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Tailor Made Rail · Independent fly-rail holiday

Coast Starlight: Los Angeles to Seattle by Rail

Amtrak Coast Starlight from Los Angeles to Seattle with sleeper and hotel stays

Illustration of Coast Starlight: Los Angeles to Seattle by Rail

Tailor Made Rail operates this 16-day independent rail holiday combining the famous Amtrak Coast Starlight with handpicked hotels and return flights from London. You depart Los Angeles and travel north via Santa Barbara, San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle, ending near the Canadian border. The journey spans three rail segments: the Coast Starlight down the California coast to San Francisco (Day 4), an overnight sleeper in a Superliner Roomette through the Cascade Range and past Mount Shasta from Oakland to Portland (Day 9-10), and a final coach service to Seattle (Day 12). Along the way you spend three days exploring Los Angeles, two in Santa Barbara, three in San Francisco, two in Portland, and three in Seattle, with breakfast included at each hotel and free time to visit landmarks such as Fisherman's Wharf and the Golden Gate Bridge, the Saturday Market in Portland, and the Space Needle in Seattle. This trip suits first-time rail travellers and independent explorers who prefer to organise their own activities rather than follow a guide.

What to know before you look closer

  • Hotels are listed as 'or similar'; your final accommodation depends on availability and tier
  • The from-price (GBP 2,799) includes flights and rail but does not list meals or activities beyond breakfast; confirm inclusions with Tailor Made Rail before booking
  • Day 6 involves a connecting Thruway bus from Emeryville into San Francisco in the evening; this is not a train leg

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Los Angeles

    Los Angeles

    Fly into Los Angeles and check in for a 3-night stay at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel (or similar), in the Downtown area.

  2. Day 2overnight: Los Angeles

    Los Angeles

    Explore LA's diverse districts including Hollywood, the Miracle Mile District, or Santa Monica.

  3. Day 3overnight: Los Angeles

    Los Angeles

    A further day to explore Los Angeles.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Santa Barbara

    Santa Barbara

    The first rail journey aboard the Coast Starlight, just under 100 miles up the California coast. Check in at the Riviera Beach Hotel Santa Barbara (or similar) for a 2-night stay.

  5. Day 5overnight: Santa Barbara

    Santa Barbara

    The hill-top Old Mission, or seafood at the historic Stearns Wharf.

  6. Day 6railovernight: San Francisco

    Santa Barbara to San Francisco

    An onward train continuing up the coast, arriving into Emeryville in the evening, then a connecting Thruway bus into San Francisco. Check in at the Handlery Union Square (or similar) for a 3-night stay.

  7. Day 7overnight: San Francisco

    San Francisco

    Cable cars, the Palace of Fine Arts, Fisherman's Wharf, and a harbour cruise under the Golden Gate Bridge, or a tour of Alcatraz.

  8. Day 8overnight: San Francisco

    San Francisco

    A further day exploring San Francisco.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Sleeper train

    Depart San Francisco

    A further full day in San Francisco before collecting bags and returning to Emeryville in the early evening to catch the overnight train north towards Oregon.

  10. Day 10overnight: Portland

    Arrive Portland

    Overnight in a Superliner Roomette watching the Cascade Range and Mount Shasta pass by. On arrival in Portland this afternoon, check in at the Hotel Zags (or similar) for a 2-night stay.

  11. Day 11overnight: Portland

    Portland

    Distillery Row's craft breweries, the Saturday Market in Chinatown, Washington Park and Pittock Mansion.

  12. Day 12overnight: Seattle

    Seattle

    A short journey to finish the trip. Check in at the Hampton Inn & Suites Seattle Downtown (or similar) for a 3-night stay.

  13. Day 13overnight: Seattle

    Seattle

    The Space Needle, the Seattle Center Monorail, and T-Mobile Park.

  14. Day 14overnight: Seattle

    Seattle

    A further day exploring Seattle.

  15. Day 15

    Seattle to London

    Return flight to London.

  16. Day 16

    Arrive London

    Arrival in London.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 4Day 4: board the Coast Starlight in Los Angeles and travel just under 100 miles up the California coast to Santa Barbara
  • Day 9Day 9-10: overnight in a Superliner Roomette, watching the Cascade Range and Mount Shasta pass by en route from San Francisco to Portland
  • Day 7Day 7: cable cars, the Palace of Fine Arts, Fisherman's Wharf, and a harbour cruise under the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco

Included

  • Return flights from London to Los Angeles and Seattle to London in Economy Class
  • Coach Class rail travel with seat reservations
  • 13 nights' handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • Overnight sleeper from Oakland to Portland in a Superliner Roomette
  • Easy-to-follow travel documentation
  • A Seat61 Recommended Holiday

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes Coach Class rail travel on the Coast Starlight from Los Angeles to San Francisco, an overnight Superliner Roomette from Oakland to Portland, and Coach Class from Portland to Seattle, plus return economy flights from London.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
This is an independent fly-rail holiday. Tailor Made Rail provides flights, rail reservations, hotel bookings, and travel documentation, but there are no guides. You explore each city on your own.
What is included in the price?
Return flights from London in Economy Class, Coach and Superliner Roomette rail travel with seat reservations, 13 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast, and easy-to-follow travel documentation. A Seat61 Recommended Holiday.
Which hotels are featured?
The Millennium Biltmore in Los Angeles (3 nights), Riviera Beach Hotel in Santa Barbara (2 nights), Handlery Union Square in San Francisco (3 nights), Hotel Zags in Portland (2 nights), and Hampton Inn & Suites Seattle Downtown (3 nights), each marked as 'or similar'.
Can I extend this trip?
Yes. Optional extras include extending by train across the border to Vancouver, Canada, or picking up a cruise to Alaska. The holiday can also be taken in reverse, starting in Seattle and finishing in Los Angeles.
How much free time is there?
Days 2-3 are free in Los Angeles, Days 7-8 in San Francisco, Day 5 in Santa Barbara, Day 11 in Portland, and Days 13-14 in Seattle. Tailor Made Rail provides easy-to-follow travel documentation to help you navigate each city.

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