Cambria & Hearst Castle by Rail

Day 1 – Coastal Train Ride, Cambria (Wednesday, November 4)

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 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 in a charming boutique inn featuring cozy fireplace rooms with a coastal décor and driftwood-inspired design elements. This oceanfront gem sits directly on Cambria’s Moonstone Beach, recently voted one of the “10 Best Beaches in California” by the readers of USA Today. This spectacular stretch of coastline offers an easily accessible beach with driftwood and collectable shells and rocks, tide pools, a walkable bluff-top boardwalk and a spectacular vantage point for memorable sunsets. This evening we’ll enjoy an included dinner with choice of entrée at a locals’ favorite. While your inn room will not have an ocean view or patio, oceanview rooms with patio are available (based on availability) as an optional upgrade for an additional $150 per person/ double occupancy; $300 per person/single occupancy payable at the time of booking. (Lunch, Dinner)

Day 2 – Cambria, Hearst Castle, San Luis Obispo (Thursday, November 5)

Following an included breakfast we’ll visit Hearst Castle, the National Historic Landmark that sits above the clouds on top of “The Enchanted Hill.” This extraordinary temple to opulence and excess is an eye-popping extravaganza featuring a 165-room castle, terraced gardens, pools and a spectacular wrap-around view of California’s Central Coast. Experience what life was like as a guest of Mr. Hearst, see his personal collection of rare and ancient works of art and encounter the majesty and beauty of this historical treasure while on a docent-guided tour (space on each tour is based on availability and cannot be guaranteed). The Grand Rooms Tour is recommended for first-time visitors and features the main building, “Casa Grande,” including the Assembly Room, Refectory, Morning Room, Billiard Room and Theater. The Grand Rooms tour includes a total of 140 stairs (both up and down) over a 2/3- mile route. If you require the Grand Rooms ADA tour (which has no stairs and very limited availability), please advise us at the time of booking. The Cottages & Kitchen Tour features the famous wine cellar and gigantic kitchen in Casa Grande as well as two ornately gilded “cottages” – each thousands of square feet in size – that housed the Hearst family and their guests before Casa Grande was ready. The Cottages & Kitchen tour includes a total of 193 stairs (both up and down) over a 3/4-mile route. On the Upstairs Suites Tour you’ll climb the spiral staircase to the upper levels of Casa Grande to admire Mr. Hearst’s Gothic Suite, the enchanting Celestial Suite, the main library, the della Robbia Room and a clever Duplex Suite. The Upstairs Suites tour includes a total of 367 stairs (both up and down) over a 3/4-mile route. Enjoy time at leisure to browse the Hearst Castle Visitor Center and an included screening of the resident film, Hearst Castle – Building the Dream featuring breathtaking original cinematography combined with vintage clips and stills from the 1920s and 30s. The film allows the construction and history of the Castle to come to life on a giant five-story screen. Enjoy time at leisure this afternoon relaxing at the inn, taking a walk on Moonstone Beach or browsing the charming shops, boutiques and galleries in Cambria’s quaint and historic village. Enjoy dinner on your own at one of the oceanfront restaurants near the inn or take advantage of motorcoach transportation to downtown San Luis Obispo’s Farmers’ Market and street faire (weather permitting). (Breakfast)

Day 3 – Solvang, Journey Home (Friday, November 6)

After an included breakfast 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 archi- tectural styles and flower-lined streets to create a very walkable village. Enjoy time at leisure for lunch on your own and 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 to our drop-off points, returning this evening with many fond memories of our time on California’s beautiful 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.