California Zephyr with Yellowstone National Park

Get set for your "Wild West" adventure as you board the California Zephyr at Chicago's Union Station. The Zephyr features double-decker Superliner equipment so you can relax in comfort in a reclining coach seat with leg rest. (Sleeping car passengers settle inside their private room.) Walk through the train to the glass-walled Sightseer Lounge car and enjoy panoramic views through the heart of the Rockies. Follow along on your route map as you course through Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado and Utah as spectacular scenery comes into view. Overnight train.

Tonight you'll arrive in Salt Lake City. Taxi on your own to your centrally-located hotel, giving you easy access to Salt Lake's major attractions. Overnight Salt Lake City.

Transfer on your own to the Salt Lake City airport and pick up your rental car. Visit some of Salt Lake's famous attractions like the Mormon Temple, 2002 Winter Olympic Game sites and historic State Capitol. Or, start your magnificent drive to West Yellowstone which takes you through northern Utah and Idaho, before entering Montana. Your accommodations for the next three nights are at the Yellowstone Park Hotel, the newest hotel in West Yellowstone. This Western-boutique style hotel offers a variety of amenities and is located across the street from the Grizzly Discovery Center and IMAX Theatre. Overnight West Yellowstone.

Today begins your first full-day of exploration in Yellowstone. Yellowstone is the largest active geyser field in the world, and home to the most famous, Old Faithful. There are also many colorful hot springs and pools such as the Grand Prismatic Hot Spring. Go rafting or paddling, explore Lower Falls, look for wildlife, or take a hike on one of the many trails throughout the park; Yellowstone boasts a 1,300 mile trail system! Overnight West Yellowstone.

Drive through the lush forests of the Hayden Valley. And visit the bubbling hot springs. Will you hike the trails, go biking, white water rafting or participate in a ranger-led tour? Or will you visit the Yellowstone Historic Center, watch a live rodeo, go horseback riding? The choices are as wide as the endless sky. At night come back and relax at your hotel, or see an IMAX presentation about the park. Overnight West Yellowstone.

Begin your scenic drive back to Salt Lake City. Return your rental car at the airport and taxi on your own back to the Amtrak Station for a late evening departure. Overnight train.

On this leg of your journey, you'll pass by the Sierra Nevada (snowy mountains in Spanish) Mountains, historic Donner Pass and quaint snow towns before arriving in Emeryville, California. Here you'll connect to San Francisco's Ferry Building on the Amtrak Thruway Bus. Overnight San Francisco.

Take a few days to explore the golden "City by the Bay." considered America's playground. Named one of the world's top cities, San Francisco is a cultural and culinary wonderland, where the spirit of the Gold Rush continues to fill the air. From the Golden Gate Bridge to Chinatown to Alcatraz, ride the cable cars, see the world's most crooked street and stroll around Fisherman's Wharf. You won't be able to resist the goodies at The Ghirardelli Chocolate Ice Cream Shop at Ghirardelli Square. And be sure to cruise around San Francisco Bay, where you're sure to leave your heart. Or, transfer on your own to the airport for your return flight home.