Tripology

Hotel

This evening, mix and mingle with your traveling companions at the 6:30 p.m. Welcome recept ion. Your Tour Director will prepare you for your upcoming adventure. (WR)

Sightseeing

Morning sightseeing in one of the world’s most beautiful cities famous for its natural harbor, lush parks, cable cars, and bustling docks. Your tour includes Golden Gate Park, Twin Peaks, Nob Hill, and much more. Our tour ends at Fisherman’s Wharf where you’ll enjoy lunch with incredible views of the San Francisco Bay. This afternoon, enjoy free time for pursuing your favorite interests and activities—ride the world famous cable cars, shop in Union Square, or stroll around Chinatown. (B,L)

Sightseeing

Travel south to the rugged beauty of the Monterey Peninsula. Enjoy a visit to the lovely town of Carmel, a popular retreat for writers, artists, and celebrities. A highlight of today’s journey is the spectacular 17-Mile Drive to Monterey, with views of Cypress Point, famous Pebble Beach Golf Course, and the tenacious Lone Cypress. The ocean canyon surrounding Monterey Bay is deeper than the Grand Canyon and harbors a rich variety of sea life, which can be seen this afternoon at Monterey Bay Aquarium. Here you can explore the hidden world of this spectacular ocean realm at the heart of the nation’s largest marine sanctuary. The exhibits recreate the bay’s habitats, from shallow tide pools to the open ocean and deep sea. (B)

National Parks

This morning, we’ll travel along the scenic Big Sur Coast Highway and journey to San Simeon and visit Hearst Castle, the opulent mansion of the wealthy newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst, which houses splendid antiques, art treasures, and exotic possessions purchased at an estimated $50 million. The tour shows off the highlights of the impressive 123-acre estate.

Hotel

Then travel through the Santa Ynez Mountains to your resort hotel in Santa Barbara. (B,D)

Sightseeing

Morning at leisure. You can take the Santa Barbara Trolley, swim at the pool, bicycle along the oceanfront, or visit the zoo or Stearns Wharf. Look out for Hollywood celebrities’ homes that dot the shoreline from Malibu to Santa Monica. We then travel to Long Beach and see Metropolitan Los Angeles along the way.

Food and Dining

This evening, enjoy dinner aboard one of the most famous ships in history, the RMS Queen Mary. (B,D)

River or Barge Cruise

A leisurely morning cruise across 26-mile San Pedro Channel to beautiful Catalina Island. Once a ritzy playground for the rich in the 1930s and 1940s, Catalina Island today is a casual and laid-back destination. Enjoy a guided tour of the island before plenty of time to stroll the quaint streets of the Mediterranean-flavored port town of Avalon. Perhaps have lunch before heading back to Long Beach.

Sightseeing

This evening, maybe take a stroll along the waterfront and stop by Shoreline Village, a recreated turn-of-the-century harborside center with specialty shops and boardwalk entertainment. (B)

Sightseeing

Take the coastal highway to San Diego. Stop in San Juan Capistrano to visit the beautiful 18th-century Mission, a majestic work of art. Founded more than two centuries ago, the mission is a monument to California’s multicultural history, embracing its Spanish, Mexican, Native American, and European heritages. Take some time to walk along the ancient cloisters amid the time-softened beauty of old adobe buildings. Continue to San Diego for a city sightseeing tour. (B)

Sightseeing

Select how you wish to spend your day. Choose between a visit to the world-famous San Diego Zoo featuring animals from around the world or visit Seaworld, home to the mighty king of the sea, Shamu.

River or Barge Cruise

This evening we top off the tour with a Farewell Dinner Cruise around San Diego Harbor. Enjoy a spectacular sunset, sweeping 360-degree views, and gourmet cuisine with dancing atop the yacht—the perfect finale for your vacation.

The vacation ends this morning, with guests departing on individual schedules. Airport transfers are provided. (B)