Central Coast Whales, Rails & Dunes

Day 1 – Coastal Train Ride, Morro Bay

We set out from our departure points this morning aboard a deluxe motorcoach and travel to downtown Los Angeles’ Union Station to board Amtrak’s Coast Starlight train for a memorable, five-hour rail journey along California’s spectacular coastline and through its fertile valleys to San Luis Obispo. We’ll travel along Point Conception and through Vandenberg Space Force Base where you’ll see the launch complexes and beautiful undeveloped coastline which is only visible by train. We’ll enjoy an included boxed lunch onboard along with a snack bar selling snacks and drinks. Enjoy the relaxing ride in your reclining seat or check out the view from the observation car featuring windows that stretch up to the ceiling offering unparalleled and expansive views. Upon arrival in San Luis Obispo, we’ll reboard our motorcoach and continue the short distance to Morro Bay. Enjoy a two-night stay at a charming, upscale and full-service Morro Bay-front inn that lies within 4,000 acres of rugged woodlands and overlooks Morro Bay and the 576-foot high, dome-shaped Morro Rock – the sentinel of Morro Bay known as the “Gibraltar of the Pacific.” Enjoy dinner on your own at the inn restaurant or take advantage of optional transportation to Morro Bay’s waterfront where there are a variety of restaurants. While your deluxe hotel room features a garden view, a bay view room is available (based on availability) as an optional upgrade for an additional $100 per person/double occupancy; $150 per person/single occupancy. (Lunch)

Day 2 – Morro Bay, Whale Watching Cruise

Following an included breakfast, we’ll travel the short distance to Morro Bay’s Embarcadero where we’ll board a private, chartered boat for a two-hour, narrated whale watching cruise off the coast of Morro Bay. While gray whales are migrating along the California coast this time of year, other mammals – including dolphins, seals and sea otters may also be sighted – increasing our chances of seeing wildlife today – which is always unpredictable. Enjoy time at leisure for browsing and lunch on your own this afternoon along Morro Bay’s charming waterfront that sits in the shadow of Morro Rock. Enjoy time at leisure this afternoon relaxing at the inn or exploring nearby Morro Bay State Park, home to lagoons, trails and a bird-rich saltwater marsh. Or take advantage of an optional dunes excursion to experience the wild terrain of the coastal sand dunes aboard a real USMC Humvee (Hummer) for an additional $75 per person. On this memorable adventure, your experienced and skilled driver-guide will take you along the beach to the famous Oceano Dunes, highlighting points of interest along the way. Then, “hold onto your seat” as you begin to climb the towering, wind-sculpted sand dunes on this thrilling adventure. Your expert driver will show off the capabilities of this military vehicle as you climb dunes that most 4-wheel vehicles never could. Experience the thrill of going around a “dune Bowl” and blasting steep inclines in forward or reverse on this exhilarating adventure from start to finish. This evening, enjoy dinner on your own at the inn or take advantage of transportation to downtown San Luis Obispo’s Farmers’ Market and street faire (weather permitting). Enjoy time at leisure strolling amongst four blocks filled with just-picked produce for sale, local restaurants selling barbecued specialties and entertaining local performers. (Breakfast)

Day 3 – Guadalupe Dunes, Solvang, Journey Home

After an included breakfast, we’ll travel south to Guadalupe and visit the Dunes Center, promoting the conservation and restoration of the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes. The Center features a variety of exhibits including animal specimens, artifacts from the “Lost City of DeMille” and art created by local artists. We’ll then continue to the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes, a National Natural Landmark that contains one of the most remote and least disturbed habitats in the 18-mile long coastal dunes complex. Enjoy a short walk along the beach to admire the spectacular views of the ocean and dunes for as far as the eye can see. Gazing upon the rolling and windswept dunes, it’s easy to see how they could stand in for the Sahara Desert in Cecil B. DeMill’s 1923 silent epic, The Ten Commandments. We’ll continue south and travel the back roads through the Santa Ynez Valley to the quaint Danish town of Solvang featuring quaint old-world architectural styles and flower-lined streets to create a very walkable village. Enjoy time at leisure for lunch on your own and browsing the shops that offer imported European wares and collectibles. We return to our drop-off points this evening with many fond memories of our coastal getaway. (Breakfast)

While we make every effort to operate our tours as outlined in the itinerary, we ask for your patience, understanding and flexibility and to retain a sense of adventure while traveling with us. Situations may arise that necessitate changes to the itinerary. Should we need to adjust the itinerary either prior to or while on tour, these changes will be communicated to you and only done when absolutely necessary.