Cambria & Castle Christmas by Rail

Day 1 – Coastal Train Ride, Welcome to Cambria!

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 north along the coast to the quaint seaside village of Cambria – the artists’ colony nestled in a forest of towering Monterey Pines along a craggy stretch of California coastline. We’ll enjoy a two-night stay at the charming Cambria Pines Lodge, the woodsy-chic lodge nestled amongst a Monterey pine forest. This boutique hotel features spacious rooms that are richly appointed with a fireplace, farmhouse furnishings and modern amenities. The sprawling grounds feature beautiful gardens, a heated outdoor pool and hot tub, and the Cambria Pines Lodge Restaurant offering a diverse menu of enticing dishes. This time of year, the lodge is decked out in its holiday finest – sure to get you in the spirit of the season! Enjoy the evening at leisure with dinner on your own at the restaurant or at the Cambria Christmas Market, the charming annual holiday event that draws visitors from all over to experience a traditional holiday market similar to those found in Germany and Austria where it’s known as “Weihnachtsmarkt.” This outdoor event at the Cambria Pines Lodge features a vendor market with open-air stalls and local merchants selling imported German goods, seasonal gifts along with fresh baked goods and seasonal treats and drinks like Glühwein – the traditional German hot spiced wine that is sure to keep you cozy while exploring the walk-thru light display that features more than two million lights complete with themed vignettes. (Lunch)

Day 2 – Cambria, Hearst Castle

This morning we’ll enjoy a scenic ride along the coast north of Cambria to the elephant seal rookery at Piedras Blancas. This location is one of only a few spots in the world where northern elephant seals can be seen up-close. Although elephant seals spend most of their lives in the open ocean, they arrive at this rookery to give birth, breed, molt and rest from long migrations in the ocean in search of food. Enjoy time at leisure this afternoon for lunch on your own and browsing in the quaint village of Cambria, featuring eclectic shops, unique boutiques and galleries. This evening we'll visit Hearst Castle, the National Historic Landmark that sits above the clouds on top of “The Enchanted Hill.” Discover why the holiday season was an exceptionally festive time for William Randolph Hearst and his guests while on a docent-guided, Holiday Twilight Tour, the seasonal evening holiday tour that showcases the Castle in a different light. Your knowledgeable guide will share stories of holiday festivities during the estate’s heyday while touring the grounds, the Casa del Sol guest house and the grand social rooms of Casa Grande – beautifully decorated for the holidays. Note this 75-minute walking tour includes a total of 190 stairs (both up and down) along a 2/3-mile route. Later, we’ll enjoy an included dinner with choice of entrée at Linn’s Restaurant, the Cambria icon and locals’ favorite known for their contemporary comfort food classics like meatloaf and chicken pot pie. But be sure to save room for what they’re most famous for – warm olallieberry pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top! (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 3 – Solvang, Journey Home

This morning we’ll travel by motorcoach to San Luis Obispo and visit the eclectic and historic Madonna Inn, the California landmark that features a timeless elegance, whimsical décor and beautiful holiday decorations! We’ll travel the backroads through the Santa Ynez Valley to the quaint Danish town of Solvang, known as one of the most “Christmassy Small Towns in America.” Enjoy time at leisure with lunch on your own in this very walkable village that is in the midst of their month-long, Julefest celebration extraordinare! Delight in the old-world architecture, wind- mills and gaslights, all beautifully decorated for Christmas. Explore more than 100 one-of-a-kind shops including high-end boutiques, European imports, art galleries and bakeries selling fresh-made Danish Aebleskivers, shortbread cookies and kringles! We continue south returning to our drop-off points this evening with fond memories of our holiday getaway to the Central Coast. (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.