Amtrak Vacations
Grand Canyon to Yosemite Roundtrip from Chicago
Roundtrip rail trip from Chicago to the Grand Canyon and Yosemite
11 daysfrom $1,939
45% rail
Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation
Western Rail Experience
Chicago roundtrip Amtrak circuit through Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle
Amtrak Vacations runs this 11-day, 10-night independent rail loop from Chicago to Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle and back, riding the Southwest Chief, Coast Starlight, and Empire Builder in Coach class. The outbound Southwest Chief crosses grain fields, prairies, and deserts on a two-day run to Los Angeles, where a hop-on, hop-off tour covers the Hollywood sign and Rodeo Drive. The Coast Starlight then follows the Pacific coast to San Francisco for two nights, including a day trip across the Golden Gate Bridge to the redwoods of Muir Woods and the town of Sausalito, plus a Pier 39 dinner. In Seattle, a sightseeing tour covers Pike Place Market and the Space Needle before the Empire Builder's return run passes by Glacier National Park. Five nights are spent onboard the train and five in hotels chosen from about 24 accommodation options. This suits travelers who want one Amtrak loop covering several major American cities.
What to know before you look closer
- Hotel accommodations are chosen from about 24 options across the 4 cities and price tiers, so the exact hotel depends on what is selected at booking.
- Only one meal, a dinner on Pier 39 in San Francisco, is specifically listed as included; other meals are on your own.
- All rail segments, including the overnight legs, are booked in Coach class rather than a private sleeper cabin.
- The Seattle sightseeing tour is seasonal; in the off-season a Seattle CityPASS is included instead, covering the Space Needle, Seattle Aquarium, and a choice of 3 more attractions.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Onboard Amtrak (Southwest Chief)
Your Journey Begins in Chicago
Begin your journey in Chicago! Travel to Union Station and board the Southwest Chief bound for Los Angeles. Spend the next two days travelling across the western United States and become acquainted with the train. Along the way, experience some of North America's most spectacular scenery from waving fields of grains to sprawling southwest prairies and deserts.
- Day 3overnight: Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
Welcome to Los Angeles, the "City of Angels!" When you arrive in the morning, travel to your hotel to check-in and drop off your luggage. On your hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour today, view the Hollywood sign, Rodeo Drive and many other landmarks, and keep your eyes open because you may spot some celebrities. See the location of the Pretty Woman apartment, the Walk of Fame, Paramount Studios, and much more!
- Day 4overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Travel to the Amtrak station and board the Coast Starlight to San Francisco. Enjoy beautiful coastal views of the Pacific Ocean as you journey north. When you arrive in the evening, check into your hotel for a good night's rest.
- Day 5overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Climb aboard a hop-on, hop-off tour of the city! Visit popular spots like Chinatown, North Beach, Union Square, the Civic Center and more! Tonight you will enjoy a dinner on Pier 39.
- Day 6railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Today get ready to explore the beauty of the Muir Woods and Sausalito! On the drive to Muir Woods, you'll cross over the Golden Gate Bridge and stop to explore the serene redwood forest. Once you've taken in all that Muir Woods has to offer, you'll visit Sausalito, a "California Original". The town is home to many artists with a delightful array of restaurants, galleries, walking paths and spectacular Bay and City views. Afterwards, take the relaxing ferry ride back to Fisherman's Wharf. This evening, travel to the Amtrak Station and board your train to Seattle, the "Emerald City"!
- Day 7overnight: Seattle
Seattle, WA
Welcome to Seattle! When you arrive in the evening, check into your hotel for a good night's rest.
- Day 8overnight: Seattle
Seattle, WA
Today, use your hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour to see some of Seattle's most popular sights such as Pike Place Market, the Seattle Waterfront, and Space Needle to name a few.
- Day 9overnight: Onboard Amtrak (Empire Builder)
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
This afternoon, travel to the Amtrak station for your return trip to Chicago on the Empire Builder. Spend the next two days travelling across the northern United States and through Glacier National Park.
- Day 11
Your Journey Ends in Chicago
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 1The Southwest Chief carries travelers from Chicago across waving grain fields and southwestern prairies and deserts on the way to Los Angeles.
- Day 4The Coast Starlight runs along the Pacific coast from Los Angeles to San Francisco.
- Day 6A day trip crosses the Golden Gate Bridge to the redwood forest of Muir Woods, then continues to the artist town of Sausalito.
- Day 9The Empire Builder's return run east passes through the northern plains and by Glacier National Park on the way back to Chicago.
Included
- Roundtrip Amtrak in Coach accommodations from Chicago to Los Angeles; Los Angeles to San Francisco; San Francisco to Seattle; and Seattle to Chicago on the Southwest Chief®, Coast Starlight®, and Empire Builder®
- 5 nights' hotel accommodations; 5 nights' onboard Amtrak
- 1 meal (1 dinner)
Questions travellers ask
- Is the train travel included?
- Yes. Roundtrip Coach fares are included for the full Chicago to Los Angeles to San Francisco to Seattle and back to Chicago loop, on the Southwest Chief, Coast Starlight, and Empire Builder.
- Is it escorted or independent?
- It is billed as an independent rail vacation. Hotel is chosen from about 24 options, though several city sightseeing tours, including hop-on, hop-off tours in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle, are included.
- Which trains are used?
- The Southwest Chief (Chicago to Los Angeles), Coast Starlight (Los Angeles to San Francisco to Seattle), and Empire Builder (Seattle to Chicago), all in Coach class.
- What hotels are used?
- About 24 accommodation options across Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle, from the Holiday Inn CHICAGO DWTN - THE MART to the Waldorf Astoria Chicago.
- Are meals included?
- One dinner is included, on Pier 39 in San Francisco; other meals are on your own.
- What is the Seattle sightseeing tour?
- A hop-on, hop-off tour, seasonal; in the off-season a Seattle CityPASS is included instead, covering the Space Needle, Seattle Aquarium, and a choice of 3 more attractions.
