Sept. 13-19 2010

$1895 plus airfare
INCLUDES FREE HOME PICKUP

7 DAYS • 8 MEALS

California, here we come! From San Francisco to Hollywood, discover the breathtaking vistas of the California coastline. Scenic towns, a magnificent Wine Train and all the glitter of Hollywood await you.

San Francisco – The Golden City by the Bay
Your California Coastal tour begins with three nights in San Francisco, considered America’s playground for its fun activities. Also named one of the world’s top cities, San Francisco is a cultural and culinary wonderland, where the spirit of the Gold Rush continues to fill the air. From the Golden Gate Bridge to Chinatown to Alcatraz, you will ride the cable cars, see the world’s most crooked street and stroll Fisherman’s Wharf. You won’t be able to resist the goodies at The Ghirardelli Chocolate Ice Cream Shop at Ghirardelli Square, and when you cruise on San Francisco Bay, you’ll leave your heart here as well.

The Napa Valley Wine Train
Imagine yourself riding in meticulously restored vintage rail cars traveling through the beautiful Napa Valley. Your waiter brings you a freshly prepared gourmet lunch served on white table linen while the view of vineyards and wineries pass by your window. This is not just a train ride, but a culinary experience as well, and the Napa Valley Wine Train is one of the most unique and best Napa restaurants. Locally famous Executive Chef, Kelly MacDonald uses only the freshest seasonal ingredients, earth-friendly produce, humanely-raised meats, and line caught or responsibly-farmed fish.  This relaxing three hour journey travels the 36 miles round-trip between the historic town of Napa and the quaint village of St. Helena.

B. R. Cohn Winery
Located in the heart of Sonoma Valley is B.R. Cohn Winery.  This small, family operated winery is surrounded by the 90-acre Olive Hill Estate Vineyard. We tour the winery and taste some of the fine wines which have placed B.R. Cohn among the leaders of great California wine producers.  In addition to its award-winning wines, B.R. Cohn makes world-class California olive oils and vinegars. The Estate Olive Oil is crafted from 140-year-old French Picholine olive trees imported from France in the mid 1800s, which surround the estate.

Amtrak’s Coast Starlight Route
Widely regarded as one of the most spectacular of all train routes, Amtrak’s Coast Starlight links the greatest cities on the west coast. Operating daily between Seattle and Los Angeles, we get a taste of what this spectacular journey is all about while enjoying the comfort of coach class which includes big, comfortable seats, plenty of legroom, larger pillows and available at-seat meal service. Boarding in San Francisco, we travel south along the Diablo Mountain Range which gives way to fertile valleys. Long stretches of the Pacific Ocean shoreline and the “American Riviera” town of Santa Barbara provide a stunning backdrop for the journey into Los Angeles.

Hooray for Hollywood!
Begin the day in Malibu with breakfast on the coast. Framed by the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Monica Mountains, Malibu is home to countless movie stars and has been called “27 Miles of Scenic Beauty.”  Touring today will include Venice Beach and the Santa Monica Pier, Beverly Hills and Bel Air. Then it’s off to the Disney Concert Hall, home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, with its 9,000 panes of steel designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry. Next, stroll Hollywood Boulevard, stopping at the Highlands Complex and the Kodak Theater, home to the Academy Awards, and see the Hollywood Walk of Fame. You’ll love seeing the legendary Grauman’s Chinese Theater, with handprints and footprints of every Golden Age star. We’ll travel down Sunset Strip on our way to the historic Farmer’s Market, where you can enjoy lunch on your own. The Farmer’s Market now features a trolley, gourmet shops, and a town center.

Los Angeles As You Like It!
Today is free for you to explore Los Angeles on your own. The largest city in California and the second largest in the United States, Los Angeles is bubbling with excitement and activity.  If you wish, you can take an optional visit to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Located in Simi Valley the Museum and Presidential Library features a full-scale replica of Reagan’s Oval Office, a piece of the famous Berlin Wall and the Air Force One Pavilion, complete with a presidential limousine, an Irish Pub and Reagan’s “flying White House,” Air Force One. Step aboard the same aircraft which flew the president over 660,000 miles and to 26 countries and 46 U.S. states. Also popular is an optional visit to Universal Studios, the world’s largest motion picture and television studio. While there take a tour of the back lot by tram and visit the sets and soundstages where hundreds of stars created our favorite movies and television shows.
 

Hotel Accommodations
Days One through Three – Hyatt Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco, California
Days Four through Six – Beverly Garland Holiday Inn, Hollywood, California