STORIES BY Ken Burns
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 at a Sonoma vineyard, 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
4. YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK The entire day is yours to do as you wish in Yosemite; your accommodations put you right in the center of it all. 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 park 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
You’ll have many different experiences in northern California, from a two-night stay in San Francisco to discovering the secrets of Sonoma’s fine wine to experiencing the grandeur of Yosemite
Call your travel agent or Tauck at 8 -00 788-7885
www.tauck.com 35
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128