Amtrak Gold Runner: Schedule, Stops, & Route Guide

The Amtrak Gold Runner, formerly known as the San Joaquins, connects the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento to Bakersfield, with Amtrak bus connections to destinations such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, Yosemite, and other destinations throughout California.

If you have traveled this route before, you may still see the San Joaquins’ name on older signs, maps, or train information during the transition. However, Gold Runner is the name Amtrak currently uses for this California service.

This page provides information about the Gold Runner schedule, major stops, onboard amenities, baggage policies, and tips for planning your trip.

Amtrak Gold Runner Quick Facts

• Former name: Amtrak San Joaquins
• Route: San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento to Bakersfield
• Major train stops: Oakland, Emeryville, Richmond, Martinez, Stockton, Modesto, Merced, Fresno, Hanford, Wasco, and Bakersfield
• San Francisco connection: Use an Amtrak Connection bus between Emeryville and San Francisco
• Southern California connection: Use Amtrak Connection buses from Bakersfield to Los Angeles and other Southern California destinations
• Yosemite connection: Merced is the main Gold Runner stop for Yosemite-area connections
• Seating: Coach class only; there are no sleeper cars on this route
• Food: Snacks and café-style options may be available, but selections can vary, so bring anything you know you’ll need
• Wi-Fi: Available onboard, but best for basic browsing rather than streaming, video calls, or essential work
• Checked bags: Available on select trains and at select stations only; verify baggage service for both your starting and ending stations when booking

Gold Runner Schedule

This train offers connections to San Francisco, Los Angeles, and various intermediate stops via bus services. The following are the departure times. For a complete schedule, please refer to the PDF below, which includes all connecting Thruway bus services.

Schedule accuracy: These times are sourced from Amtrak.com and are subject to change without notice. Things can change, and this page was current on the day of publication. I strive to keep this information up to date to the best of my ability.

Schedule accuracy: These times are sourced from Amtrak.com and are subject to change without notice. Things can change, and this page was current on the day of publication. I strive to keep this information up to date to the best of my ability.

What to Expect on the Amtrak Gold Runner

You will travel in comfortable single-level or bi-level coaches on the Gold Runner. If you are accustomed to the San Joaquín, you are set!

All Gold Runner trains operate exclusively in coach class; there are no sleeper accommodations or business class available on this route.

The journey emphasizes daytime travel through some of California’s most productive agricultural regions. Passengers can enjoy views of the Central Valley and, on clear days, the Sierra Nevada mountains to the east.

Seating & Onboard Amenities

Amtrak Gold Runner coach class includes several passenger-friendly features:

• No middle seats
• Power outlets: Each seat is equipped with a 120V grounded (three-prong) outlet for charging devices.
  • Depending on the equipment used, the outlets are either under the window or between the seats.
• Reading lights: Each seat has its own overhead light.
• Tray tables: Folding trays for meals, laptops, or other needs.
• Spacious legroom: There is significantly more legroom than in airline coach seating.

Seating configurations vary: Some train sets feature seating arrangements in which chairs face each other, with a table between them, making them ideal for groups or families traveling together. Depending on the train set used, you may be able to ride backward.

Storage options: You can store your carry-on luggage in the overhead bins above your seat, in the larger storage areas at the ends of each car, or on the lower level, depending on available space.

For particularly long items, please ask the conductor about available storage options.

Connecting Bus Service (Amtrak Thruway)

The Gold Runner extends beyond the rail line to include Amtrak Thruway bus service.

These motorcoach connections are part of your train ticket and are often referred to as Amtrak buses.

Significant Thruway connections include:

• San Francisco: Several buses run multiple times a day, connecting Oakland and Emeryville to San Francisco.
• Silicon Valley: Service to San Jose, Santa Clara, and other Bay Area tech hubs
• Los Angeles: Connections from Bakersfield to Union Station and further destinations.
• Coastal access: Links to Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and other coastal cities

The buses are comfortable and reliable. I have used the Thruway service multiple times and found it a convenient option for reaching destinations not directly accessible by train. You can view the schedules for these connecting services in the PDF below.

Important: When booking, Amtrak includes bus connections as part of your journey, so your ticket covers the entire trip from origin to destination.

Food & Drinks

The Gold Runner provides complimentary snacks and drinks on all trains, marking a significant departure from the previous paid café car service. Please note that this information is subject to change at any time, and Amtrak does not notify me of such changes.

Take a look at the latest menu for Gold Runner Café.

What’s available (complimentary):

• Snacks
  • Doritos (Nacho Cheese), White Cheddar Popcorn, Grandma’s Cookies, Dots Pretzels, Mini Clif Bars, and more
• Drinks
  • Coca-Cola, Diet Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, bottled water

Items are available while supplies last; availability may vary by train and time of day. The selection is subject to change without notice.

Bring your own: You are welcome to bring your own food and drinks on board. Since the complimentary service is limited to snacks and non-alcoholic beverages, getting a meal on the train is a wise choice for longer journeys.

