Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation

Grand Pacific Coast Rail Journey

Independent Pacific coast rail journey from Vancouver to San Diego

Grand Pacific Coast Rail Journey, a rail journey with Amtrak Vacations

Amtrak Vacations runs this independent, 21-day rail vacation down the Pacific coast from Vancouver to San Diego, with stops in Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Napa Valley, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles. There is no tour manager: travellers explore each city on their own using included hop-on, hop-off tours and CityPasses, with only one night actually spent onboard the train, on the Coast Starlight between Portland and San Francisco. On day 10, a guided day trip to Yosemite National Park follows the Merced River into the Sierra Nevada foothills, with a hike along the mountain trails past redwoods and waterfalls. Later, a 3-day rental car covers the side trip to Napa Valley, where the Napa Valley Wine Train carries travellers through Yountville, Rutherford, Oakville and St Helena with a gourmet lunch. From Santa Barbara south to Los Angeles and San Diego, the Coast Starlight and Pacific Surfliner run along the Pacific Ocean coastline. It suits independent travellers who want a long, multi-city rail trip with time for wine country and a national park along the way.

What to know before you look closer

  • This is an independent rail vacation, not an escorted tour: there is no tour manager, and travellers manage their own sightseeing with hop-on, hop-off tours and CityPasses.
  • The Napa Valley portion of the trip uses a rental car (a 3-day Avis rental is included), not mainline rail, since Amtrak doesn't serve Napa directly.
  • The evidence lists 48 accommodation options across the cities and tiers on this trip, from the Hampton Inn & Suites to the Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver, so the exact hotel depends on what is booked.
  • Only 1 night of the 20-night trip is actually spent onboard the train, between Portland and San Francisco; the rest of the rail travel is by day in Coach seats, with a hotel stay each night.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Vancouver

    Your Journey Begins in Vancouver

    Welcome to Vancouver and the start of your Pacific Coast Rail Journey! Upon arrival, check-in at your hotel for a three-night stay and begin discovering the city.

  2. Day 2overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver, BC

    Begin using your hop-on, hop-off loop sightseeing tour today! The tour is the easiest way to enjoy Vancouver's most popular areas: Downtown, Stanley Park, Chinatown, Gastown, Granville Island and more! Use your admission to the Vancouver Lookout to enjoy bird's eye, 360-degree views of the entire city.

  3. Day 3overnight: Vancouver

    Day Trip to Victoria

    In store for the day is a visit to the famous Butchart Gardens and Victoria! Located approximately 35 minutes from downtown, the gardens feature over 55 acres of manicured grounds, blossoms and fragrances. Later, explore the beauty of Victoria as you wind through the streets and check out the local shops and restaurants.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Seattle

    Vancouver to Seattle

    This morning, board Amtrak's Cascades train in Vancouver and sit back and relax on a scenic ride through the Pacific Northwest as you make your way to Seattle. This afternoon, begin exploring the city and use your included CityPASS for a ride to the top of the world-famous Space Needle and a visit to the famous Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit.

  5. Day 5overnight: Seattle

    Seattle, WA

    Today, enjoy a city tour of Seattle, you will get to visit all the top attractions, like Pike Place Market, Seattle Centre, Seattle's Waterfront, and Pier 66 to name a few.

  6. Day 6overnight: Portland

    Seattle to Portland

    Travel to Seattle's King Street Station and board the Cascades for Portland. The lush forests and fertile valleys provide a stunning backdrop for your journey. Upon arrival in Portland, check into your hotel and start exploring all this beautiful city has to offer!

  7. Day 7overnight: Portland

    Portland, OR

    Explore Portland on a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour today. Stops include Pioneer Square, the Oregon Zoo, and many more popular destinations! Feel free to hop off at any stop to further explore the area at your leisure.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Onboard Amtrak

    Overnight Onboard Amtrak

    Enjoy discovering more of Portland this morning before checking out of your hotel and heading to the Amtrak station where you will board the Coast Starlight bound for San Francisco. The scenery along this route is truly breath-taking and widely regarded as one of the most spectacular of all train routes.

  9. Day 9overnight: San Francisco

    San Francisco, CA

    Arrive in San Francisco this morning and check in at your hotel for a three-night stay. Once settled in, climb aboard a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour of the city! Stops include Chinatown, the Golden Gate Bridge, North Beach, Union Square, Golden Gate Park, the Civic Centre, and many more.

  10. Day 10overnight: San Francisco

    Day Trip to Yosemite

    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. Enjoy sights of the tall redwoods, hike along the mountain trails, and snap pictures of the rushing waterfalls.

  11. Day 11overnight: San Francisco

    San Francisco, CA

    Visit one of San Francisco's most beloved attractions - Fisherman's Wharf. This waterfront community is rich in both culture and fun. Don't forget to stop by Pier 39 and scope out the famous sea lions. Enjoy your included dinner tonight at the end of Pier 39 at a popular restaurant.

