Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Depart Chicago
Our America the Beautiful…West tour members will meet the Tour Director in Chicago’s Union Station. Early afternoon we’ll board the Southwest Chief. Relax in your reclining coach seat with leg rest. Roomettes and Bedrooms are available at an additional cost.
Once you are settled in, you will want to go to the Sightseer Lounge car to see the passing scenery. Enjoy dinner in the diner this evening.
Meal(s): D
Day 2: En Route / Flagstaff
Today you will begin to relive the excitement of the Santa Fe Trail as we cross New Mexico and Arizona. The huge train windows offer a panoramic view of the spectacular scenery. You will have time for a train side walk when we arrive in Albuquerque at mid afternoon. Our arrival into Flagstaff, Arizona, is scheduled for 8:51 p.m. Upon arrival we’ll transfer the short distance to the Comfort Inn.
Meal(s): B, L & D
Day 3: The Grand Canyon
After a Continental breakfast, we’ll travel by deluxe motorcoach to the Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon of the Colorado River is one of the world’s outstanding spectacles. In form, size, flowing color, and geological significance, it is unsurpassed.
We will view the Canyon from several observation areas. A knowledgeable guide will accompany our group and provide exceptional information on the Grand Canyon and its environs. Our first stop will be Watchtower where you will experience views of the River, the Canyon, the Painted Desert, and Kaibab National Forest. We’ll return to our hotel by late afternoon.
Tonight we’re going to Black Bart’s, one of Flagstaff’s best and “liveliest” restaurants. In addition to the great food, the waiters will be singing familiar Broadway show tunes throughout the evening.
Meal(s): CB & D
Day 4: En Route / Las Vegas
Following a Continental breakfast in our hotel, we’ll board our motorcoach and travel northwest 250 miles to fabulous Las Vegas. Late this afternoon, our travelers will arrive among the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas. Our home for the next two nights will be the centrally located Treasure Island Hotel. You’re free this evening to explore this magnificent oasis in the desert.
Meal(s): CB
Day 5: Las Vegas
A full breakfast buffet at your hotel is included this morning. At mid morning we’ll embark on a tour of three spectacular hotel/casinos: New York New York, Excalibur, and the Luxor. The breathtakingly beautiful Venetian is within walking distance of our hotel and has an extensive food court.
This evening we’ll transfer to original Las Vegas, now known as “downtown.” What this part of the city has done to compete with the strip hotels/casinos is phenomenal. They have constructed a huge roof that covers Fremont Street where you will view the “Fremont Street Experience”. It’s a ten-minute show in which over two million lights are utilized. There will be time to enjoy the many options of “downtown”.
Meal(s): B
Day 6: En Route / Merced
We leave Las Vegas on our motorcoach at 9:45 a.m. for Bakersfield, California. We will make a stop in Barstow, California, for an “on-your-own” lunch around 1:00 p.m. We arrive in Bakersfield in time to catch a 3:45 p.m. San Joaquin train to Merced. This is a modern, double-decker train. We arrive in Merced around 6:42 p.m. and transfer to the Courtyard by Marriott. Dinner tonight is included at the Branding Iron Restaurant.
Meal(s): D
Day 7: Yosemite National Park
Today will be one of the most memorable days of your life. This morning we will board our motorcoach for the 82-mile journey into Yosemite National Park. El Capitan, Bridalveil Falls, Yosemite Falls, and Half Dome are some of the most popular attractions. This afternoon we’ll take a two-hour narrated sightseeing tour into the park.
Late this afternoon we’ll continue on to Sacramento. A dinner stop will be made (included). Our arrival in California’s capitol city is scheduled for mid evening. We will be staying at the attractive Embassy Suites (May) or Holiday Inn Capitol Plaza (Sept.) for the next two nights.
Meal(s): D
Day 8: Sacramento
This is a totally free day. The many attractions to see in historic Old Sacramento and a large shopping mall are within walking distance. A major optional attraction is the spectacular California State Railroad Museum. Within this three-story steel, brick and glass structure, you’ll find 21 restored locomotives and train cars.
