey. However, no matter what happens along the way, cruising up the Pacific Coast Highway up to Washington will provide one of the most scenic and epic train adventures of a lifetime.

The Coast Starlight departs from both Seattle and Los Angeles. However, northbound is the way to go, with more scenery during the day.

Explore The Coast Starlight Route (& Stops Along The Way)

The long route means plenty of scenery (and scenic stops).

The journey begins in Los Angeles, which has some unmissable attractions of its own — take time to explore before departing if you're not from the area!

• The Coast Starlight departs from Union Station , leaving every day around 10 a.m. with a final destination of King Street Station in Seattle, Washington , arriving around 8 p.m. the following night.

From Los Angeles, the train meanders through Simi Valley, coming out to the coast of the Pacific where passengers will have stunning views of the ocean from the glass-domed observation car, slithering along the rocky, palm tree-strewn cliffs of southern California.

Most bookings require multiple segments, where travelers have to disembark from one train and get on another. Be sure to read the details of your trip before booking — or look for a nonstop trip if desired.

What makes this adventure even more worthwhile is all the Coastal Starlight's stops along the coast . Plan a trip with some overnight stops to make the most of the journey! Some of the most popular stops include:

• San Luis Obispo, CA
• Santa Barbara, CA
• San Jose, CA
• Oakland, CA
• Sacramento, CA
• Portland, OR

It's worth looking over all the stops the Coast Starlight makes and doing some research on some places that may be worthy of an overnight visit.

These destinations offer travelers some truly phenomenal adventures, including stunning beaches, epic hikes, wineries, and exploring some of the West Coast's best towns and cities, including indulging in some great food and wine tours in Santa Barbara and exploring the city of San Francisco .

It's important to note that when planning on getting off the train for a night, passengers will need to book each leg of the trip separately, which can be done hassle-free via Amtrak's website .

Amenities & Options On The Coast Starlight

The coast starlight can be an affordable trip (depending on the seat you choose).

The journey on Amtrak's Superliner Coast Starlight offers different levels of comfort, amenities, and accommodation, which depend on the ticket purchased. Standard coach tickets will give guests access to the dining car, the small café, and the glass-domed observation car.

When booking a roomette or bedroom, passengers will be graced with complimentary dining, exclusive lounge access, along with private restrooms and showers.

With limited food options in the dining car, it's worth packing snacks and beverages in your on-board baggage.

Coast Starlight Train Costs

Tickets for the coast starlight start at around $100.

There are three different tiers of tickets, each offering different needs and desires of passengers. It's important to be aware that costs will also vary depending on how far in advance tickets are booked, the time of year, and even the departure day.

Seating/ Accommodation:

The Coast Starlight does offer sleeper cars; private rooms start at around $600, depending on the time you travel from Los Angeles to Seattle.

Business class seats do not appear to be available for the long-haul trip, though other accommodations are available for shorter trips along the Coast Starlight's route.

When booking a standard coach seat for the full journey, it's important to remember that this will be your bed and accommodation for the next 35 hours! If you're feeling adventurous, it's only one night of compromised sleep and the scenic ride is worth it.

How To Book Tickets For The Coast Starlight

Booking is easy on amtrak's website.

Booking tickets for the Coast Starlight is as easy as visiting Amtrak's website . Travelers can view the full itinerary of the trip, choose the departure and arrival, the date of departure, and select the appropriate seating and accommodation options for their journey.

Best Time Of Year To Take The Train From LA To Seattle

Summer is the busiest time on the coast starlight.

The best time of year to take the Coast Starlight is highly worth pondering, considering the vast amount of terrain being covered. Southern California and the Pacific Northwest vary greatly when it comes to weather, so leaving in the sunny, warm, middle of winter from Los Angeles isn't going to mean the same is happening in Seattle.

Summer is going to be the busiest time of year when temperatures are all around warm and sunny and families are on their vacations. So, it's worth keeping this in mind when planning a trip if avoiding summer crowds is important.

