Pismo, Morro & Sensorio

Day 1 – Coastal Train Ride, Pismo Beach (Wednesday, May 6)

From our departure points this morning we’ll travel aboard 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. Upon arrival in San Luis Obispo, we’ll reboard our motorcoach and continue the short distance to Pismo Beach, the classic California beach town featuring a famous stretch of surf and sand and iconic views of the Pacific Ocean. Settle in for a relaxing two-night stay in a AAA Four Diamond, full-service resort that celebrates the best of classic California beach culture – a laid-back beachy feel combined with beach house-inspired designs. This beachfront resort that sits directly on the Pismo Beach Boardwalk is just steps away from the Pismo Beach Pier and Pier Plaza. Enjoy the resort’s heated pool, deck and hot tub overlooking the ocean, swanky lobby and an outdoor bar and lawn with fire pits. Enjoy dinner on your own at the resort’s restaurant or one of the downtown Pismo Beach restaurants within walking distance of the resort. While your deluxe hotel room features a city view, an oceanview room with balcony or veranda is available (based on availability) as an optional upgrade for an additional $175 per person/double occupancy; $350 per person/single occupancy payable at the time of booking. (Lunch)

Day 2 – Pismo Beach, Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo, Sensorio (Thursday, May 7)

Following an included breakfast at the resort, we’ll travel to the picturesque seaside village of Morro Bay, where we’ll first visit the Morro Bay State Park Museum of Natural History, which offers state-of-the-art, interactive displays detailing the region’s natural and cultural history from its commanding perch overlooking the Morro Bay Estuary. Then, enjoy time at leisure for lunch on your own and browsing the charming downtown boutiques and galleries, in the shadow of the dramatic, 576-foot high, dome-shaped Morro Rock, affectionately known as the “Gibraltar of the Pacific.” This afternoon we’ll return to our Pismo Beach resort with time at leisure to relax or explore downtown Pismo Beach, the Pismo Beach Boardwalk and the Pismo Beach Pier – all within walking distance of the resort. This evening we’ll travel to downtown San Luis Obispo to enjoy dinner on your own at one of the restaurants or at the Downtown San Luis Obispo’s Farmers’ Market and street faire (weather permitting). This iconic, one-night-a-week event that began in 1983, is 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. 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. As the sun sets we’ll arrive at Sensorio – located in a valley between rolling hills just east of downtown Paso Robles – to experience internationally-acclaimed artist Bruce Munro’s largest immersive exhibition. The centerpiece is the enormous walk-through installation, Field of Light, comprised of nearly 100,000 spherical fiber-optic “flowers” that gently illuminate the rolling landscape in a stunning, morphing, living kaleidoscope of color as you stroll along the flat, lit trail at your own pace, The experience is enhanced by Light Towers, celebrating the region’s wine heritage with over 17,000 glowing wine bottles set to a musical score. Newer installations include the whimsical Fireflies and the newly added Dimensions, a large-scale metal sculpture garden exploring the relationship between light, music, and form. Should inclement weather prevent us from visiting Light at Sensorio, an included lunch or dinner will be provided instead. (Breakfast)

Day 3 – Santa Barbara, Journey Home (Friday, May 8)

After an included breakfast at the resort and a late morning departure, we’ll head south and travel the backroads through the picturesque Santa Ynez Valley to Santa Barbara. Downtown Santa Barbara features a kaleidoscope of boutiques, galleries and tantalizing eateries amongst palm-lined thoroughfares and beautiful Spanish architecture. Enjoy time at leisure for browsing and lunch on your own at the variety of restaurants along State Street and at Paseo Nuevo – the Mediterranean-style shopping district. We’ll return to our drop-off points this evening with many fond memories of our time exploring California’s charming Central Coast on this fun and memorable getaway. (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.