Cambria & Castle Christmas by Rail

Day 1 – Coastal Train Ride, Welcome to Cambria! (Thursday, December 10)

From our departure points this morning we’ll travel aboard a deluxe motorcoach to downtown Los Angeles’ Union Station. All aboard Amtrak’s renowned Coast Starlight train for a spectacular, five-hour rail journey along California’s dramatic coastline and through its fertile valleys. We’ll travel along Point Conception and through Vandenberg Space Force Base, offering views of launch complexes and pristine, undeveloped coastline only visible by train. Enjoy an included boxed lunch onboard, with additional snacks and drinks available for purchase in the snack bar. Relax in your reclining seat or check out the view from the Observation Car (all group seats and observation car seats are located on the upper level of the train with stairs required), featuring floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows providing unparalleled views. Upon arrival in San Luis Obispo, we’ll reboard our motorcoach and continue north and follow the iconic Pacific Coast Highway (CA-1) to the enchanting seaside vil- lage 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 woodsy-chic Cambria Pines Lodge, a boutique resort nestled amongst towering Monterey Pines. This charming lodge 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 spa, 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 the Cambria Christmas Market, the charming, annual holiday event that allows you to experience a traditional holiday market similar to those found in Germany and Austria where it’s known as “Weihnachtsmarkt.” This outdoor event on the resort grounds features a vendor market with open-air stalls and local merchants selling 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 bulbs and themed vignettes. (Lunch)

Day 2 – Cambria, Hearst Castle (Friday, December 11)

Following an included breakfast at the lodge, we’ll travel just north of Cambria to the Piedras Blancas elephant seal rookery, one of only a few places in the world where northern elephant seals can be seen up-close. 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. Early this evening we’ll gather for an included dinner with choice of entrée at Linn’s Restaurant, the Cambria icon 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! We’ll then continue to 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. This special seasonal evening tour showcases Hearst’s estate modestly decorated for the holidays. As your guide shares stories of holiday glitz and celebration during the estate’s heyday, you’ll tour the grounds, the Casa del Sol guest house and the magnificent social rooms of Casa Grande. Note: This 75-minute walking tour includes 190 stairs (both up and down) along a 2/3-mile route. While Hearst Castle has confirmed twilight tours will be offered this holiday season, a schedule has not been released. Should a twilight tour be unavailable, an afternoon Grand Rooms tour will be provided. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 3 – Solvang, Journey Home (Saturday, December 12)

After an included breakfast, we’ll travel south by motorcoach to the historic Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo to admire its famous, delightfully whimsical holiday decorations. We’ll continue along the backroads of the Santa Ynez Valley to the charming Danish village of Solvang, celebrated as one of the most “Christmassy Small Towns in America.” Enjoy time at leisure with lunch on your own in this walkable village that features old-world architecture, windmills and gaslights. Explore more than 100 unique boutiques, European import shops, art galleries and bakeries serving up fresh Danish aebleskivers, kringles, and shortbread cookies. This afternoon we’ll continue south returning to our drop-off points this evening with fond memories of our Central Coast holiday getaway. (Breakfast)

While a rare occurrence, should Amtrak cancel the Coast Starlight train, an Amtrak Surfliner train will be substituted, or a sit-down lunch at a Santa Barbara restaurant will be added in lieu of the boxed lunch.

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.