6 Days/5 Nights

California's Gold Rush Rail Adventure

California, here we come!  Our new California Gold Rush Rail Adventure is perfect for anyone who delights in riding the rails and taking a trip back in time.  Start your adventure in the City by the Bay where you'll enjoy the famous sights.  Wind your way along the Pacific coast, through beautiful old-growth redwood forests and into the heart of Old Sacramento.  Come take a seat and enjoy the ride!

Tour Highlights

• Ride the rails on four authentic "Old West" passenger trains.
• Experience the Gold Rush era as you explore Old Sacramento.
• Meet friendly folks at Sonoma Valley’s Viansa Winery.

Itinerary

Day 1—San Francisco: Mighty railroads were essential to the success of the Gold Rush miners and loggers in the early days of Northern California. You're on the right track to relive this glorious era on our ­exclusive itinerary for California's Gold Rush Rail Adventure.

Meet your fellow travelers for a welcome reception at our hotel, just two blocks from Fisherman's Wharf. Welcome Reception included.

Day 2—San Francisco/Sonoma Valley/Mendocino: Board a deluxe motorcoach for an ­exciting tour of San Francisco—"the City by the Bay." You'll see so many ­famous sights, including Chinatown, Nob Hill, Union Square and Golden Gate Park. Then take in the spectacular surroundings as we cross the world-renowned Golden Gate Bridge to Sonoma Valley, the heart of California's beautiful wine country.

We'll be treated to a private tour and lunch at Viansa Winery and Marketplace. Viansa Winery sits gracefully on the crest of a hill, surrounded by lush vineyards, groves of olive trees and a unique, 90-acre natural preserve that's home to native California plants and wildlife. Next, we'll drive north through towering, old-growth redwood forests to the charming village of Mendocino. Meal included: B, L.

Day 3—Skunk Train/Old Sacramento: It's "all aboard" today for an unforgettable rail journey to yesteryear! Today we'll board the Skunk Train, one of  Northern California's most popular attractions. Built as a logging railroad in 1885, the Skunk Train follows the same majestic "Redwoods Route" as it did back in the pioneer days. You'll relax in nostalgic, open-air observation cars on the 22-mile trek from Fort Bragg to Northspur, where we'll board a historic motorcar and continue 20 miles to Willits. We'll journey across 30 trestles, through two mountain tunnels, and wind through spectacular redwood forests, stopping for a picnic lunch among these towering trees.

This afternoon we'll make our way to Sacramento, our home for the next two nights. Tonight, enjoy dinner on the historic Delta King riverboat and some free time in Old Sacramento, a 28-acre landmark district. Meals included: B, L, D.

Day 4—Sacramento River Train/Sacramento Southern Railroad: This morning we'll make our way to Woodland—home of the eye-catching Sacramento River Train, which runs on a line originally built in 1911. This train spectacularly celebrates the area's Gold Rush heritage—the diesel engine and passenger cars feature a sparkling gold exterior! Blue "waves" along the sides add to the charm as they represent the Sacramento River, which the train's route closely follows.

Features of the spectacular, 20-mile journey from Woodland to West Sacramento include the magnificent Yolo Wildlife Refuge and an awe-inspiring crossing of the 8,000-foot-long Fremont Bridge. And hide your belongings, because bandits are lurking along the trail in the Great Train Robbery and there's sure to be a gunfight! We'll end the fun ride with a delicious barbecue picnic lunch along the Sacramento River.

We'll return to Old Sacramento to visit the California State Railroad Museum. You'll learn how railroads played a key role in the development of the West and see a reconstruction of the western terminus of America's first transcontinental railroad as it appeared around 1876.

Then, it's "all aboard" for our third nostalgic rail journey. The Sacramento Southern Railroad's authentic steam locomotive will treat us to a delightful, six-mile round trip atop the levees of the Sacramento River. Take your choice of enclosed coaches or open-air gondolas and enjoy this spectacular feast for the eyes! Meals included: B, L.

Day 5—Sierra Railroad/San Francisco: Our fourth train ride will definitely be a "tasty" one. The Sierra Railroad was formed in 1897 to connect the Central Valley to the Gold Country. Today it's known as one of the best dinner trains in the West, serving mouth-watering gourmet meals in luxurious, old-time dining cars. Enjoy Sunday Brunch as our engine chugs its way through gorgeous scenery for three ­relaxing hours.

Then it's off to the Cable Car Museum in San Francisco. Located in a cable car barn and powerhouse, the museum deck overlooks the huge engines and winding wheels that pull the cables. We'll end with a scrumptious meal overlooking the bay. Finally, weather permitting, we'll view this sparkling city at night from its highest point—Twin Peaks. Meals included: B, Brunch, D.

Day 6—San Francisco: Explore San Francisco at your leisure before bidding a fond farewell to delightful Northern California with a lifetime of Gold Rush rail memories to share with family and friends! Meal ­included: B.

Accommodations

• Day 1: Radisson Hotel Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco
• Day 2: Mendocino Hotel & Garden Suites, Mendocino
• Days 3 & 4: Embassy Suites-Riverfront Promenade, Sacramento
• Day 5: Radisson Hotel Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco