Las Vegas & the Golden West
Discover the iconic sights of America's west coast
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Awe-inspiring scenery at the Grand Canyon and Yosemite contrasts with the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas on this truly sparkling tour. Combine that with the charming towns and pretty scenery of the Golden State, stunning scenic daytime railway journeys, the Grand Canyon and the magic of Hollywood for a truly unforgettable experience.
Meet you group and Tour Manager at the Westin St Francis Hotel in San Francisco, for a two-night stay.
We begin our stay in San Francisco with a sightseeing tour, visiting some of the cosmopolitan city's most famous sights, including the Golden Gate Bridge and popular Fisherman's Wharf. This afternoon we board a ferry at Pier 33 and cross San Francisco Bay to the infamous island of Alcatraz. Our tour takes us into the prison to see the cells as they were when it was operational, as well as examples of some escape attempts.
This morning we depart from Oakland by train on the San Joaquin route through California's Central Valley, bordered on the west by the coastal mountain ranges and on the east by Yosemite National Park. At Merced we transfer by coach into Yosemite for a tour of the Valley Floor, taking in spectacular views of Half Dome at the eastern end of Yosemite Valley, which peaks at 4,000 feet above the valley, the 3,000 ft El Capitan and the thundering Bridalveil Falls. We spend tonight in Merced at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel.
We rejoin the San Joaquin today as we travel to Bakersfield. From here we continue by coach across the Mojave Desert, passing small, isolated villages and abandoned ghost towns. Eventually, the tall buildings and bright lights of Las Vegas appear on the horizon. Arriving into Las Vegas, we spend three nights at The Tropicana, located on the famous Strip.
Las Vegas is, for many people, the most spectacular city in the world. With two free days here you can explore the amazing sights and spectacles of the resorts, which offer something for everyone, with top class shows and an extraordinary selection of entertainment choices on your doorstep, including the world-famous casinos. The Las Vegas monorail is a great way to explore the exotic delights of the Strip, from the African-themed Sahara Hotel to the MGM Grand, via resorts with Oriental, Roman and Parisian themes, as well as Las Vegas' version of Venice - a veritable world tour without need for your passport! Alternatively, your Tour Manager can offer an optional flight over the Grand Canyon, which provides a brilliant view of the awesome canyon, one of the world's greatest natural wonders.
Today we travel across Nevada to Arizona, via the Hoover Dam, an engineering masterpiece which was completed in 1936 to end the flooding caused by the Colorado River. Entering Arizona, we drive on the legendary Route 66 to the railroad town of Williams, where we spend the night at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel.
Today we travel by rail to the incredible Grand Canyon on board the Grand Canyon Railway. We travel in vintage carriages hauled by historic locomotives to see one of the world's most awe inspiring sights, the Grand Canyon. We arrive at the South Rim, the Canyon's main viewpoint and an ideal base to experience the dramatic vistas - as spectacular here as they are anywhere else.
We return to Williams on the Grand Canyon Railway, and this evening we drive to Flagstaff where we join Amtrak's overnight Southwest Chief service to Los Angeles, passing through the heart of the eastern side of the USA.
This morning the Southwest Chief continues through Fullerton in Orange County and passes the sprawling suburbs of Los Angeles before reaching Union Station. Our first stop in Los Angeles is Hollywood, home of the US movie industry. You have some free time here, which gives you chance to walk in the footsteps of the stars on the Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard, one of America's most famous streets.
Later today we travel to Long Beach for one night on board the RMS Queen Mary. The ship, which is now a hotel, has a fascinating history as a luxury ocean liner and as a U-boat dodging, high-speed troop carrier during the Second World War. Your evening is free to spend enjoying the many attractions of Long Beach.
This morning we travel on board the iconic Coast Starlight for a daytime journey along the stunning Pacific coast shoreline. We reach the Pacific Coast at Ventura, at which point the Coast Starlight begins to head north, hugging the coastline and following the Pacific Coast Highway. Relax in the sightseer lounge and enjoy spectacular views through floor-to-ceiling windows of vast stretches of pristine beaches as the train hugs the rugged coast north of Santa Barbara.
Entering the Salinas Valley we pass the Santa Lucia and Diablo mountain ranges en route to Salinas, from where we make a short coach transfer to Monterey for three nights at the Casa Munras Hotel & Spa.
