America by Rail

 

Branson Holiday Express - California - Details

Day 1: Los Angeles/En Route

Monday through Friday, Auburn and Roseville-area tour members will board an early morning train and arrive in Sacramento at 7:37 a.m. The Tour Director will greet them there. Those departing on weekends should arrange their own transportation to Sacramento.

East Bay tour members will board a San Joaquin service train in Emeryville at 7:40 a.m. Your Tour Director will be boarding in Stockton.

Sacramento tour members will meet the Tour Director at the Sacramento Amtrak station. At 7:30 a.m., you'll depart on an Amtrak motor coach for the brief journey to Stockton. You'll join Stockton and other tour participants in boarding our Amtrak San Joaquin train at 9:17 a.m.

There is comfortable seating on this double-decker train. Move about at will. Snacks, sandwiches, beverages and meals are available in the dinette car. Modesto tour members will board at 9:46 a.m., Merced at 10:31 a.m., and Fresno tour participants at 11:35 a.m.

We’re scheduled to arrive in Bakersfield at 1:46 p.m. Bakersfield tour members will join us at this time. We'll board an Amtrak motor coach for the two-hour, twenty-minute run over the "Grapevine" to Los Angeles. We'll arrive at Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal at 4:15 p.m.

Olivera Street, with its Mexican Market, is across from Union Terminal. We'll prepare to board the famous Southwest Chief at 6:00 p.m. DEPART LOS ANGELES AT 6:45 P.M. ON THE SOUTHWEST CHIEF.

The Chief features the double-decker Superliner equipment. Relax in your Roomette bedroom. The upgraded Bedrooms, with private lavatory and shower, are available at an additional cost. A shower room and four lavatories are available to Roomette bedroom occupants.

After settling in, you may want to go to the glass-walled Sightseer Lounge car with its comfortable seats. It is a great place to view the passing scenery. Bottled water is available in the your sleeping car throughout the day; coffee in the morning. All meals on the trains are included. Look forward to a full-course dinner in the diner tonight.

Meal(s): D

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Day 2: En Route

Enjoy a delicious dining car breakfast this morning and then head for the Sightseer Lounge Car. You'll want to take advantage of the fascinating scenery of Arizona and New Mexico which our train passes through.

Meal(s): B L D

Day 3: En Route - Branson

Breakfast will be early this morning. Our arrival into Kansas City is scheduled for 7:26 a.m. We'll board an awaiting deluxe motor coach for the 213-mile journey through the Ozark countryside to America's entertainment mecca, Branson.

"Duck! Oh; it’s just another three-inch missile whizzing by your left ear." Today’s "on-your-own" lunch site is Lambert's Cafe, the only home of the throwed rolls. The food is great and there’s plenty of it. This Ozark, Missouri, eatery is one of America’s “funnest” restaurants.

At mid afternoon we’ll arrive at the attractive Lodge of the Ozarks, our comfortable accommodations for the next three nights in Branson. The Lodge is convenient to many shows and attractions.

Count on an exquisite dining experience this evening at our hotel’s Club Vegas.

Following dinner, we'll continue on to the Mickey Gilley Theatre for an evening of great entertainment. Gilley's show is a roller coaster of music and laughs, thanks to an award-winning band and award-winning comedian, Joey Riley.

Meal(s): CB D

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Day 4: Branson

A full buffet breakfast in our hotel is included each morning in Branson.

At 9:00 we'll embark on a three-hour sightseeing tour of Branson and the awesomely scenic Ozark countryside. You'll have time for an “on-your-own” lunch in downtown Branson. Be sure to visit Dick’s old-fashioned 5 and 10 cent store.

Following lunch, we’ll transfer to the Sight and Sound Theater for the Noah spectacle.

After God reveals to the righteous Noah that a flood will extinguish all life on earth, He charges Noah to construct an ark massive enough to shelter his family, other true believers, and pairs of every species of living creatures. You’ll be captivated as this powerful Biblical story unfolds before you on the extraordinary, towering wraparound stage.

Tonight we’re off to McFarlain’s Family Restaurant and Pie Shop. “Homestyle cookin’ like it’s supposed to be!” The pie is served first.

This evening our Branson travelers will enjoy a performance by one of America's most popular groups, the Oak Ridge Boys. They’ve entertained millions with their distinctive and recognizable sound. Enjoy many of their country and pop hits.

Meal(s): B D

Day 5: Branson

This morning you’ll have the option of shopping or relaxing in your hotel. Attending a show or visiting the Landmark Titanic Museum / Attraction are other options.

We’ll have an “on-your-own” lunch at a Branson restaurant.

This afternoon we’ll transfer to the Shoji Tabuchi Theater where you'll be entertained by the renowned Shoji Tabuchi. For a number of years, the Japanese violinist has headlined Branson's most popular show.

Dinner this evening is at the Grand Country Buffet. The options are extensive.

Following dinner, we’ll travel to the Moon River Theater for an evening with Andy Williams. You'll be delighted by Andy’s full orchestra as he performs all his greatest hits as well as songs from the Big Band era, Broadway, and Nashville.

Meal(s): B D

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Day 6: En Route

Following this morning's breakfast (included), we'll board our deluxe motor coach and head north 213 miles to the Kansas City area.

After an “on-your-own” lunch, we’ll arrive at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Museum and Library in Independence. An exhibit about the Missouri native’s presidential years features a film tracing Truman’s life from childhood to his presidency.

We’ll stop for dinner (included) at the Hometown Buffet in Kansas City. We’ll then continue north to Omaha, Nebraska, where we’ll arrive at the Amtrak station at 9:30.

At 10:29 p.m. our Branson travelers will board the world-famous California Zephyr for the 1,850-mile journey across five states to Sacramento. You'll enjoy the same kind of accommodations and amenities you experienced on the Southwest Chief between Los Angeles and Kansas City.

Meal(s): B D

Day 7: En Route/Colorado Rockies

Plan to get up early, have a piping hot breakfast in the dining car and find a seat in the glass-walled lounge car for the spectacular scenery that will unfold before you the rest of the day.

The Zephyr will pull out of Denver at 8:05 this morning and begin its climb over the Front Range. About an hour later we’ll encounter the famous five-mile-long Moffat Tunnel and, literally, go under the Continental Divide. Throughout the day the train will wind around sharp mountain curves and through numerous tunnels. The mountain vistas will continue until late afternoon. We’ll arrive in Salt Lake City around midnight.

Meal(s): B L D

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Day 8: En Route/Donner Pass

Today’s scenery will be almost as spectacular as that experienced yesterday in Colorado as the Zephyr ascends the high Sierra Nevada mountains through the famous Donner Pass. Our arrival into Sacramento is scheduled for 4:11 p.m.

Those bound for the San Joaquin Valley and Southern California destinations will disembark in Sacramento. East Bay residents will stay on the Zephyr and arrive home in Emeryville at 7:25 p.m.

San Joaquin Valley and Southern California tour members will depart Sacramento by motor coach a 6:25 p.m. and travel the short distance to Stockton. They’ll board a southbound San Joquin train at 7:34 p.m. and arrive in home destinations as follows: Modesto (8:07 p.m.), Merced (8:47 p.m.), Fresno (9:55 p.m.), Hanford (10:28) and Bakersfield (11:56 p.m.).

<b>Southern California participants will spend the night at the Best Western Hill House in Bakersfield and continue home tomorrow.</b>

Meal(s): B L

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