Amtrak Tour Coastal Starlight: Seattle to Los Angeles 13 Day Rail Tour – 3-4V
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS • Seattle • Portland • San Francisco • Muir Woods • Sausalito • Monterey • Carmel • Paso Robles • Los Angeles •
ITINERARY Day 1: Seattle Arrive into Seattle and take your private transfer to your hotel, where you will spend the next 2 nights. The rest of the day is yours to discover Seattle at your leisure. Accommodation stay – 2 nights at the Crowne Plaza Seattle or similar.
Day 2: Seattle With some of the World’s most stunning wilderness and waterways surrounding Seattle, it is amazing how much wildness survives within the city limits! This morning’s tour is fun, educational and informative as it leads you around the city following the “Emerald Necklace” of city parks, woodlands, neighborhoods, locks, college campuses and shorelines. You will have the opportunity to spot for Pacific Northwest birds and wildlife, including expert interpretation of local and natural history, culture, geology and urban ecosystems. Take in the historical Pioneer Square area of old Seattle, learn of the Great Seattle Fire, the Klondike Gold Rush and hear the history of the Space Needle, Smith Tower, Pike Place Market, catch a glimpse of the Olympic Sculpture Park, a nine-acre open and vibrant green space for art! Enjoy morning tea while taking in the iconic views of the city at Kerry Park. Next drive along Magnolia bluff spying stunning homes and the majestic Pacific Madrones on the way to the 534-acre Discovery Park, the largest park in Seattle! The site is one of breathtaking majesty overlooking Puget Sound and offering spectacular views of both the Cascade and the Olympic Mountain ranges. Enjoy an optional nature walk at the park* to view some of the local flora, fauna, wildlife, and birds. While in Fremont we make a sweet stop at the only organic, fair trade, bean-to-bar chocolate factory* in the USA and sample confections that delight your palate, ignite your imagination and inspire you to think and act sustainably!
Days 3: Seattle to Portland (Coast Starlight Train journey approx 187 miles) Widely regarded as one of the most spectacular of all train routes, the Coast Starlight links the greatest cities on the West Coast. The scenery along the Coast Starlight is unsurpassed. The dramatic snow-covered peaks of the Cascade range and Mount Shasta, lush forests, fertile valleys and long stretches of Pacific Ocean shoreline provide a stunning backdrop for your journey. The train follows Commencement Bay on the southeast arm of Puget Sound with the Olympic Mountains rising in the distance. Travel to Portland, the beautiful “Rose City”, a city of contrasts surrounded by natural beauty, from Washington Park and the West Hills to the Willamette River and Waterfront Park. Accommodation stay – 2 nights at the Benson Hotel or similar.
Day 4: Portland Portland is Oregon’s most populous city, and the third most populous city in the Pacific Northwest. Whether in the Cultural District downtown or a transfigured warehouse in the trendy Pearl District, it is easy to see why Money magazine has called Portland the “Best Big City” in North America. Portland is known for its large number of microbreweries and micro-distilleries, as well as its enthusiasm for coffee. Rich in Northwest arts and heritage, the city and region are also noted for strong land-use planning, excellent public transportation and a progressive regional government. Our morning city tours will start by enjoying tea and other refreshments while taking in the iconic views of Portland and surrounding volcanic peaks at the historic Pittock Mansion. The Pittock Mansion was home to two influential Portland pioneers Henry and Georgiana Pittock from 1914 to 1919 and is now a city park and treasured landmark. Next we explore the neighborhoods! Portland is divided into four main quadrants: Northeast, Northwest, Southeast and Southwest. Each quadrant has its own distinct feel and unique attractions including art galleries, boutiques, cafes, restaurants and performance spaces. Included in your guide’s narration will be the fascinating history of a few of Portland’s ten famous bridges. Some of the other neighborhoods you will be visiting include the Pearl Disctrict, Nob Hill and Hawthorne. Portland is proud of its parks and its legacy of preserving open spaces. Parks and green space planning date back to John Charles Olmsted, and today more than 8,100 acres of ecologically valuable natural areas have been purchased and permanently protected from development. You will visit at least two of the following parks: Washington Park, Mt Tabor Park, McCall Waterfront Park and when the season is right, the International Rose Test Garden. Your guide will bring the parks alive by interpreting history, flora and fauna. The tour ends at one of Portland’s greatest treasures: Powell’s Books – the largest independent, new and used bookstore in the world!
2017/ 2018 Tour
Day 5: Overnight on Coast Starlight Train to San Francisco (Coast Starlight Train journey approx 726 miles) Re-board the Coast Starlight and travel south via Oregon City, end of the famous Oregon Trail. Take note of the snow-capped peaks of the Three Sisters Mountains before traveling through Eugene and the climb into the spectacular mountain scenery of the Cascades. Comfortable reclining seats with pillows are provided as the train travels through the night to Oakland and San Francisco. Accommodation stay – 1 night on board the Coast Starlight Train.
