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 · Rail vacation
Pacific Rail Experience Roundtrip from San Francisco
Roundtrip rail loop from San Francisco through Chicago and LA
Amtrak Vacations runs this 8-day, 7-night rail vacation as a round trip from San Francisco, out to Chicago and Los Angeles and back. The journey opens with the California Zephyr heading east, crossing the snow-capped Sierra Nevadas, the Rocky Mountains, and the Great Plains before two nights in Chicago that include a hop-on, hop-off tour past the Magnificent Mile and Navy Pier. The Southwest Chief then carries travellers south on what the itinerary calls a 2-day ride through America's heartland to Los Angeles, where a hop-on, hop-off tour visits the Walk of Fame, the Sunset Strip, and the Hollywood Bowl. The Coast Starlight completes the loop, winding north along the California coastline back to San Francisco. The published itinerary has no day 6 entry, so confirm the exact schedule for the Southwest Chief leg with Amtrak Vacations. This suits travellers who want a long-distance rail sampler with two major cities along the way.
What to know before you look closer
- The published itinerary has no day 6 entry; day 5's description says the Southwest Chief ride is a "2-day ride," so day 6 is presumably still onboard the train, but confirm the exact schedule with Amtrak Vacations.
- The evidence's route field lists the trip's end point as Los Angeles, but the itinerary and the trip's own name, "Roundtrip from San Francisco," show day 8 ending back in San Francisco; treat San Francisco as the actual endpoint.
- The evidence does not list any included meals for this package.
- The evidence lists 18 accommodation options across San Francisco and Chicago, so the exact hotel depends on what is booked.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Today you will board Amtrak's California Zephyr for your trip east to Chicago. Take in the gorgeous landscape of the American countryside, the snow-capped Sierra Nevadas, and the heart of the Rocky Mountains, as well as the Great Plains along this leisurely ride!
- Day 2overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
- Day 3overnight: Chicago
Chicago, IL
Welcome to Chicago! This afternoon check-in to your hotel and then take the afternoon to explore Chicago on your own. Known for its iconic architecture and culture, there is plenty to experience in the Windy City.
- Day 4overnight: Chicago
Chicago, IL
Today you will continue to experience the best of what Chicago has to offer. A hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour will bring you to such important stops as the Magnificent Mile, Navy Pier, and Millennium Park.
- Day 5railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
This afternoon board Amtrak's Southwest Chief to head down to Los Angeles. Settle in and prepare for a scenic 2-day ride through America's heartland as the train winds its way south.
- Day 7overnight: Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
Welcome to Los Angeles! Today you will get to experience Hollywood by way of a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour. The tour will take you to such iconic Hollywood sights as the Walk of Fame, Sunset Strip, and the Hollywood Bowl.
- Day 8rail
Your Journey Ends in San Francisco
Today you will board the famous Coast Starlight for your trip back to San Francisco. As the train winds its way north, enjoy the beautiful views as the California coastline unfolds for you.
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 1The California Zephyr heads east, crossing the snow-capped Sierra Nevadas, the Rocky Mountains, and the Great Plains.
- Day 4A hop-on, hop-off tour of Chicago stops at the Magnificent Mile, Navy Pier, and Millennium Park.
- Day 5The Southwest Chief begins what the itinerary calls a 2-day ride south to Los Angeles through America's heartland.
- Day 7A hop-on, hop-off tour of Los Angeles takes in the Walk of Fame, the Sunset Strip, and the Hollywood Bowl.
- Day 8The Coast Starlight winds north along the unfolding California coastline back to San Francisco.
Included
- Roundtrip Amtrak in Coach accommodations from San Francisco to Chicago; Chicago to Los Angeles; and Los Angeles to San Francisco onboard the California Zephyr, the Southwest Chief and Coast Starlight or San Joaquin routes
- 3 nights' hotel accommodations; 4 nights' onboard Amtrak
Questions travellers ask
- Is train travel included?
- Yes, roundtrip Amtrak Coach travel from San Francisco to Chicago, Chicago to Los Angeles, and Los Angeles back to San Francisco.
- Which trains are used?
- The California Zephyr (San Francisco to Chicago), the Southwest Chief (Chicago to Los Angeles), and the Coast Starlight or San Joaquin routes (Los Angeles back to San Francisco).
- What hotels are used?
- The package lists 18 accommodation options across San Francisco and Chicago, including the Fairmont San Francisco and the Palmer House in Chicago; the exact hotel depends on what is booked.
- Where does the trip end?
- Back in San Francisco, on day 8, after the return ride on the Coast Starlight.
- Is there a gap in the published itinerary?
- Yes, day 6 has no entry. Day 5's description mentions a "2-day ride" on the Southwest Chief, so day 6 is presumably a continuation of that train journey.
