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Pacific Northwest Coastal Adventure

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You are viewing the 2025 itinerary. Select your departure year
20252026
8 days From $3,295 per person
4.5 stars(27 reviews)
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Endless ocean views and three amazing cities wrap you in a warm welcome on this expedition by train and deluxe motorcoach through the Pacific Northwest.

Travel among a group of like-minded travelers led by a professional tour manager
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Mobility Rating 2

2025 Tour code: PNW25

About the tour

The essence of the Pacific Northwest was built upon the shoulders of artists and adventurers and continues to embody these spirits today. Experience the unique presence of this region first-hand as you travel between Seattle, Portland, and San Francisco over eight action-packed days. Each city leaves an impression unlike the one before, and together, they create a place that appeals to historians, nature lovers, and urban enthusiasts alike. Delve into this all-encompassing adventure in Seattle with free time to sightsee and a guided excursion to Mount Rainier. Amtrak's Coast Starlight offers transit to the next stop, Portland. We first look at this atmospheric destination in the massive local rose garden and on a guided city tour. Our time in Portland also takes us into nature to the stunning surroundings of the Columbia River Gorge and Multnomah Falls. We head to Eugene, Oregon, by train and enjoy a beachside excursion aboard sand buggies at the area's dunes. We set out upon the iconic 101 Highway for a scenic drive down the rugged Oregon and California coastline. An overnight in Eureka and a visit to the awe-inspiring forests of Humboldt Redwoods State Park precede our arrival in San Francisco, the final stop featured on this Pacific Northwest rail journey. From towering mountain peaks to dramatic ocean views, this part of the country fills each day with inspiration and beauty.

Highlights

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - Seattle

A crowning jewel of the Pacific Northwest, Seattle, Washington, is one of the most unique and beautiful cities on the West Coast. Its varied architecture, thriving art community, and surrounding nature work together to create a destination that appeals to travelers of all walks of life. Soak in the city's ambiance as you independently make your way to your hotel for check-in. You have the rest of the day to begin your explorations. Perhaps venture to the Space Needle or meander through the stalls of Pike Place Market. Tonight, join your Tour Manager and fellow travelers for dinner. Overnight Seattle. 

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 - Mount Rainier National Park

Fourteen thousand four hundred ten feet of sheer beauty, in the form of an active volcano, welcome you to Mount Rainier National Park for the day's adventure. You have a full day here to explore the lush surroundings and bask in awe-inspiring scenery. The drive toward the park takes us through delightful mountain towns and amongst landscapes that include waterfalls, lakes, and emerald forests. Our fully narrated tour takes us to places like Christine Falls and Narada Falls, and the Nisqually River on arrival in the park. Keep your camera ready as photo opportunities abound.

We return to Seattle with the afternoon at leisure to continue sightseeing on our own. Puget Sound is a fantastic place to look for marine life and watch ferry boats. The city's diverse neighborhoods are delightful to discover on foot. Overnight Seattle.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 3 – Amtrak’s Coast Starlight to Portland

Take breakfast at the hotel this morning before we transfer to Seattle's Amtrak station to board the Coast Starlight train bound for Portland. Marvel at protected forests and lovely cities as the train weaves through the landscape. We arrive in Portland early this afternoon and get our first look at this destination's offerings at the city's rose garden. Portland's rose garden is the oldest continuously operating test garden in the United States and is a place where new rose varieties span as far as the eye can see. Over 10,000 roses in more than 600 varieties fill the landscape, and with the rose garden's positioning, clear days bring distant views of Mount Hood and the skyline.

Next, we take a comprehensive look into the city's attractions on a guided tour. Your excursion may include glimpses at Portland's green spaces, including Washington Park or the Japanese Garden; a look at significant sites like the Pittock Mansion; and drives through interesting areas, such as the Pearl District. Following our city tour, we transfer to our hotel with the evening free to enjoy the city's incredible culinary scene or grab a drink at one of the breweries or gastropubs. Overnight Portland.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 4 - Columbia River Gorge & Multnomah Falls

Take a breath of fresh air and find yourself lost in the nature that envelops Portland today as we venture to the Columbia River Gorge and Multnomah Falls. Sights of tree-covered mountains, sprawling valleys, and wildflowers surround us as we make our way along the picturesque Columbia River Highway Scenic Byway. See powerful waterfalls, including Bridal Veil and Latourell, cascading down the rocks. We arrive at Columbia River Gorge - the largest National Scenic Area in America - and look over the Columbia River as it cuts through the Cascade Mountains from excellent viewpoints. Enjoy Gorge's notable attractions as we move through the area. Multnomah Falls is a highlight of our excursion. At 620 feet tall, these falls are some of the most visited in Oregon.

We return to Portland in time to join our Amtrak train to Eugene, a city known for its connection with art and nature. The trip takes us south through cities like Oregon City, Salem, and Albany before arriving in Eugene around dinner time. On arrival, transfer to the hotel, then take the rest of the evening to acquaint yourself with this vibrant college town. Overnight Eugene.

Please Note - For departure Jun 10 we will stay at The Grand Hotel in Salem.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 5 - Florence Sand Dunes

Our journey through the Pacific Northwest continues today as we depart Oregon aboard our deluxe motorcoach. But before we head south to California, enjoy an adventure unlike any other as we explore the dunes just outside of Florence aboard dune buggies. Join a skilled driver for an exhilarating excursion that showcases the region's colors, from the white sand to the rich green of the trees and the sapphire blue water. We navigate the peaks and valleys of the dunes and drive right along the beach, with waves breaking just beyond our grasp.