The fall and spring are going to bring cooler temperatures and smaller crowds while presenting the opportunity to see some fall colors and spring blooms, which will make the adventure that much more scenic and beautiful.

Winter will still be beautiful, with snow-capped mountains, bringing cooler and rainier weather, especially coming into the Pacific Northwest, which would make for a cozy train ride.

7 Epic Round-Trip Amtrak Vacations In The US

While booking any train, it's always worth considering which side of the train to book a seat or room on. When it comes to the Coast Starlight, it is highly suggested to book on the left side, where the sweeping Pacific Coast views and sunset will be.

Passengers can always wander to the dining car, lounge, or glass dome observation car to change sides if needed, but for the long haul, the left side is the way to go.

The Coast Starlight will allow travelers to experience the beautiful West Coast in a whole new way. While road trips are one of the best ways to see the country and have great adventures, sometimes it can be nice to be able to just sit back and soak up the endless views.

It's time to add a train trip from Los Angeles to Seattle to the bucket list because this is a trip that will never be forgotten!

• Local Politics
• Puget Sound
• Traffic Lab

Eastside’s light rail wait is almost over with ‘Starter Line’

BELLEVUE — The arrival of the East Link Starter Line, a 6-mile light rail route from South Bellevue to Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, will change how Eastsiders think about getting around.

A revolution in regional travel isn’t here yet. Sound Transit’s promise to unite east and west, with a line across Lake Washington into Seattle, won’t be fulfilled for nearly two years. Still, the local eight-station segment, which opens Saturday, provides a test run for rail’s appeal on the Eastside, where communities are rebuilding themselves to fit new trains.

Traffic Lab reporter Mike Lindblom is taking questions for an upcoming story. Email him at [email protected]

Since voters approved Eastside rail more than 15 years ago, the population has increased 35% in Redmond and Bellevue, reaching 231,000 residents. Both cities welcomed taller downtowns and converted outlying lands to “transit-oriented development” at stations where apartments, cafes, pubs, parks and a new arts district await people. Three bridges stand ready to help people overcome dangerous traffic when they walk or bike to light rail.

“Everything that you have seen happen in Bellevue over the last 10 years, has been because of the promise of light rail,” asserts Bellevue Mayor Lynne Robinson.

Someday, train riders will glide along the Interstate 90 bridge, watching traffic jams out the window on their way to the office, to enjoy a night of dinner and music on either side of the lake, or to catch a connecting train to the airport. World-class health centers and software hubs will be connected more closely than ever.

Until the full route that includes Mercer Island and Seattle is ready, Sound Transit will reward neighbors for their patience and 27 years of taxpaying with the Bellevue-Redmond starter line, at the insistence of transit board member Claudia Balducci of Bellevue .

Train trips Saturday begin around 11 a.m., after a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Bellevue Downtown Station.

Three decades ago, many business and political luminaries opposed transit taxes, thinking Seattle would hoard the regional money or that trains are inferior to highways in solving congestion. These days, Eastside leaders largely support rail, while voters in Bellevue and Redmond favored the tax increases. But in outer communities like Renton or Sammamish, prospective service is minuscule and majorities voted no.

East Link was originally promised by 2020 but delayed from the start by political disputes over Bellevue alignments, chiefly the city’s demand for a tunnel instead of elevated or surface tracks downtown. The I-90 segment to Seattle isn’t ready this spring because contractors had to rebuild 5,400 defective track ties.

A new landscape

Sound Transit hypes light rail as an Eastside boon, while also dampening expectations; its value won’t be realized before the entire $3.7 billion, 14-mile project, labeled the 2 Line, crosses Lake Washington to reach Seattle.

The initial eight-station local line is expected to serve 4,000 to 5,700 daily passengers, comparable to an above-average bus or streetcar.

As in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., and Vancouver, B.C., you can spot the train line by scanning the horizon. Station-area skylines here are shorter and just beginning to form, except for the skyscrapers of downtown Bellevue. That trend suggests trains can become more popular over time.

