Holiday Overview
Commence from San Diego, near the Mexican border, famous for its beautiful beaches and vibrant Gaslamp Quarter, a hub for bars restaurants and cafes. Onwards to Los Angeles, a city that needs little introduction, home to Beverley Hills and the movie capital of the world, Hollywood.
Final stop is the “City By The Bay” San Francisco. Ride a cable car and explore the districts of Union Square and Fisherman’s Wharf and experience Alcatraz Prison, a must see on any San Francisco itinerary.
10 Nights / 11 Days Start San Diego, End San Francisco (can be done in reverse).
States Visited: California
Highlights:
Travel along the Pacific Coast
See San Francisco and Alcatraz
Enjoy cosmopolitan San Diego
Indulge in some star spotting in Los Angeles.
California Rail Tour includes:
- Return flight from the UK
- 3 nights accommodation San Diego
- Amtrak Train San Diego - Los Angeles
- 3 nights accommodation Los Angeles
- Amtrak train Los Angeles - San Francisco (Emeryville)
- 4 nights accommodation San Francisco
- 2 day San Francisco Bus Tour and Alcatraz ticket
Day 1 - Fly UK to San Diego
Arrive in San Diego, check into your chosen hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure
Featured accommodation
Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa
Enhance your experience
The US Grant
Day 2 - San Diego
A full day at leisure to explore San Diego, options include the beautiful Pacific Beaches, Balboa Park, The USS Midway Museum & The Gaslamp Quarter.
Featured accommodation
Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa
Enhance your experience
The US Grant
Day 3 - San Diego
A full day at leisure to explore San Diego, options include the beautiful Pacific Beaches, Balboa Park, The USS Midway Museum & The Gaslamp Quarter.
Featured accommodation
Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa
Enhance your experience
The US Grant
Day 4 - San Diego - Los Angeles
Board the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner (depart 11:15, arrive 14:15) and venture North to Los Angeles.Check into your chosen hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Featured accommodation
Best Western Sunset Plaza
Enhance your experience
Andaz West Hollywood
Day 5 - Los Angeles
A full day od leisure to explore Los Angeles, perhaps visit one of the many theme parks in the region, spend some time at the beach, stroll along the Hollywood "Walk Of Fame", or indulge in some Rodeo Drive retail therapy.
Featured accommodation
Best Western Sunset Plaza
Enhance your experience
Andaz West Hollywood
Day 6 - Los Angeles
A full day of leisure to explore Los Angeles, perhaps visit one of the many theme parks in the region, spend some time at the beach, stroll along the Hollywood "Walk Of Fame", or indulge in some Rodeo Drive retail therapy.
Featured accommodation
Best Western Sunset Plaza
Enhance your experience
Andaz West Hollywood
Day 7 - Los Angeles - San Francisco
Board the Amtrak Coast Starlight (10:10 - 21:54) and journey to San Francisco, please note the main Amtrak station is Emeryville, where there are numerous transport options to take you into downtown San Francisco.
Featured accommodation
Hilton San Francisco Union Square
Enhance your experience
Kimpton Alton Fisherman's Wharf
Hotel Fairmont San Francisco
Day 8 - San Francisco
No trip to San Francisco would be complete without a visit to infamous Alcatraz Island, the former prison home of some America’s most notorious criminals. This included great value ticket combines the city-wide 2-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Double-Decker bus tour and return ferry tickets to ‘the Rock’
Featured accommodation
Hilton San Francisco Union Square
Enhance your experience
Kimpton Alton Fisherman's Wharf
Hotel Fairmont San Francisco
Day 9 - San Francisco
Spend the day touring San Francisco with your included Hop on Hop Off Bus. Perhpas head across the Golden Gate Bridge to the charming town of Sausilito for lunch?
Featured accommodation
Hilton San Francisco Union Square
Enhance your experience
Kimpton Alton Fisherman's Wharf
Hotel Fairmont San Francisco
Day 10 - San Francisco
A full day of leisure in San Francisco, spend time enjoying this laid back city or perhaps take an optional day tour to a nearby vineyard or the majestic Yosemite National Park
Featured accommodation
Hilton San Francisco Union Square
Enhance your experience
Kimpton Alton Fisherman's Wharf
Hotel Fairmont San Francisco
Day 11 - Depart San Francisco
Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa, San Diego Holidays
This Polynesian-themed resort, only 8 miles from San Diego International Airport, offers casual elegance with palm trees, lush vegetation, tiki torches, koi ponds, waterfalls, and exotic birds that like to strike up conversations with guests. With Mission Bay as its backyard and the Pacific Ocean across the street, there's no better choice among Pacific Beach San Diego hotels.
