16 days
May 28 - June 15, 2009
May 29 - June 16, 2010

DAY 1:  Our beautiful tour to California's Scenic Railroads starts with our morning included break in southern Minnesota. Our travels will then take us south into Iowa for a lunch break on your own in Des Moines. This afternoon we'll turn west and head into Nebraska and to our overnight in York. After time to refresh we'll enjoy our included Welcome Dinner at the hotel.


DAY 2:  Following included breakfast we'll continue west across Nebraska taking a morning break prior to entering the state of Wyoming. We'll make a lunch stop on your own and an afternoon break prior to arriving in Cheyenne for our overnight.


DAY 3:  Following included breakfast we'll head across the Rocky Mountains of Wyoming making appropriate break stops. Late this afternoon we'll enter Utah and head for our overnight in Salt Lake City. The evening will be free to relax and have dinner on your own.

DAY 4:  An included breakfast starts our day, then we're off west past the Great Salt Lake and into Nevada. As we travel west we'll make stops in Wndover, Elko and Winnemucca en-route to Reno, "Biggest Little City in the World", for our overnight in downtown Reno. Tonight dinner will be included with the remainder of the evening free to explore the downtown area.

DAY 5:  Following included breakfast we'll head north past Mount Rose Ski area to Lake Tahoe. The drive along the lake will be filled with beautiful scenery as we head to South Lake Tahoe for a morning break at one of the casinos. Later we'll head through Carson City, the capital of Nevada, to Virginia City. This was once the richest mining town in the world and still much like it was in its heyday. Upon arrival we'll enjoy a narrated tram tour through the city and then you will have time to explore the downtown shops, casinos and have lunch on your own. Later we'll board the V & T Railroad for a 30-minute narrated train ride from F Street Station in Virginia City to Gold Hill and through Tunnel Number 5 enjoying the scenic views and history of the Comstock Mine. Later we'll return to our hotel/casino in Reno with the evening free to enjoy the downtown area and have dinner on your own.

DAY 6: After included breakfast at your leisure we'll head to the Amtrak station to board the California Zephyr at 10:30 am for our very scenic 5-1/2 hour ride through the beautiful high Sierra Nevada Mountains over Donner Pass to Sacramento, CA. You will be free today to enjoy lunch in the Dining Car or just get something lighter in the Snack Car. The Snack Car also has some seating for great viewing. Upon arrival in Sacramento we'll check into our hotel for the next 2 nights. The evening will be free to relax and have dinner on your own.

DAY 7: An included breakfast starts our day then we'll enjoy a tour of the Capital of California, Sacramento. Later we'll visit the California State Railroad Museum to see some of the best preserved Railroad Engines, Rail Cars and Dining Cars you will ever see. Later you'll have time to explore Old Sacramento before returning to the hotel to rest and refresh. Later we'll head just north to Woodland, CA to board the Sacramento River Train foor a ride through the beautiful countryside and over the longest wooden trestle in the west while enjoying included dinner. Later we'll return to hotel with the evening free to relax.

DAY 8: Following included breakfast we'll head to wine country and Napa. Here we'll visit a winery and then board the Napa Valley Wine Train for a ride through the beautiful countryside while enjoying included lunch. Later we'll head north and west to the village of Fort Bragg on the Pacific Ocean for our overnight. The evening will be free to have dinner on your own.

DAY 9: After breakfast on your own we'll board the famous Skunk Train for the ride through the spectacular Redwoods. We'll stop at the half way point for an included lunch, then continue on to Willits, CA. Here our coach will meet us and we'll head south stopping just before arriving in San Francisco at the artist community of

DAY 10:  An included breakfast starts our day, then we'll enjoy a guided tour of San Francisco. Highlights include Chinatown, Golden Gate Park, the Presidio and much more. Following the tour the remainder of the day will be free to enjoy Fisherman's Wharf or ride the Cable Cars. Remember the hotel is just a short distance from the Wharf, so you will be free to return to the hotel to rest.

DAY 11:  An included breakfast will be enjoyed by all and then we're off to the Amtrak Station. Upon arrival we'll board the "Coast Starlight", one of Amtrak's premier trains with enhanced coaches for extra comfort and great viewing from several Dome Cars. We'll depart for a day-long train ride south along the Pacific Ocean to Los Angeles relaxing and taking in the beautiful scenery. During the day and early evening you will be free to enjoy lunch and dinner in the Dining Car or just get something lighter in the Snack Car. Upon arrival our coach will meet us and transfer us to our hotel for the next two nights.

DAY 12:  Today following included breakfast we'll enjoy a guided tour including Hollywood, Mann's Chinese Theater, Sunset Strip and Beverly Hills. We'll stop for lunch on your own and shopping at the Farmer's Market, the head to Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale. Here you will view the Crucifiixion, Last Supper and the Resurrection depicted in stained glass windows and several large paintings. Later we'll return to our hotel with the evening free to relax and enjoy the hotel.

DAY 13:  Following included breakfast we'll head South stopping to visit the Mission San Juan Capistrano prior to arriving in San Diego. Our guide will join us for a guided tour including Old Town, Gaslamp District, Mission Bay, Long Point and Caronado. We'll then check into our hotel for the next 3 nights. The evening will be free to relax and have dinner on your own.

DAY 14:  Today, following our included breakfast, will be a fun day as we visit the world-famous San Diego Zoo. Our afternoon will be filled with wonderful sights as we cruise San Diego Harbor. We'll have some shopping time at Seaport Village and then enjoy an included dinner overlooking San Diego harbor.  

DAY 15:  After our included breakfast we'll head east seeing the Mexican border to our south in many places. We'll stop for a morning break, then head to Yuma, AZ for a lunch break on your own. This afternoon we'll cross southern Arizona to our overnight in Tucson. The evening will be ree to relax and enjoy dinner on your own.

DAY 16:  As our luggage is loaded on the coach we'll enjoy an included breakfast, then board the coach for our journey back home. We'll take a morning break in eastern Arizona and then turn north into New Mexico stopping for a lunch break on your own. This afternoon we'll take a break and then arrive in Albuquerque. Upon arrival we'll check into the hotel with the evening free to relax and have dinner on your own.

DAY 17:  We'll enjoy an included breakfast and then we're off back across New Mexico and into Oklahoma to our overnight in Ek City. The evening will be free to relax and have dinner on your own.

DAY 18:  Following included breakfast we'll head east across Oklahoma and then north across Kansas taking appropriate break stops en-route to the Kansas City area for an overnight at our full-service hotel. After time to refresh we'll enjoy an included Farewell Dinner.

DAY 19:  After an included breakfast we'll head north across Missouri and Iowa back to Minnesota taking appropriate break stops. Our warm and wonderful memories of San Francisco and southern California Coastline will be with us forever.

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