“The thing that’s different about Bellevue now is we have a whole lot more people living around light rail and transit,” said Robinson, who lives downtown.

The east endpoint of the route is Redmond Technology Station, adjacent to 47,000 Microsoft employees . White canopies mark its walk-bike bridge over Highway 520.

Trains continue through postindustrial lands to Bellevue’s 16-block Spring District, where apartments surround the Global Innovation Exchange high-tech institute. Bike connections are available to Kirkland and Woodinville on the 42-mile Eastrail. Tracks pass Bellevue hospitals, rounding a curve into a scenic (from the trains) Interstate 405 bridge, then the downtown station where Amazon, Pokémon and big engineering firms inhabit towers. A short tunnel leads to Main Street, where trains emerge toward South Bellevue Station, a giant park-and-ride terminus overlooking Mercer Slough.

Traffic Lab | Eastside Light Rail

• Video: Ride Eastside’s new light rail train with us
• Eastside’s biggest employer has been getting ready for this day for years
• Eastside light rail line opens as huge crowds try out the ride
• The highs and lows of Eastside’s 8 new light rail stations, from parking to traffic hazards
• New to light rail? Here’s your starter kit for riding
• Eastside’s light rail wait is almost over with ‘Starter Line’
• Map: Eastside’s first light rail stations open April 27
• Timeline: Eastside light rail has been a long time coming

With so many people headed to so many places around the Eastside, the big question is: Can the 2 Line catch ’em all?

That’s unclear. Workers’ homes are scattered across King County and beyond, while some station neighborhoods haven’t taken off yet.

After dark, the new sidewalks are deserted at BelRed Station, plopped between parking lots, daytime strip malls and warehouses. Even if tracks reached Seattle, only a scant 1,000 daily riders here were predicted by original forecasts.

A few attractions are bringing night visitors. Electric guitar riffs spill out the windows of Evolution Rehearsal Studios, where Heart and Fleet Foxes have practiced. Music echoes off the concrete walls of a busy indoor tennis center and two apartment blocks under construction.

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Eden Helstein, the studio owner, said he grew up hauling drumsticks and cymbals onto New York subways, and wants his customers to have that choice.

“Just like these guys are unloading their cars, they could be walking up the street with their guitars and cymbals on their backs and they all travel very lightly,” he said.

Helstein understands the risk that his building, owned by relatives of saxophone legend Kenny G, might be displaced someday if rail brings a real estate boom.

“For me it’s not a freakout moment or try to figure it out before it comes,” he said. As president of the BelRed Arts District nonprofit , his mission includes helping others adapt to change. That might mean organizing local festivals, shared marketing, helping tenants find new space, or even relief donations.

Arts in Bellevue generate $54 million and 600 jobs per year, providing more reasons to ride trains, he said. “You look at other successful arts districts around the country, property values go up 8%, the crime rate goes down.”

Transit culture

Supporters are counting on so-called rail bias, where car travelers who would never consider a bus will try the trains.

“It’s really the beginning of the transformation … when we see transit becoming a critical part of the identify of the Eastside,” said Kelli Refer, executive director of the nonprofit Move Redmond . “There is actually a lot of demand to go between Bellevue and Redmond, and there are a lot of trips not taken.”

In a survey of 300 Bellevue voters , 12% said they’d ride the starter line at least weekly, while 28% guessed monthly, and 58% replied never. Joe Fain, president of the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce, said there’s “just not the muscle memory for using transit” yet, but people will soon notice they can ride downtown without parking stress.

Redmond Mayor Angela Birney, a transit board member, was impressed by the smoothness on her preview ride, no screeching or grinding, though the train slowed under downtown Bellevue. “I felt like a small child,” she said.

