By rails on the coast & Hearst Castle by wheels
2 days / 1 night
From Los Angeles to San Francisco
Los Angeles to Paso Robles by Amtrak. From Paso Robles to Hearst Castle and back by mini coach. 
From Paso Robles to San Francisco by AMTRAK and motor coach.

Tour cost includes :
Amtrak Los Angeles to Paso Robles and Oakland and connecting coach to San Francisco,
Overnight in Paso Robles, Tour of San Simeon and Hearst Castle including picnic lunch

Day 1: 259 miles by AMTRAK Coast Starlight train. Anaheim or Los Angeles to Paso Robles. 

On AMTRAK train leave Anaheim at 8:07 or Union Station, Los Angeles at 10:15 a.m.  See Simi Valley, orange groves and green houses, reaching the Pacific coast at Oxnard. As the train hugs the shore we see the most magnificent vistas west through Santa Barbara. Turning north at Gaviota past Vandenberg Space Station fields of strawberries and miles of new vines are all around us on the way to Pismo Beach. Reaching San Luis Obispo at about 3:40 the train chugs up Cuesta Grade and then drops down to the horse ranches of Templeton and pastures and vineyards of Paso Robles arriving around 4:45. Transfer for  
Overnight at Paso Robles Inn.
 

Day 2: 80 miles by mini bus, 215 miles by train and bus.

The Wine Wrangler Tour Co takes you west, about 40 minutes to Highway One then along the coast to San Simeon for Experience tour of Hearst Castle built by Julia Morgan during the 1920s and 1930s for the art collection of world famous newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst. This 2 hour tour is ideal for first time visitors with an easy walk, a total of about 150 steps. After a picnic lunch we return to Paso Robles to board the train leaving at 4:45.  At Camp Roberts we enter Monterey County and along the Salinas River oil fields give way to the Valley, one of the richest agricultural areas in California. Riding through one of the largest vineyards we come upon miles of broccoli, lettuce, flowers and berries. The train stops briefly in Salinas where John Steinbeck chronicled the transformation of Monterey county from the days of depression to the wealthier times. Staying north along the San Andreas fault line through Gilroy and Morgan Hill soon the artichoke and strawberry fields and green houses give way to the urban sprawl that emerges as we enter San Jose. Continuing along the east bay past the salt flats and marshes we reach Oakland at 9:32 where the bus waiting for us takes us to San Francisco arriving just after 10:00 p.m.
                                                                       
AMTRAK to San Francisco. 205 miles. At 4:45 p.m. all aboard on Coast Starlight Train # 14 that left Los Angeles this morning on its way to Seattle. At Camp Roberts we enter Monterey county. Through the pastures and vineyards the train follows Salinas River flowing north. From the Vista Dome car enjoy the beautiful views of the valley and the sunset. You can have dinner as the train rolls past Salinas along the San Andreas fault line going northeast as the garlic country gives way to suburbs and industrial buildings of Silicon Valley and San Jose. On the eastern shores past marshlands of San Francisco Bay the train reaches Jack London Square in Oakland by 9:35. The thruway coach takes us across the Bay Bridge reaching San Francisco Ferry Building terminal by 10:10 p.m. Most down town hotels are about ten minutes by cab.  

- DINNING ON THE TRAIN - THE DINNING CAR & CAFE LOUNGE CAR ON COAST STARLIGHT
The Dinning Car offers a truly unique restaurant style dinning experience to both Sleeping Car and Coach passengers. Enjoy regional wines and regionally inspired dishes prepared by our talented chefs, all the while enjoying a level of service you'd expect of a fine restaurant. In addition to the Dinning Car, all passengers are invited to relax, socialize and dine in the Cafe Lounge Car. The Lounge Car offers extended hours and a more casual environment where you can satisfy your appetite with sandwiches, snacks, beer, cocktails, wine, and an assortment of sodas and juices.

To go Los Angeles or Anaheim Board The Coast Starlight train at 3:20pm from San Luis Obispo station. Through Pismo Beach via Vandenberg Space station near Gaviota see some of the most scenic ocean views all the way through Santa Barbara to Oxnard. Turning inland around six the train goes past miles of orange groves then through Fillmore and Simi Valley to Glendale. At about 9:00 we arrive in the heart of the great metropolis of Los Angeles at the Union Station that you may recognize from many Hollywood films. Taxicabs to downtown locations cost about $20, twice as much to Hollywood, West Los Angeles, and Beverly Hills. To the Los Angeles International Airport Fly Away bus leaves every half hour, takes about 45 minutes cost only $7. Going further south Surfliner 596 reaches Anaheim at 10:51

Los Angeles Union Station and AMTRAK (Coast Starlight Train)

Comfortable reclining seats on Coast Starlight & Parlor Car (Vista Dome)  

        

Dinning Car & Burger and chips on the train    

THIS IS AN INDEPENDENT TRIP USING AMTRAK and local tour company.
   ***THIS IS NOT A GROUP TOUR***

2 Days Amtrak Train and Deluxe Motor coach 2013 / 2014
Tour Code: LA1PH
Available almost every day

 Rate from April 1st, 2014 to March 31st, 2015

Year 2014 / 2015	Double	Single	Triple	Child
Tour Code LA1PH	$371	$465	$350	$322

 New rate from April 1st, 2015 to March 31st, 2016
booking after January 1st, 2015

Year 2015 / 2016	Double	Single	Triple	Child
Tour Code LA1PH	$376	$471	$355	$322

Tour price per person in U.S. Dollars. Child rate is 5 to 17

Cost may be higher and hotel different on some days for bookings less than 7 days in advance and certain types of payment.

Since 1924 California Parlor Car Tours has operated in this area, initially visiting the Missions along the Camino Real and then Yosemite starting 1937. Well timed meal stops, essential sightseeing, tours, admissions and rooms are prearranged. On this tour dinner and breakfast is on your own at the hotel. Enjoy the evening at the Paso Robles Inn. Play golf, walk, ride bikes, go to the spa, go swimming or just relax. After the Hearst Castle tour you return to Paso Robles or San Luis Obispo to board the AMTRAK Coast Starlight returning to San Francisco or going on to Los Angeles. Some images are furnished by Amtrak.

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This site updated on December 9th, 2014

California Parlor Car Tours ...Since 1924
500 Sutter St #401, San Francisco, CA 94102 USA
Tel 415.474.7500  Fax 415.673.1539
US Toll Free 800.227.4250