The West Coast of America

Your rail journey of the USA begins today in San Francisco. Home to cable cars, world-class restaurants and a bustling cultural scene, San Francisco never ceases to amaze newcomers as well as locals. Upon arrival at the airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Stay Three Nights: Hotel Zephyr San Francisco

Enjoy an enthralling half-day sightseeing discovery of San Francisco. Stop at the Golden Gate Bridge, said to be the most famous bridge in the world. You will also meet a community of sea lions which lives at the popular Fisherman's Wharf.

Enjoy a free day to discover San Francisco at your leisure. Stay: Courtyard Merced, Merced

Journey by train on the San Joaquin route through California's Central Valley. At Merced you'll board a coach to Yosemite National Park, where you'll enjoy a tour of the Valley Floor, taking in views of Half Dome, the 914-metre El Capitan and the spectacular Bridalveil Falls. Afterwards, head back to Merced to spend the night. Stay: Courtyard Merced, Merced

Insider Experience: Travel by train on the San Joaquin route through California's Central Valley, which is bordered by coastal mountain ranges.

Continue the journey on the San Joaquin route southwards today. Arriving in Bakersfield, you'll transfer by coach across the Mojave Desert to Las Vegas in the state of Nevada. Stay Two Nights: Park MGM Las Vegas

Insider Experience: Board your train to continue southwards on the San Joaquin route today. Visit the Park MGM Las Vegas for a glimpse into the glittering world of hotels and casinos which line the famous Las Vegas Strip.

Explore Las Vegas at leisure today. The monorail is a great way to discover the spectacles of the famous Las Vegas Strip. Absorb the atmosphere and enjoy a selection of entertainment choices on your doorstep including the world-famous casinos.

Head across Nevada to Arizona, via the towering Hoover Dam, where you'll see this remarkable concrete-arch gravity dam, and engineering feat firsthand. Entering Arizona you'll drive on the legendary Route 66. Arrive in Flagstaff for a two-night stay amid 500 picturesque acres of ponderosa pine forest. Stay: Flagstaff, Little America Hotel

Travel in vintage carriages hauled by historic locomotives on the Grand Canyon Railway to see the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon. Created by the Colorado River over a period of six million years, the canyon is up to 29 kilometres wide, and 1.6 kilometres deep. Arrive at the South Rim, which is the main viewpoint of the canyon, to take in dramatic vistas. Continue to Lake Havasu City, built on the shores of the mighty reservoir Lake Havasu, created by the Parker Dam on Colorado River. Stay: Hampton Inn and Suites Lake Havasu City

Insider Experience: Travel on the spectacular Grand Canyon Railway.

Start your discovery of Los Angeles, the City of Angels, with a sightseeing tour which includes city landmarks such as Hollywood Boulevard and the Sunset Strip. You'll also see the TCL Chinese Theatre, which frequently hosts the Oscars ceremony. Stay: Airtel Plaza Van Nuy

Today, you'll reach the Pacific Coast at Ventura, where the Coast Starlight heads north, following the coastline and the Pacific Coast Highway. Relax in the sightseer lounge and enjoy panoramic views through floor-to-ceiling windows. Follow the coast north of Santa Barbara. Entering the Salinas Valley, pass the Santa Lucia and Diablo mountain ranges en route to Salinas, from where you'll transfer to Monterey for two nights. Stay Two Nights: Casa Munras Monterey

Insider Experience: Travel aboard the iconic Coast Starlight for a daytime journey along the Pacific Coast.

Enjoy a full day in coastal Monterey. One of the city's top attractions is its world-class aquarium but you might also like to explore the town's Fisherman's Wharf or its coastal trails. Either way, you'll soon find yourself easing into Monterey's breezy coastal vibe.

This morning transfer to San Francisco for your return flight.