The 2 Line could be nicknamed the “ Cricket Express ,” said Balducci, reflecting a potential transit niche and the corridor’s immigrant communities who enjoy the sport. (About 18% of Bellevue-Redmond residents are of South Asian descent, census data indicates.) Train stations are near an indoor cricket training center and cricket-gear store, matches are played on Microsoft’s campus , and in 2025 trains will reach Marymoor Park, a favorite site for cricket leagues and a proposed cricket arena .

Eastside cities are determined to deter the drug use and occasional violence witnessed on the west side’s 1 Line. Bellevue police formed a seven-officer light rail unit to patrol inside trains and stations, besides Sound Transit’s countywide police. Redmond will deploy two transit police and call upon its Thrive health-response team .

“I don’t think we’re going to have an intimidating presence,” said Robinson. “I just want my daughter to be able to go to a concert in Seattle, and come back on light rail at 1 a.m. and feel safe.”

Measuring success

A basic measure of success is how many people ride. Otherwise, why spend about $900 per resident annually in urban King, Snohomish and Pierce counties to develop high-capacity transit?

Official targets like 4,000 to 5,700 daily trips are “setting the bar pretty low,” said Charles Prestrud, a longtime transportation agency analyst, now with the conservative Washington Policy Center.

“The Eastside has a population of about 750,000 and those people take several million trips per day,” he said. “So if East Link carries 5,000 riders per day, that’s a small fraction of 1% of trips.” Even after it reaches Seattle, he foresees nowhere near the 50,000 East Link passengers forecast years ago in the heyday of cross-lake commuting.

There’s no evidence Sound Transit will lower congestion regionally, and Prestrud notes the dominant commute trip is I-405 north-south, not across Bellevue.

What the 2 Line will do is add trip options and resilience for some.

One cautionary fact is King County Metro’s RapidRide B Line bus, near Link stations, only carries 4,200 daily riders .

“That’s a meandering 25-minute ride, depending on traffic,” replied Redmond Mayor Birney. “The train will cut that in half.”

Another caution sign is South Bellevue Station’s new 1,500-stall garage currently attracts fewer than 50 commuter cars per day — a reversal of past habits when the former 500-stall lot overflowed with express bus customers. It’s reason to doubt people will transfer much from starter-line trains to I-90 buses.

Post-pandemic, Sound Transit’s leisure trips, personal errands, event crowds and student travel are thriving in Seattle, while downtown commutes lag. The 1 Line surpassed 130,000 trips a few days last July until prolonged track-repair closures sapped its momentum.

Birney hopes South Bellevue Station will become an appealing place for families to park for Eastside trips to sports or concerts at Redmond’s Marymoor Park next year.

Starter lines can be underwhelming.

Runaway costs forced Honolulu to devise an isolated starter line near Pearl Harbor, which carries a dismal 3,200 daily riders. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg reassured locals the whole point is getting to the next stage, reaching the airport next year and downtown around 2031.

“Each time you add access to even one station, the whole line becomes more valuable all up and down the line,” Buttigieg said.

Yonah Freemark , author of the Transport Politic newsletter , says it’s unfair to obsess about numbers on a starter line.

“We’re not going to see that [total] benefit until the line goes over Lake Washington,” he said. Unlike most systems, Seattle-area light rail use peaks in summer, aided by Sodo events. “That’s one more reason we can’t judge the Link 2 Line yet … it doesn’t reach there,” Freemark said.

Sound Transit’s initial 1 Line segment, which started out serving only 21,000 passengers a day, has increased to near 80,000, after seven more stations and 15 years experience. That would be near 110,000 if downtown Seattle were booming now.

The future one-train ride from Bellevue to the University of Washington should build new clientele, said Sound Transit planner Matt Sheldon. Others will find a Highway 520 bus more direct.

Conrad Lee, a 30-year Bellevue council member, welcomes the 2 Line despite his belief cars and trucks run by artificial intelligence “will improve efficiency more than light rail can do.” He questioned billions for Sound Transit when other societal needs abound.

On the other hand, it shows business executives that Bellevue has arrived, he said. “It does have a global impact, as far as proving the city of Bellevue is worth the investment.” City staff count 90 international companies that maintain their U.S. headquarters in Bellevue.

