California Zephyr Experience

Independent arrival into Chicago. Transfer to your hotel, located in the heart of downtown Chicago. Explore the most spectacular areas of the city with a hop-on/ hop-off trolley tour or simply by jumping on the closest Chicago "L" train. Museums, the famous Magnificent Mile, shopping and world-renowned cuisine are all within steps of your hotel. Overnight Chicago.

Arrive at Chicago's historic Union Station for your afternoon departure. For those passengers with sleeping accommodations, check into Amtrak's First Class Metropolitan Lounge. Once onboard the famous California Zephyr, settle into your private sleeping room as you begin your 2300 mile journey to San Francisco. After settling in, you may want to visit the glass-walled Observation Car or head to the Lounge Car to meet some new friends. Enjoy dinner in the Dining Car as you cross the mighty Mississippi River. All meals on the train are included for sleeping car occupants. Overnight train.

This morning wake up to a magnificent view of the Colorado Rockies on the horizon. Enjoy your breakfast in the dining car as the Zephyr climbs the front range of the Rockies and heads toward the Great Continental Divide. Be sure to look for wild-life when passing through the ski resort town of Winter Park, Colorado. Continue to take in awe-inspiring scenery and canyons through late afternoon. On board you will enjoy lunch and dinner. Overnight train.

Today begins the final leg of your journey West as the Zephyr climbs from Nevada to California. By mid-morning, the train arrives in the "The Biggest Little City in the World" of Reno, Nevada. As you cross the border from Nevada into California your climb through the legendary Donner Pass, the high point in the northern Sierra Nevada Mountains. Arrival into Emeryville is scheduled for early evening and an Amtrak Shuttle is waiting to transfer you to the Ferry Building in downtown San Francisco. From here you can catch a taxi to your hotel located at fabulous Fisherman's Wharf. Overnight San Francisco.

Wake up in the iconic city by the bay, San Francisco as your tour comes to an end. Spend the day exploring Golden Gate Park, Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown, Telegraph Hill, and Jackson Square, either on your own, or with one of our optional tours.

*There is so much to see and do in the city, and the surrounding areas.  Speak to your Rail Specialist is you would like to add post nights to visit Yosemite, go wine tasting in Napa or Sonoma, explore the Coastal Redwoods in Muir Woods, take a food tour, or sail on a catamaran in San Francisco Bay.