We explore the wonderful Californian coastline today, including the exclusive residences of 17 Mile Drive and the attractive waterfront of Cannery Row, made famous by John Steinbeck in his 1945 novel 'Cannery Row'. We also visit Carmel, where Clint Eastwood was once mayor, a charming town that has attracted artists for decades, and explore the Big Sur, where the Pacific coastline rises dramatically into the magnificent Santa Lucia Mountains.
Day 12 is at leisure in Monterey. You could visit Stevenson House, former home of author and poet Robert Louis Stevenson.
Make your way to San Francisco Airport this morning for your flight back home.
Please note that while every departure of this tour will feature the same excursions, the order may differ from that shown above.
For this tour, we recommend you arrive into San Francisco International Airport (SFO), which is approximately 15 miles from your first hotel. Our recommended departure airport is San Francisco International (SFO), which is situated approximately 100 miles away from your final hotel.
You may check in at the first hotel on your itinerary anytime after 14:00; this is where you will meet your Tour Manager.
An escorted experience and travel during your tour
Comfortable accommodation in your destination
Exciting excursions and free time to explore
Not Included
This tour may be suitable for reduced mobility passengers, please call for further information.
I write with comments on our tour to Las Vegas and the Golden West.
The experience was quite special to both my wife and I and my two grand-daughters (15 and 17-year-olds). We enjoyed the Californian experience with the guidance of an excellent mother hen, Tricia. The trip was well organised and everything on time.
The trains and coaches were extremely comfortable.Our fellow tourists were very friendly and fun. A great tour and big bonus of beautiful sunny days.
Having just returned from our Great Rail Journey to Las Vegas and the Golden West, I must let you know how much we enjoyed it.
Not only was it great value - we couldn't have had half the experience under our own steam - but the itinerary was chosen judiciously to take in all the 'must sees' in the states we visited.
On top of this, the day-to-day organisation was superb: Nick, our tour guide, was solicitous without being obtrusive, and we were whisked from place to place without having to think about a thing. We'd been told, quite correctly, to regard it as an adventure rather than as a tour - it's an adventure we want to repeat.
Well, what can I say but thank you?
Our trip with Great Rail Journeys was chosen as part of our
40th wedding anniversary, and also to meet up with
family and friends during our stay on the West Coast of the USA.
The whole trip suited our needs in every way. It was well thought
out and managed excellently by our Tour Manager, Charlie. From the
word go, we were made to feel that we were on a trip of a
lifetime.
Our arrival with Virgin Atlantic in San Francisco was on
time. Transfer to our hotel was quick and comfortable, and the
driver gave us a very informative tour. The hotel and our room were
first class, as were all the hotels on our stay. All tours were
organised well and managed expertly.
Wish I could write more. We enjoyed every moment. I could write a book. Well done.
Las Vegas and the Golden West: I don't think we've ever had a tour that included so many different sights, experiences and fun.
From the majestic peaks of Yosemite to the magic of San Francisco, from a world class show in Las Vegas to unashamed nostalgia on Route 66, plus the awesome Grand Canyon and not forgetting the breathtaking scenery of the California Pacific coast.
The whole thing went without a hitch, thanks to a highly professional Tour Manager. You don't have to be a train buff to enjoy this trip, but the old steam locos at Williams and the mighty Amtrak engines will fascinate and delight.
The local guides are witty and extremely knowledgeable, and the coach drivers we had were entertainment themselves. If you go, try to fit in Sausalito with lunch at the Spinnaker restaurant or and a wine tour in Sonoma, or both - you won't be disappointed.
The highlight for us was the night on the Queen Mary - amazing! This was one tour to remember.
Just thought we would let you know how much we enjoyed our tour.
When we first set out to book this tour we tried to do it all ourselves, but now we realise how much we would have missed: the tours, the first class guides, the scenery and the extra places we never even considered ourselves such as The Old Historic Route 66, The Massive Hoover Dam, The night's stay on the RMS Queen Mary (complete with our very own ghost) and the beautiful towns of Carmel and Monterey.
While we were on the tour it seemed hectic, but now, on reflection, we realise that it was not only a great tour but an achievement by Great Rail Journeys to get everything together and combine it all in a two-week span.
Finally, our grateful thanks go to Linda, our wonderful Tour Manager, who definitely made our tour as memorable as it was. One of us is a partially disabled person, and nothing was too much trouble.
Thank you once again for such wonderful memories and we hopefully will be back for another tour soon.
Discover the iconic sights of America's west coast
Call:
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