Where to go next

Next up is the Northgate-Lynnwood corridor, where four stations are scheduled to open Aug. 30 on the 1 Line.

After that comes a 2 Line extension to Marymoor Village and Downtown Redmond early next year, which will greatly increase trips at Redmond Technology Station, a couple of miles uphill.

Then the overdue East Link I-90 connection in late 2025, though CEO Goran Sparrman has warned the job risks further delays.

To the south, three-station Federal Way Link is trending toward 2026, two years late, after contractors needed to unexpectedly build a long-span bridge over wetlands.

Once the I-90 tracks open, more riders will pour in at new Mercer Island and Judkins Park stations. After that, the 2 Line will share tracks with the 1 Line to Lynnwood. The overlapping routes will serve 120,000 to 143,000 daily passengers across all 48 miles, new forecasts say.

That’s two stadium loads of people.

Train access might help new destinations develop, said Patrick Bannon, president of the Bellevue Downtown Association. A Bellevue nonprofit is organizing to create a performing arts center, “1,500 to 2,000 seats, on par with the 5th Avenue or the Paramount,” he said.

Ultimately the Eastside competes for commuters — and therefore transit riders — against telework. Employers see in-person teams as more efficient, Robinson said, but lively downtowns might close the deal.

“My goal is just to make the experience in Bellevue such that people prefer to be in Bellevue,” she said. “They’d rather get out of their house and have a beautiful place to walk around, support some small businesses, get coffee.” More child care would help, she said.

So would a landscaped walk-bike bridge over I-405, fulfilling the Grand Connection that Bellevue envisioned since the early 2010s. It would expand the walkable territory to the downtown light rail hub, like the John Lewis Memorial Bridge over Interstate 5 at Seattle’s Northgate Station. The mayor wants the I-405 bridge within four years.

The opinions expressed in reader comments are those of the author only and do not reflect the opinions of The Seattle Times.

Light rail service from Bellevue to Redmond officially opens

Eastside light rail extension grand opening.

Light rail service is coming to the Eastside, connecting Bellevue and Redmond starting April 27, 2024.

BELLEVUE, Wash. - Light rail service is coming to the Eastside , connecting Bellevue and Redmond starting Saturday.

Link 2 Line service will run through eight new stations across 6.5 miles of the Eastside, with plans to expand into Snohomish County in the fall. Beginning Saturday, the light rail will travel between the South Bellevue Station and the Redmond Technology Station.

Sound Transit says two-car trains will run every 10 minutes from 5:30 a.m.–9:30 p.m., seven days a week.

"With the opening of the 2 Line on the Eastside this spring, and our major expansion into Snohomish County this fall, we’re bringing the convenience of light rail to hundreds of thousands more people across the region. That means more people will be able to use Link light rail to skip the traffic and parking hassles and get to school, work, games, concerts and more, inexpensively and on time, every time," said King County Executive Dow Constantine.

When will Light Rail 2 Line open? 

The 2 Line is scheduled to fully open in 2025, but officials say the I-90 segment of East Link was delayed due to quality issues. When those issues are resolved, the I-90 stretch will connect Mercer Island and Judkins Park stations to the 2 Line, then connect to the 1 Line in Seattle's Chinatown-International District and downtown.

"We are thrilled to celebrate the 2 Line opening at Bellevue Downtown Station ," said Bellevue Mayor Lynne Robinson. "Bellevue’s partnership with Sound Transit has been guided by a shared vision to improve mobility and access for everyone who lives, works and plays in Bellevue and the region. This opening brings us even closer to a future with a multitude of effective transportation options to get where you need to go on the Eastside and beyond."

With the Bellevue route opening, the Bellevue Police Department (BPD) is preparing to officially roll out its new police unit – The Bellevue Light Rail Unit (BLU) – a dedicated unit "designed to foster a safe and positive riding experience for individuals and families wishing to use the new Link Light Rail Service through Bellevue." 

