San Francisco to San Diego by rail

Itinerary

• Day One: San Francisco – Arrival

  Arrive in San Francisco and transfer independently to the hotel for a three-night stay. You’ll meet with your Tour Director here in the evening.

• Day Two – San Francisco

  This morning, a fun and exciting city tour provides an overview of the city and enables you to appreciate San Francisco's famous sights, including Chinatown, Union Square, and Fisherman's Wharf. Your tour includes a ride on one of San Francisco's historic cable cars - for an extra thrill, consider hanging off the running board, Doris Day-style! As no visit to San Francisco is complete without taking a cruise on the Bay or crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, in the afternoon you’ll collect a bike from Fisherman's Wharf and pedal across the Golden Gate; before boarding a ferry back across the Bay, passing the famous Pier 39 sea lions along the historic waterfront and witnessing the city's spectacular skyline. Capture amazing photos with unobstructed views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the notorious Alcatraz Island. This evening why not join your Tour Director for an optional San Francisco tour?

• Day Three – San Francisco (Napa Valley or Muir Woods – Optional)

  Your Tour Director is on hand to assist with making your plans for the day: perhaps another cable car ride to Fisherman's Wharf to enjoy a "Taste of San Francisco": local seafood, famous sourdough breads, or decadent Ghirardelli’s Chocolate? Or take a stroll by Sea Lions' Marina to watch them frolic. Gaze across the bay to Alcatraz Island where "America's Most Wanted" such as Al Capone and "Machine Gun" Kelly were incarcerated. Or visit Union Square for a shopping stop at Macy's. If you’d like to explore beyond the city, why not embark on an optional wine tasting tour to Napa Valley, world renowned for its fine wineries and beautiful scenery? Or take in the natural wonder of the Bay Area by hiking through the "enchanted" forest at nearby Muir Woods (optional).

• Day Four – San Francisco - Yosemite - Yosemite Gateway

  This morning, you’ll journey east toward the tranquillity of California's High Sierras and Yosemite National Park's nearly 1,200 square miles of mountainous terrain. Once inside the park; you’ll be introduced to some of Yosemite's most famous and awe-inspiring scenery, including Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, El Capitan, Tunnel View, and Bridalveil Falls. Postcard-perfect pictures abound so be sure to have your camera ready.

• Days Five – Yosemite Gateway – Mojave Desert – Las Vegas

  Today, travel through the Mojave Desert on the way to Las Vegas. A late afternoon arrival in the dazzling "Entertainment Capital of the World" will give you enough time to start enjoying this fantastic city right away with an exciting evening tour; featuring the famed casinos along the Strip followed by a visit to Downtown Las Vegas where you’ll enjoy the glitzy lights of the Freemont Experience.

• Day Six – Las Vegas – Grand Canyon West – Las Vegas

  This morning, you’ll stop at the iconic Las Vegas Welcome Sign; where you can capture a photo memory of Las Vegas, before making your way on an included day trip to the Grand Canyon's West Rim. Enroute, admire the beauty of Lake Mead; the largest reservoir in the U.S. formed by the Hoover Dam. At the Grand Canyon West, you’ll have time to explore the views on your own and, if you choose, join an optional helicopter trip over the canyon, a float on the Colorado River, or walk on the Skywalk platform. This evening is at leisure – your Tour Director will provide recommendations, whether it’s indulging in Las Vegas’ designer shopping or fine dining.

• Day Seven – Las Vegas – Palm Springs – San Diego

  Today your journey takes you from Las Vegas through Palm Springs, with its lively downtown area and immaculate golf courses at the base of the rugged San Jacinto Mountains. This city in the desert was once known as the winter retreat of stars like Frank Sinatra, Jane Russell, and Elvis Presley. Today it’s a flourishing resort town with great shops, restaurants, and a year-round desert climate. A sea of wind turbines mark the entrance to this desert oasis. You’ll continue south to San Diego, a city known for its beaches, parks, and perfect climate. Enjoy the evening at leisure and perhaps visit some of San Diego’s vibrant neighbourhoods.