The drive to Eureka, CA, is also filled with breathtaking vistas as we follow along the renowned 101 Highway. Dramatic coastlines, rock formations in the water, and charming seaside towns guide the way as we navigate the winding byway. We arrive in Eureka, tucked between the Pacific Ocean and deep forests, early this evening. Overnight Eureka.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 6 - Humboldt Redwoods State Park

Nowhere on Earth can you find such an impressive collection of towering trees as Humboldt Redwoods State Park, the place we explore today. This park encompasses 53,000 acres of protected forestlands, of which nearly 17,000 are dedicated to old-grown Redwood trees. You may recognize Humboldt as home to the "Avenue of the Giants," a beloved grove of behemoth trees that spans some 31 miles. The size of the trees throughout the state park seems otherworldly in their proportions and transports you back to the time of the dinosaurs as we explore.

Our motorcoach escorts us deeper into California to the City by the Bay, San Francisco, following our time at Humboldt Redwoods State Park. This evening is at leisure to explore the city independently. Savor fresh seafood at an award-winning restaurant or wander through the eclectic neighborhoods to immerse yourself in the local ambiance. Overnight San Francisco.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 7 - San Francisco Touring

There is no shortage of fantastic sights to uncover on this morning's guided city tour, from the Golden Gate Bridge to Lombard Street and the Painted Ladies. San Francisco is brimming with history and multi-cultural stories, some of which you lay witness to as we drive between landmarks. Our tour may include visits to beloved sections of the city, such as Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown, Little Italy Union Square and Nob Hill as well as glimpses at ever-popular attractions like Golden Gate Bridge and Presidio National Park.

After, join the group for a fresh perspective on the city scenery from the water. Cruise through San Francisco Bay with the impressive skyline looming in the distance. The boat makes its way under the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge past Alcatraz Island and views of stunning waterside landmarks, such as Coit Tower, the Trans America Pyramid and more. Tonight, enjoy a group dinner in this magnificent city. Overnight San Francisco.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8 - Tour Conclusion

With memories of the Pacific Northwest's famous cities, gorgeous ocean views, and gigantesque trees in our hearts, our tour of the West Coast concludes after breakfast this morning. A group transfer to San Francisco's international airport is available for flights departing after 11:00 a.m. 

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Departure times

Departure times vary based on selected rail vacation. This information will be provided in your final documents. For more information please speak with your rail specialist.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular vacation with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotels

The Benson, Portland

The Benson, Portland

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Mayflower Park Hotel, Seattle

Mayflower Park Hotel, Seattle

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Hyatt Centric Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco

Hyatt Centric Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco

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Best Western Plus Humboldt Bay Inn, Eureka

Best Western Plus Humboldt Bay Inn, Eureka

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The Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Eugene Downtown

The Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Eugene Downtown

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Train

Amtrak's Coast Starlight

Reviews

4.5 stars4.5 / 5 · 27 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (16)
  2. 4 stars
    (7)
  3. 3 stars
    (4)
  4. 2 stars
    (0)
  5. 1 star
    (0)

customerHelen Ciglar

3 stars

Submitted 17 Oct 2024

Overall it was a good trip. The motorcoach driver was excellent. The tour guide was friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable about most of the areas, however didn’t seem experienced in organizing a large group. Covering a lot of ground, many times we didn’t get into our hotel until 7 or 8PM. Although the tour guide sent us a list of restaurants, it still left us on our own in a new city for dinner at that late hour. . Also, considering all but 2 dinners were on our own to pay for, I felt the price of the trip was a little high. The other issue was that the group boarded the train in Portland leaving myself and my traveling friend behind, despite the fact that we were at the meeting point 5 min. before the agreed upon time . No head count was done before boarding, and the guide didn’t even know we weren’t on board. We tried calling her, but she didn’t pick up. Although it was only approximately 20-30 min. it was terrifying for us, and potentially dangerous! She was very apologetic and remorseful, but took us some time to recover from this very scary episode. All that being said, the areas we travelled to and the sights we saw were amazing!

from Vacations By Rail
Hi Helen - Thank you for sharing your feedback. We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed your trip! We regret that your experience with our Tour Manager did not always meet your expectations. Your feedback is important to us, and we will address this with our team to ensure better experiences in the future. We appreciate your comments and hope to have the opportunity to travel with you again.
1 comment

Collected by Trustpilot

Jerald Jacobs (2223)

4 stars

Submitted 28 Sep 2024

Probably would give it a 3.5. We spent a lot of time on the train and bus. Our guide was very good at the running of the tour but was lacking in the knowledge of the areas we visited at times.

Collected by Trustpilot

Stephen Ransburg

4 stars

Submitted 24 Sep 2024

Very fast track. More time on own.

Collected by Trustpilot

Gary Charipar

3 stars

Submitted 24 Sep 2024

We got to see what we wanted, but way too much riding.

Collected by Trustpilot

Carole Jones

4 stars

Submitted 20 Sep 2024

More time was spent on a bus than on the railroad which you advertise in your name. The tour guide needs more work on what is important in the area(s) we visited. I had to suggest different items that I thought the group would enjoy - which they did. The Best Western in Eureka was terrible.

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THOMAS LAREAU

5 stars

Submitted 20 Sep 2024

Great trip. Covered a lot of ground, saw a lot of sites with a bunch of nice people.

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