Las Vegas & the Golden West - Iconic sights of America‘s west coast

Awe-inspiring scenery at the Grand Canyon contrasts with the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas on this truly sparkling rail holiday. Combine that with the charming towns and pretty scenery of the Golden State and the magic of Hollywood for a truly unforgettable experience.Find Out More »

Tour highlights

• San Francisco & Alcatraz
• Yosemite National Park
• Las Vegas
• The Hoover Dam
• The Grand Canyon
• Grand Canyon Railroad
• LA & Hollywood
• RMS Queen Mary & Long Beach
• Monterey
• Carmel & Big Sur

Day 1 - To San Francisco

We depart London on our flight to San Francisco. On arrival we transfer to our hotel for three nights, the Holiday Inn Golden Gateway, situated close to the terminus of the California Line cable car, with unbeatable views over the city.

Days 2-3 - San Francisco and Alcatraz

We begin our tour of the Golden West with a sightseeing tour of San Francisco, including the inspiring Golden Gate Bridge and the popular Fishermen's Wharf area, with its street performers and selection of restaurants. We also take a guided tour of the infamous island of Alcatraz, once a federal penitentiary housing notorious criminals such as Al Capone. Day 3 is free to spend at leisure, perhaps take a ride on the iconic tramways or explore the vibrant streets of Chinatown.

Day 4 - Through California to Yosemite & Merced

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 to Yosemite itself to enjoy a tour of the Valley Floor, taking in views of Half Dome, the 3,000 foot vertical monolith of El Capitan and the spectacular Bridal Veil Falls. Heading back to Merced, we spend the night at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel.

Day 5 - To Bakersfield and Las Vegas

Our journey on the San Joaquin continues southwards today. Arriving in Bakersfield, we depart eastwards by coach through California and across the Mojave Desert into Nevada, with the terrain getting progressively more mountainous towards the Nevada border. In Las Vegas we spend three nights at Harrah's Hotel, in a great location on the famous Strip.

Days 6-7 - Viva Las Vegas

Days 6-7 - Viva Las Vegas Our hotel is right in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, with a spa, health club, swimming pool and retail outlets, plus a large casino. With two free days in Las Vegas, 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, one of the great natural wonders.

Day 8 - The Hoover Dam and Williams

Today we head out of Las Vegas and across Nevada to Arizona, via the Hoover Dam, an engineering masterpiece completed in 1936 to end the constant flooding caused by the mighty Colorado River. Entering Arizona we arrive on the legendary Route 66 and the railroad town of Williams, nestled amidst ponderosa pine forest. Here we spend the night at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel next door to the Williams Depot, the southern terminus of the Grand Canyon Railway.

Day 9 - The Grand Canyon Railway

We travel in vintage carriages hauled by historic locomotives on the Grand Canyon Railway itself to see one of the world's most awe-inspiring sights, the Grand Canyon. We arrive at the South Rim and main viewpoint of the Canyon where we take in the dramatic vistas. After returning to Williams, we join Amtrak's overnight Southwest Chief service to Los Angeles.

Day 10 - Hollywood and the RMS Queen Mary

Arriving in LA we spend the morning in Hollywood, with free time to see the footprints of the stars at Mann's Chinese Theatre or to take a stroll along the legendary Hollywood Boulevard. We spend the night on board the RMS Queen Mary, the world famous ocean liner, moored at Long Beach.

Day 11 - The Coast Starlight and Monterey

Bidding farewell to Los Angeles on board the Coast Starlight we travel along the scenic Pacific coast shoreline, enjoying vast stretches of pristine beaches as the train hugs the coast north of Santa Barbara towards the wine producing region of San Luis Obispo. Entering the Salinas Valley we pass the Santa Lucia and Diablo mountain ranges en route to Salinas, where we make a short coach transfer to Monterey for two nights at the Best Western Beach Resort, Monterey's only beachside hotel.

Days 12-13 - Carmel, Big Sur and San Francisco

We explore the wonderful Californian coastline today, including the attractive waterfront of Cannery Row, made famous by John Steinbeck, and the exclusive residences of 17 Mile Drive. 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 Santa Lucia Mountains. On Day 13 we complete the circuit by venturing north to San Francisco for a final night at the Holiday Inn Golden Gateway Hotel.

Days 14-15 - San Francisco to London

After a free morning to relax in San Francisco, we transfer to the airport for our overnight flight, arriving back in London on Day 15.

Las Vegas - West Coast - Luxury Escorted Rail Tours - Rail Holidays

Be amazed by the awe inspiring scenery on this 15 day Luxury Escorted Rail Tour visiting, Vegas, San Francisco, Alcatraz, Yosemite, Grand Canyon More. Frequent departures, Find out more.
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