Each of Bellevue’s six Link stops is within the patrol duties of the BLU team.

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WA farmers brace for summer drought on heels of harvest shortfalls

Washington’s agriculture industry has been hit hard by climate change. Growers are working to develop crops that can thrive in shifting landscapes.

A 100-degree sun beats down on apple orchards at Rowe Farms outside of Yakima in this Aug. 16, 2023 file photo. (Genna Martin/Cascade PBS)

Andy Juris, a dryland wheat and alfalfa grower in Bickleton, in Klickitat County, knows precisely how much fertilizer to put on different areas of his farm. 

Juris needs to ensure he uses the right amount of fertilizer. Too much can damage the plant, but not enough may prevent full development. 

But Juris says the proper use of fertilizers also ensures optimal use of water, which can be more limited in drought years. 

Last week, the Washington Department of Ecology declared a drought emergency for most of the state, aiming to help everyone from farmers to local irrigation districts better prepare for drought in the coming months.

This nearly statewide drought emergency is the third in the past decade — a similar emergency was declared in 2015 and 2021. Even in years without a statewide declaration, Ecology has declared drought emergencies for portions of the state, such as the one declared last year for 12 counties , including Yakima, Benton, Walla Walla and Kittitas, counties with robust agriculture industries. 

Climate change has made extreme weather events, such as the heat dome from 2021 , more frequent. 

For growers like Juris and others in the agriculture industry, it’s not just about enduring drought conditions for this season alone, but changing in response to anticipated drought in the years and decades to come. 

Agriculture industry officials are evaluating every aspect of the production process to help their crops be more resilient to future drought. 

“On our farm, I get the crop the best I can in a position of health,” Juris said. “Wheat plants are like people. When [plants are healthy], you can handle stress.” 

Drought conditions

The state Department of Ecology declared a drought emergency on April 16. The agency stated that it declared the emergency to allow those affected to be better prepared. The declaration also provides access to grants and other programs that can help mitigate the issue. 

For 12 counties in the state, the declaration extended last year’s emergency. Last year’s conditions already caused a deficit in precipitation needed for sufficient snowpack, said Caroline Mellor, statewide drought lead for Ecology. 

When the emergency was declared, the snowpack was at 68% statewide, with several areas reporting even significantly lower numbers. 

With forecasts of a warm and sunny spring, officials anticipate that snow will melt too fast, leaving areas without needed water, Mellor said. 

For agriculture, crucial water supply may drop when growers need it most in the summer and fall when harvest starts for many of the state’s agricultural commodities. 

A farmworker picks pears at Rowe Farms outside of Yakima on Aug. 16, 2023, when temperatures reached over 100 degrees. (Genna Martin/Cascade PBS)

Drought during tough years for agriculture

Anticipated drought conditions come as growers of tree fruit, including apples and cherries, are still recovering from losses from both abnormally cold and warm temperatures in past years. 

Apples are the state’s top crop, with a valuation of $2.07 billion in 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Cherries are also among the state’s top 10 crops, at $407 million. 

In 2022, a cold and snowy spring stunted the development of apples and cherries , leading to the lowest crop volumes in over a decade. 

Then, last year, cherry growers were hit with the opposite issue — abnormally warm spring temperatures. This led to a condensed harvest that caused an oversaturation of the market, lowering prices. That prompted U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to issue a formal disaster declaration to allow Washington cherry growers to get federal emergency loans to help recover losses. 

Drought comes as Washington tree-fruit growers — primarily in the Yakima Valley, Wenatchee Valley and Columbia Basin in Central Washington — are seeing declining returns and increasing costs, said Jon DeVaney, president of the Washington State Tree Fruit Association. “That’s an added headache no one needed.” 

But this year’s early declaration of drought does allow the industry to prepare, DeVaney said. Local irrigation districts are already prepared to work together to make water available to growers. So an irrigation district that has extra water may transfer it to another district where there’s more need from growers. However, growers will have to pay for the transfer. 

