Amtrak Vacations
Grand National Parks of the West
12-day rail trip to 6 national parks from Denver to Yosemite
12 daysfrom $5,149
25% rail
Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation
Great American - Majestic Landscapes
Coast-to-coast rail journey from New York City to San Francisco
Amtrak Vacations packages this 12-day, 11-night independent rail vacation as a full coast-to-coast crossing of the United States, from New York City to San Francisco. The Lake Shore Limited carries the trip overnight to Chicago along Lake Michigan's south shore, followed by the California Zephyr overnight to Denver and again overnight through the Rocky Mountains to San Francisco. New York City and Chicago are explored with multi-day hop-on, hop-off sightseeing passes, while Denver includes a full-day tour of Rocky Mountain National Park that crosses Berthoud Pass and summits the Continental Divide above 11,000 feet. The trip closes in California with a motorcoach crossing of the bay into San Francisco, a waterfront dinner, and a full day touring Napa and Sonoma wine country. Two nights are spent in each city along the route, so the pace is unhurried despite the distance covered. This suits travelers who want to experience a genuine transcontinental rail journey rather than a single regional loop.
What to know before you look closer
- Amtrak Vacations lists 25 hotel options across the cities on this route; the specific hotel you get depends on the tier and city you choose.
- Only 1 meal is included across the 12-day trip, a dinner at a San Francisco waterfront restaurant; other meals are on your own.
- The Rocky Mountain National Park tour is seasonal; the Mountain Parks Tour is offered in its place during the off season.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: New York City
Your Journey Begins in New York City
Welcome to New York City! Enjoy a multi-day hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour of one of the world's favorite cities. Stops include Central Park, Rockefeller Plaza, the Theater District, Times Square, and many more amazing hot spots! Your tour bus pass is good for two days.
- Day 2overnight: New York City
New York City, NY
Today continue to explore the city on your sightseeing tour. Stop off on 5th Avenue for premiere shopping, take in the enormous and iconic Empire State Building, or journey to the Statue of Liberty and explore Ellis Island.
- Day 3overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Travel on your own to Penn Station and board Amtrak to Chicago. Kick back and relax on the Lake Shore Limited as you head to the Midwest. Enjoy the scenery as you travel along the south shore of Lake Michigan, the Mohawk River, and the Erie Canal.
- Day 4overnight: Chicago
Chicago, IL
Breeze into the Windy City and explore Chicago with a hop-on/hop-off sightseeing tour that will take you to all the popular landmarks. Check out the Navy Pier, take a leisurely stroll through Millennium Park, and enjoy world class shopping along the Magnificent Mile.
- Day 5overnight: Chicago
Chicago, IL
Continue to experience the vibrant energy of Chicago, where world-class architecture meets deep-dish pizza and lakefront views. From iconic museums to lively neighborhoods, every corner offers a new adventure in the Windy City.
- Day 6overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Travel on your own to Chicago's Union Station and board Amtrak to Denver. Enjoy America's majestic landscapes as you travel on the California Zephyr through the plains to "Mile High City."
- Day 7overnight: Denver
Denver, CO
Today you'll arrive in Denver in the morning and travel on your own to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to explore the city at your leisure - visit the botanical gardens, take in the exhibits at Denver Art Museum, or relax back at your hotel.
- Day 8overnight: Denver
Rocky Mountain National Park
Today you will venture out on a full-day sightseeing tour of Rocky Mountain National Park! Take in the views of the majestic Rocky Mountain range, capture pictures of wildlife, and drive over Berthoud Pass where you will summit the Continental Divide at over 11,000 feet above sea level. You'll visit the cozy ski town of Winter Park then head over to the town of Grand Lake for lunch!
- Day 9overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Today you will travel to Denver's historic Union Station and board Amtrak for a relaxing ride to San Francisco. Enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views outside your window as you travel through the Rocky Mountains and head for the majestic West Coast.
- Day 10overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Today you will arrive at Emeryville Station, where you will board your included motorcoach transfer for a short trip across the bay to San Francisco. Be sure to get some pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge. Dinner at one of San Francisco's waterfront restaurants is included.
- Day 11overnight: San Francisco
Napa Valley
Enjoy a full day touring two of the country's most famous wine growing regions: Napa and Sonoma. Sip on delicious local wine as you take in the gorgeous scenery surrounding wine country.
- Day 12
Your Journey Ends in San Francisco
View The Full Map
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 3The Lake Shore Limited runs overnight along Lake Michigan's south shore, the Mohawk River, and the Erie Canal on the way to Chicago.
- Day 6The California Zephyr rides overnight across the plains toward Denver, the 'Mile High City.'
- Day 8A full-day tour of Rocky Mountain National Park crosses Berthoud Pass and summits the Continental Divide at over 11,000 feet above sea level.
- Day 9The California Zephyr crosses the Rocky Mountains overnight on the way to San Francisco.
- Day 11A full day touring Napa and Sonoma, two of the country's most famous wine growing regions.
Included
- One-way Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from New York City to Chicago; Chicago to Denver; Denver to San Francisco on the Lake Shore Limited® and California Zephyr®
- 8 nights' hotel accommodations; 3 nights' onboard Amtrak
- 1 meal (1 dinner)
Also sold by
The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.
- Railbookersfrom $3,299
Questions travellers ask
- Is the train travel included?
- Yes. One-way Amtrak in Coach class from New York City to Chicago, Chicago to Denver, and Denver to San Francisco, on the Lake Shore Limited and California Zephyr, is included.
- Is this trip guided or independent?
- It is an independent rail vacation. New York City and Chicago use hop-on, hop-off sightseeing passes, Denver's Rocky Mountain National Park day is a full-day guided tour, and Napa and Sonoma is a guided wine-country tour.
- Which trains are used?
- The Lake Shore Limited from New York City to Chicago, and the California Zephyr from Chicago to Denver and on to San Francisco, both in Coach class.
- What hotels are included?
- Amtrak Vacations offers a choice of 25 hotel options across the route's cities; sample properties include the WOW InterContinental New York Times Square, the Waldorf Astoria New York, and the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago.
- How many meals are included?
- 1 meal is included, a dinner at one of San Francisco's waterfront restaurants on day 10.
- What is not included?
- Only 1 dinner is included across the 12-day trip; other meals are on your own.
