The Corridors: from Seattle to San Diego by train - Coast Starlight

Seattle stretches between the waters of Puget Sound and the shores of Lake Washington, framed by the snow-capped summit of Mount Rainier and the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges. The heart of the Pacific Northwest and home to an unmistakable urban culture, it is a city that weaves together untamed nature, technological innovation and a creative soul built on music, coffee and markets. A visit often begins at the famous Pike Place Market, one of the oldest public markets in the United States, where fishmongers toss salmon across the stalls and where, in a discreet corner, the very first Starbucks coffeehouse was born. From here the eye travels to the Elliott Bay waterfront, alive with ferries, seafood restaurants and the great Seattle Great Wheel. Nearby rises the Space Needle, the futuristic tower built for the 1962 World's Fair, whose observation deck embraces the entire city; at its feet lies the Seattle Center, with the colourful Museum of Pop Culture designed by Frank Gehry and the Chihuly Garden and Glass, devoted to blown-glass sculptures. The neighbourhoods reveal different faces: Pioneer Square, with its red-brick Victorian buildings and art galleries; lively Capitol Hill, realm of nightlife and the independent scene; and the Chinatown-International District, home to the city's Asian communities. Culture lovers should not miss the Seattle Art Museum, while those seeking views can climb to Kerry Park, a prime spot to photograph the skyline with Rainier in the background. All around, nature is never far away: ferry trips to the Sound's islands, hikes in Olympic National Park and Mount Rainier National Park, and tastings in the wineries of Woodinville Wine Country. A city of gentle rain and ever-changing skies, Seattle reveals itself on foot, coffee in hand, surprising visitors with its balance between metropolis and wilderness.

Portland rises at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in Oregon, the capital of the Pacific Northwest's indie and green culture. Nicknamed the "City of Roses" for its splendid gardens, it keeps a bohemian charm built on artisan coffee, microbreweries and markets. The legendary Powell's City of Books is the world's largest independent bookshop, while the Portland Japanese Garden and the International Rose Test Garden offer moments of pure calm. The city is surrounded by prodigious nature: snow-capped Mount Hood to the east, the spectacular Columbia River Gorge with its waterfalls to the west, and nearby the famed Willamette Valley of Pinot Noir wines. Between creative food trucks and a nonconformist spirit, Portland is a city to be savoured slowly.

Klamath Falls rises in southern Oregon, overlooking Upper Klamath Lake, the largest body of fresh water in the region and an important migratory crossroads for pelicans and bald eagles. The city, sunny for much of the year, is rich in geothermal springs that heat its buildings and sidewalks. A convenient base toward the majestic Crater Lake National Park, with its deep-blue lake enclosed in a volcanic crater, it is loved by birdwatching and nature enthusiasts. Between waters, volcanoes and clear skies, Klamath Falls surprises.

Wrapped in the fog that drifts in from the bay and draped over steep hills facing the Pacific, San Francisco is one of America's most beloved cities, refined, rebellious and deeply cosmopolitan. Its symbol is the Golden Gate Bridge, the unmistakable red span reaching out towards the ocean, revealed and hidden by the morning mists. To walk the city is to be surprised by its rolling streets, still climbed today by the famous cable cars that scale the heights of Nob Hill and Russian Hill, offering sudden glimpses of the water. Along the Fisherman's Wharf waterfront the sea lions of Pier 39 bark and the air smells of sourdough bread and fresh crab, while offshore stands the island of Alcatraz, with its historic penitentiary reachable by boat. The charm of San Francisco lives in its neighbourhoods: the Victorian Painted Ladies around Alamo Square, the Chinese energy of Chinatown, the oldest and liveliest in America, the rainbow, activist streets of the Castro, and the bohemian ferment of Haight-Ashbury, cradle of hippie culture. At the city's core, Union Square buzzes with shopping and theatres, while the Civic Center and museums such as SFMOMA and the de Young reveal its cultured soul. Green spaces abound: the vast Golden Gate Park holds Japanese gardens, conservatories and trails down to the ocean. The dining scene is among the most innovative in the country, from fusion cuisine to the wines of the nearby Napa and Sonoma Valley and organic markets. From San Francisco it is easy to set out for California's national parks, the redwoods of Muir Woods and the Big Sur coast. Free, creative and swept by the ocean wind, San Francisco wins over anyone willing to be led by its hills and its suspended light.

Paso Robles is the heart of one of California's most dynamic wine regions, spread among gentle vine-covered hills on the Central Coast. Its over 200 wineries, specialising in full-bodied red wines such as Zinfandel and Rhône blends, draw wine tourists from across the country. The picturesque centre around the tree-lined square offers boutiques, restaurants and the hot springs that gave the city its name. Between tastings, olive groves, lavender and a Mediterranean climate, Paso Robles is a refined food-and-wine destination between San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, San Luis Obispo is a charming town on the Californian Central Coast, gathered around the historic Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, founded by Franciscan friars in the eighteenth century. Its lively, welcoming pedestrian centre comes alive every Thursday evening with one of the most renowned farmers' markets in the state, amid stalls of local produce, live music and the aroma of barbecue. All around stretch hills cloaked in vineyards: the Edna Valley area is famous for its wines, perfect for days of tasting. A few minutes away lie the beaches of Pismo Beach and Morro Bay, dominated by the imposing Morro Rock, while a little further north stands the opulent Hearst Castle. San Luis Obispo, often named among the happiest cities in America, offers an authentic taste of California's most relaxed side. Santa Barbara stretches along the coast of Southern California, nestled between the waters of the Pacific and the slopes of the Santa Ynez Mountains. Nicknamed the "American Riviera" for its mild climate and Spanish colonial architecture, the city charms with its red-tiled roofs and whitewashed walls. Its historic heart is the Old Mission Santa Barbara, a beautiful 18th-century Franciscan mission, while the County Courthouse tower offers a spectacular view over the rooftops and the ocean. The seafront promenade of Stearns Wharf invites sunset strolls, and the golden beaches are ideal for surfing and relaxing. All around stretch the vineyards of the Santa Ynez Valley, renowned for their fine wines and tastings. Santa Barbara enchants those seeking Mediterranean elegance and Californian dolce vita.

Palm-lined coastal roads, wide sandy beaches, and the unmistakable atmosphere of Southern California accompany this scenic journey along the Pacific coast. The route initially follows the shoreline, offering beautiful views of the ocean and the offshore Channel Islands. A worthwhile stop can be made in Ventura, a relaxed coastal town known for its historic center and attractive waterfront. Further southeast, the famous beaches of Malibu dominate the scenery. Along the iconic Pacific Coast Highway, dramatic coastal stretches, elegant homes, and impressive viewpoints create constantly changing vistas. As you approach the Los Angeles metropolitan area, the landscape becomes increasingly urban while still offering frequent views of the Pacific Ocean and the surrounding coastal mountains. Los Angeles, home to Hollywood, Disneyland, and Universal Studios, is the epitome of carefree living for visitors: year-round sunshine, palm trees swaying in the wind, movie stars with luxurious residences in the hills of Beverly Hills, stunning museums, avant-garde architecture, and surf beaches.