Highlights

Tour should run Monday to Monday

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Itinerary

Day 1 – San Francisco, CA

Arrive in San Francisco, CA today and check into your hotel located along Fisherman’s Wharf for a two night stay. Tonight, dinner is included at a popular restaurant along the water on Pier 39.  (D) 

Day 2 – San Francisco City Tour – Sightseeing Boat Cruise

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel this morning before meeting your local guide for a city tour to include Chinatown, Union Square, Twin Peaks, the Presidio and Golden Gate Park.

Lunch is included today at the famous Cliff House, overlooking Ocean Beach and the mighty Pacific Ocean. Then you board a sightseeing boat for a narrated cruise around San Francisco Bay including the Golden Gate Bridge and past infamous Alcatraz Island.

The remainder of the afternoon is yours to explore San Francisco on you own.  Just a couple suggestions: take a ride on a Cable Car, walk across the Golden Gate Bridge or visit the historic ships of the Maritime Museum of San Francisco, to name a few.  Dinner is on your own this evening. (B,L) 

Day 3 – Santa Cruz & Big Trees Railroad – Bigfoot Discovery Museum – Santa Cruz, CA

Departing San Francisco this morning, you travel south to the town of Felton, nestled amongst the Coastal Redwoods of California’s North Central Coast. Here you board the Santa Cruz & Big Trees Railroad for a short ride through these big trees and enjoy a barbeque lunch in historic Roaring Camp, a recreation of a logging community of the late 1800’s.

Next, you check out the nearby Bigfoot Discovery Museum and discover why the myth may be reality! Check into your hotel located in the beachside community of Santa Cruz for the night. Dinner is included tonight at a local restaurant overlooking the bustling Santa Cruz Harbor. (B,L,D) 

Day 4 – Napa Valley Region Tour  – Sacramento, CA

This morning after breakfast, travel north to Napa Valley.  On arrival, meet your local guide who will take you on a riding tour of the Napa Valley region, known for hundreds of hillside vineyards in the Napa Valley wine region. In the city of Napa, Oxbow Public Market features regional gourmet food. Northwest of Napa is Yountville, a town known for high-end restaurants and sparkling wine.

Continue this afternoon Sacramento for the next two nights. Dinner is on your own this evening.  Your hotel is located near Old Sacramento, a historic district of shops and many restaurants! (B)

Day 5 – Sacramento city Tour – Old Sacramento – Ride on the Sacramento River Fox Train

Following breakfast at the hotel, meet your local guide for a short tour introducing you to California’s Capitol City at the confluence of the American and Sacramento Rivers. Tour the State Capitol and visit Sutter’s Fort, a recreation of the original settlement built by Captain John Sutter in 1841.

Enjoy lunch and free time for strolling Old Sacramento, the historic center of the region. A free afternoon allows a further exploration of Old Sacramento including optional visits to the Sacramento History Center and the California State Railroad Museum, one of the finest collections of historic trains and artifacts in North America. Close by, the California Automobile Museum features over 150 historic autos on display. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and a trip aboard the Sacramento River Train where you enjoy sunset views of the wide-open countryside.  (B,D)

Day 6 – Lake Tahoe Luncheon Cruise – Nevada State Railroad Museum – Reno, NV

Departing Sacramento this morning you follow the Pony Express Trail East along Highway 50 and discover stunning Lake Tahoe. On the south shore, board the MS Dixie II for a luncheon cruise aboard the paddle-wheeler across the south end of the lake and around Emerald Bay.

Continue travel this afternoon to Nevada, the Silver State. On arrival, stop at the historic Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City. The Museum preserves the railroad heritage of Nevada, including locomotives and cars of the famous Virginia and Truckee Railroad. Much of the museum’s equipment was obtained from Hollywood studios, where they were often featured in movies and television.

Arrive in Reno, NV where you will be staying the next two nights, right in the heart of downtown. Dinner is on your own this evening, but you are close to many of the city’s casinos and best dining spots. (B,L) 

Day 7 – Virginia City Tour – Ride the Virginia & Truckee Railroad

After breakfast travel to historic Virginia City for a guided tour.  This was the boomtown home of Mark Twain when he reported for the Virginia City Territorial Enterprise from 1862-64. Tour the historic Opera House, cemetery, Fourth Ward Schoolhouse and don’t forget to have a drink at the Bucket of Blood Saloon!

Next, you board one of the historic trains of the Virginia & Truckee Railroad to Carson City. This fully narrated ride features the scenery of the Virginia Range with possible sightings of wild mustangs. Tonight, enjoy a family-style Farewell Dinner at Louis’ Basque Corner Restaurant.  Traditional specialties include paella, tongue & oxtails served family-style by costumed servers. (B,D) 

Day 8 – Depart for Home

This morning after breakfast you will be transferred to Reno International Airport for your return flight home. (B)

Tour Map