Alcohol Policy: You are not permitted to bring personal alcohol on board. Alcoholic beverages are not currently included in the complimentary service.

What You Can Bring

Bicycles

You can bring your bicycle on most Gold Runner trains. The requirements include:

• Maximum weight: 50 lbs
• Standard bicycle sizes only
• Maximum tire width: 2 inches

Note: Bicycle policies may vary by train number; verify at the time of booking. Read Amtrak’s bike policy for complete details and reservation requirements.

Pets and Service Animals

Pets are not allowed on Gold Runner trains.

Service animals are permitted on Amtrak trains. However, emotional support animals do not qualify as service animals under Amtrak’s policy and must adhere to the pet rules in areas where pets are allowed. Since pets are not permitted on the Gold Runner, travelers should review Amtrak’s current service animal and pet policies before making a booking.

Luggage

The Gold Runner offers checked bag service at select stations.

Each passenger may bring:

• One personal item: Up to 25 lbs and 14 × 11 × 7 inches (purse, backpack, laptop bag)
• Two carry-on bags: Up to 50 lbs each and 28 × 22 × 14 inches per bag

Important transfer note: If you connect to the Pacific Surfliner at any point during your journey, be aware that this train has a smaller size limit of 28 × 22 × 11 inches per piece. Please plan accordingly if you are making this connection.

Stations Served By the Amtrak Gold Runner

Here are the train stops for this train. Click any of the links below to see the address, accommodations, and more information about each station.

Booking Tips

Best Time to Book

Purchase your Gold Runner tickets early for the best fares. Amtrak employs yield-management pricing similar to airlines’, meaning prices rise as seats fill and your travel date approaches.

Sweet spot: Aim to book 2-4 weeks in advance for reasonable prices, though earlier is always better during peak travel periods.

Peak Travel Considerations

Expect fuller trains and higher prices during:

• Holiday weekends (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Memorial Day, Labor Day, 4th of July)
• Summer months (June-August)
• Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings for weekend travelers
• Notable events in major cities along the route

Finding Deals

• Amtrak Guest Rewards: Join the free loyalty program to earn points toward future travel
• Senior discount: Passengers 65+ receive 10% off
• Student discount: 15% off with a valid student ID
• Multi-ride passes: Consider if you’re a frequent traveler on this route

Booking Connecting Service

When booking travel that includes Thruway bus connections, book the entire journey as a single ticket through Amtrak.com, the app, at staffed stations, or by phone.

This ensures:

• Your bus and train seats are reserved together.
• Currently, you cannot book a bus ticket without a train ticket.
• You’re protected if delays cause you to miss a connection
• You get one ticket for the entire trip

Frequently Asked Questions About the Gold Runner

What is the Amtrak Gold Runner?

What’s the difference between the Gold Runner, Coast Starlight, and Pacific Surfliner?

California has three major Amtrak routes that serve different regions:

Gold Runner (San Joaquins):

• Multiple daily departures (6-7 trains per day)
• Route: Oakland/Sacramento through the Central Valley to Bakersfield
• Coach-only, no sleeping or business cars
• Complimentary snacks and drinks
• Connects to the Bay Area and Southern California via Thruway buses
• Journey through California’s agricultural heartland

Coast Starlight:

• One daily departure in each direction
• Route: Los Angeles to Seattle via the coast
• Offers sleeping cars, coach cars, dining and café cars, and Sightseer Lounge
• Premium long-distance service
• Passes through Oakland and Sacramento (but with a different schedule from the Gold Runner)
• Scenic coastal and mountain views

Pacific Surfliner:

• Multiple daily departures (10+ trains per day)
• Route: San Diego to San Luis Obispo along the coast
• Coach and business class available
• Café car with purchases
• Serves coastal cities like Oceanside, Anaheim, Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara
• Stunning Pacific Ocean views for much of the route

Which should you take?

Depending on where you start and end, you may have one or more options. If you are unsure which one is best for you, consider these points. Both the Surfliner and Gold Runner operate multiple trains per day, while the Starlight operates only one per day in each direction.

• Pacific Surfliner: Best for Southern California coastal travel and great for coastal views.
• Gold Runner: Great for travel between the Bay Area, the Central Valley, and connecting to LA
• Coast Starlight: Best for long-distance travel to the Pacific Northwest or overnight journeys

Amtrak Gold Runner FAQ

Wrap Up!

Although I haven’t traveled on the Gold Runner since its rebranding, I have previously taken the San Joaquin train. I really enjoyed the views and the opportunity to see the more agricultural side of California. I traveled between San Francisco and Los Angeles on the train both ways, and I would definitely do it again.

Every time I took this train, I had to connect with two buses, and I found them comfortable and efficient.

I hope you get to ride the Gold Runner and have a wonderful time!

Safe Travels and Happy Planning!

Kev

Disclaimer: This page is not associated with Amtrak or the National Railway Passenger Corporation. The information on this site is sourced from Amtrak.com and was accurate at the time of publication. Amtrak can change schedules at any time without notice.