Amtrak Vacations
California Coast
Nine-day rail journey down the California coast, San Francisco to San Diego
9 daysfrom $1,129
33% rail
Amtrak Vacations · Rail vacation
Pacific Northwest Roundtrip from Los Angeles
Coast Starlight roundtrip rail loop from LA through the Pacific Northwest
Amtrak Vacations packages this 9-day, 8-night rail vacation as a round trip from Los Angeles, looping north through San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle before returning south. The outbound leg on the Coast Starlight is described as "a relaxing and scenic ride up the coast," arriving in San Francisco for two nights of hop-on, hop-off touring and a Pier 39 dinner, followed by a Muir Woods and Sausalito excursion before an overnight train ride to Portland. Two nights in Portland include a hop-on, hop-off tour and a Willamette River dinner cruise, and two nights in Seattle add a guided city tour with Pike Place Market and the Space Needle. The return leg is another overnight ride on the Coast Starlight back down the coast to Los Angeles. This suits travellers who want to see four Pacific coast cities on one round-trip ticket, with two overnight train rides bookending the trip.
What to know before you look closer
- The evidence's route field lists the trip's end point as Seattle, but the itinerary and the trip's own name, "Roundtrip from Los Angeles," show the journey looping back to end in Los Angeles on day 9; treat Los Angeles as the actual endpoint.
- The included list states 1 night onboard Amtrak, but the itinerary shows 2 overnight train rides (day 3 to Portland and day 8 back to Los Angeles); confirm the exact train-night count with Amtrak Vacations.
- Portland's multi-day hop-on, hop-off tour is seasonal, running only from late May to early October; outside that window, Oregon Historical Society admission is included instead.
- The evidence lists 18 accommodation options across San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle, so the exact hotel depends on what is booked.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: San Francisco
Los Angeles to San Francisco
Your journey begins this morning in Los Angeles, where you'll board the train for a relaxing and scenic ride up the coast to San Francisco, the "City by the Bay." Once to the city, check in at your hotel for two-night stay.
- Day 2overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Enjoy a full day today discovering all of San Francisco's wonderful sights! Climb aboard a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour of San Francisco! Enjoy your included dinner at the end of Pier 39 at a popular restaurant.
- Day 3overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Today, you'll take a tour of the scenic Muir Woods and the charming town of Sausalito. Then, ride back to Fisherman's Wharf and travel on your own to the Amtrak station where you will board the Coast Starlight® for Portland.
- Day 4overnight: Portland
Portland, OR
The evening is yours to discover "The City of Roses." Portland has more than 30 local breweries and is a shopper's paradise as there is no sales tax.
- Day 5overnight: Portland
Portland, OR
Explore Portland on a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour. Stops include Pioneer Square, the Oregon Zoo, and many more popular destinations! This evening will feature a scenic dinner cruise in downtown Portland along the Willamette River.
- Day 6overnight: Seattle
Portland to Seattle
Travel to Portland's Union Station and board the Coast Starlight for Seattle. Upon arrival in Seattle, check into your hotel and start exploring all this beautiful city has to offer!
- Day 7overnight: Seattle
Seattle, WA
Enjoy a guided sightseeing city tour of Seattle, where you will visit all the city's top attractions, including the world-famous Pike Place Market! Your fun-filled day also includes a ride to the top of the Space Needle.
- Day 8railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Board the train this morning for your overnight journey back down the coast toward Los Angeles. Relax and settle in as you enjoy the spectacular views out your window along the way.
- Day 9
Your Journey Ends in Los Angeles
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 1The Coast Starlight carries travellers from Los Angeles up the coast to San Francisco on what the itinerary calls "a relaxing and scenic ride."
- Day 3A tour of the towering redwoods at Muir Woods and the town of Sausalito comes before boarding the Coast Starlight overnight to Portland.
- Day 5A scenic dinner cruise sails along the Willamette River in downtown Portland.
- Day 7A guided Seattle city tour visits Pike Place Market and includes a ride to the top of the Space Needle.
- Day 8The Coast Starlight begins its overnight journey back down the coast toward Los Angeles, with "spectacular views out your window along the way."
Included
- One-way Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from Los Angeles to San Francisco, San Francisco to Portland, Portland to Seattle, and Seattle to Los Angeles on the Coast Starlight®
- 6 nights' hotel accommodations; 1 night onboard Amtrak
- 2 meals included (2 dinners)
Questions travellers ask
- Is train travel included?
- Yes, roundtrip Amtrak Coach travel on the Coast Starlight from Los Angeles to San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, and back to Los Angeles.
- Which train is used?
- The Coast Starlight, for every leg of the round trip.
- What hotels are used?
- The package lists 18 accommodation options across San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle, including the Fairmont San Francisco, the Benson Portland, and Kimpton RiverPlace Hotel; the exact hotel depends on what is booked.
- Where does the trip end?
- In Los Angeles, on day 9, after the return overnight ride on the Coast Starlight.
- What meals are included?
- 2 meals, both dinners: one at the end of Pier 39 in San Francisco and one on the Willamette River dinner cruise in Portland.
