TRIP #1 – CALIFORNIA COAST, CASTLE AND CABERNET
arthisto November 5th, 2009
California's beautiful Highway 1
Trip #1 ~ CALIFORNIA COAST, CASTLE AND CABERNET
April 30 – May 7, 2010 ~ 8 DAYS ~ GROUP SIZE: 6
PRICE PER PERSON $2,800.00
After two days in pretty San Francisco, wandering Chinatown and maybe visiting Alcatraz, our little group will travel south to picturesque Carmel. Here we will visit this quaint town and its gorgeous mission. We will stay at Clint Eastwood’s, Mission Ranch Inn, which is oh, so Californian! Traveling south on the Pacific Coast Highway, the ocean views will astound you as we wind our way through Big Sur. Arriving in the adorable town of Cambria, we will explore the many shops and sleep at pretty Moonstone Beach in the shadow of Hearst Castle. After breakfast we will drive up to the castle and enjoy a movie depicting the life of William Randolph Hearst, then with our new understanding of this man, we will tour his magnificent castle. In the afternoon we will turn our backs to the Pacific, drive through a pretty valley stopping along the way to taste some very delicious wines produced right there. Driving north to Santa Cruz we will stop along the way in historic San Juan Batista for a garden lunch and a visit to her lovely mission. Arriving in Santa Cruz, we will check into our inn which sits on a cliff overlooking the famous Beach Boardwalk with its landmark roller coaster and merry-go-round.
Mission Carmel
We will spend the evening enjoying Surf City USA. Our last full day is a fantastic one. Beginning with a light breakfast overlooking the Pacific, we will drive about 30 minutes to a State Park where the Giant Pacific Redwoods are protected. Here we will wander the paths under these enormous trees, some reaching a height of an 18 story building, until we are hungry for our private picnic lunch. Here in the shade of these giants it is very quiet. Then it’s off to San Francisco and our little hotel in the hills where we started our trip. That evening, we will toast our new and renewed friendships at the Carnelian Room on the 52nd floor of a soaring skyscraper. With its 360 degree view of “The City”, we’ll say goodbye to San Francisco just before we go off to another delicious dinner. So, think of it, from the crashing Pacific Ocean to the silent Giant Redwoods, to soaring above San Francisco, and this is just one day in beautiful California!
Physical Level: Moderate
Art History Alive will offer these five destinations in 2010! Great places to visit, more interesting things to learn, and very small groups. Over the next few weeks I will post a list of recommended reading and movies, destination specific, that will allow you to front load your travel experience.
You will notice that we have added two itineraries that include my absolute favorite places in California. If Europe is not on
- California wild flowers
your radar screen for this year, consider touring the best that California has to offer. I am a fifth generation Californian and would love to show you around. I think that you will agree, this is wonderful line up and I sincerely hope that you will share it with your friends and family.
We are very happy to announce:
The NEW money saving opportunities are on the Specials and Discounts Page. These trips can fill up fast so early booking is important and saves you money.
All trips include: Hotels, all meals and house wines, (well, you don’t have to have wine with breakfast) ground transportation, museum admissions, and travel insurance.
- Art and History , Destination Updates , Upcoming Trip
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