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Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation
Essential California Wine Country by Rail
California wine country rail trip: Paso Robles to San Francisco to Napa
Amtrak Vacations operates this 6-day independent rail vacation through California's wine country, starting in Paso Robles and finishing in San Francisco with a day trip to Napa and Sonoma Valley. The first two days are spent in Paso Robles, including a guided tour of several award-winning wineries with a vineyard picnic lunch included. From there, the Coast Starlight or Gold Runner carries travelers north to the Bay Area, with a short transfer across the bay into San Francisco for a three-night stay. City days include a hop-on, hop-off tour and a bay cruise beneath the Golden Gate Bridge, before a day trip covers both Napa and Sonoma Valley. There is no tour manager traveling with the group; sightseeing runs on included guided tours and passes rather than an escorted itinerary throughout. This trip suits travelers who want a wine-focused getaway built around a single scenic rail transfer rather than a longer cross-country journey.
What to know before you look closer
- Both Paso Robles and San Francisco offer multiple hotel choices at different standards, from Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn Express to the Fairmont and InterContinental; the property you get depends on which tier you book.
- Only one meal, a picnic lunch on day 2's winery tour, is included; other meals are on your own.
- The evidence lists no current departure dates for this package.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Paso Robles
Paso Robles
Welcome to the first stop on your wine country train journey! Upon arriving in Paso Robles, check in at your hotel and spend some time exploring the quaint town square, which offers lots of charming shops and delicious restaurants. Perhaps start the wine tasting early with a tour of some of the local wineries!
- Day 2overnight: Paso Robles
Paso Robles
Fancy yourself a wine connoisseur? Then today is just what you need! Enjoy a celebrated Paso Robles wineries tour, which includes visits to several different award-winning wineries. A leisurely vineyard picnic lunch is included. After your wine tour is complete, head back to the town square for more shopping and dining.
- Day 3railovernight: San Francisco
San Francisco
Spend the day at your leisure in Paso Robles, doing some more wine tasting or enjoying the town square, before boarding the train for the journey to San Francisco. Upon arrival in Emeryville, you will have a short transfer across the bay to San Francisco. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel for a three-night stay.
- Day 4overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco
Explore all San Francisco has to offer today on a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour of this magnificent city, including the San Francisco Bay, Fisherman's Wharf, and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Also included is a scenic cruise of the San Francisco Bay, providing close-up views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz.
- Day 5overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco to Napa and Sonoma Valley
Get a taste of Northern California's famous Wine Country on this day trip to both Sonoma and Napa Valley. From Michelin starred cuisine, rolling vineyards, storybook inns, beautiful beaches, and unforgettable Pinot Noirs, there's plenty to appreciate and indulge in on this wine-lovers tour.
- Day 6
Your Journey Ends in San Francisco
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 2A guided tour of Paso Robles wineries includes visits to several award-winning producers and a vineyard picnic lunch.
- Day 3The train crosses to Emeryville before a short transfer across the bay into San Francisco.
- Day 4A San Francisco Bay cruise sails beneath the Golden Gate Bridge and past Alcatraz Island.
- Day 5A day trip covers both Napa and Sonoma Valley, described in the itinerary as featuring Michelin-starred restaurants and rolling vineyards.
Included
- One-way Amtrak in Coach accommodations from Paso Robles to San Francisco on the Coast Starlight or Gold Runner
- 5 nights' hotel accommodations
- 1 meal (1 lunch)
Questions travellers ask
- Is the train travel included?
- Yes. One-way Amtrak Coach travel from Paso Robles to San Francisco on the Coast Starlight or Gold Runner is included.
- Is this trip guided or independent?
- It is independent overall, with no tour manager, but the Paso Robles winery tour and the Napa and Sonoma Valley day trip are included guided sightseeing tours.
- What hotels are included?
- Options in Paso Robles for 2 nights and San Francisco for 3 nights, across several hotel tiers.
- Are meals included?
- One lunch is included, as part of the day 2 winery picnic.