The US Grant, San Diego Holidays
Distinguished by quiet glamour and enduring sophistication, THE US GRANT, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Diego has welcomed guests for over 100 years. Nestled in downtown San Diego, in the vibrant Gaslamp Quarter, the hotel provides an ideal location to explore the city.
Best Western Sunset Plaza
Stay on the Sunset Strip at our upscale hotel in West Hollywood, California with European-style rooms and suites along with a host of quality amenities. Visit some of Hollywood’s best and brightest attractions, from Universal Studios to Beverly Hills and all the trending boutiques and warm beaches in between.
Andaz West Hollywood, Los Angeles Holidays
As the first hotel on the Sunset Strip, Andaz West Hollywood attracted legendary rockers in the mid-60s. It now serves as an eclectic gateway to Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and other fashionable neighborhoods. Elevate your LA experience at this iconic property reimagined for modern day.
Hilton San Francisco Union Square Holidays
Hilton San Francisco Union Square, located in the Theater District, puts you in walking distance to cable cars and Moscone Center and about 1 mile from Chinatown and Nob Hill. This historic three-tower hotel provides rooms with city views and great views from its lounge on the 46th floor.
Image Gallery
San Francisco
San Diego Sunset
Amtrak
Los Angeles
Los Angeles
Amtrak
San Diego
San Diego
Los Angeles
San Francisco
San Diego
Los Angeles
San Francisco
San Francisco
San Diego
Los Angeles
Alcatraz
San Francisco
USA Holiday Stopovers
Why not add in the 'Land of Fire and Ice' - Iceland -on your way to your holiday in the USA. We have put together a great stopover in Iceland for 2 or 3 nights which includes accommodation and the Golden Circle Trip which includes visits to the Gullfoss Waterfall, the geo thermal area of Geysir and Thingvellir National Park.
If you are travelling to the west coast of America, why not add a couple of nights stay in New York which includes accommodation and tickets for the 'Top of the Rock' observation platform for an iconic view of the city skyline. This can be done either on your way out or on the way back.
Alternative Holidays That May Interest You
Below you will find a small selection of 2026, 2027 Canada Holidays that may interest you. Remember, we tailor-make each holiday to your exact needs, so please call us on 0800 917 5724 and let one of our Travel Specialists design the perfect trip for you.
USA Road Trips
Canyon Adventure Fly Drive Holiday
- 7 Nights
- Las Vegas
- Bryce Canyon
- Moab
- Mesa Verde
- Grand Canyon
USA Twin & Multi Centre Holidays
West Coast In Style
- 7 Nights
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- San Francisco
USA Train Holidays
Coast to Coast Rail Holiday
- 11 Nights
- New York City
- Chicago
- San Francisco
USA Twin & Multi Centre Holidays
Grand American Rail Journey
- 14 Nights
- Salt Lake City
- Moab
- Glenwood Springs
- Denver
- Chicago
- Memphis
- New Orleans
USA Train Holidays
Canyon Spirit Rockies to the Red Rocks Explorer
- 15 Nights
- Denver
- Glenwood Springs
- Moab
- Salt Lake City
- Wendover
- Winnemucca
- Lake Tahoe
- Yosemite National Park
- San Francisco
USA Train Holidays
The Texas Eagle
- 13 Nights
- Los Angeles
- San Antonio
- Austin
- Dallas
- Chicago
USA Train Holidays
A Tale of 3 Cities Rail Trip
- 9 Nights
- Washington DC
- New York City
- Boston
Alaska Cruises
USA Music Cities Rail Tour and Alaska Cruise
- 18 Nights
- New Orleans
- Memphis
- Chicago
- Seattle
- Alaska Cruise
- Inside Passage
- Ketchikan
- Tracy Arm
- Prince Rupert
USA Train Holidays
New York, San Francisco and Canyon Spirit
- 12 Nights
- New York City
- Denver
- Glenwood Springs
- Moab
- Salt Lake City
- San Francisco
USA Fly Drive Holidays
Red Rocks to Cowboy Country by Rail and Road
- 15 Nights
- Denver
- Glenwood Springs
- Moab
- Salt Lake City
- Jackson Hole
- Yellowstone
- Cody
- Buffalo WY
- Deadwood
- Badlands
- Cheyenne
Alaska Cruises
Canyon Spirit Red Rocks and Alaska Cruise
- 15 Nights
- Salt Lake City
- Moab
- Glenwood Springs
- Denver
- Seattle
- Alaska Cruise
- Inside Passage
- Ketchikan
- Tracy Arm
- Prince Rupert
