The Napa Valley area is justly famous for its beauty, and the Napa Valley Wine Train will carry you right through the heart of California wine country. From San Francisco, take the BayLink ferry/bus to Vallejo. Upon arrival you will ride in a private shuttle to the Napa Valley Wine Train Station. The train journey takes three hours, departing from Napa for a trip through the countryside all the way to St. Helena village and back to Napa. The train itself is a gourmet restaurant where you will be served food prepared to your specifications by a renowned chef. You can also visit the on-board wine-tasting bar and choose from over 100 different vintages. The entire experience, beginning and ending in San Francisco, takes about 11 hours, although longer tours are popular. Prices vary according to the type of tour chosen, but top out at over five hundred dollars for a two-night tour including hotel accommodations.
Your tour will begin at the San Francisco Ferry Terminal on-board a bus. Upon disembarkation from the ferry, you will continue by bus to a town in the East Bay to board the train. The train chugs through beautiful Yosemite Park for three hours and stops at a small farm town, after which point you will return to San Francisco by bus very late on the same day. The entire tour costs around $140 per person.
This tour is one of the more creative travel packages available. The Christmas Train starts from Oakdale and lasts about two hours. It features elves, music, storytelling and wildlife-watching from the train windows. Although designed for children, it is enjoyable for adults as well, at least in the presence of their children. The Christmas Train has five departure times per day, ranging from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. from late November through the end of December. Fares are around $38 for adults and $25 for children. Guests are actually encouraged to wear pajamas on the train, which tends to create a festive atmosphere.
