The “slow travel” trend continues to grow in popularity around the world, favoring trains over planes and quiet moments over to-do list vacations. Luckily for us in California, Amtrak offers a range of vacation packages that tap into this idea, turning the journey itself into a memorable experience.
Amtrak’s ‘California Wine Country by Rail’ is a great example, taking guests through California’s best wine regions via a leisurely train route stretching across 9 days. The trip passes through Los Angeles, Paso Robles, San Francisco, and Napa, leaving plenty of time to enjoy each stop with a balance of guided tours and free time.
Read on for a closer look at the itinerary, and scroll to the bottom for info about the flash sale.
California’s most scenic train routes
Amtrak’s California Wine Country tour covers hotel and travel costs for 8 nights and 9 days. Travelers take the scenic Coast Starlight train, which offers unbelievable ocean views up the coastline before turning inland through Paso Robles and continuing later to the Bay Area.
The tour also includes a trip aboard the famous Napa Valley Wine Train, a restored vintage locomotive that trundles through some of California’s most scenic rolling vineyards.
9-day itinerary from L.A. to Napa
Here’s a breakdown of the itinerary from L.A. to Paso Robles, San Francisco, and Napa Valley.
- Day 1: Arrive in Los Angeles for the first included hotel night.
- Day 2: Take Amtrak from Los Angeles to Paso Robles, and explore the town square.
- Day 3: Take a winery tour of local wineries in Paso Robles, which includes a picnic lunch.
- Day 4: Spend the day in Paso Robles and then hop back on Amtrak to Emeryville, followed by a short motorcoach transfer to San Francisco.
- Day 5: Explore SF via a hop-on, hop-off bus through the city. A scenic boat cruise of the SF Bay is included.
- Day 6: Board the famous Napa Valley Wine Train for a scenic journey with an on-board gourmet lunch. Then, enjoy a tour and wine tasting at Grgich Hills Estate.
- Day 7: Discover more of Napa Valley at your own pace.
- Day 8: Return to San Francisco and hit a few more attractions before checking in at your final hotel.
- Day 9: Journey ends in San Francisco.
Amtrak is currently offering a flash sale for the ‘California Wine Country by Rail’ trip, with prices as low as $2,129 per person. Head to the Amtrak website for details.
