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California Zephyr

One of Amtrak's 15 signature overnight journeys, the California Zephyr traverses 2,400 miles over the course of three days and two nights. The route begins at Union Station in Chicago, IL, and proceeds through Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, and Nevada before arriving in Emeryville, CA, located just across the Oakland Bay Bridge from San Francisco. Travelers may join this expedition in either of the bookend destinations or at one of the 30-some-odd stations along the way.

The California Zephyr offers three departures per week, giving passengers options that best coincide with their travel plans. For their time onboard, guests may select from coach seating or upgrade to private sleeper accommodations.

To gain a new perspective on the changing terrain, travelers can meander up to the train's upper-level Sightseer Lounge, lined in large windows and features ample comfortable seating.

When it comes to mealtimes, dining on Amtrak is an experience to remember. Sleeper Car guests enjoy included meals for the duration of their time on the train. Delicious meals are served three times a day, with options ranging from Amtrak signature French toast and breakfast quesadillas in the morning to burgers and salads for lunch and pasta, chicken, or Amtrak Signature steak with red wine sauce for dinner. For guests looking for a less formal dining experience, the Café Car offers hot and cold options throughout the day.

America's beauty and the old-world elegance of train travel are yours to behold aboard the California Zephyr.

Our customers love our California Zephyr tours

Mt. Rushmore, the Badlands, & Yellowstone

30 Aug 2019

TERESA

“Booking the trip was easy and fast with Ryan's assistance. The trip itself was wonderfully organized, with Joan our Tour Director keeping us well informed throughout the trip. Hotels were great, food was delicious, and Dale our bus driver was wonderful. I'd do this tour again. The step-on guides for Yellowstone and the Black Hills added a lot of great information. The only change I would make would be to take a bedroom instead of a roomette if traveling with two people. The roomette was good during the day but extremely cozy at night.

Collected by Vacations By Rail

Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta by Rail

25 Dec 2018

Eunice D., Galesburg, IL

“I enjoyed the trip very much. We had great support from Glen and Ed because of motion sickness. Many thanks to them.

Collected by Vacations By Rail

California Zephyr with Yosemite National Park - Chicago to San Francisco

08 Jul 2019

CHERYL

“Vacations by rail was great! Our travel representative, Suzanne Saba, was awesome! She was very helpful in planning the trip! All of our paperwork came in plenty of time before we left so that we had time to review it. Both hotels in Chicago and San Francisco were awesome! No complaints about the accommodations. Our train steward, Rashid Davis, was the best! He was so helpful, entertaining and just awesome! The bedroom is very small, but we managed it for 2 days. Needed to be cleaner, but it is an older train. Food was very good and all wait staff were great! The only thing we would change about the train was take a shorter time. 2 days was too long, plus the train was 3 1/2 hours late arriving in San Fran. We also realize that we would not be able to see all of the beauty without being there for 2 days. The arrival into San Fran was a little confusing. A bus was there for us, but no announcement was ever made once we got on bus to where we would be dropped off. We were dropped off at Pier 39 which is a couple of blocks away from hotel, we should have been aware of that. All of the tours were good in Chicago. In San Fran, we took the hop-on-hop-off and that was great. We chose not to take the Yosemite tour the next day because it is an all day(12 hours) tour. Was too much riding for us since we had been on train for 2 days.we did call Extranomical tours and they were able to change us to 2 other tours for the next day which was great! I think that all travelers should be offered an option of Yosemite of 2-3 others because it is such a long day! You?re only in San Fran for 1 day on Sat, 12 hour tour on Sun and then home on Monday. Please tell this to all persons taking this tour. I hope that these comments will be helpful in booking other folks. We would definitely book with vacations by rail again!

Collected by Vacations By Rail

California Zephyr Experience

27 Dec 2018

Nancy P, Norwell, MA

“The views were spectacular and worth the price of the trip.

Collected by Vacations By Rail

California Zephyr with Yellowstone National Park

17 Dec 2018

Subhash K, Scarsdale, NY

“Very well arranged tour.

Collected by Vacations By Rail

America's Beautiful West

15 Nov 2018

Mary W, Parker, CO

“I have had a really wonderful time touring with my brother and sister. It was a good tour giving lasting memories. Thank You.

Collected by Vacations By Rail

First Class Heritage Rail of Colorado

19 Dec 2017

David B, Scottsdale, AZ

“The locations were beautiful and fun, the tour manager was great as was the driver

Collected by Vacations By Rail