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Delight in the distinctive landmarks and awesome beauty of northern California with Our State’s California Rail Discovery tour, featuring San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, and the Napa Valley Wine Train.
July 19 – 25, 2017
Package Includes:
- Round-trip airfare — RDU
- Two nights in San Francisco
- Two nights in Lake Tahoe
- Two nights in Sacramento
- 10 meals: 6 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners
- Tour director
- Our State host
- Admissions and sightseeing per itinerary
- Hotel transfers
- Baggage handling
Itinerary Highlights:
- Two rail experiences: Napa Valley Wine Train and Sierra Nevada Rail Journey
- San Francisco city tour
- San Francisco Bay cruise
- Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory in Chinatown
- Muir Woods National Monument
- Sausalito
- Wine tasting and lunch aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train
- Lake Tahoe paddlewheeler cruise
- Old Town Sacramento
- California State Railroad Museum
- Virginia City, Nevada
Detailed Itinerary:
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Day 1: Arrive San Francisco Bay Area
Today, board your flight bound for the Bay Area to begin your California Rail Discovery. Upon arrival meet your Tour Director and transfer to your hotel to begin a two-night stay in one of the world’s most beautiful cities, San Francisco. Tonight, meet your fellow travelers for a Wine Reception before enjoying a Welcome Dinner.
Meal – (D)
Overnight: San Francisco
Day 2: San Francisco City Tour – San Francisco Bay Cruise
Today, enjoy a San Francisco City Tour to see the Civic Center area, Golden Gate Park, Union Square, Seal Rocks, Pier 39, and a stop at Vista Point for spectacular photos. Later, experience a San Francisco Bay Cruise featuring views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and the city’s skyline. This afternoon explore San Francisco’s famous China-town and visit a Fortune Cookie Factory. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure in “The City by the Bay,” which highlights fascinating museums, world-class cuisine, and amazing shopping. Maybe browse the storefronts along Fisherman’s Wharf, sample a chowder filled sourdough bread bowl, or take a Cable Car ride.
Meal – (B)
Overnight: San Francisco
Day 3: San Francisco – Sausalito – Sacramento
This morning, cross over the famous Golden Gate Bridge to visit Muir Woods to see some of the oldest and the tallest Redwood trees in the world. Later visit the picturesque city of Sausalito, where you can browse the numerous art galleries and shops. From Sausalito, the views looking back at the San Francisco Bay Area are spectacular. This afternoon, travel to Sacramento and visit Old Town Sacramento, the commercial hub of the Gold Rush Era is filled with shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues yet retains 1800s charm with original storefronts and wooden sidewalks. The Old Town visit includes admission to the California State Railroad Museum to see beautifully restored railroad cars and locomotives that illustrate rail history in California and the West. Later, check into your hotel for a two-night stay. Tonight, enjoy dinner with your fellow travelers at a historic and popular restaurant in the Sacramento area.
Meal – (B, D)
Overnight: Sacramento
Day 4: Napa Valley Wine Train – Town of Napa
After breakfast, travel to California’s famous Napa Valley where hundreds of wineries prosper. Board the Napa Valley Wine Train to enjoy a Wine Tasting and Lunch as you roll along the tracks through this incredibly scenic wine region. This memorable dining experience in faithfully restored Pullman rail cars evokes the spirit of early 1900s luxury rail travel. Then, visit a Napa Winery for a Wine Tasting and Tour experience to learn more about California wine making. Later, travel back to Sacramento, California’s capital and River City for your overnight stay.
Meals – (B,L)
Overnight: Sacramento
Day 5: Sacramento – Sierra Nevada Rail Journey – Lake Tahoe
Today, board an Amtrak Train for a Sierra Nevada Rail Journey through the beautiful snow-capped Sierra Nevada Mountains to the Lake Tahoe area. Disembark your train in Truckee and board your motorcoach to drive to the spectacular year-round resort area of Lake Tahoe to spend the next two evenings in the popular and revitalized South Lake Tahoe/Stateline area.
Meal – (B)
Overnight: Lake Tahoe
Day 6: Virginia City – Lake Tahoe Cruise
This morning, travel through historic Carson City, capital of the Silver State of Nevada en route to visit Virginia City, site of the Comstock Lode and once the richest place in the world. The famous Old West town was once the west’s mining metropolis and featured notable residents Mark Twain and Bret Harte. Later, enjoy a Lake Tahoe Paddle-wheeler Cruise for spectacular views of picturesque Emerald Bay and the surrounding Sierra Nevada Mountains. Tonight’s Farewell Dinner will be at a popular local restaurant.
Meals – (B,D)
Overnight: Lake Tahoe
Day 7: Lake Tahoe – Sacramento Airport
Today, transfer to the Sacramento airport and return home with wonderful memories of your California Rail Discovery.
Meal – (B)