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>Planes are entirely valid solution to the problem of traveling between LA and SF

The problem is that LA and SF-area airports are almost at capacity and increasing that capacity through adding runways or building new airports would be a significant undertaking (several 10s of $billions) that would face a number of hurdles. Air travel is also affected by weather issues that don't affect HSR.

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And air travel is less efficient, noisier, and dependent on fossil fuels than gliding over a maglev track.

As far as I know, the High Speed Rail system is not maglev and modern trains have roughly them same energy efficiency as modern planes.

That's interesting. I'd instinctively presumed that HSR would be much more energy efficient than flying, but the quick research I did indicates you are right. Electric HSR probably has the edge if you are willing to assume hydroelectric generation, but it mostly comes down to projected ridership. A full plane beats and empty train, and vice versa.

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