California Dreamin’

• Itinerary
• Prices & Information
• Gallery
• Weather

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 St. George, 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 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 St. George, UT this evening and check into our hotel before we enjoy dinner together at a favorite steakhouse.

Hotel: Hampton Inn (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 – St. George, 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. Then it’s off to Las Vegas, the City of Lights, for a 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

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 San Diego 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, maybe take a walk along the bay, or enjoy dinner in the Gaslight District.

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 Long Beach, CA

This morning we’ll leave San Diego and travel along the coast to our first stop, the Mission San Juan Capistrano. On your self-guided walking tour of the mission, you will hear about the history of the early church leaders who established 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 Long Beach where we will spend the next 3 nights just steps from the ocean!

Hotel: Hotel Maya – Doubletree (3 Nights)

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 Dolby 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 along the bay.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 13 – Long 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. A late lunch stop will be at a special restaurant with ocean views. We travel into Monterey on a beautiful drive through farmland called “the Salad Bowl.” You will be awed by all of the “salad” being grown in this region! We will check into a delightful Boutique hotel for the next two nights. Choose from one of the many restaurants on Fishermans Wharf for dinner.

Hotel: Hotel Pacific 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Day 15 – Monterey

This morning after a light breakfast we will visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The aquarium is housed in a refabricated Sardine Cannery. You will enjoy the sea otters, jelly fish, the penguins and many more sea creatures. Lunch today will be on your own at one of the many restaurants along Cannery Row made famous by John Steinbeck. Time given for shopping and enjoying views of the bay will make this a delightful time. This afternoon we will take a drive along the bay and make a few stops for some pictures along the rugged coast near the famous Pebble Beach golf course. The late afternoon and evening are yours to enjoy walks along the bay, dinner at a restaurant of your choice, or to just enjoy a fire in the fireplace of your hotel room.

Included Meals: Breakfast 

Day 16 – Monterey to San Francisco, CA

We drive around Monterey Bay and on towards San Francisco this morning. We’ll travel up coastal highway one that will offer us some fabulous views of the coast. We will also travel through some farmland where crops are grown that are a little different than what we see in the midwest! 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 restaurant suits your fancy this evening.

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

Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 17 – 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 for a tour & tasting. We’ll get back to the city in time for dinner this evening at a wonderful local restaurant.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 18 – San Francisco to Home

Today we fly home with special memories of a grand California Dreamin’ tour!

Included Meals: Breakfast

BOOK EARLY! Flyaway reservations made less than 100 days before departure are subject to price increases due to group airfare rates no longer applying!