100% customisable travel idea
Chicago to San Francisco Great Train Journey Across the USA
United States - Chicago - San Francisco
100% customisable travel idea
United States - Chicago - San Francisco
100% customisable for you
Upon arrival, private transfer to the heart of Chicago, just minutes from Michigan Avenue, Millennium Park and the Magnificent Mile. Stay for three nights in a modern, elegant hotel where every detail has been carefully considered to ensure guests have a comfortable stay. The rooms are spacious and cosy, there is a gym, and massages are available on request. In the heated indoor pool you can swim with views of the city. The pleasant terraces are perfect for enjoying a drink before or after your explorations.
You have two full days to get a feel for Chicago, undoubtedly one of the most fascinating cities in the United States. Known as the "Second City" in comparison with New York, the Windy City has very little reason to envy its rival. With its incredible architecture by some of the world's most renowned architects such as Louis Sullivan, Daniel Burnham and Frank Lloyd Wright, it also enjoys a stunning natural setting thanks to Millennium Park and Lake Michigan. You can explore the city just as easily on foot, by bike, on the metro or by boat.
Already booked - Chicago Explorer Pass, a valuable pass to keep with you over these two days. It gives you access to the city's main attractions. Skydeck Ledge is an observation deck on the 103rd floor of Willis Tower. The 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck takes you up to the 93rd floor of the John Hancock skyscraper. If you're feeling brave you can lean out over the glass viewing platform that tilts forward 1,150 feet (350 metres) above the city. Be sure to take an architecture cruise on the Chicago River too.
Things to see and do - Stroll through Millennium Park on the shores of Lake Michigan, dotted with sculptures and interactive fountains with giant screens; visit one of the city's many museums; in the evening, see a stand-up comedy show on Broadway or go to a sporting event.
Optional extra - Jazz evening (dinner and show) at one of the legendary South Side or West Side clubs, where some of the greatest names in jazz have played.
Boarding begins in the early afternoon at Chicago Union Station for a unique experience. The journey will take you from the plains of the Midwest to the vast expanses of the American West via the Rockies and the Sierra Nevada. You will be on board for two days and two nights Nearly 2,485 miles (4,000 km), 52 hours, seven states and 32 stops separate you from California. Often, there is no road, only the railway. With your eyes glued to the window (or looking up through the panoramic roof), marvel at the changing landscapes passing by. The most spectacular stretch is undoubtedly between Grand Junction and Salt Lake City, where the train crosses arid deserts before gradually climbing into the Utah mountains.
Sights along the way - The villages of Iowa; sunrise over Nebraska's prairies and grasslands; climbing up into the Rockies; the Colorado River rapids; Utah's ochre-tinted canyons; the Great Salt Lake; California's lakes and forests; San Francisco Bay.
During the final hour of the journey approaching the Pacific, the train crosses the bays of Suisun, San Pablo and finally San Francisco. The terminus is on the other side of the bay, at Emeryville. Transfer booked to San Francisco by train and stay for three nights between Market Street and Union Square, a prime location for exploring the city. The hotel interiors are extremely tasteful. Japanese inspiration can be found both in the rooms and in the restaurant's dishes, while the pool area has a bright glass roof which is especially pleasant on sunny days.
Between the hills and cable cars, colourful houses stretch from Union Square to Golden Gate Park. In San Francisco, the bridges framing Alcatraz, winding Lombard Street and the charming Victorian houses create an iconic picture postcard scene.
In your itinerary - The hippie neighbourhood of Haight-Ashbury, with a local. Set out to discover the city with your guide who has lived in San Francisco for many years and is passionate about art and architecture. You begin at Alamo Square and the famous painted ladies, those charming pastel-coloured Victorian houses. Then you head to Haight-Ashbury, a legendary neighbourhood that nurtured revolutionaries and pacifists and was the birthplace of the famous Summer of Love. From the flower filled windows of tattoo studios to the metaphysical stores and vintage shops, take a trip through the hippie era that brought fame, and pride, to San Francisco.
Also booked - Sunset catamaran cruise. Cruising around San Francisco Bay at the best time of day is an opportunity to see the city from a different perspective and take in the scale of the Golden Gate and Alcatraz Island. To add the finishing touch to this idyllic scene, why not treat yourself to a glass of Californian wine.
Optional extra - Seaplane flight over San Francisco Bay and its surroundings - a magical trip.
International return flight. Night on board, arrival the following day.
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
Every day, our travel specialists craft bespoke experiences shaped around each traveller's profile, desires and budget. These passionate experts design experiences delivered on the ground by a local network of Concierges and trusted contacts. These fully customisable, made-to-measure trips are complemented by a wide range of high-end services (lounges, 24/7 assistance, travel booklet, app, Wi-Fi, restaurant booking, etc.)
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