Amtrak Vacations
Arches and Canyonlands to the Rocky Mountains with Canyon Spirit from San Francisco
Independent rail trip from San Francisco to Denver via Canyon Spirit
7 daysfrom $4,169
43% rail
Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation
California Zephyr Rail Experience
Seven-day California Zephyr crossing, Chicago to San Francisco
Amtrak Vacations runs this seven-day, six-night rail trip on the California Zephyr, from Chicago to San Francisco. Two nights in Chicago open the trip with free time on day one and a hop-on, hop-off tour on day two that includes Skydeck admission at the Willis Tower. From there, two nights are spent aboard the Zephyr itself, crossing the Great Plains before entering the Rocky Mountains, where the itinerary describes alpine scenery giving way to the desert landscapes of Utah by evening. The train then crosses the Sierra Nevada Mountains before arriving in San Francisco for two final nights, closing with a hop-on, hop-off city tour and a dinner at Pier 39. Because two of the six nights are spent in coach seating on the train rather than a hotel, this suits travelers who want to experience the full length of the California Zephyr's scenery at a lower price point, without a private sleeper cabin.
What to know before you look closer
- Two nights (days 3 and 4) are spent overnight in Amtrak coach seating aboard the California Zephyr, not a sleeper cabin; the evidence does not mention a roomette or sleeping car upgrade.
- The 12 accommodation options span a range of tiers and cities, from the Holiday Inn CHICAGO DWTN - THE MART to the Waldorf Astoria Chicago; your actual hotel depends on the tier you choose.
- Only 1 meal (dinner on day 6 in San Francisco) is listed as included across the trip.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Chicago, IL
Your Journey Begins in Chicago
Welcome to Chicago! Today you can explore the "Windy City" on your own. Perhaps you want to take a stroll through Millennium Park (home of the famous Chicago "Bean") or enjoy some authentic deep dish pizza - the day is free for your choosing.
- Day 2overnight: Chicago, IL
Chicago, IL
Today a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour will guide you around Chicago. Along the way, you can visit such top attractions as Navy Pier, the John Hancock Observatory, Michigan Avenue, and the Shedd Aquarium. You will also have admission to the Skydeck Observatory level at the Willis Tower.
- Day 3overnight: Onboard Amtrak (California Zephyr®)
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
This morning you will have free time to explore Chicago on your own. Then this afternoon head over to Chicago's Union Station to board the California Zephyr for your journey to the west!
- Day 4railovernight: Onboard Amtrak (California Zephyr®)
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
The train journey you experience on board the Zephyr is magnificent. After traveling across the great plains, your train enters the majestic Rocky Mountains this morning. After traveling past breathtaking alpine scenery for most of the day, the mountains begin to recede as you enter the more open desert spaces of Utah in the afternoon and evening.
- Day 5overnight: San Francisco, CA
San Francisco, CA
After passing through the picturesque Sierra Nevada Mountains, you arrive today to San Francisco. This evening, relax and reminisce about the once-in-a-lifetime scenic journey you've just completed.
- Day 6overnight: San Francisco, CA
San Francisco, CA
Take time today to explore all San Francisco has to offer. With your included hop-on, hop-off pass you have a wonderful guided tour at your disposal taking in the city's most beloved points of interest. Tonight, you will enjoy dinner at a popular restaurant on San Francisco's Pier 39!
- Day 7
Your Journey Ends in San Francisco
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 2A hop-on, hop-off tour of Chicago with stops at Navy Pier, the John Hancock Observatory, and the Shedd Aquarium, plus included admission to the Skydeck Observatory at the Willis Tower.
- Day 4The California Zephyr crosses the Rocky Mountains in the morning with alpine scenery, then enters the desert landscapes of Utah by afternoon.
- Day 5The train passes through the Sierra Nevada Mountains before arriving in San Francisco.
- Day 6A hop-on, hop-off tour of San Francisco followed by an included dinner at a restaurant on Pier 39.
Included
- One-way Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from Chicago to San Francisco on the California Zephyr®
- 4 nights' hotel accommodations, 2 nights' onboard Amtrak
- 1 meal included (1 dinner)
Questions travellers ask
- Is train travel included?
- Yes, one-way Amtrak travel in coach class on the California Zephyr from Chicago to San Francisco, including two overnight segments.
- Is it escorted or independent?
- Independent, with hop-on, hop-off tours in Chicago and San Francisco as the guided pieces; other time, including day 1 and part of day 3, is free.
- Which train is used?
- The California Zephyr, in coach class, for the entire Chicago to San Francisco route.
- Is there an overnight on the train?
- Yes, two nights (days 3 and 4), in coach seating rather than a sleeper cabin.
- What hotels are used?
- 12 options across Chicago and San Francisco, including the Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel, and the WOW InterContinental San Francisco.
- What will I see along the way?
- The Rocky Mountains with alpine scenery, the desert landscapes of Utah, and the Sierra Nevada Mountains, on the run between Chicago and San Francisco.
