Departing saturday march 11 for 9 days / 8 nights

Come aboard the California Zephyr, The Pacific Surfliner & the Coast Starlight and experience the Colorado Rockies, the Californian Countryside and the Pacific Ocean in the most relaxing and majestic way. This is a spectacular rail tour with breathtaking scenery from the snow capped mountains of Denver to the warmth of Southern California. If you've never been on a rail tour before, now is the time to experience one.

As you climb through the heart of the Rockies, and further west through the snow-capped Sierra Nevadas, you can’t help but be in awe of the scenery. You'll spend 9 days / 8 nights on this tour and your fully escorted vacation includes transportation from Rapid City to Denver, an overnight in Denver then an overnight aboard the California Zephyr (through the Colorado Rockies). Then two overnights in San Francisco including a city tour and bay cruise around Alcatraz. Then it's all aboard the Coast Starlight Train to San Luis Obispo two nights. The next morning we take the Pacific Surf-Liner day service to San Diego with over half the journey running right along the Pacific Ocean. Finally we enjoy two nights in San Diego with a city tour and whale watching tour included. Finally, we fly back to Rapid City from San Diego.

In addition there are many meals included. You’ll be sharing a sleepette private compartment in bunk bed style aboard the California Zephyr Train. For an extra $500 per person, you can travel in style and stay in the deluxe compartment aboard Amtrak with private facilities. If you have never traveled by train but have always wanted to...now is the time to do it!!

scenic train highlights include:

• Rocky Mountains
• Sierra Nevadas
• Moffat Tunnel
• Colorado's Gore, Byers and Glenwood Canyons
• Winter Park
• Truckee River
• Donner Lake
• San Pablo Bay and the Carquinez Strait

ITINERARY:

Day 1
Today our vacation begins – we will be transferring down to Denver by road in our premium Sprinter Vehicles so look for the ABS sign on the side and the front.  We will make appropriate comfort stops along the way to Denver and have our lunch break in Lusk. We anticipate arriving in Denver around 4.30pm – 5.00pm and once we have all checked in there is a restaurant and bar in the hotel where you can have supper and relax.
Overnight Denver - No meals included

Day 2
Please have your checked bags ready for collection outside your room door at 6.00am.  We will be wheeling our luggage from the Station to the train when we board this morning, so please make sure you don’t pack more than you can wheel – this way, you will have access to your checked luggage over the next two days.  We do suggest packing an overnight bag to bring with you on the train to keep in your room, remembering to pack in it 2 days of clothes, toiletries, medications your Government Issued Photo ID and anything else you think you might need during the 2-day train journey for your convenience however as your main suitcases will be in luggage racks and it will just be easier to have a small overnight bag with you in your Roomette.  If you have them, don’t forget binoculars and a camera! This would be a good morning to just have coffee in your room as Breakfast is included on the train.  Please meet in the lobby at 6.45am for the transfer to the Railway Station.  After checking in, we board The California Zephyr which is scheduled to depart at 8.05am.  The California Zephyr allows you to follow the trail of pioneers, gold prospectors and the Pony Express along America’s earliest transcontinental rail route. Get acquainted with farm land, prairies, deserts, rivers, and mountains. Amtrak’s Sightseer Lounge gets you up close to the natural splendor of the West without disturbing nature’s awesome beauty. Let your mind wander back in time as the train takes you across the country. Our route takes us through Fraser-Winter Park, Granby (Rocky Mountains National Park), Glenwood Springs, Grand Junction. Onto Green River - UT, Helper, Provo & Salt Lake.   Breakfast, Lunch and Supper times will be advised once we board the train, as will breakfast times for tomorrow.
Overnight aboard the California Zephyr Train - Breakfast, Lunch & Supper Included

Day 3
As we enjoy our breakfast & lunch watching the world go by we continue on through Sparks, NV, Reno and then to California. The train is scheduled to arrive in Emeryville at 4.10pm. Upon arrival in Emeryville we will disembark the train, collect our luggage and board our coach/bus for the transfer to our hotel in Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco, arriving approximately 5.35pm. Upon arrival in Fisherman’s Wharf we will transfer to our hotel for overnight. The rest of the evening is yours to explore or just relax.
Overnight San Francisco - Breakfast & Lunch Included on Train

