California Dreamin’

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Experience California’s coast from San Diego up to San Francisco. “California Dreamin on such a winter’s day!”

Day 1 – Home to York, NE

We begin our late winter tour, California Dreamin, as we head down the road. Today will be a travel day with lots of fun on our luxury motorcoach making its way to York, NE.

Hotel: Hampton Inn

Included Meals: Dinner

Day 2 – York to Denver, CO

Today we travel across Nebraska, remembering that we are on the trail that early pioneers used as they headed west. We will experience sights of Sandhill Cranes and Snow Geese, as they are on their spring migration. A stop for lunch in Ogalala will bring to light some of the history of early cattle drives. We’ll arrive in Denver this evening and enjoy a relaxing night.

Hotel: Drury Inn

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3 – Denver to Moab, UT

Over the mountains we go today! View skiers heading down the snowy slopes as we pass many ski resorts. The mountains will rise on either side of our motorcoach as we make our way today. Tonight we will be staying at Red Cliffs Lodge on the banks of the Colorado River. You will be amazed at your surroundings as you enjoy dinner. Be sure to check out the “Movie Museum” that shares information about all of the old westerns that were filmed in this area. Listen to the creek and river tonight as you fall to sleep.

Hotel: Red Cliffs Lodge

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4 – Moab to Washington, UT

As you wake this morning, the sun will be rising over the Red Cliffs and you will enjoy the day coming to life around you. Eating breakfast with a view of the river and cliffs makes this a great morning! No need to hurry – take sometime to walk around and see the horses and cattle on the ranch…maybe a walk by the river or just a cup of coffee on the deck. When we depart the lodge, we’ll enjoy a spectacular drive through Moab and past Arches National Park. Driving down interstate 70 will give us many opportunities to take in the beauty of this area. We’ll arrive in Washington, UT this evening and check into our hotel before we enjoy dinner together at a favorite steakhouse.

Hotel: Holiday Inn Express (2 Nights)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5 – Zion National Park

After a great breakfast, we will make the short drive to Zion National Park. Here you will be inspired and awed by the majestic cliffs that rise up from the canyon and tower overhead. There will be time for a tram ride, a stop at the museum, and if you enjoy hiking, take a short hike on one of the many trails. Lunch will be served at Zion Lodge. After we have spent the day exploring this park we will travel back to our hotel.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6 – Washington, UT to Las Vegas, NV

We’ll travel south this morning through the Virgin River Gorge on into Nevada. We’ll travel past Las Vegas and make our first stop at Hoover Dam. Here you will have an opportunity to tour the powerplant and learn about this engineering marvel. Later delight in a special treat before we travel into Las Vegas and spend the night at the Monte Carlo Resort. Tonight you will have an opportunity to walk the “strip” and enjoy the sights and sounds of this unique destination.

Hotel: Monte Carlo Resort

Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 7 – Las Vegas to San Diego, CA (Fly Group Arrives)

We’ll travel into California today with San Diego as our destination. A beautiful drive takes us through the San Bernardino and San Gabriel Mountain ranges. We’ll arrive in San Diego, ready to spend the next few days enjoying this great city. The fly-in group will join us and we’ll gather for an included dinner at a local restaurant with a wonderful view of San Diego Bay.

Hotel: Embassy Suites

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8 – San Diego

Our expert local guide will meet us at our hotel this morning and we’ll begin our time of touring. We’ll learn about history & industry, and travel to some special places for great views and interesting experiences. Later we’ll stop at Old Town Sacramento and see where this city began years ago. This afternoon it’s another view of San Diego, this time from the water on board our sightseeing cruise ship! This evening enjoy a complimentary reception at the hotel and then relax or maybe take a walk along the bay.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 9 – San Diego

Today is yours to enjoy as you wish. You may want to visit one of the local attractions: the San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, the Aircraft Carrier Midway, or Sea World. Of course there is always the option to just lounge along the bay or take the trolley for a ride around town. The possibilities on this day are endless, so get ready to enjoy!

Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 10 – San Diego to Huntington Beach, CA

This morning we’ll leave San Diego and travel along the coast to our first stop, the Mission at San Juan Capistrano. On your walking tour of the mission, you will hear about the history of the early church leaders who planted this church, and of course there will be stories about the swallows. After lunch we’ll travel to Dana Point and on into Laguna Beach, where you will have some time to stroll the boardwalk or check out some of the local shops. We’ll continue our drive north along the coast towards Huntington Beach where we will spend the next 3 nights.

Hotel: Hilton Waterfront

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 11 – Catalina Island

This morning we’ll board our high speed ferry for a trip to Catalina Island, known for its beautiful weather and lovely scenery. Our ferry docks in Avalon, and we will take a guided tour of the island. Spend the day enjoying the shops, beach, and the people of Avalon. This evening after our ferry ride back to the mainland, we will relive the golden age of luxurious ocean travel as we board the famous Queen Mary for an elegant dinner. Take time to walk the long, scenic decks of this famous oceanliner.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 12 – Los Angeles/Hollywood

Today we will board our motorcoach for a tour of the Los Angeles area. We’ll travel to downtown LA, Hollywood, and Beverly Hills. Stops will include Olvera Street, where the first mission stood and the city of Los Angeles began. We’ll get a good view of the famous Hollywood sign as we stop near the Kodak Theatre on Hollywood Blvd. A drive down Rodeo Drive will give you a look at how the stars shop. Then we’ll stop at the Farmers Market for lunch and some free time. The La Brea tar pits are an interesting sight in the middle of this populated area and we’ll make a stop there. We’ll arrive back at our hotel in time for you to take a walk on the beach, which is just across the street!

Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 13 – Huntington Beach to Pismo Beach, CA

We’ll drive through the western suburbs of Los Angeles as we make our way to our first stop – Santa Barbara. Here you’ll enjoy lunch near a marina and have a chance to walk along the sea wall. Then it’s on towards the little Danish town of Solvang, where you will be able to enjoy some of their delightful pastries and maybe check out a shop or two. We continue up the coastal highway towards our evening’s destination: The Cliffs at Shell Beach. This hotel sits high on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific, perfect for a walk along the cliff at sunset.

Hotel: The Cliffs at Shell Beach

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 14 – Pismo Beach to Monterey, CA

Our first stop this morning is at the famous Hearst Castle, the past home of newspaper tycoon William Randolf Hearst. You’ll enjoy your tour of this imposing estate overlooking the Pacific Ocean. You’ll see priceless antiques, art, and the lovely estate gardens and pools. We continue our drive north along the coast highway to Piedras Blancas and view the magnificent Elephant Seals gathered on the beach where their young were born just a month or so ago and they prepare for their northern migration. A late lunch stop will be at a special restaurant perched on a cliff high above the ocean. We continue our northern route along the magnificent cliffs and sandy beaches as we travel the Big Sur highway. The views are breathtaking along this stretch of highway; plus it will be fun to watch surfers riding the waves! We travel into Monterey for the evening and spend the night at a wonderful hotel. Choose from one of the many restaurants on Fishermans Wharf for dinner.

Hotel: Hotel Pacific

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 15 – Monterey to San Francisco, CA

We drive around Monterey Bay and on towards San Francisco this morning. We’ll arrive at the Historic Fisherman’s Wharf area just in time for you to enjoy lunch. How about some clam chowder or famous sourdough bread? This afternoon it’s “all aboard” for a bay cruise. We’ll travel along the city front towards the Golden Gate Bridge. You’ll learn the history of the city and the bridge and then we’ll pass just under the bridge, providing a perfect opportunity to capture some amazing photographs. As we head back towards our dock, we’ll pass Alcatraz, also known as “The Rock.” Be entertained by stories of some of its famous “guests.” Following our cruise we will check into our hotel for the night, located conveniently in the wharf area, giving you a wonderful chance to explore & decide which restuarant suites your fancy this evening.

Hotel: Holiday Inn Express Fisherman’s Wharf (2 Nights)

Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 16 – San Francisco

This morning you’ll remember the old Rice-A-Roni commercials as we board a famous cable car for a ride up “Rice-a-Roni” hill! Hang on and enjoy this historic ride! We’ll meet our San Francisco guide and continue our tour of this town that will keep your heart captive. Then it’s over the bridge to Sausilito for lunch, before we travel to a famous winery and estate for a tour and tasting. We’ll get back to the city in time for dinner this evening at a wonderful local restaurant.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 17 – San Francisco to Reno, NV

This morning we say farewell to our flyaway group and then travel towards Sacramento where we will make a stop in “Old Town” for lunch. Take in this historic place with its boardwalks and shops. Our drive then continues up over the mountains and through Donner Pass. This beautiful drive will offer a grand day of viewing. We drive into Reno for a great evening stop.

Hotel: Harrah’s Resort

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 18 – Reno to Salt Lake City, UT

Our drive today takes us across Nevada, with stops along the way for lunch and viewing. We’ll stop this afternoon in Wendover and learn a bit of history about this famous area on the edge of the Salt Flats. As we travel across the Salt Flats, you’ll experience some of the flattest travel anywhere in the United States. It’s into Salt Lake City for a restful night.

Hotel: Holiday Inn Express

Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 19 – Salt Lake City to Cheyenne, WY

Our day will begin with a drive through Salt Lake City, where we will travel past Temple Square and near some of the Olympic sites. Then out of the valley and through the mountain passes as we take a beautiful drive today towards Cheyenne. The high plains offer some great viewing and then it’s down out of the mountains into Cheyenne for the evening.

Hotel: Hampton Inn

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 20 – Cheyenne to Lincoln, NE

Our drive across the plains of Nebraska today will be filled with laughter and fun on our motorcoach. We’ll stop for lunch at a unique restaurant in Paxton before we travel into the Platte River area and the migration stop for Sandhill Cranes. Here we will make a stop at the Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center to learn about the cranes and then take a drive along the river and near the fields where the cranes will be feeding this afternoon. You’ll be amazed by the number of these birds getting ready for their flight north. Tonight we’ll stop in Lincoln.

Hotel: Country Inn and Suites

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 21 – Lincoln to Home

Our travels come to an end today. Our motorcoach is sure to be filled with stories of our travels over the last three weeks. We’ll enjoy some games together and some laughs as we travel into Minnesota and arrive safely home after a wonderful trip where our dreams became realities!

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch