WESTERN USA - CALIFORNIA CLASSICS 9 Days from approx $2,149 US Details below or
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From San Francisco to Los Angeles, see the famous sites of California on this spectacular vacation. Enjoy the excitement and faster pace of San Francisco and Los Angeles, and take a deep breath and slow down in the mountain areas of Lake Tahoe and Yosemite National Park. If you're interested in seeing some of California's amazing scenery, this tour offers you a chance to admire some of its best. Witness the scenery in stunning Lake Tahoe with the sparkling blue water surrounded by the Sierra Mountains. Marvel at the spectacular alpine scenery in Yosemite National Park with its waterfalls, mountain peaks, ice-sculpted domes, and meadows. Sit back and watch the views of famous Pebble Beach Golf Course, the dramatic Pacific coastline, and Lone Cyprus on 17-Mile Drive, one of the most scenic drives in the world.
Sample wine at a winery in Sonoma Valley and visit Solvang, a quaint Danish village founded in 1911 by Danish educators to maintain their heritage. Wander through the town with picturesque buildings and windmills, charming shops featuring Danish imports, and over 30 restaurants. Also visit Hearst Castle, built by William Randolph Hearst as his private retreat. Once only accessible to celebrities and famous guests, enjoy a tour highlighting this impressive 123-acre estate.
All of this and more await you on this tour through California. Be sure to pack your camera and get ready for a fabulous vacation!
Day 1 Arrive in San Francisco
Welcome to the Golden State! At 6:30 pm, meet your traveling companions for a welcome drink. Your Tour Director will prepare you for your upcoming adventure.
Day 2 San Francisco
Enjoy morning sightseeing in one of the world's most beautiful cities. Your tour includes Golden Gate Park, Twin Peaks, Fisherman's Wharf, and much more. Afterward, enjoy a spectacular CRUISE around San Francisco Bay. Still plenty of time for pursuing your favorite interests and activities-ride the world-famous cable cars, shop in Union Square, or visit the Museum of Modern Art. This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 3 San Francisco-Wine Country-Lake Tahoe
From the Pacific coast, travel to the lush hills of Sonoma and Napa Valley with its charming wineries. Visit CLINE CELLARS in the Carneros region to tour their vineyards and taste their acclaimed wines. A short drive brings you to the OLIVE PRESS to learn how some of the best extra-virgin olive oil is produced from the first cold-crushing of the freshest olives. No visit is complete without sampling several olive oils and a vinegar, too. Continue to stunning Lake Tahoe, surrounded by the Sierra Mountains. There's plenty of time to explore this alpine lake, the largest in North America and also one of the highest. Even though the average depth of the lake is 989 feet, it is one of the clearest and purest bodies of water in the world! (Breakfast)
Day 4 Lake Tahoe-Yosemite National Park
Southward through the Sierra Nevadas to YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK. Yosemite has innumerable lakes, meadows, ice-sculpted domes, forests, waterfalls, and unspoiled alpine scenery. Descend into the 4,000-foot valley, where you'll board an open-air TRAM to explore the famous sites of El Capitan, Cathedral Spires, Yosemite Falls, and Half Dome. The scenery is nothing short of spectacular! (Breakfast)
Day 5 Yosemite National Park-Carmel-Monterey
A high point on today's journey is the beautiful 17-MILE DRIVE, with views of famous Pebble Beach Golf Course and the tenacious Lone Cypress. Enjoy a visit to the resort town of Carmel, a popular haven for writers, artists, and celebrities. Then, on to Monterey and Cannery Row, immortalized by John Steinbeck. Head to the wharf for a visit to the world-famous MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM followed by a special dinner here overlooking the bay. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 6 Monterey-San Simeon-Solvang
This morning, journey south to San Simeon and visit HEARST CASTLE, the opulent mansion of wealthy newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst, which houses splendid antiques, art treasures, and exotic possessions purchased at an estimated $50 million. The tour shows off the highlights of the impressive 123-acre estate. Then, journey to your resort hotel near Solvang. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 7 Solvang-Santa Barbara-Los Angeles
Visit downtown Solvang, where Denmark has been recreated with picturesque buildings and windmills. Free time to browse through the charming shops featuring Danish imports and rich pastries. Travel through the Santa Ynez Mountains to beautiful Santa Barbara, where the Spanish influence is apparent in quaint whitewashed and tile-roofed buildings. Visit the impressive 200-year-old MISSION with its world-famous twin bell towers. Afterward, enjoy a leisurely stroll along the wharf. Hollywood celebrities' homes dot the shoreline from Malibu to Santa Monica on your way to metropolitan Los Angeles, the motion picture capital of the world. (Breakfast)
Day 8 Los Angeles
Morning sightseeing of this gigantic metropolis takes you from Olvera Street-the oldest thoroughfare in the city-to Hollywood. Step into the shoeprints of famous movie stars at Grauman's Chinese Theater, and see Sunset Strip and Rodeo Drive. Later, visit the GETTY MUSEUM, housing a collection of Western art from the Middle Ages to the present. This evening your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner. Wonderful conversation and cuisine make the perfect finale for your vacation. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 9 Los Angeles
The vacation ends this morning after breakfast with guests departing on individual schedules. Airport transfers are provided. (Breakfast)
INCLUDED FEATURES
San Francisco - Cruise across the bay; sightseeing
Sonoma - Cline Cellars tour & tasting; Olive Press tour & tasting
Lake Tahoe
Yosemite National Park - Yosemite Valley Floor Tram Tour
Carmel - Visit the resort town
Monterey - 17-Mile Drive; dinner at the Monterey Bay Aquarium
San Simeon - Visit Hearst Castle
Solvang - Visit the quaint Denmark-inspired village
Santa Barbara - Visit the mission
Los Angeles - Sightseeing tour; Getty Museum; farewell dinner
INSIDE VISITS
Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.
MEALS
American breakfast daily, 4 three-course dinners including a farewell dinner in Los Angeles
SUPERIOR HOTELS - (D) Deluxe (SF) Superior First-Class (F) First-Class
SAN FRANCISCO San Francisco Marriott Marquis (SF), LAKE TAHOE Embassy Suites Lake Tahoe Resort (SF), YOSEMITE Yosemite View Lodge (F), MONTEREY Hyatt Regency (SF), SOLVANG Santa Ynez Valley Marriott (F), LOS ANGELES Marriott Los Angeles Downtown (SF)
DEPARTURE DATES May - October
PRICES From approx $2,149 US per person based on double occupancy
Departures on or within the seasons shown will determine the price
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