Amtrak Vacations
America Coast to Coast - DC to San Francisco
Amtrak coast-to-coast rail journey from Washington DC to San Francisco
9 daysfrom $1,049
33% rail
Amtrak Vacations · Rail vacation
Pacific Rail Experience
Three-train roundtrip rail loop from Chicago to California and back
Amtrak Vacations runs this 9-day, 8-night rail vacation as a round trip from Chicago to California and back, riding three named long-distance trains. The Southwest Chief carries travellers west over two nights, through canyon passages the itinerary describes as "only a few feet wider than the train itself," before a hop-on, hop-off tour of Los Angeles takes in the Hollywood sign, Rodeo Drive, and Paramount Studios. The Coast Starlight then continues up the coast to San Francisco for three nights, including a deluxe city sightseeing tour and a day trip to Muir Woods and Sausalito. The return journey on the California Zephyr spends two more nights onboard, crossing the snow-capped Sierra Nevadas, the Rocky Mountains, and the Moffat Tunnel before reaching the Midwest plains and Chicago. This suits travellers who want to experience several of Amtrak's classic long-distance routes on one round trip, with roughly half the nights spent onboard the train.
What to know before you look closer
- The evidence's route field lists the trip's end point as Muir Woods, CA, but the itinerary and the roundtrip Chicago-Los Angeles-San Francisco-Chicago routing show the journey ending back in Chicago on day 9; treat Chicago as the actual endpoint.
- Only 1 meal (1 dinner) is included across the 8-night trip; the rest are on your own.
- Los Angeles is only a single-night stop (day 3), sandwiched between two multi-night train rides, compared to 3 nights in San Francisco.
- The evidence lists 18 accommodation options across Chicago and Los Angeles, so the exact hotel depends on what is booked.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Your Journey Begins in Chicago
Your journey begins in Chicago. Travel to Chicago's Union Station and board the Southwest Chief to Los Angeles. Spend your time this evening becoming acquainted with the train and settle in for a relaxing night.
- Day 2railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Today, you will continue your journey on the Southwest Chief. Carving through curving canyon passages only a few feet wider than the train itself, you'll see spectacular landscapes and pristine vistas not visible from any interstate or highway.
- Day 3overnight: Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
Welcome to Los Angeles! Get ready to tour the entire "City of Angels". On your hop-on/hop-off tour today, you will get to see iconic landmarks, like the Hollywood sign, Rodeo Drive, the Walk of Fame, Paramount Studios, and many more LA hot spots.
- Day 4overnight: San Francisco
Los Angeles to San Francisco
Travel on your own to the Amtrak station and board the Coast Starlight for San Francisco. Enjoy the beautiful coastal views as you travel north. You'll arrive in San Francisco this evening and head to your hotel for a restful evening.
- Day 5overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Explore all San Francisco has to offer on a deluxe sightseeing tour of the entire city. Highlights of this excursion include many of the city's prized hotspots, like the Opera House, Old Mission Dolores, the Japanese Tea Garden, the San Francisco Bay, Fisherman's Wharf, and of course, the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.
- Day 6overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Today, get ready to discover the beauty of the Muir Woods and Sausalito! Once you've taken in all that Muir Woods has to offer, you'll head to Sausalito for even more stunning scenery. Tonight, your dinner at the end of Pier 39 is included.
- Day 7overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
This morning, travel on your own to the Amtrak station and board the California Zephyr heading back to Chicago. Take in the stunning beauty of the snow-capped Sierra Nevadas, Rocky Mountains, and prairies along the way.
- Day 8overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Continue your journey on Amtrak and soak in the beautiful sights of the United States as your travel to Chicago. Keep your eyes peeled for the Moffat Tunnel, Glenwood Canyons, and Midwest plains.
- Day 9
Your Journey Ends in Chicago
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 2The Southwest Chief carves through canyon passages the itinerary describes as "only a few feet wider than the train itself."
- Day 3A hop-on, hop-off tour of Los Angeles takes in the Hollywood sign, Rodeo Drive, the Walk of Fame, and Paramount Studios.
- Day 6A day trip to Muir Woods and Sausalito is followed by an included dinner at the end of Pier 39.
- Day 7The California Zephyr heads east, crossing the snow-capped Sierra Nevadas, the Rocky Mountains, and the Great Plains.
- Day 8The California Zephyr passes the Moffat Tunnel and Glenwood Canyons on the way to the Midwest plains and Chicago.
Included
- Roundtrip Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from Chicago to Los Angeles; Los Angeles to San Francisco; and San Francisco to Chicago on the Southwest Chief®, Coast Starlight®, and California Zephyr®
- 4 nights' hotel accommodations; 4 nights' onboard Amtrak
- 1 meal (1 dinner)
Questions travellers ask
- Is train travel included?
- Yes, roundtrip Amtrak Coach travel from Chicago to Los Angeles, Los Angeles to San Francisco, and San Francisco back to Chicago.
- Which trains are used?
- The Southwest Chief (Chicago to Los Angeles), the Coast Starlight (Los Angeles to San Francisco), and the California Zephyr (San Francisco back to Chicago).
- What hotels are used?
- The package lists 18 accommodation options across Chicago and Los Angeles, including the Waldorf Astoria Chicago and the Regent Santa Monica; the exact hotel depends on what is booked.
- Where does the trip end?
- Back in Chicago, on day 9, after the return ride on the California Zephyr.
- How many nights are on the train versus in hotels?
- 4 nights onboard Amtrak and 4 nights in hotels: 1 in Los Angeles and 3 in San Francisco.
