Paso, Morro & The Apple Farm Inn

Day 1 ~ Coastal Train Ride

We set out from our departure points this morning for the tranquility of California's Central Coast. We'll travel by deluxe motorcoach 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 Air Force Base where you’ll see the launch complexes and beautiful undeveloped coastline only visible by train. You are free to move around the train, get lunch from the snack bar or enjoy a waiter-served lunch on your own in the dining car (based on availability). Check out the view from the observation car or just relax in your reclining seat. Upon arrival in San Luis Obispo, our motorcoach will be waiting to take us the short distance to the charming Apple Farm Inn – our accommodations for the next two nights. Nestled by San Luis Obispo Creek and surrounded by rolling hills, the Apple Farm Inn is a “country rustic,” AAA Four Diamond, Victorian-style inn situated among a lush, quiet garden setting. The Inn blends the country charm of yesteryear with all of the modern comforts of today. From the moment you walk into the lobby, you know this is a special place! Combining the charm of wine country inns with the modern conveniences of a luxury hotel, the Apple Farm Inn embodies a true atmosphere of tranquility. The Inn features three floors of elegant, oversized accommodations combining style and character with unsurpassed comfort. Each guest room is individually furnished in a unique, contemporary country design and features a seating area, terry robes, flat-panel LCD television, wireless internet access, refrigerator and gas fireplace. Enjoy time to explore the grounds which feature a year-round heated swimming pool, strolling pathways through lush gardens, a working waterwheel attached to an authentic mill house and apple trees with apples to pick! The gift shop is full of wonderful treasures including home decorations, trinkets, and novelty items. The bakery features fresh baked cookies, eclairs, lemon bars, pies and their famous hot apple dumplings that are ooey gooey, delicious, and have just the right amount of sweetness. Enjoy the Inn’s complimentary wine reception prior to dinner on your own at the Apple Farm Inn Restaurant – the warm and inviting farmhouse-inspired restaurant that exudes country charm and rustic elegance thanks to vintage Americana decorations.

Day 2 ~ San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles, Morro Bay

Following an included breakfast at the Inn, we’ll begin our sightseeing along the backroads of the Paso Robles region with a guided tour of a small, family-owned olive farm. We’ll take a stroll amongst olive trees and learn about two olive varieties grown here: a Spanish Arbequina and a Greek Koroneiki. Then, enjoy an included olive oil tasting featuring the various flavors and textures of their award-winning extra virgin oils as you are guided through how they are produced. In addition to olive trees, Paso Robles’ fertile soil and long growing season of warm days and cool evenings creates award-winning premium wine grapes. There are more than 40 different varieties of grapes grown here at more than 200 wineries – in fact it’s the fastest growing wine region in California! We’ll travel the back roads to an award-winning winery for an included lunch, guided tour and wine tasting. This afternoon we arrive in Morro Bay, the charming, seaside fishing village that sits in the shadow of the famous, 576-foot high, dome-shaped Morro Rock. The sentinel of Morro Bay is known as the “Gibraltar of the Pacific” and is actually a volcanic peak over 21 million years old! We’ll enjoy a narrated Morro Bay cruise to see the beauty and wildlife of this amazing wonderland that is part of the Morro Bay National Estuary, providing a nourishing habitat to more than 250 species of birds. We return to the Inn for the included wine reception and time to relax. This evening we’ll head to the Downtown San Luis Obispo Farmers’ Market. Enjoy time at leisure strolling amongst four lively and open-air historic blocks filled with just-picked produce for sale, local restaurants selling a variety of barbecued specialties and entertaining local performers. This one-night-a-week event is undoubtedly one of the most treasured events on the Central Coast and has a long history of bringing locals and visitors together to eat, shop, listen to music and connect amongst this historic community. Should the Farmers’ Market not be open for any reason, you may enjoy dinner on your own at one of the downtown restaurants or remain at the Apple Farm Inn. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 3 ~ Solvang, Santa Barbara, Journey Home

After an included breakfast this morning at the Apple Farm Inn, we’ll travel south to the Santa Ynez Valley and the quaint Danish town of Solvang. Known as America’s famous “Little Denmark,” Solvang features quaint old-world architectural styles and flower-lined streets to create a very walkable village. Enjoy time at leisure for browsing the wonderful shops that offer imported European wares and collectibles. For a true taste of Danish culture, sample the delicious pastries offered by Solvang’s authentic local bakeries. We continue south along the back roads to Santa Barbara, known as “America’s Riviera.” Enjoy time at leisure for lunch on your own in downtown, offering a variety of restaurants along State Street and at Paseo Nuevo – the Mediterranean-style shopping district. Returning to our drop-off points this evening, we’ll all relish in the memories of our time relaxing on the Coast Starlight train and at the Apple Farm Inn while exploring California’s beautiful Central Coast on this unique and memorable getaway. (Breakfast)