0
100
0
100
From: £3495
You are finally here, the country that inspired a thousand songs and myriad novels; the land of heroic myth and romantic tales. And all enjoyed from the comfort of your spacious carriage, taking in the views from the same glamorous prospect that you’ve seen in classic films. So why not make like those Hollywood greats in your very own movie and enjoy the wonders of the USA by rail – you are in good company. Welcome to the Coast Starlight, where legend is brought to life".
Seattle has one of the most scenic settings in America, curved around the shore of Elliott Bay, with lake Washington behind and the snowy peak of Mount Rainier hovering faintly in the distance.
With glass skyscrapers gleaming across the bay the city combines its superb natural surrounding with a modern skyline. Its current location, though, is the second in its history. In 1850 Seattle was relocated from the peninsula of Alki Point after it was flooded out.
Be sure to hop on a cruise of the harbour, take a boat tour of the San Juan Islands, enjoy the view of the city from the Space Needle and eat in one of the famous fish restaurants along the harbour.
It's all aboard the Coast Starlight at 9 am for your five hour journey through Washington State into Oregon. From the comfort of your reclining seat gaze out over impressive landscapes as you cross the raging Columbia River before arriving into bohemian Portland.
In 1885 Portland was named after Portland, Maine, following a coin toss between its two East Coast founders. Although the city is a less obvious tourist destination it is a pleasant surprise to many of its visitors. It's artsy, bohemian, and friendly.
With its many quaint bookstores, galleries, parks and restaurants people find there is more to do than imagined. Known as the 'City of Roses' Portland is also the perfect base for exploring the surrounding coastal and mountain areas. A walking tour of the city has been included in your holiday but Bon Voyage would be happy to suggest and pre-book day trips to the coast and into the mountains for you also.
Board the Coast Starlight at 2.25pm for your overnight journey to Emeryville, San Francisco. Travel through the hills and farmslands of northern California before arriving in 'the beautiful city on the bay' at 8.10am.
Onboard enjoy the views from the observation car, mix and mingle with fellow travellers from all over the world, or enjoy a wine-tasting session.
Your accommodation on board will be a Superliner Bedroom on the upper deck. This consists of a sofa with two individually reclining sections, and an easy chair. At night, the sofa converts to a comfortable bed, and an upper berth folds down from above. This accommodation also features a private, self-enclosed restroom with toilet, sink and shower.
All meals are included and served in the Parlour Lounge whilst on board.
San Francisco is full of iconic images- those little cable cars climbing halfway to the stars, the scarlet slash of the Golden Gate Bridge, the dragon-adorned gateway to Chinatown, and the sombre, island-sited Alcatraz, once a formidable prison, now a tourist attraction.
Discover the attractions of this beautiful city en foot, by cable car or the superb BART system. See places like Union Square, The Presidio, Golden Gate Bridge, China Town, Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf. We've included a hop-on/hop-off sightseeing tour of the city in your holiday and would be delighted to suggest and pre-book other must-see sights for you.
Leave San Francisco behind and board the Coast Starlight at 8.20am for an incredible rail journey through California wine country and along the rugged Pacific Coast.
The route south takes you through pretty San Jose, the first state capital of California, before entering the lush Santa Clara Valley. You'll also encounter Gilroy, the 'garlic capital of the world' and the beautiful Santa Cruz Mountain Range.
From Salinas the Coast Starlight journeys through the impressive Diablo Mountain Range and past the 18th century mission towns of the Salinas Valley. You'll continue through ranch country and cross the Cuesta Pass before descending over 1,000 feet to the Stenner Creek Trestle and the city of San Luis Obispo.
From the wine country you'll head towards the scenic California coast and gaze out over small beach towns and superb ocean views. Keep any an eye out for surfers as you enter an area of the California coast referred to as the 'American Riviera'' before arriving in the historic Moorish seaside resort of Santa Barbara at 6pm.
Board the Pacific Surfliner train today from Santa Barbara at 11.40am. From the comfort of your seat enjoy a coffee as you take in the remarkable ocean views as the train hugs the coastline before arriving into Los Angeles at 2.20pm.
A holiday in Los Angeles means something different to everyone. The Hollywood sign, the mansions of Beverly Hills, lithe young things rollerblading the boardwalks, the shops of Rodeo Drive; everyone has their movie-inspired picture of the city of the Angels.
Enjoy at day at Universal Studios, a morning walk on Malibu Beach, a stroll around the Getty Museum, a visit to the Queen Mary on Long Beach, or a bike ride along lively Santa Monica Beach.