Amtrak Vacations
Coast to the Canyon Roundtrip from Seattle
Amtrak roundtrip from Seattle to the Grand Canyon via Los Angeles
8 daysfrom $1,419
63% rail
Amtrak Vacations
Grand National Parks of the Southwest - Grand Canyon and Beyond
8-day rail loop from Los Angeles to Grand Canyon and San Francisco
Amtrak Vacations operates this 8-day, 7-night rail vacation that begins and ends in Los Angeles, California, using three named trains, the Southwest Chief, the California Zephyr and the Coast Starlight. The trip opens with an overnight train to Williams, Arizona, then the Grand Canyon Railway to the South Rim for a guided tour of Mather Point, Yavapai Point, Desert View and Hermit's Rest on day 2. A rental car covers self-drive days at Zion, Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef, with a stop at Lake Powell, before a guided tour of Arches and Canyonlands on day 5. An overnight train then carries travelers to San Francisco for a day of city sightseeing, before the Coast Starlight returns south along the Pacific coast to Los Angeles. This suits travelers who want a compact loop through the Southwest's national parks and two cities, without the longer commitment of the operator's multi-week itineraries.
What to know before you look closer
- This package lists 13 accommodation options across cities and price tiers rather than one fixed hotel per stop, so which hotel you get depends on the tier and city you choose.
- Only 2 meals are included across the 7 nights, 1 breakfast and 1 dinner, so most meals are on your own.
- Zion, Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef are covered on self-drive days without a guide; only the Grand Canyon and Arches and Canyonlands have guided tours.
- The itinerary does not list specific current departure dates, so confirm the trip is running before booking.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Your Journey Begins in Los Angeles
Travel to Union Station and board Amtrak's Southwest Chief to Williams, Arizona, catching glimpses of the American West from the Observation Car.
- Day 2railovernight: Grand Canyon's South Rim
Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
Arrive in Williams, enjoy an included breakfast at the Fred Harvey Restaurant, then board the Grand Canyon Railway to the South Rim for a sightseeing tour including Mather Point, Yavapai Point, Desert View, and Hermit's Rest.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 3overnight: Springdale
Zion National Parks and Lake Powell
Transfer to Flagstaff to pick up your included rental car, travel past Lake Powell and the Glen Canyon Dam, and tour Zion including Court of the Patriarchs, Emerald Pools, Weeping Rock, Temple of Sinawava and the Grotto.
- Day 4overnight: Moab
Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Parks
Continue to Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Parks en route to Moab, including hoodoos, bristlecone pine trees, and the Waterpocket Fold.
- Day 5overnight: Moab
Arches and Canyonlands National Parks
Sightseeing tour through Arches & Canyonlands National Parks, including the Colorado River, iconic arches, and Island in the Sky.
- Day 6overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Travel to Grand Junction to drop off your rental car, then board Amtrak's California Zephyr to San Francisco.
- Day 7overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Visit iconic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, Palace of Fine Arts, Coit Tower, Fisherman's Wharf, or take a Bay cruise. Included dinner at a popular local restaurant.
Meals: Dinner
- Day 8rail
Your Journey Ends in Los Angeles
Board the Coast Starlight back to Los Angeles, one of America's most beautiful train rides, featuring lush forests, the Pacific Ocean, the Santa Ynez Mountains, and rolling hillsides.
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 1The trip boards Amtrak's Southwest Chief at Union Station in Los Angeles, with glimpses of the American West from the Observation Car.
- Day 2The Grand Canyon Railway carries travelers from Williams to the South Rim, stopping at Mather Point, Yavapai Point, Desert View and Hermit's Rest.
- Day 3A Zion National Park tour visits the Court of the Patriarchs, Emerald Pools, Weeping Rock, Temple of Sinawava and the Grotto, with a stop at Lake Powell and the Glen Canyon Dam en route.
- Day 5A sightseeing tour covers Arches and Canyonlands National Parks along the Colorado River.
- Day 8The return leg on the Coast Starlight passes lush forests, the Pacific Ocean, the Santa Ynez Mountains and rolling hillsides.
Included
- Roundtrip Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from Los Angeles to Williams, Arizona on the Southwest Chief®; Grand Junction to San Francisco on the California Zephyr®; San Francisco to Los Angeles on the Coast Starlight®
- One-way in Coach accommodation on the Grand Canyon Railway
- Transfer from Grand Canyon to Flagstaff
- 4 day compact car rental from Flagstaff to Grand Junction
- 5 nights' hotel accommodations; 2 nights' onboard Amtrak
- 2 meals included (1 breakfast, 1 dinner)
Questions travellers ask
- Is train travel included in this trip?
- Yes. Roundtrip Amtrak Coach travel is included: Los Angeles to Williams on the Southwest Chief, Grand Junction to San Francisco on the California Zephyr, and San Francisco back to Los Angeles on the Coast Starlight, plus a one-way ride on the Grand Canyon Railway.
- Is this trip guided or independent?
- Mostly independent, with two guided tours: the Grand Canyon on day 2 and Arches and Canyonlands on day 5; Zion, Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef are self-drive days with the included rental car.
- Which trains does the trip use?
- The Southwest Chief, California Zephyr and Coast Starlight, all in Coach class, plus the Grand Canyon Railway between Williams and the South Rim.
- What hotels are included?
- 5 nights of hotel accommodations plus 2 nights onboard Amtrak are included, chosen from 13 accommodation options across the route's cities and price tiers.
- What meals are included?
- 2 meals: a breakfast at the Fred Harvey Restaurant in Williams on day 2, and a dinner at a local restaurant in San Francisco on day 7.
- Is a rental car included?
- Yes, a 4-day compact car rental is included from Flagstaff to Grand Junction, covering the self-drive stretch through Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches and Canyonlands.