Meanwhile, wheat growers in Eastern Washington are still recovering from the drought and extreme heat of 2021, which sapped moisture from the soil and, with minimal precipitation, caused a drastic drop in yields. That year, Washington growers produced 87.1 million bushels of wheat, well below normal levels of 145 to 160 million bushels, said Michelle Hennings, executive director of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers. A bushel of wheat is about 60 pounds.

That kind of decrease in harvests could leave a huge financial hit. The USDA values Washington’s wheat at $1.17 billion, making it among the state’s top three agricultural commodities, just behind apples and milk. About 90% of the state’s wheat is exported, and in 2022, it was among the top three exported agricultural commodities at $894 million. If Washington can’t supply wheat due to reduced yields, many other countries are ready to step in. 

Most growers relied on crop insurance to help recover the losses of 2021 and rebuild. Growers saw things bounce back in 2022, when the crop reached 144 million bushels. Numbers dropped again in 2023, to 113 million bushels, but that was still an improvement over 2021. 

Now, growers are already feeling the effects of drought. Many growers this spring had to reseed their fields because the seeds planted last fall didn’t develop due to a lack of moisture, Hennings said. 

Hennings said it made sense for Ecology to declare an emergency now rather than wait until the impact hit growers. “We’ve been through it before,” she said. “It’s nice when they have these emergency drought programs.” 

Such times test a grower’s entire operation, says Juris, the dryland wheat grower in Bickleton. Growers now have to balance skyrocketing costs with declining returns from the export market. They must also learn to utilize technology and analyze data to ensure that raw materials are used to their maximum value. 

“Everyone pictures a farmer with a straw hat and pitchfork,” Juris said. “Anymore, you have to be a CFO, a CEO, an accountant, and a chemist.” 

Thinking ahead

With so many drought emergencies in recent years, industry experts said growers need to adopt practices to better prepare for future drought. 

The industry is working alongside researchers at Washington State University on efforts that may lead to long-term solutions. 

Sonia Hall, a research associate at the Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources at WSU, is part of a team investigating how changing climate conditions have shifted the availability of water in Eastern Washington and what that means for agricultural producers, especially those who may see their water supply curtailed or shut off due to drought. 

Even in non-drought years, this information is important because a sufficient supply of water may come when growers’ demand is lower, Hall said. Understanding that timing is crucial to helping all involved — from policymakers to agricultural producers — get a sense of what’s to come and make the key long-term investments to respond to the changing water availability. 

She said the conversation around drought in a given year isn’t just about how to get relief that year, but also about what information it provides on what needs to be done in the long term by both growers and policymakers. 

DeVaney, the Washington State Tree Fruit Association president, noted growing interest in research on climate models. With climate change leading to more frequent adverse weather events, climate models must be adjusted to help growers better anticipate such events, including ones that lead to drought, and the practices they should adopt. 

WSU also conducts research on apple varieties that may grow better under drought conditions or temperature fluctuations. 

“Growers have been seeing a lot of these kinds of weather events that’s causing financial challenges for them,” DeVaney said. “What kind of management practices will be appropriate for that environment?” 

Hennings said the Washington wheat industry is also working with WSU to research more drought-resilient varieties. 

Juris agrees that more needs to be done with climate models, noting that drought occurred during years for which the old long-term forecast models had predicted more precipitation. 

“Those 50-year averages don’t seem to hold anymore,” he said. 

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Mai Hoang is the Central/Eastern Washington reporter for Crosscut. Find her on Twitter @maiphoang or on Facebook , or you can e-mail her at  [email protected] .

Seattle City Council rejects affordable-housing development bill

The pilot program proposed by Tammy Morales would’ve offered incentives to develop mixed-use buildings while partnering with community organizations.

Seattle Councilmember pushes housing, community development pilot

Seattle shares plan for more housing density in every neighborhood, a heap of housing bills failed in wa’s legislative session.