Amtrak Vacations
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Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation
Discover Americas West - Vancouver to San Diego
13-day Pacific coast rail journey from Vancouver to San Diego
Amtrak Vacations runs this 13-day, 12-night independent rail vacation down the Pacific coast, starting in Vancouver and ending in San Diego, with Coach travel on the Coast Starlight and Pacific Surfliner. The route stops in Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles, with hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tours included in each city and additional guided day trips to Yosemite National Park and the Napa and Sonoma wine country. Day 5 is spent overnight aboard the Coast Starlight between Seattle and San Francisco, passing the snow-capped Cascade Mountains, and day 9 follows the coastline by train from San Francisco to Los Angeles. No tour manager accompanies the group; travelers move between hotels and sightseeing tours on their own schedule, using the included tours as the guided portion of each stop. This suits independent travelers who want a long, multi-city Pacific coast itinerary that mixes rail travel with city sightseeing, wine country and a national park, rather than a single-destination getaway.
What to know before you look closer
- The hotel list offers 30 accommodation options across different tiers and cities, described as 'choices, not consecutive stays,' so the specific hotel and comfort level depend on what you select at booking.
- Only one meal, a dinner in San Francisco on day 6, is included across the full 13-day trip; other meals are on your own.
- All four rail segments are listed in Coach accommodations, with no upgraded train class mentioned.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Vancouver
Your Journey Begins in Vancouver
Welcome to Vancouver! After checking into your hotel, you are free to explore all around the city known as the "Hollywood of the North."
- Day 2overnight: Vancouver
Vancouver, BC
Today you can continue to explore around the city. A hop-on, hop-off tour will stop at such important areas as the famous Stanley Park, Granville Island, and the Vancouver Waterfront.
- Day 3railovernight: Seattle
Vancouver to Seattle
This morning board the train in Vancouver to head south into Seattle. Upon arrival check into the hotel and take the day to explore around the city. Your included CityPASS will give you access to the iconic Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass Exhibit as well as a scenic cruise out on the harbor.
- Day 4overnight: Seattle
Seattle, WA
Continue to utilize your convenient CityPASS to access the most popular attractions in Seattle. Stop by the EMP Museum to see its many exhibits on music, pop-culture, and art or perhaps visit the famous Woodland Park Zoo. A stop over at the Seattle Aquarium is also always worth a visit!
- Day 5railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
This morning board Amtrak's Coast Starlight for a scenic journey south to San Francisco. Today you will enjoy views from the window of the train of the snow-capped Cascade Mountain range.
- Day 6overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
You will arrive in San Francisco and have a full day to adventure around the city. Check into your hotel and then begin to use your hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour. This excursion gives you the opportunity to see the most popular landmarks in the city, with stops at Union Square, Chinatown, the Pier, and North Beach. Tonight, you will have a dinner included on Fisherman's Wharf.
- Day 7overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Today board a sightseeing tour that will bring you out to the beautifully scenic Yosemite National Park! Your fully guided tour will take you out of the city to travel along the Merced River and into the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range to the famous Yosemite Park.
- Day 8overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Enjoy a ride across the Golden Gate Bridge and through the tranquil hills surrounding Sonoma Valley as you take in the beauty of the countless family wineries along the old El Camino Real. Then, you'll venture into the heart of Napa Valley, where your next stops feature up to three vineyards for tours and tastings.
- Day 9railovernight: Los Angeles
San Francisco to Los Angeles
Wake this morning and prepare for a beautifully scenic train ride down the coast. Sit back and relax as you pass by vast ocean beauty as the train hugs the Pacific Coast. Upon arrival into Los Angeles, check into your hotel for the evening.
- Day 10overnight: Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
Today you will have ample opportunity to visit all of the iconic Hollywood sites by way of a hop-on, hop-off tour. Your guided tour will stop along Rodeo Drive, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Hollywood Sign, and the Santa Monica Pier.
- Day 11overnight: San Diego
Los Angeles to San Diego
Check out of your hotel and board Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner route for a short ride down to San Diego. Upon arrival, you can use your multi-day hop-on, hop-off tour to explore all of San Diego's top attractions such as the USS Midway, Coronado Island, and Little Italy.
- Day 12overnight: San Diego
San Diego
Continue to explore San Diego by way of your hop-on, hop-off tour. Use your tour to stop at the San Diego Zoo, the iconic Gaslamp Quarter, Seaport Village, and Balboa Park. Then this afternoon take a cruise out on San Diego's harbor.
- Day 13
Your Journey Ends in San Diego
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 5The Coast Starlight travels overnight from Seattle to San Francisco, with views of the snow-capped Cascade Mountain range from the train window.
- Day 7A fully guided tour travels along the Merced River and into the Sierra Nevada foothills to Yosemite National Park.
- Day 8The tour crosses the Golden Gate Bridge into Sonoma Valley and Napa Valley for tours and tastings at up to three family wineries.
- Day 9The train from San Francisco to Los Angeles hugs the Pacific coastline for a scenic ride down the California coast.
- Day 12A multi-day hop-on, hop-off tour of San Diego stops at the USS Midway, Coronado Island and Little Italy, followed by a harbor cruise.
Included
- One-way Amtrak in Coach accommodations from Vancouver to Seattle; Seattle to San Francisco; San Francisco to Los Angeles; and Los Angeles to San Diego on the Coast Starlight and Pacific Surfliner routes
- 11 nights' hotel accommodations; 1 night onboard Amtrak
- 1 meal included (1 dinner)
Also sold by
The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.
- Railbookersfrom $3,999
Questions travellers ask
- Is the train travel included?
- Yes. One-way Amtrak Coach travel is included from Vancouver to Seattle, Seattle to San Francisco, San Francisco to Los Angeles (all on the Coast Starlight) and Los Angeles to San Diego (on the Pacific Surfliner).
- Is it escorted or independent?
- It is an independent rail vacation. Guided and hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tours are included at each stop, but no tour manager travels with the group throughout.
- Which trains are used?
- The Coast Starlight for the Vancouver to Seattle, Seattle to San Francisco, and San Francisco to Los Angeles legs, and the Pacific Surfliner from Los Angeles to San Diego.
- How many nights are spent on the train?
- One, on day 5, traveling overnight from Seattle to San Francisco aboard the Coast Starlight.
- What meals are included?
- One dinner, on Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco on day 6.
- What hotels are used?
- The package offers 30 accommodation options across the stop cities and comfort tiers, such as the Hampton Inn & Suites and the Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver, rather than one fixed hotel.