  12. Day 12railovernight: Napa

    San Francisco to Napa

    Escape the city today for an overnight visit to the beautiful Napa Valley - the heart of California's famed wine country. Board the famous Napa Valley Wine Train and travel through scenic wine country, passing through Yountville, Rutherford, Oakville and St. Helena as you enjoy a gourmet 3-course lunch.

  13. Day 13overnight: Napa

    Napa Valley, CA

    Enjoy a full day touring two of the country's most famous wine growing regions: Napa and Sonoma. Visit the many wineries dotted along this picturesque landscape and savour some of the finest varietals. Also discover the area's wonderful shopping, spas, and renowned restaurants.

  14. Day 14overnight: San Francisco

    Napa to San Francisco

    Enjoy the day in Napa at your leisure, perhaps touring a few more wineries. Transfer back to SF in the late afternoon and check in at your hotel for an overnight stay.

  15. Day 15overnight: Santa Barbara

    San Francisco to Santa Barbara

    This morning you will board the Coast Starlight for a wonderfully scenic journey down to Santa Barbara. Upon arrival, check into the hotel and relax for the night.

  16. Day 16overnight: Santa Barbara

    Santa Barbara, CA

    Today you can enjoy the wonderful beach-side city of Santa Barbara! A hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour will escort you around to visit the beautiful beaches that make this area of California so iconic and special. The tour will also stop off at the local zoo, the famous Old Mission in Santa Barbara, and the harbour.

  17. Day 17railovernight: Los Angeles

    Santa Barbara to Los Angeles

    Today you will depart Santa Barbara and continue the scenic coastal rail journey to Los Angeles. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and begin to explore the city.

  18. Day 18overnight: Los Angeles

    Los Angeles

    Los Angeles is known as the entertainment capital of the world. Enjoy a narrated hop-on, hop-off tour of L.A., which allows you to get off as often as you like! Highlights include Grauman's Chinese Theatre, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Rodeo Drive, Kodak Theatre, Paramount Studios, Hollywood & Vine, the Santa Monica Pier, and the Fashion District. Also included is admission to OUE Skyspace LA, an open-air observation deck with a glass slide.

  19. Day 19railovernight: San Diego

    Los Angeles to San Diego

    Travel to LA's historic Union Station and board the train to San Diego. Relax on Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner as you continue your journey south along the Pacific Ocean coastline. Upon arrival, check-in to your hotel and begin to experience "America's Finest City" on your included cruise of the beautiful harbour.

  20. Day 20overnight: San Diego

    San Diego, CA

    Today, enjoy exploring San Diego on your hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour. Your fully narrated tour will dazzle you with a fascinating mix of trivia and humorous stories as you discover the historic Gaslamp District, Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, Seaport Village, and Balboa Park.

  21. Day 21

    Your Journey Ends in San Diego

    View The Full Map

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 6The Cascades train passes lush forests and fertile valleys between Seattle and Portland.
  • Day 10A guided day trip to Yosemite National Park follows the Merced River into the Sierra Nevada foothills, with a hike along mountain trails past redwoods and waterfalls.
  • Day 12The Napa Valley Wine Train travels through Yountville, Rutherford, Oakville and St Helena with a gourmet three-course lunch.
  • Day 17The Coast Starlight continues the scenic coastal rail journey from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles.
  • Day 19The Pacific Surfliner runs south along the Pacific Ocean coastline from Los Angeles to San Diego.

Included

  • One-way Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from Vancouver to Seattle; Seattle to Portland; Portland to San Francisco; San Francisco to Santa Barbara; Santa Barbara to Los Angeles; and Los Angeles to San Diego on the Cascades®, Coast Starlight®, and Pacific Surfliner®
  • 3 Day Avis Car Rental
  • 19 nights' hotel accommodations; 1 night onboard Amtrak
  • 2 meals included (1 lunch and 1 dinner)

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. Amtrak Vacations includes one-way Coach-class travel on the Cascades, Coast Starlight and Pacific Surfliner from Vancouver to San Diego, plus the Napa Valley Wine Train for the wine-country leg.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It's an independent rail vacation. There is no tour manager; travellers explore each city on their own using included hop-on, hop-off tours and CityPasses.
Which trains are used?
The Cascades (Vancouver to Seattle to Portland), the Coast Starlight (Portland to San Francisco to Santa Barbara to Los Angeles), the Pacific Surfliner (Los Angeles to San Diego), and the Napa Valley Wine Train.
What hotels are used?
The package lists 48 accommodation options across the cities and price tiers, including the Hampton Inn & Suites, Fairmont Pacific Rim and Fairmont Hotel Vancouver in Vancouver; the exact hotel depends on what is booked.
How much walking or hiking is involved?
Day 10's guided Yosemite tour includes a hike along mountain trails; the rest of the trip is sightseeing by hop-on, hop-off bus tour.
How do you get to Napa Valley?
A 3-day Avis car rental is included for the Napa Valley portion, since Amtrak doesn't serve Napa directly; once there, the Napa Valley Wine Train provides a scenic wine-country ride with lunch.

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