Day 9: En Route / San Francisco
This morning we depart Sacramento on our motorcoach for San Francisco. We’ll arrive into the world-famous “City by the Bay” at noon. An “on-your-own” luncheon stop will be made en route.
This afternoon we’ll embark on a three-and-a-half hour sightseeing tour of San Francisco, including Chinatown, Golden Gate Park, Jackson Square, Telegraph Hill, the Presidio, and Fisherman’s Wharf.
Our home for the next two nights is the Chancellor Hotel (May) or Handlery Hotel (Sept.). The hotels are located on or near Union Square, close to major shops, restaurants, and other attractions.
The afternoon tour will end at Fisherman’s Wharf. Some will want to have dinner in this area and return to the hotel on their own. Your Tour Director will suggest some moderately-priced dining options as well.
Day 10: San Francisco
You’re on your own this morning. Rest, shop, ride a cable car, or visit major attractions. This afternoon we’re off to Muir Woods and Sausalito. We’ll cross the beautiful Golden Gate Bridge to Marin County, then continue to Muir Woods for a leisurely stroll through this beautiful 550-acre National Monument to see 800-year-old trees that rise 250 feet or more. We’ll stop in the Mediterranean-like village of Sausalito and then return to our hotel, or you can stay and enjoy more of Sausalito and return to San Francisco on your own via ferry boat. The ferry ticket is not included in the tour price.
Day 11: En Route / Elko, Nevada
We leave our hotel this morning and travel by motorcoach to the Amtrak station in Emeryville for our 9:10 a.m. departure on the California Zephyr. Lunch and dinner are optional in the dining car today. Lighter fare is available in the Sightseer Lounge car, as we make our way from Emeryville to Elko. A comfortable reclining coach seat with leg rest is included. You’ll want to spend time in the Sightseer Lounge.
As we travel eastward we leave the lush green landscape and palm trees of California and enter the rugged terrain, dotted with pine trees, of the high Sierra Nevada mountains. We will pass through the famous Donner Pass this afternoon.
We arrive in Elko at 9:31 p.m. and transfer to our hotel, the Hilton Garden Inn, for the night.
Day 12: En Route / Price, Utah
This morning, after a full breakfast at our hotel, we will board our comfortable motorcoach for the trip to Price, Utah. On the way we will pass through Salt Lake City where we’ll enjoy a delightful city tour.
During our Salt Lake City tour you’ll see the Mormon Temple, Tabernacle, Brigham Young’s Monument and private burial ground, Beehive House, Lion House, Eagle Gate, University of Utah, Fort Douglas, and Trolley Square. There will be “on-your-own” lunch and dinner opportunities available.
We will arrive in Price, Utah, in the early evening where we will spend the night at the Holiday Inn.
Meal(s): B
Day 13: En Route / Colorado Rockies
We will transfer to the nearby Helper Amtrak station and board the California Zephyr for our trip to Chicago. The train departs at 6:37 a.m. A reclining coach seat with leg rest is included. Private Roomette and Bedrooms are available at an additional cost. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included for coach and sleeping car passengers. Snacks, beverages, and sandwiches are available in the lounge car throughout the day.
Make sure you take the opportunity to view the spectacular scenery from the Sightseer Lounge car as we make our way toward Denver. When we leave Glenwood Springs, we will begin to climb through the awesome Rockies toward the Continental Divide. We’ll encounter the famous, 6.2-mile long Moffat Tunnel and go under the Continental Divide. The mountain vistas will continue throughout the afternoon. We’ll arrive in Denver at 6:38 p.m.
Meal(s): B, L & D
Day 14: En Route to Chicago
The California Zephyr will roll across Iowa and Illinois and arrive in Chicago at mid afternoon. Some tour members will change to trains bound for Midwest, Eastern, and Southern home cities.
Others will spend the night in Chicago and fly home tomorrow.
Meal(s): B & L