Classic California – Golden Shores, Redwood Groves & Rails

Day 1 – Coastal Train Ride, Welcome to Santa Cruz!

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, featuring windows that stretch up to the ceiling. In San Luis Obispo we’ll reboard our motorcoach and continue to Santa Cruz, the vibrant coastal city known for its laid-back surf vibe and stunning natural beauty. Enjoy a four-night stay in the upscale, full-service Dream Inn, Santa Cruz’s premier beachfront hotel. This beloved local landmark, situated just steps from the legendary Cowell Beach features stylish, retro-chic rooms, each boasting a private balcony and dreamy ocean views! Enjoy your evenings here at leisure with dinner on your own at the inn’s Jack O’Neill Restaurant or walk to one of the eateries on the nearby Santa Cruz Wharf. (Lunch)

Day 2 – Redwood Forest Steam Train, Winchester Mystery House

After an included breakfast at the inn, we’ll travel north into the majestic Santa Cruz Mountains home to the renowned Henry Cowell Redwood State Park. Prepare to be humbled as we take a leisurely stroll along the accessible .8-mile Redwood Grove Loop Trail, a paved path that meanders amongst a grove of ancient old-growth redwood trees. Some of these colossal sentinels are over 1,500 years old and tower nearly 280 feet, creating an atmosphere of serene grandeur. Amongst these ancient giants is the famed Fremont Tree, which explorer John C. Frémont is said to have sheltered in. We’ll journey back in time at Roaring Camp, a meticulously recreated 1880s logging town. We’ll board the historic Redwood Forest Steam Train and listen as the conductor shares tales of the past while the authentic 1890s steam engine chugs over trestles, through dense redwood groves and up a winding narrow-gauge track to the summit of Bear Mountain. Later, savor an included chuckwagon lunch and enjoy time at leisure to explore Roaring Camp’s charming old-fashioned general store and vintage western structures, including an opera house, train depot and covered bridge. This afternoon we’ll arrive at the legendary Winchester Mystery House for a docent-guided tour through 110 of the baffling 160 rooms of Sarah Winchester’s Victorian-era mansion. Designed and built by the Winchester Rifle heiress over 36 years, this architectural marvel that is shrouded in mystery and legends, gets its name from its many architectural oddities and one-of-a-kind design features like its 47 fireplaces but only 17 chimneys, maze-like hallways, secret passageways, and staircases and doors leading nowhere! We return to the hotel late this afternoon. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 3 – Monterey Peninsula

Following an included breakfast at the inn, we’ll travel south along Highway 1 to the captivating Monterey Peninsula and join a local guide for a comprehensive area tour. Often described as “the greatest meeting of land and sea,” the peninsula, embraced on three sides by the Pacific, has long enchanted artists, poets, and explorers with its raw, dramatic beauty – from thundering surf and ancient redwood groves to abundant, unspoiled wildlife. Our in-depth driving tour with photo stops will immerse you in the historic streets of Old Monterey, the storied waterfront of Cannery Row, and the charming avenues of Pacific Grove. Then, prepare for the breathtaking beauty of the famed 17-Mile Drive, undeniably one of the world’s most picturesque routes. This enchanting journey winds through a landscape of dramatic coastal cliffs, pristine snow-white beaches, and mystical Cypress forests. Along the way, we’ll behold iconic sights like the resilient Lone Cypress, the bustling Bird Rock, glimpses of celebrity estates, and the legendary fairways of Pebble Beach Golf Links. Later, enjoy time at leisure in the idyllic seaside village of Carmel-by-the-Sea, the enchanting town that masterfully blends rich history with new-world charm, offering an array of wonderful restaurants, unique boutiques, and inspiring art galleries. We return to Santa Cruz late this afternoon. (Breakfast)

Day 4 – Pacific Coast Highway, Half Moon Bay

After an included breakfast at the inn, we’ll travel north from Santa Cruz along picturesque California Highway 1. This quintessential California coastal drive unfolds like a masterpiece, revealing a stunning tapestry of rugged cliffs, fertile agricultural heartlands, and charming seaside towns, all set against expansive Pacific vistas. For some of the drive, the Pacific Coast Highway clings the coastline tightly, offering intimate views of dramatic cliffs, rocky shores, secluded coves and windswept beaches. We’ll take our time on this drive so we can properly appreciate the dramatic natural scenery, and the raw, invigorating power of the Pacific Ocean. Enjoy time at leisure in the heart of downtown Half Moon Bay. Stroll along historic Main Street, where a sense of quintessential American charm persists. Discover delightful cafés, unique boutiques, intriguing antique shops, cozy bookstores, and vibrant art galleries showcasing the talents of local and regional artists. This afternoon we’ll enjoy an included lunch, with choice of entrée, at Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay, an iconic destination on the California coast. Perched dramatically on a rugged clifftop overlooking the vast Pacific Ocean, this stunning resort offers breathtaking panoramic views and a sense of serene seclusion. Experience how its grand, traditional architecture harmonizes with the wild, natural beauty of the coastline, all while enveloped by the invigorating scent of the ocean. We return to Santa Cruz later this afernoon. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 5 – Santa Barbara, Journey Home

Following an included breakfast at the inn, we’ll travel south by motorcoach, making several rest stops. In San Luis Obispo we’ll visit the eclectic Madonna Inn. A true California landmark since its opening in 1958, its timeless fairy tale charm and famously whimsical themed décor continue to delight and intrigue visitors almost 70 years later! This afternoon, enjoy time at leisure for lunch on your own in Santa Barbara, affectionately known as the “The American Riviera” due to its Mediterranean climate, stunning scenery, distinctive Spanish-Moorish architecture and a relaxed atmosphere. Stroll along palm-lined streets surrounded by enticing shops, chic boutiques and an array of eateries housed in historic buildings. We return to our drop-off points this evening filled with cherished memories of our relaxing train adventures, our delightful four-night stay in Santa Cruz, and our explorations of California’s spectacular coast and majestic redwoods during this delightful time of year. (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.