Day 6: San Francisco Welcome this morning to wonderful San Francisco, a popular international tourist destination, renowned for its steep rolling hills, eclectic mix of Victorian and modern architecture and famous landmarks. Visit Fisherman’s Wharf and enjoy local fare. Take a trip to Alcatraz Island*; see the world-famous sea lions at Pier 39*, and the Aquarium*. Perhaps take a cruise* on San Francisco Bay with magnificent views of Golden Gate Bridge. Spend time in Golden Gate Park* and ride the famous cable cars*. Accommodation stay – 3 nights at the Parc 55 Hotel, or similar.
Day 7: Muir Woods & Sausalito You are collected at your hotel this morning for a half-day bus tour to John Muir Woods National Park, just 17 miles northwest of San Francisco across the Golden Gate Bridge. You’ll marvel at the size of the giant redwoods at John Muir Woods. And you will enjoy the bay views, shopping, art galleries and fabulous mansions in Sausalito, home to some of the country’s wealthiest citizens. This afternoon is at leisure for personal sightseeing and shopping.
Day 8: Monterey & Carmel Enjoy a sightseeing tour to Monterey and Carmel from San Francisco. This is a fully narrated 11-hour bus tour that departs from your hotel and returns to San Francisco. This tour shows California's rugged Central Coast, a view that will both humble and inspire you. Starting the Monterey portion of the tour, you will travel south via Highway 1 through Santa Cruz offering a spectacular view of the Central Coastal area. The tour includes scheduled stops at Steinbeck's Cannery Row in Monterey - known for the characters in John Steinbeck's novel "Cannery Row." Find seaside exploration, shopping and activities for everyone on Monterey's beautiful shoreline. There are vista points along 17 Mile Drive including stores, art galleries and the restaurant district of Carmel that are perfect for lunch and shopping! You will visit the one-square mile city of Carmel, located on the Bay of Carmel above the white-sand beach which offers a picturesque and beautiful memory for the last portion of your tour. The trip back to San Francisco will take you through the Silicon Valley in the San Jose and Santa Clara counties.
Day 9: San Francisco to Paso Robles (Coast Starlight Train journey approx 206 miles) An exciting day as you re-join Amtrak’s “Coast Starlight” at Oakland Rail Station. From Oakland to Los Angeles, the tracks follow the same route as the old Spanish mission road, “El Camino Real”. From 1769 to 1823, Franciscan Friar Junipero Serra founded a chain of 21 missions and four mission chapels along this road from San Diego to Sonoma. Each was built to be one day’s horseback journey from the next. Serra himself has become known as the “Apostle of California.” Travel through, San Jose, known as the capital of Silicon Valley for its location within the booming technology industry. Then through the Santa Clara Valley, with the Santa Cruz mountain range on the right, and Mt. Hamilton (4,430 ft.) on the left as you leave San Jose. Leaving the Salinas Valley, you’ll pass by the Diablo Range. San Benito Mountain (5,258 ft.) on the left is the highest point on the range. To the right is the Santa Lucia Range. We follow the Salinas River for the next 100 miles and as you pass through this quaint town of San Miguel, you’ll see Mission San Miguel Archangel, founded in 1771, and one of Father Serra’s original missions along El Camino Real. You leave the train at Paso Robles “The Pass of the Oaks” halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, one of the fastest-growing premium vineyard and winery regions in California, Enjoy a sit down wine tasting followed by an afternoon Wine Tour before spending the night in Paso Robles. Accommodation stay – 1 night at the Paso Robles Inn or similar.
Day 10: Paso Robles to Los Angeles (Coast Starlight Train journey Approx 270 miles) This morning you leave on a tour to the Hearst Castle where you will be guided to the National Geographic Theater to view “Hearst Castle – Building the Dream” in large screen format before starting the Grand Rooms Tour. Every evening, W. R. Hearst’s guests gathered in the grand social rooms on the ground floor of Casa Grande (his formal name for the twin-towered building, or main house). Follow their footsteps and experience what it was like to be a guest at The Enchanted Hill—known today as Hearst Castle. At the end of the guided portion of your tour, stroll on your own through the gardens and wander at your leisure around the Neptune Pool and the Roman Pool. The tour concludes with an included deli lunch and a drive to San Luis Obispo where you re-join the Coast Starlight train for our southbound journey to Los Angeles where you arrive late this evening. Accommodation stay – 2 nights at the Wyndham Santa Monica at the Pier or similar.
Day 11: Los Angeles Get ready to be a part of Entertainment Capital of the world. There are few cities that offer as much entertainment, excitement and diversity as do the attractions in Los Angeles. A 5 hour tour includes many of Los Angeles most appealing sights, with visits to Hollywood Blvd, Mann Chinese Theater, Kodak Theatre, World Famous Farmers' Market and The Grove, Sunset Strip, Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, Santa Monica Pier and 3rd Street Promenade. The tour includes 5 stops at various points of interest, including the Hollywood Walk of Fame and is fully guided with sightseeing commentary - a fun and exciting way to get an overview of the city so that you can decide later where you'd like to focus your time.
