[award advice] Help getting from LAX to Rome this September

I'm looking to book 2 tickets business class from the LA/Orange County area (LAX,SNA,LGB) to Rome this September. I've got 150k MR, 65k AA (will have 50k more in around 2 months from citigold), 95k SW with CP, 30k SPG, 50k barclay miles. I'm also considering in doing an open jaw LA->London | Rome->LA and taking trains in between. Is there much redemption difference between the two?

Edit: Flexible dates, would even consider oct but is that too cold? I'm thinking around 18 days total. First time doing international award flights :D