Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation

Western Rail Experience Roundtrip from Los Angeles

Los Angeles roundtrip Amtrak loop through San Francisco, Seattle, and Chicago

Western Rail Experience Roundtrip from Los Angeles, a rail journey with Amtrak Vacations

Amtrak Vacations runs this 11-day, 10-night independent rail loop from Los Angeles to San Francisco, Seattle, and Chicago and back, riding the Coast Starlight, Empire Builder, and Southwest Chief in Coach class. The Coast Starlight opens the trip with dramatic coastal views on the way to San Francisco, where a two-night stay includes a hop-on, hop-off city tour, a day trip to the redwoods of Muir Woods and the town of Sausalito, and a Pier 39 dinner. From Seattle, where sightseeing covers Pike Place Market and the Space Needle, the Empire Builder's eastbound run crosses the Pacific Northwest to Chicago. There, a hop-on, hop-off tour covers Navy Pier, Millennium Park, and other sights before the Southwest Chief carries travelers back through the desert Southwest to Los Angeles. Five nights are spent onboard the train and five in hotels chosen from about 18 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 18 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

  1. Day 1railovernight: San Francisco

    Los Angeles to San Francisco

    Begin your journey in Los Angeles! Travel to Union Station and board the Coast Starlight bound for San Francisco. Enjoy one of the most scenic rail journeys in the US, with dramatic coastal views. On arrival in San Francisco, check in at your hotel for a two-night stay.

  2. Day 2overnight: 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.

  3. Day 3railovernight: 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"!

  4. Day 4overnight: Seattle

    Seattle, WA

    Welcome to Seattle! When you arrive in the evening, check into your hotel for a good night's rest.

  5. Day 5overnight: 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.

  6. Day 6overnight: Onboard Amtrak (Empire Builder)

    Overnight Onboard Amtrak

    Spend some additional time today seeing more of Seattle's sights before boarding Amtrak's Empire Builder this evening. Enjoy two days of epic scenery and ultimate relaxation on this classic journey through the Pacific Northwest and onward to Chicago.

  7. Day 8overnight: Chicago

    Chicago, IL

    Welcome to the Windy City! Check-in at your hotel and settle-in for an overnight stay.

  8. Day 9overnight: Onboard Amtrak (Southwest Chief)

    Overnight Onboard Amtrak

    Spend the day today enjoying Chicago's major attractions with your hop-on, hop-off tour. Discover all the sights that make the city so great, including Navy Pier, Millennium Park, the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium and so much more! Later this afternoon, travel to Chicago's Union Station for your return trip to Los Angeles onboard the Southwest Chief.

  9. Day 11

    Your Journey Ends in Los Angeles

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1The Coast Starlight runs from Los Angeles to San Francisco with dramatic Pacific coastal views.
  • Day 3A day trip crosses the Golden Gate Bridge to the redwood forest of Muir Woods, then continues to the artist town of Sausalito.
  • Day 6The Empire Builder's eastbound run crosses the Pacific Northwest on the way to Chicago.
  • Day 9A hop-on, hop-off tour covers Chicago's Navy Pier, Millennium Park, the Field Museum, and Shedd Aquarium before boarding the Southwest Chief back to Los Angeles.

Included

  • One way Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from Los Angeles to San Francisco, San Francisco to Seattle on the Coast Starlight®; Seattle to Chicago on the Empire Builder®; Chicago to Los Angeles on the Southwest Chief®
  • 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 Los Angeles to San Francisco to Seattle to Chicago and back loop, on the Coast Starlight, Empire Builder, and Southwest Chief.
Is it escorted or independent?
It is billed as an independent rail vacation. Hotel is chosen from about 18 options, though several city sightseeing tours, including hop-on, hop-off tours in San Francisco, Seattle, and Chicago, are included.
Which trains are used?
The Coast Starlight (Los Angeles to San Francisco to Seattle), Empire Builder (Seattle to Chicago), and Southwest Chief (Chicago to Los Angeles), all in Coach class.
What hotels are used?
About 18 accommodation options across Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Chicago, from the Hampton Inn & Suites Seattle-Downtown to the Fairmont San Francisco.
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.

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