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
The Californian
Nine-day San Francisco to San Diego rail trip via Yosemite and Napa
Amtrak Vacations runs this 9-day, 8-night rail trip through California, starting in San Francisco and ending in San Diego. The first four days are based in San Francisco, with an evening at Fisherman's Wharf, a hop-on, hop-off city tour, a guided day trip to Yosemite National Park that includes a hike along the mountain trails past redwoods and waterfalls, and a day of wine tasting in Napa and Sonoma valleys. From there, travelers make their own way to the Amtrak station to board the Coast Starlight south along the coast to Los Angeles for two nights of sightseeing, then the Pacific Surfliner on to San Diego for a two night stay that includes touring the Gaslamp District, Old Town and Balboa Park. Because travelers navigate the train stations themselves and choose their own hotel from a list of options in each city, it suits independent minded travelers who want guided day tours bookended by time to explore on their own.
What to know before you look closer
- The package lists 18 hotel options across different tiers and cities, so which hotel you actually get in San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego depends on what is booked, for example the Fairmont San Francisco or the Kimpton Alton Hotel in San Francisco.
- This is an independent package: travelers make their own way to the Amtrak station for both train segments, and there is no escorted tour manager.
- Only 1 meal, a single dinner, is included across the 8 nights; other meals are on your own.
- The evidence does not list specific departure dates; confirm current availability and pricing with Amtrak Vacations.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Welcome to San Francisco! This evening visit San Francisco's most beloved attraction, Fisherman's Wharf. This gorgeous waterfront community is rich in both culture and fun. Be sure to treat yourself to some delicious local cuisine, like sourdough bread, clam chowder and fresh seafood!
- Day 2overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Take an exhilarating hop-on, hop-off tour of San Francisco! This excursion gives you the opportunity to see the most popular landmarks of this amazing city. You can hop off the bus at any of the stops to explore any site at your own pace. Visit popular districts like Chinatown, North Beach, Union Square, the Civic Center, and more! Dinner is included this evening.
- Day 3overnight: San Francisco
Yosemite National Park
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. You will truly enjoy a full day of sightseeing.
- Day 4overnight: San Francisco
Napa Valley
Enjoy a ride across the Golden Gate Bridge and through the tranquil hills surrounding Sonoma Valley as you take in the beauty of the countless family wineries along the old El Camino Real. Then, you'll venture into the heart of Napa Valley, where your next stops feature up to three vineyards for wine tours and tastings.
- Day 5overnight: Los Angeles
San Francisco to Los Angeles
Travel on your own to the Amtrak® station and board the Coast Starlight® to Los Angeles. The Coast Starlight ventures along the gorgeous California coastline and offers scenic views you will never forget. The lush forests, fertile valleys, and long stretches of Pacific Ocean shoreline provide a stunning backdrop for your journey. Upon your arrival in the "City of Angels," you'll check into your hotel, and once you're all settled in, feel free to start exploring this fascinating city that so many movie stars call home.
- Day 6overnight: Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles is known as the entertainment capital of the world, so there is much to see and do here. Enjoy a narrated hop-on, hop-off tour of L.A., which allows you to get off as often as you like! Highlights of your tour will include the iconic Grauman's Chinese Theatre, the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame, the fancy Rodeo Drive, Kodak Theatre, Paramount Studios, Hollywood & Vine, the Santa Monica Pier, the fabulous Fashion District, and many more! Feel free to explore any of the stops at your own pace.
- Day 7railovernight: San Diego
Los Angeles to San Diego
Travel to the Amtrak station and board the train to San Diego. Relax on the 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 hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour.
- Day 8overnight: San Diego
San Diego, CA
Today you will continue to explore San Diego aboard your 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.
- Day 9
Your Journey Ends in San Diego
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 3A fully guided tour travels along the Merced River into the Sierra Nevada foothills to Yosemite National Park, passing redwoods and waterfalls, with a hike along the mountain trails.
- Day 4The tour crosses the Golden Gate Bridge into Sonoma and Napa valleys for wine tours and tastings at up to three vineyards.
- Day 5The Coast Starlight travels the California coastline from San Francisco to Los Angeles, past forests, valleys and long stretches of Pacific Ocean shoreline.
- Day 7The Pacific Surfliner continues south along the Pacific coastline from Los Angeles to San Diego.
- Day 8A multi-day hop-on, hop-off tour of San Diego visits the Gaslamp District, Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, Seaport Village and Balboa Park.
Included
- One-way Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from San Francisco to Los Angeles and Los Angeles to San Diego on the Coast Starlight® and the Pacific Surfliner®
- 8 nights hotel accommodations
- 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 $2,599
Questions travellers ask
- Is the train travel included?
- Yes. Amtrak Vacations includes one-way Coach travel from San Francisco to Los Angeles on the Coast Starlight and from Los Angeles to San Diego on the Pacific Surfliner.
- Is this trip escorted or independent?
- It's an independent package: you travel to the Amtrak station on your own for both train legs, though guided sightseeing tours are included in each city.
- Which trains are used?
- The Coast Starlight from San Francisco to Los Angeles, and the Pacific Surfliner from Los Angeles to San Diego, both in Coach class.
- What hotels are used?
- The package offers a choice of hotels in each city from 18 listed options, including the Fairmont San Francisco, InterContinental San Francisco and Hilton San Francisco Union Square, and the Regent Santa Monica or InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown in Los Angeles.
- What is not included?
- The evidence lists 8 hotel nights, one-way Coach rail travel on two trains, and 1 dinner as included; it does not specify further exclusions, so other meals are on your own.
- How much walking is involved?
- The Yosemite National Park excursion includes a hike along the mountain trails, and hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tours are used in San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego.
