[pesto]

A good addition to the discussion. This article addresses the two issues that will kill HSR if not dealt with: cost and local opposition.

The idea to avoid the Peninsula makes a lot of sense: it isn't wanted and isn't needed (Caltrain already has a very good rail service). The idea of coming into East Bay (say, Hayward, which has rail and BART connections) also makes a lot of sense. Not only is East Bay much more populated than SF, but it is well suited for connections to SJ, SF and the Pleasanton-Walnut Creek-Concord corridor, which is large and growing rapidly.

Personally, I would cut out the Central Valley for the first go-round and see how it fills in before building there. But this approach is also interesting.