Central Coast Safari, Wine & Rails

Day 1 – Coastal Train Ride, Pismo Beach (Wednesday, February 11)

From our departure points this morning we’ll travel aboard a a deluxe motorcoach to downtown Los Angeles’ historic 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, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows that offer unparalleled views. In San Luis Obispo, we’ll reboard our motorcoach and continue the short distance to Pismo Beach, the classic beach town that features incredible views of the Pacific Ocean. Settle in for a relaxing, two-night stay in an oceanview room with private balcony or patio at an upscale, full-service, oceanfront Pismo Beach hotel that features a contemporary and stylish design along with a bit of fun and nostalgia. This coastal hideaway that sits atop a bluff overlooking Pismo Beach features a heated pool with multiple spas, four terraces – including a rooftop terrace with fire pits, an on-site restaurant and stair access to the unspoiled sandy beach below. (Lunch)

Day 2 – Paso Robles, Pismo Beach (Thursday, February 12)

Following an included breakfast at the hotel, we’ll travel to a horse and goat farm that offers unique and interactive animal encounters. On a guided tour we’ll meet and interact with miniature horses, alpacas and goats (at the time of year when baby goats may have just arrived). Learn fun facts about this unique animals while petting, hugging and kissing them! The farm store offers a variety of homemade products including goat milk lotion! We’ll then travel deep into the Paso Robles Wine Country, home to the oldest grapes in California. Wine grapes were first planted here in the late 1700s as Fran- ciscan monks made their way north on El Camino Real. Now featuring over 200 wineries, this wine region is not only the fastest growing wine region in the state, but more importantly, it’s producing world-class wines – especially Rhône varietals and blends. We’ll be the judges during an included lunch with wine tasting at a picturesque, boutique winery and vineyard where rustic elegance meets wine country charm. This afternoon we’ll return to the coast and visit the Pismo Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove where vibrant orange and black Monarch butterflies return each year to a grove of Eucalyptus trees. While the number of butterflies seeking shelter here each winter varies year to year, the 2022/2023 winters saw a dramatic surge in population, reaching over 24,000 butterflies! This evening, enjoy dinner on your own at one of the restaurants within walking distance of the hotel or take advantage of motorcoach transportation to Downtown San Luis Obispo’s Farmers’ Market and street faire (weather permitting). Enjoy time at leisure strolling amongst five lively and historic blocks filled with local restaurants selling a variety of barbecued specialties, just-picked produce for sale, vendors selling baked goods and crafts, and entertaining local performers. This iconic, one-night- a-week event that began in 1983, 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. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 3 – Santa Barbara, Journey Home (Friday, February 13)

After an included breakfast at the hotel, we’ll visit a turtle and tortoise sanctuary that provides a shelter for turtles, tortoises and other cohabiting creatures amongst a lush and expansive ecologically friendly 5-acre haven. On a guided tour of the sanctuary we’ll have an opportunity to get up-close to a variety of captivating creatures and learn about this sanctuary that has rescued, safeguarded and nurtured an estimated 5,000 animals over the last 30 years! We’ll continue south to Santa Barbara and enjoy time at leisure for browsing and lunch on own in this popular beach city known as “America’s Riviera.” Characterized by unique shopping, great food and distinctive architecture, downtown Santa Barbara offers palm-lined thoroughfares filled with shops, boutiques, tantalizing eateries, and beautiful buildings. This afternoon we’ll visit an exotic bird sanctuary that is home to more than 50 stunning parrots. A guided tour will showcase this small but lush tropical garden that is a haven for unwanted and displaced companion parrots. Witnessing these majestic creatures interact and converse is a truly unforgettable experience! We’ll continue south towards our departure points, arriving in the evening with great memories of our coastal safari and the cute and cuddly creatures that we met along the way. (Breakfast)

While a rare occurrence, should Amtrak be forced to cancel the train, we will motorcoach north and each guest may be refunded for the train portion. Farm/sanctuary visits may be replaced in inclement weather.

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.