Rails and Sails of the Sierra Nevada

Arrive in San Francisco and transfer to your lodging in the Fisherman’s Wharf area. Meet your Tour Manager in the lobby at 6:00 p.m. for dining suggestions.

Embark on a guided tour of San Francisco and see many of the landmarks that made the city known throughout the world. See Union Square, Twin Peaks, Golden Gate Park, Chinatown and the world’s most crooked street, Lombard Street. In the afternoon, set sail on a narrated San Francisco Bay cruise, taking in the city’s waterfront, Fort Mason, the Presidio, Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge. Tonight, dinner is on Fisherman’s Wharf capping off a memorable day. Meals: B, D

This morning, board Amtrak’s famed California Zephyr for the scenic ride through the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountain Range with their rugged mountains and lush forests. Arrive Truckee, Nevada where you board your waiting motorcoach for the drive to the year round resort area of Lake Tahoe which boasts casinos and great entertainment for evening fun. Upon arrival, check into the hotel where dinner awaits. Meals: B, D

Begin the day in Virginia City, once a thriving, vibrant metropolis of 25,000 residents because of the Comstock Lode, a rich deposit of silver ore discovered in 1859. At the Chollar Mine experience the real working conditions of a Comstock miner on a guide-led visit down the old mine tunnel. Spend some free time in Virginia City with its wooden sidewalks, historic buildings and lively saloons.Then, make a stop in Carson City at the Nevada State Railroad Museum. See the extensive collection of locomotives, rolling stock, artifacts, photographs and memorabilia directly related to railroads and railroading in Nevada. Meals: B, L

This morning view the scenery from the water with a cruise on the turquoise waters of Lake Tahoe, the largest and second deepest Alpine lake in North America. From the deck of the MS Dixie II, view castles and mansions tucked between inlets and picturesque points while enjoying an included lunch. En route to Sacramento, take in the spectacular mountains, breathtaking forests and sparkling clear waters along the way. At the California State Capitol Building, see its extensive collections of statues, paintings and portraits. Meals: B, L

Today, a local guide conducts a narrated tour of Old Sacramento, designated a National Historic Landmark District. Then, visit the California State Railroad Museum to learn the importance the “iron horse” played in connecting California with the rest of the nation. Climb aboard the Sacramento Southern Railroad for a journey along the scenic Sacramento River pulled by a historic steam or diesel locomotive. At the Baker Family Winery, taste the fruits of Major League Baseball’s Dusty Baker’s labors outside the dugout. Tonight, your Tour Manager hosts a special farewell dinner. Meals: B, D

Your tour ends with a group transfer to the Sacramento International Airport for flights home after 11:00 a.m. Meal: B