Day 12- 13: Los Angeles to UK Your rail adventure tour ends today and you’ll need to transfer independently to Los Angeles airport to catch your return flight home.
2017/ 2018 Tour
Meals: This tour is based on a Room only basis, however lunch is provided on day 10.
All tour documents with Amtrak tickets to be collected from the first hotel. Please note hotels are subject to change, a final hotel list will be confirmed approximately 30 days prior to departure.
*Denotes local charge – Optional trips and excursions suggested on the itinerary are bookable and payable locally.
This is a set tour itinerary, if you have booked any pre/post or optional tour arrangements please refer to your separate vouchers and final documents.
TOUR NOTES
For current departure dates and prices please check our website tickets are to be collected from reception at the 1st hotel of your tour. Pre/Post Tour information If you would like to extend your trip or make the tour part of a Visa requirements longer holiday, we can easily add on a pre or post night stays for Visa requirements it’s mandatory for everyone travelling to or you. Our Sales Team will work with you to arrange the best transferring through the US, under the Visa Waiver Program, to connecting flights and book any additional hotel stays. Simply tell obtain approval to travel no later than 72 hours prior to travel by us what you’d like and we can arrange it. completing an online process ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) scheme. Failure to obtain an ESTA could Time difference result in the passenger being denied boarding by the airline. Pacific Time Zone: GMT -8 hours The cost of an ESTA is currently approx $14 per person and can be Tour inclusions obtained by visiting https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Once completed & ■Accommodation listed above with one way Amtrak/ Coast approved, the ESTA application is valid for two years and allows Starlight tickets multiple visits without the need to reapply – simply update your ■Private Arrival Transfer details on the same website. ■Seattle Tour ■ Portland Tour Alternatively you can apply for your ESTA through our partners ■ San Francisco Tour CIBT visas who make the process as easy as possible and will ■Monterey & Carmel Tour apply for the ESTA on your behalf. Contact them on ■Muir Woods & Sausalito Tour www.cibtvisas.co.uk/virginholidays for more information. ■Wine Tasting & Tour in Paso Robles ■Hearst Castle Tour which includes lunch ■Grand City Tour of Los Angeles Currency The official unit of currency in the US is the US dollar. Optional Tour exclusions excursions will need to be paid locally by cash to the tour guide. ■All Flights and airport transfers in the UK & USA Major credit cards and debit cards will be accepted within the US. ■ Travel Insurance ■Car hire and insurance unless this has been booked by the sales Electricity consultant If you bring any electrical appliance to the USA, you may need an ■ Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, tips & adaptor to fit the US electrical receptacles. You may also need a gratuities, video camera fees at monuments converter to change the voltage from 110 volts to 220 volts. ■ The required ESTA application ■ Anything not detailed on the itinerary. Tipping Tipping is a big part of the USA’s service economy and their Dining inclusions taxation system, all visitors should understand that this is a part Room Only of the local culture; please see below a list of useful suggestions for tipping: Accommodation Accommodation listed on the itinerary is a mix of 3-4V graded ■ Waiters/Waitresses: 15% - 20% for average - good service, properties. Please note some tours are up to 3 weeks in duration more for exceptional service. and there may be some nights when staying in remote locations ■ Bartenders: $1 - $2 a round -or- 15% to 20% of the tab, with a e.g. the National Parks, when the ‘V’ rating may vary. Hotels are minimum of 50 cents per soft drink, $1 per alcoholic drink. subject to change up until 30 days prior to departure, but you will ■ Room Service: 15% - 20% be advised of any changes. ■ Taxi driver: Varies depending on locality. Assume 15% will be enough; an extra $1 to $2 for help with bags. Amtrak/ Coast Starlight Rail Tickets ■ Hotel doorman: $1 per bag for help with luggage; $1 per person Please note that as soon as a booking for a Rail Tours is for hailing a cab. confirmed, the train tickets are not refundable and cancellation fees will apply. The times of the Amtrak train is set at the time of booking and not amendable. All information, including you rail
2017/ 2018 Tour
What to pack ■Lightweight, cotton clothes. Smart casual is acceptable in hotels ■A light sweater or fleece for early mornings and evenings and air-conditioning can be cool in restaurants ■Comfortable, enclosed and sturdy footwear ■Casual clothing and sandals for dinner and relaxing at your hotel ■Sun cream, sunglasses and hat ■Camera and/or video camera with spare batteries and memory cards ■Swimwear for an occasional swim ■Binoculars ■Mosquito repellent and spray ■Handy wipes, antiseptic hand gel and bottled water where possible ■Low denominations of USD– handy for ad-hoc tipping
Recommended vaccinations We advise you to discuss your individual requirements for the USA with your GP at least 6-8 weeks prior to travel.
2017/ 2018 Tour