Monterey Sightseeing Tour and AMTRAK train through Salinas Valley and Santa Barbara to Los Angeles or Anaheim

2 Days & 1 Night

This independent trip is made possible by taking motor coach tour from San Francisco to Monterey, spending a night there and then AMTRAK train connection to Los Angeles, Anaheim or San Diego.  The motor coach is operated
by Gray Line Tours
                              

          

Tour includes:  Pick up from your hotel in central San Francisco area, narrated tour by full size motor coach to Monterey. Hotel room with tax. 17 Mile Drive fee.  Taxi transfer to Salinas. Train tickets to Los Angeles. 

Day 1 San Francisco to Monterey, 154 miles  
Leave San Francisco around 9:00 a.m. Driving south along San Andreas Fault then west to the Pacific Ocean down Highway One you go through Santa Cruz.  Miles of artichoke and strawberry fields by the Monterey Bay, home of Fort Ord where armed forces once trained now students prepare for their future at California State University. Going through Monterey we stop at Cannery Row around lunch time and optional visit of the world renown Monterey Bay Aquarium. Driving along stops are made at  Pacific Grove, 17 Mile Drive,  Pebble Beach, and Carmel by the Sea for about an hour.
Check-in to the hotel by 5:30 p.m.
Bay Park Hotel 1425 Munras Avenue, Monterey                                                                                          

Day 2 Monterey to Salinas and Los Angeles. 375 miles.  
After a relaxing morning, at 10:15 Sal's taxi (prepaid) transfers you to Salinas Train Station. This takes about 30 minutes. AMTRAK Train #11 that started in Seattle the day before now takes us through the Salinas Valley, center of Monterey Country's agricultural region. The route takes us by Salinas River through small towns, fields of lettuce, broccoli and acres of green houses. Suddenly by King City we see miles and miles of newly planted vineyards where just a few years ago there was only cattle pasture.  The oil fields appear and then the military installations at Camp Roberts. Soon we reach historic Paso Robles. Leaving the level areas we now climb Cuesta Grade and drop down to sea level at San Luis Obispo. 
The ocean briefly appears at Pismo Beach. Heading south the rails go by Vandenberg Space station and near Goleta you see some of the most scenic ocean views all the way through Santa Barbara to Oxnard. Turning inland in early evening the train goes past miles of orange groves then through Fillmore and Simi Valley to Glendale and the great metropolis of Los Angeles. It is now about 9:00 p.m. as we arrive at the in the heart of Los Angeles at the Union Station that you may recognize from many Hollywood films. If you are staying in Los Angeles taxicabs to downtown locations cost about $20, twice as much to Hollywood, West Los Angeles, and Beverly Hills or to Los Angeles International Airport. If you are going further south the train connects to Surfliner #794 at 10:05 that arrives in Anaheim at 10:51, San Juan Capistrano at 11:25 and San Diego well past midnight at 12:50. It is advisable to spend a night in Los Angeles and take the train to San Diego in the morning.

---- 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.

Departures from San Francisco
Almost daily, subject to availability. 
Monterey Sea & Land Tours - Tour Code: SA1M

Child rate based on ages 5 to 18 sharing a room with adult(s), extra charges for cot or rollaway.

Tour price per person in U.S. Dollars includes features shown above and handling fee. The costs can change depending on the hotel and train rates that vary according to special events at the hotels and days of travel on the train. 

Images furnished by Monterey Convention and Visitors Bureau

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If you have any questions or comments please email us at

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