Skip to main content

Coast to Kickoff: LA Tourism and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner Connect Fans to the FIFA World Cup

By Mark Reif Apr 21, 2026 3:00 PM

Railway, Train, Transportation — The Pacific Surfliner LA Tourism / LA Tourism

With FIFA 2026 poised to kick off on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in LA, fans will have a stress-free, scenic way to get there: a vibrant-colored railcar traveling the California coast. The ride is courtesy of a new partnership between the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner and LA Tourism, and will offer equal parts cultural exploration and match-day transportation. Along the Surfliner’s 351-mile coastal route, travelers can take in beaches and fan events, and of course, the excitement of game day.

Where the Journey Becomes Part of the Game

Most Pacific Surfliner cars offer roomy seating, free Wi-Fi, a café car, and expansive coastal vistas. Additionally, customers can arrive directly in Los Angeles or transfer to the Metro World Cup direct shuttle, rideshare, or local transit, before journeying onward to San Luis Obispo, San Diego, and Santa Barbara.

Recommended Videos

The Pacific Surfliner’s 351-mile route spans the California coast, including San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties, across 29 stations. Even better, fans can take advantage of a 20% discount on Pacific Surfliner fares during the tournament period, starting May 1 and continuing through July 15. Booking is via PacificSurfliner.com.

Those looking to maximize their FIFA 2026 experience can look to LA Tourism’s 39-day calendar of experiences, which includes Fan Zones at Venice Beach, Union Station, the Original Farmer’s Market, and more. Additionally, the FIFA Fan Festival at the historic LA Memorial Coliseum will be an epicenter of the World Cup experience.

Jason Jewell, LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency Managing Director, said: “Southern California is built for moments like this – world-class sports, iconic destinations, and a connected coastline. By partnering with the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, we’re making it easier for soccer fans from around the globe, as well as local supporters, to experience Los Angeles without the stress of traffic or parking, while also discovering everything Southern California has to offer.”

Eileen Hanson, Chief Marketing Officer of the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, added: “Los Angeles is ready to welcome fans from near and far this summer. Pacific Surfliner makes it easy for visitors to experience LA like a local by arriving sustainably, exploring beyond the stadium, and discovering the diverse neighborhoods, beaches, and iconic attractions that make Los Angeles such a dynamic global destination.”

Mark Reif is a storyteller focused on the intersection of outdoor culture, travel, and design. From the peaks of Banff to the… Read Full Bio

Cafe Charmant, The Corner Store Crew’s Latest, Puts Food Ahead of the Scene

Clothing, Long Sleeve, Sleeve

I’ll be honest. If I weren’t a writer, there is no way in hell I could have landed a 7:15 Saturday night reservation at Cafe Charmant just a mere four weeks after its opening. The most recent jewel in the buzzy Catch Hospitality Group’s crown, the glitzy eatery is the newest IT restaurant to hit the downtown scene, so chalk it up to one of the perks of the job that I could walk in, order a drink, and be ushered to a corner table for two in under 10 minutes.

Though the state of making prime reservations in New York City may not come as a surprise to many, I’m still not able to reconcile with the current velvet rope of so many of this city’s restaurants. Sure, the 90s and early 2000’s had their Indochine, Moomba (if you remember that one, we need to grab a drink). The Waverly Inn, but for the most part, you could easily make a reservation or even walk in and wait for a table with a cocktail in hand at most popular establishments. And, let’s be honest, half the people weren’t even eating, if you know what I mean.

A tasting guide to Livermore Valley, California’s friendliest wine country

Adult, Male, Man

Livermore Valley sits in Northern California’s East Bay, where the hustle and bustle of neighboring Oakland and San Francisco give way to grassy rolling hills, big open skies, and over 40 tasting rooms. The region is home to some of the best wines I’ve tasted in the state, without the pretense and rigidity I’ve come to expect from other tasting rooms in the region.

And thanks to the valley’s marine-influenced winds, varied climate, and diverse soils, I tasted an unusually broad range of wines. Crisp whites, structured reds, and everything in between seem to be able to find their footing here.

High Society, Low Alcohol: A Trip to the Hamptons with Heineken 0.0

Ball, Sport, Tennis

After a multi-year bender of back-to-back press trips, I decided to swear off travel this past summer. The old dog was tired, and I desperately wanted to reconnect with old friends, visit family, and continue wooing a lovely lady in New York. Oh, and I needed to find time to actually write the stories I had promised publicists in exchange for gallivanting around the globe on their dime. I am, after all, a professional.

As summer raced by, my inbox swelled with tantalizing invitations. I turned them down one after the next with Spartan fortitude. A junket to the Loire Valley to review wineries? Thank you for considering me, but for the next few weeks, I’m committed to rekindling my relationship with my bed. A sailboat cruise on the Amalfi Coast? I hear it’s beautiful this time of year, but sadly, I’m in the weeds bingeing Landman.