| Our adventure begins as we motorcoach to L.A.’s Union Station to board the deluxe Coast Starlight train for a relaxing and scenic ride along the coast to Santa Barbara. The Coast Starlight is Amtrak’s only local train that features an observation car with windows that stretch up to the ceiling offering unparalleled ocean views! This afternoon we’ll reboard our motorcoach in Santa Barbara, known as “America’s Riviera.” Characterized by unique shopping, great food and distinctive architecture, downtown Santa Barbara offers palm-lined thoroughfares where you’ll be surrounded by charming shops and boutiques, tantalizing eateries and beautiful buildings. The State Street Promenade is a newly created pedestrian mall where multiple blocks of State Street are closed to vehicle traffic allowing restaurants and other businesses to expand onto sidewalks and into Santa Barbara’s main boulevard, infusing a sense of energy and vitality. Paseo Nuevo is Santa Barbara’s Mediterranean-style, outdoor shopping center that features a variety of name brand stores. Enjoy time at your leisure for lunch on your own here and along State Street. We continue to the Reagan Ranch Center in downtown Santa Barbara, where we’ll learn about Rancho del Cielo, the Reagans’ ranch located north of Santa Barbara that was coined “The Western White House,” but is not open to the public. See a 20-minute introductory film and then enjoy a docent-guided tour of this “museum” which features several unique collections including campaign memorabilia, commemorative items and letters written by Ronald Reagan over a 50-year period. See a massive 5,000-pound section of the Berlin Wall and President Reagan’s jeep that he used on the ranch. The centerpiece of the gallery is a 28-foot-long “timeline” that allows you to interact with the history of the Ranch and the events that took place during the Reagan presidency. We will motorcoach home. Each guest is asked to bring a driver’s license or other government-issued photo identification to present to Amtrak on the day of the tour if requested to do so. Should the Coast Starlight train be canceled by Amtrak, an Amtrak Surfliner train or an included lunch may be substituted. |