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Reno Post Convention Tour Details - Day by Day

Day 1:  The adventure begins Sunday Morning from the Atlantis hotel.  (Extra bags not needed on the tour can be checked and will be available on your return.)  Our journey first heads south though the Truckee Meadows and Washoe Valley.  Sit back and relax as the majestic Sierra Mountain’s ever changing scenery unfolds to the west.  Carson Valley’s cattle ranches and Jobs Peak create a memorable vista as we make our way south onto US Hwy 395 and through the pioneer towns of Minden and Gardnerville.  Hwy 395 is the old stage route through the eastern Sierra Foothills and many legends of the west were created along this route not to mention unique natural phenomena.  Did you know this was the route taken by young Samuel Clemens when he wanted to “stretch his legs a-bit.”  Many of the things he experienced he will later write about later in life.  Topaz Lake, Antelope Valley, the Walker River Valley, the Sawtooth Mountains, and Mono Lake are just a few of the natural sites you’ll see as we make our way to the eastern entrance of Yosemite Valley.  Mono Lake is home to two islands, one black and one white.

We will make a brief stop in the gateway town of Lee Vining before winding our way up to the top of the Sierra Nevada’s and Tioga Pass, at an elevation just under 10,000 ft.  The views are spectacular, alpine lakes and waterfalls abound.

After entering Yosemite National Park we will work our way through the Tuolumne Meadows, an area not often seen by those that visit the park.  Lush green alpine meadows lap against the dark green forest and solid granite monoliths rise as sentinels over this enchanted realm.  It’s not uncommon to see deer and black bears throughout this area.  As we begin our decent to the lower valley the canyon narrows and mirror-like lakes come into view.  Mountain climbers can be seen testing their skills on some of the rock faces.  Olmsted Point will be our first view of the Lower Yosemite Valley and the iconic Half Dome will stand before you.

The eastern portal will also amaze as we enter the Yosemite Valley . Those impressive landscapes you’ve seen in the travel magazines will overwhelm you and everywhere you turn will leave you awestruck.  After an inspiring drive through the valley we will stop at the Park Visitor Center where you will be given ample time to explore this national treasure.  Adventures are endless from just sitting on a deck, licking an ice cream cone to taking the free park shuttle to trails abounding in waterfalls.  At the visitor center there is also plenty to do; take in a film about the park, visit the Ansel Adams Gallery, rent a bike or raft and explore the canyon, visit the famous Ahwahnee Lodge (now called the Majestic Yosemite Hotel) for lunch, and/or listen to a ranger talk on the history of the canyon.  You can do as much, or as little as you would like in the planned 5 hr visit.

After leaving the park we will travel to our first nights’ accommodations in the little gold strike town of Jamestown, home of Railtown 1897 State Historic Park .  Perhaps we will have enough time to make a short visit to the state park before settling in for the night.

Day 2:  The next morning we will have a “grab and go breakfast” as we depart for Sacramento and the California State Railroad Museum .  One of the nation’s most impressive railroad museums, this treasure will not disappoint, even if you have been there before there is so much more to discover.  From early steam locomotives to the model train collectors’ exhibit, it is jam-packed with delight.  Keep in mind it is also the 150^th anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad and a number of special exhibits will be on display!  Next to the museum is Old Sacramento , just as it was in the early 1870s and there are plenty of places to eat and shop along the Sacramento River.  Discover what suits you in our 3 hour visit.

It’s just a hop, skip and a jump to the City by the Bay, San Francisco.  We’ll be taking the scenic route through California’s wine country Napa & Sonoma, and if things go our way, perhaps a stop at one of the historic wineries.  We will enter San Francisco from the north passing by Sausalito, the Marin Headlands and crossing the Golden Gate Bridge.  Have your cameras ready for some spectacular scenery.  After a brief stop at the Golden Gate Bridge overlook we will make our way into the city itself, passing by the Presidio and the Palace of Fine Arts.  Once we arrive at Fisherman’s Warf you will have plenty of time to explore the area on your own or with your guide.  Perhaps you’ve dreamed of riding the hills on the running board of a cable car, or seeing the infamous Alcatraz Island.  China Town, Pier 39, a World War II submarine, a seafood dinner, the Wax Museum, the Maritime National Historical Park with its tall ships and steam driven ferries, a bay cruise, are just a few of the many things you can experience during your visit.  But be careful, it is easy to leave your heart in a town once known as the Barbary Coast .  You might chose to grab a quick fresh crab sandwich or a sit down dinner with views of the bay as meals will be on your own.

As the evening unfolds we will depart the city by way of the Embarcadero, passing by the famous Ferry Building and the financial towers of the west coast.  If we are lucky we may even catch a glimpse of AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants before crossing the Bay Bridge to our hotel in Emeryville.

Day 3:  The next morning we will cross over the tracks to the Emeryville train station to board the California Zephyr for Reno .  This journey will follow the original transcontinental route along the most beautiful 200 miles of track in the world.  The scenery will glide by as this world-famous train makes its way along San Francisco Bay, through the Central Valley and up the Sierra Nevada Mountains .  The scenery will overwhelm you as you make your way through numerous tunnels, trestles & vistas. You’ll travel through the 19^th century town of Colfax where it looks as if you could step off the train, make your way to the hills and find your fortune in gold.  The train will wind its way past the American River Overlook and along the Dutch Flats “Ditch,” the inspiration for the route through the Sierra’s. Lunch will be on your own as the train works its way up the mountains.  Both the dining car and the snack bar will available to serve you.  Many of the tunnels and grades in this area were the work of the Chinese rail crews moving at times less than a foot a day and at a cost of $48,000 a mile.  As you reach the summit spectacular views await, Schallenberger Canyon and Donner Lake are just a couple of the many highlights.  Passing through Truckee and the Truckee River Canyon our last stop will be Reno .

Upon returning to Reno we will disembark and check into Harrah’s Reno. Where you can unwind, enjoy all that downtown Reno has to offer and reflect on this epic trip of adventure.