• Day Eight – San Diego

  Today you’ll get to explore California's second largest city with your Tour Director. The relaxed seaside surf vibes of neighbourhoods such as Sunset Beach provide a quintessential California Coastal experience. During your Insider city tour of San Diego's sites, you’ll witness the central role of the American Navy in this port city. Perhaps choose to enjoy one of San Diego's many attractions such as SeaWorld or the World Famous San Diego Zoo. In the evening, why not check out more of the city's bustling neighbourhoods or perhaps enjoy an optional dinner cruise on the Bay?

• Day Nine – San Diego – The OC – Los Angeles

  This morning; the tour heads north along the SoCal coast toward Orange County, or the OC, as it has come to be called by locals. Enjoy the atmosphere of cliffside Laguna Beach, with its local art galleries and vibrant surf culture. Continue onward to Los Angeles, America's second largest city; a sprawling metropolis and the home of America's entertainment industry. Enjoy an evening at leisure. Your Tour Director may suggest you explore LA's smaller neighbouring city of Long Beach - one of the largest ports in the United States and home to a historic ocean liner, the Queen Mary, which you can explore (optional).

• Day Ten – Los Angeles

  Embark upon an extensive and entertaining Insider tour of Los Angeles that delivers a true taste of Southern California; with a visit to the most popular seaside communities like Venice, whose boardwalk is famous for its Muscle Beach, and Santa Monica, home to one of California's oldest pleasure piers. Catch a glimpse the glitz and glamour of Beverly Hills, where you just might cross paths with a celebrity shopper or two along Rodeo Drive. Enjoy local flavours at the LA Farmer's Market, before making your way to Hollywood; where you'll check out the Stars on the Walk of Fame, the celebrity hand and footprints at the Chinese Theatre, and, of course, the Hollywood Sign! An optional afternoon partaking in the thrills offered at Universal Studios is recommended.

• Day Eleven – Los Angeles – Malibu – Santa Barbara – Central Coast

  This morning the tour departs LA travelling through the coastal hamlet of Malibu, home to celebrities and recluses alike and an enclave like no other in California! Continue north up Pacific Coast Highway (called PCH by locals) to Santa Barbara; where palm-lined walkways border white sandy beaches. Known as the "American Riviera" for its similarities to the South of France; enjoy local food and wine during a lunch stop. Make sure to check out the city's unique Spanish architecture at the beautiful City Hall before continuing to a central coast town for an overnight stay.

• Day Twelve – Central Coast – Hearst Castle – Big Sur - Monterey

  Head north along Highway 1 to one of California's most unique destinations, Hearst Castle. Built by newspaper baron William Randolph Hearst, the eclectic collection of old-world architecture and grand gardens sits amidst a stunning coastal landscape. Continue up the curvy coast road through Big Sur; a cliffside retreat where viewpoints over the rugged Pacific coastline are truly unparalleled. Continue onward over the famed "Bixby Bridge" to Monterey, California's first capital city; where you’ll be able to enjoy your evening at leisure with recommendations from your Tour Director.

• Day Thirteen – Monterey/Carmel – San Francisco

  This morning you’ll get to experience all that the Monterey Peninsula has to offer by visiting the quaint village of Carmel, after an exhilarating journey along one of the most scenic roads in the world, 17-Mile Drive. Later, take in the sights, sounds, and smells of Monterey at Old Fisherman's Wharf and explore Cannery Row's historic waterfront district, John Steinbeck's inspiration for his novel of the same name. Perhaps pay a visit to the world renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium where you’ll be able to see and even interact with local aquatic wildlife, including the Aquarium's most famous and adorable Sea Otter residents. In the afternoon, pass the fertile valleys of Castroville and Santa Clara enroute back to where you started your unforgettable journey, San Francisco.

• Day Fourteen – San Franciso to UK

  Your tour comes to an end today. Transfer independently to the airport for your return flight home – hopefully with many happy memories to look back on of your West Coast Insider Escorted Tour.