Day 4
After breakfast, please meet in the lobby at 8.15am. We will then stroll down the street to board our sightseeing coach which departs around 9.00am. We will embark on a full day tour of this wonderful and vibrant city by the bay, and then after lunch relax on a bay cruise including a cruise around Alcatraz Island... the rest of the evening is free to explore on your own.
Overnight San Francisco - No meals included

Day 5
This morning please have your bags ready for collection outside your room door by 5.45am. Please meet in the lobby at 6.45am where we will transfer to board our bus/coach for the drive to Oakland departing around 7.25am. We arrive in Oakland around 8.25am where we then transfer to the Coast Starlight Train bound for San Luis Obispo – the train departs at 8.50am and arrives at 3.07pm. You will have breakfast & lunch included on the train today along with your own Roomette – today again we will be checking our main bags through to San Luis Obispo so please keep ID’s, medications and anything you will need during the day in your carryon luggage. The Coast Starlight is a progressive party - enjoy the Parlor Car...En route the scenery creates a gorgeous backdrop including stretches of Pacific Ocean shore line. Aboard The Coast Starlight, you're a special guest - nothing is too good for you! On arrival in San Luis Obispo we transfer to our hotel for overnight. Just a short distance from our hotel is the famous ‘San Luis Obispo Mission’, founded in 1772.
Overnight San Luis Obispo - Breakfast & Lunch Included on the train

Day 6
Breakfast is available from 6.30am today. Today is your free day in San Luis Obispo – visit the Mission, frequent the little shops or simply relax by the pool – the choice is yours! There is a trolley service that runs around San Luis Obispo for your convenience and the hotel shuttle will take you to the Mission or anywhere you like downtown. There are business cards at the Lobby with the hotel phone number on as well. Mass is available at the Mission at 7am and 12.10pm today (subject to change). The Mission Museum and gift shop are open 9am to 4pm as well. Enjoy your day...
Overnight San Luis Obispo – Breakfast Included

Day 7
After breakfast it’s time to board the Pacific Surfliner - the next wave in train travel. The train is scheduled to depart at 6.55am and arrives into San Diego at 3.28pm. On board you'll find new bi-level cars featuring panoramic
windows, comfortable, custom-designed interiors, automatic doors for faster boarding, and a modern, spacious Cafe car. Business Class seating is reserved especially for your comfort – again we will be checking our bags through to San Diego so please keep ID’s, medications and anything you will need during the day in your carryon luggage. Snacks & light refreshments are available on the train and a light lunch is provided. On arrival in San Diego, we transfer to the hotel for overnight. This evening is free for you to explore or relax – maybe a Margarita at the hotel bar.
Overnight San Diego Old Town - Breakfast at hotel & light snacks and refreshments aboard the train included

Day 8
After breakfast it is time to take a city tour of this historic town followed by a whale watching cruise. POur whale & dolphin watching cruise ends approximately 5pm before transferring back to our hotel for overnight.
Overnight San Diego Old Town - No Meals Included

Day 9
After breakfast it is time to transfer to the airport for our return flights back to Rapid City, SD.

Weather averages

Itinerary at a Glance

Starts: Saturday March 11th 2023
Ends: Sunday March 19th 2023

What's Included

• Road transportation from Rapid City to Denver & overnight in Denver
• Overnight aboard the California Zephyr then two overnights in San Francisco
• Sightseeing Tour and Bay Cruise in San Francisco
• Coast Starlight Train to San Luis Obispo and overnight for two nights
• Pacific Surf-Liner day service to San Diego then two nights San Diego
• San Diego City Tour & San Diego Whale watching
• All meals aboard trains
• Flights back to Rapid City from San Diego including baggage fees – 1 bag per person, 50lbs maximum

Pricing

• Price: $4,395pp (double occupancy)
• Single Supplement: add $1,995

Tour Brochure

• Itinerary (PDF)

How to Book

• Deposit of $1,250pp due at time of booking
• Further $750pp by November 10th 2022
• January 5th 2022 - Final Balance Due 
• Booking Form

What You'll Need

• A camera is a must
• Binoculars would be a great idea
• A light jacket as temperatures cool off in the evenings
• Passports are not required for this tour
• Photo ID is however required for the train and flights (Driver’s License)