Amtrak Vacations
Coast Starlight Experience from Seattle
Coast Starlight train trip from Seattle to Los Angeles
6 daysfrom $1,259
33% rail
Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation
Yosemite and Mount Rainier National Parks Explorer
Independent rail trip San Francisco to Seattle via Yosemite and Rainier
Amtrak Vacations operates this 7-day, 6-night independent rail vacation on the West Coast, starting in San Francisco and ending in Seattle. The trip opens with two nights in San Francisco, including a day tour to Yosemite National Park to see El Capitan and a hop-on, hop-off city tour with a bay cruise past Haight-Ashbury, Chinatown, and Sutro Baths at Land's End. Travelers then board the Coast Starlight for an overnight journey north, waking to views of the forested Pacific Northwest before arriving in Seattle for three nights. A day trip by coach to Mount Rainier National Park passes old growth forests, wildflower meadows, and waterfalls, and the final day in Seattle includes the Space Needle and the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit. Because hotels are booked from a list of options across tiers and cities, this trip suits independent travelers who want national park scenery bookended by city sightseeing rather than a fixed group tour.
What to know before you look closer
- Amtrak Vacations lists 12 accommodation options across different tiers and cities for this trip; the specific hotel you get depends on which tier and city option is chosen.
- The Mount Rainier day trip on day 5 is by coach, not train.
- The evidence pack does not list current departure dates; confirm scheduling directly with Amtrak Vacations.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: San Francisco
Your Journey Begins in San Francisco
Welcome to San Francisco! Check in at your hotel for a two-night stay and set-out to discover the 'City by the Bay'!
- Day 2overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Get ready to discover all the beauty and wonder of a national park that has been touted to be among the most beautiful places in the world. Located along the Sierra Nevada Mountains in central California, Yosemite's remote corners and beaten paths never get old. During your day tour of Yosemite from San Francisco, you'll get to experience the park's legendary landmarks, views, and history. See El Capitan (look for rock climbers high up on the rock face), Yosemite Falls, Inspiration Point, Half Dome, and Yosemite Village from a unique perspective and learn all about the park's history. Arrive back in San Francisco just in time to take in a beautiful sunset.
- Day 3railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Today, use your included hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour and bay cruise to continue getting familiar with the city. Visit Haight-Ashbury, Chinatown, and North Beach and the ruins of Sutro Baths at Land's End. This evening, make your way to the train station for your overnight train journey to Seattle.
- Day 4railovernight: Seattle
Seattle, WA
Wake up on the train this morning to beautiful views of the forested Pacific Northwest. Upon your arrival in Seattle, travel on your own to your centrally located hotel and start your exploration of the city.
- Day 5overnight: Seattle
Day Trip to Mount Rainer
Take a special day trip to Mount Rainier today via comfortable coach. Experience old growth forests, wildflower-filled meadows and massive waterfalls on your tour, enjoy lunch at the cafe, and visit the interpretive center to learn more about the impressive mountain and its history. Return to Seattle via coach later in the day, enjoying the beautiful scenery along the way.
- Day 6overnight: Seattle
Seattle, WA
Enjoy your final day in Seattle taking a ride to the top of the world-famous Space Needle and visiting the famous Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit. Also enjoy visiting all the top attractions, like Pike Place Market, Seattle Centre, Seattle's Waterfront, and Pier 66 to name a few.
- Day 7
Your Journey Ends in Seattle
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 2A day tour from San Francisco visits Yosemite National Park, including views of El Capitan.
- Day 3An included hop-on, hop-off tour and bay cruise visit Haight-Ashbury, Chinatown, North Beach, and the ruins of Sutro Baths at Land's End before boarding the overnight train to Seattle.
- Day 4Travelers wake aboard the Coast Starlight to views of the forested Pacific Northwest before arriving in Seattle.
- Day 5A day trip to Mount Rainier National Park by coach passes old growth forests, wildflower-filled meadows, and waterfalls, with a stop at the park's interpretive center.
- Day 6The final day in Seattle includes a ride to the top of the Space Needle and a visit to the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit.
Included
- One-way Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from San Francisco to Seattle on the Coast Starlight®
- 5 nights' hotel accommodations; 1 night onboard Amtrak
Questions travellers ask
- Is train travel included in the price of this trip?
- Yes. The package includes one-way Amtrak Coach travel on the Coast Starlight from San Francisco to Seattle, with 1 night onboard Amtrak.
- Is this trip escorted or independent?
- Amtrak Vacations classifies it as an independent rail vacation. Guided sightseeing is included at each stop, such as the San Francisco hop-on, hop-off tour and bay cruise and the Mount Rainier day tour, but travel between them is on your own.
- Which train is used on this trip?
- The Coast Starlight in Coach class, traveling from San Francisco to Seattle.
- What hotels does the trip use?
- Amtrak Vacations offers 12 accommodation options across different tiers and cities. Sample choices include the InterContinental San Francisco, the Fairmont San Francisco, and the Hilton San Francisco Union Square, plus the Hampton Inn & Suites Seattle-Downtown and Hyatt Place Seattle Downtown.
- What sightseeing is included?
- A Yosemite National Park tour, a San Francisco hop-on, hop-off tour and bay cruise, a Mount Rainier National Park tour, and admission to the Seattle Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass.
- How much does this trip cost?
- Amtrak Vacations prices this trip from $1,159 per person, in USD.
