Tauck Value Includes:
• A privately guided walk with a naturalist during a two-night stay at The Ahwahnee in Yosemite National Park who shares insights on its wildlife, geology and history
• A tour of Los Angeles’ star-studded sights including Rodeo Drive, Sunset Strip and Grauman’s Chinese Theater
• A walking tour of Hearst Castle at San Simeon, grand estate of publisher William Randolph Hearst
• A drive along the Scenic Highway #1 with an opportunity to see giant redwoods in Big Sur State Park and elephant seals along the coast
For nearly half a century, the world hung on the words of William Randolph Hearst’s empire; visit Hearst Castle – you won’t believe the swimming pool!
2. CITY TOUR / WINE COUNTRY Nob Hill... Chinatown... Fisherman’s Wharf... Lombard Street... the names alone evoke iconic visions of cityscapes that have made San Francisco famous around the world. Today’s city sightseeing excursion includes a mix of must-see sights and cultural delights to give you a well-paced overview of the “City by the Bay.” Cross the Golden Gate Bridge – one of the most beautiful and oft-photographed bridges in the world – and head north to Sonoma Valley, the birthplace of wine in California. Enjoy a tasting tour at a Sonoma winery, reflecting the essence of local wine-making; your travels take you through rolling hills blanketed in vineyards before returning to San Francisco to explore as you wish. Dinner is on your own tonight in a city known for its variety of restaurants and unique culinary treats. Meals BL
3. GOLD COUNTRY / THE YOSEMITE VALLEY Speculators from around the world rushed to California in the 1800s to find their fortune in the rich mountain veins and rivers of gold country. You won’t be rushed today as we step back in time to the days of the Forty-niners in Jamestown at the foot of the Sierra Nevadas – look around and see remnants of the town’s boom and bust periods as you stop for lunch at the historic National Hotel, an area landmark since 1858. Next up are the scenic treasures and great valley that so inspired conservationist John Muir... and led to the creation of Yosemite National Park. Spend two nights at The Ahwahnee, a National Historic Landmark in the heart of the park that was specifically designed to highlight its natural surroundings – Half Dome, Glacier Point and Yosemite Falls; a testimony to the relationship between architecture and nature. The lodge boasts soaring cathedral ceilings and massive stone fireplaces, with richly hued Native American artwork. Dine at your leisure tonight in the Ahwahnee Dining Room – floor-to-ceiling windows offer spectacular views of Yosemite’s wilderness, and perhaps some wildlife. Meals BLD
Call your travel agent or Tauck at 800-468-2825
• A guided visit to the J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Center in Brentwood, renowned for its extensive collection of art, antiquities and photographs by outstanding artists
• A winery tour and tasting at a Sonoma Valley vineyard • Airport transfers upon arrival and departure as detailed
• 19 meals (9 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 6 dinners); service charges, gratuities to local guides, admission fees, taxes and porterage
4. YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK
The entire day is yours to do as you wish in Yosemite and your accommodations put you right in the center of it all. You can begin your explorations with Tauck’s private two-hour walking tour. Led by a local naturalist, this is a great way to learn about the stories behind natural wonders like Bridalveil Falls, whose wind-driven waters take on the appearance of a delicate veil; El Capitan, the largest granite monolith in the world; and Cathedral Spires and Rocks, doubly impressive in height and size! There are more waterfalls, glacier-hewn gorges, granite peaks and remarkable wildlife within easy access of your wilderness lodge. Optional activities are available at an additional charge, including a tram tour of Yosemite’s valley floor and an excursion to Glacier Point for a remarkable vantage point to view the valley below. Meals B
5. ACROSS LUSH VALLEYS TO MONTEREY Leave Yosemite after breakfast today for an exclusive visit and demonstration of early mining equipment at the Mariposa Museum and History Center. Then it’s time to travel on to the California coast, passing through the farmland of the San Joaquin Valley – along with the Salinas Valley, the two regions have been dubbed “America’s Salad Bowl” due to their production of citrus fruit, leafy vegetables and nuts. Stop in Merced for lunch, then the scenic feast continues in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Founded as a small artists’ colony, today it is one of the hottest tourist destinations in the state, thanks to its celebrity residents and its undeniably romantic charm. Enjoy time at leisure, browsing in art galleries and boutiques, before arriving in seaside Monterey. Meals BLD
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