Coast Starlight

Route

Seattle - Portland - Los Angeles
The Coast Starlight links the greatest cities on the West Coast. En route daily between Seattle and Los Angeles, the Coast Starlight passes through Portland, Sacramento, the San Francisco Bay Area and Santa Barbara. The scenery along the Coast Starlight route is unsurpassed. The dramatic snow-covered peaks of the Cascade Range and Mount Shasta, lush forests, fertile valleys and long stretches of Pacific Ocean shoreline provide a stunning backdrop for your journey.

Length of Trip

35 hours

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San Francisco is a country unto itself. The "seven by seven" packs an unbelievable amount of sights and experiences into such a small space. The people who live here seem to take it all in stride, flocking to the city's many beautiful parks at the faintest hint of sunshine. Be sure to swing by Delores park on a Saturday afternoon with a bottle of wine and your favourite book. Also on the do not miss list is the Japanese garden, a magical enclosure of miniature trees and crayfish dotted ponds. The Golden Gates bridge must be traversed on foot and it is worth braving the fierce Pacific winds for. Be sure to visit Chinatown, getting lost in the narrow streets and alleyways in search of the elusive Fortune Cookie Factory. Sip Hong Kong style tea while you plan your next move. A stroll through the Castro is a must, with a stop for a pint at Harvey's, an iconic establishment named for local hero Harvey Milk. Pay a visit to SFMOMA, a building that is as interesting as the exhibits it holds. Also worth seeing are the "Painted Ladies", a row of Victorian wooden houses painted in eclectic colours. These are the sole survivors of the terrible fire that leveled much of the city at the turn of the century. As the fog rolls in, head to the Mission for some tamales to warm your heart. San Fran is a dangerous city so be warned: you may never be able to bring yourself to leave.