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tauck-tours.escorteddeluxetours.com A division of the Atlas Travel Network |
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Californias Gold Coast A n 11-Day tour starting from $3,690 |
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Live, experienced travel consultants available:
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About This Tour |
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| Tauck's California travel adventure discovers the many treasures that lie along the Gold Coast, from San Francisco to Yosemite to the Pacific Coast Highway. Explore San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego; visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Hearst Castle. Enjoy unique Tauck experiences like a privately guided walk with a naturalist in Yosemite; a winery tour at a Sonoma Valley vineyard; a private tour of the San Diego Zoo; and a farewell dinner cruise on San Diego Bay. New for 2010, your journey features stays at The Westin St. Francis in San Francisco, InterContinental the Clement Monterey, and The Langham Huntington in Pasadena. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
What's Included? |
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| • A private insiders tour of one of the worlds most famous zoos, the San Diego Zoo; it is the worlds largest zoo, home to more than 4,000 animals |
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Sightseeing / Highlights |
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| 1. Arrive San Francisco Tour begins: 5:30 PM at The Westin St. Francis. A transfer is included from San Francisco International Airport to The Westin St. Francis. Join us tonight for a welcome cocktail reception and dinner at your hotel, a beloved San Francisco landmark that has kept watch over Union Square in the city’s heart since 1904. Meals D 2. City Tour / Wine Country Nob Hill... Chinatown... Fisherman’s Wharf... Lombard Street... see these celebrated San Francisco destinations and more on a city tour. Then cross the majestic Golden Gate Bridge and head north to the Sonoma Valley, home to some of the world’s finest vineyards. After a tour, tasting and picnic lunch at the Viansa Winery, return to San Francisco to explore as you please. Meals BL 3. Gold Country / The Yosemite Valley Venture through Gold Rush country and into the Sierra Nevada – then look around in awe as you arrive at the valley that so inspired conservationist John Muir... and led to the creation of Yosemite National Park. Spend two nights amidst soaring cathedral ceilings and massive stone fireplaces at The Ahwahnee, a National Historic Landmark in the heart of the park. Dine à la carte in the award-winning Ahwahnee Dining Room with its floor-to-ceiling windows. Meals BLD 4. Yosemite National Park With names like Bridalveil Falls, Half Dome, El Capitan and Cathedral Spires, Yosemite’s legendary wonders are yours to behold on a day of discovery that begins with Tauck’s private two-hour walking tour with a local naturalist, and continues with the rest of the day free to explore the park’s magnificent waterfalls, glacier-hewn gorges, granite peaks and remarkable wildlife as you please. Enjoy dinner on your own tonight, surrounded by The Ahwahnee’s imposing stonework and intriguing Native American art. Meals B 5. Across Lush Valleys to Monterey After a visit to the Mariposa Museum and History Center, traverse the farmland of the San Joaquin Valley – dubbed “America’s Salad Bowl” – to sleepy Merced. Then it’s on to the Pacific Coast and Carmel-by-the-Sea, a lovely coastal village with a longstanding reputation as an artists’ colony. Spend some time browsing the art galleries and boutiques before arriving in Monterey for a two-night stay. Dine this evening at one of Monterey’s fine restaurants. Meals BLD 6. Monterey Bay Aquarium / 17-Mile Drive Awaken at the new InterContinental the Clement Monterey, close to your next destination – the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, showcasing some 200 exhibits on marine life and one of the most respected aquariums in the world. Tour the Monterey Bay Peninsula, an enclave of impressive homes and lovely beaches; travel the 17-Mile Drive through Del Monte Forest to Cypress Point and the famed Pebble Beach golf course. The rest of the day is free in Monterey. Meals B 7. Big Sur and Hearst Castle Redwoods and elephant seals are just a few of the sights that await you along one of the most beautiful drives in the nation today – on Scenic Pacific Coast Highway 1, passing the rugged Big Sur coastline as it weaves its way southward along the ocean. Marvel at elaborately carved ceilings and other adornments on a walking tour of Hearst Castle at San Simeon, the grandiose estate of publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst – who referred to the 165-room Spanish-Moorish mansion as ”the ranch,” and tinkered with it so much during the 27 years he resided there that it was never completed in his lifetime! Arrive at The Cliffs Resort, overlooking the Pacific on Shell Beach. Meals BLD 8. Santa Barbara / Los Angeles Silhouetted against the Santa Ynez Mountains, seaside Santa Barbara is your next stop along the ”Gold Coast.” See the Mediterranean architecture of the old courthouse, with free time to explore the city. Continue on to glamorous Los Angeles, America’s second-largest city and entertainment capital. Visit the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles’ Getty Center, featuring an extensive collection of pre-20th-century European art and sculpture, antiquities, and photographs by many of the world’s famous artists. Evoking the grandeur of a century ago, your landmark Pasadena hotel – The Langham Huntington, Pasadena, Los Angeles – is a retreat from the bustle of the city, long favored by celebrities. Meals BD 9. Hollywood / Capistrano / San Diego It‚’s “Hooray for Hollywood” as you explore the historic movie capital, including Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, Sunset Strip and Grauman’s Chinese Theater. Head south to San Juan Capistrano, the mission town famous for the swallows that arrive each March; spend some free time before winding your way along the breathtaking Pacific Coast to San Diego. Your home for the next two nights enjoys a prestigious waterfront location on Mission Island, boasting panoramic views of both San Diego Bay and the San Diego city skyline. Meals BD 10. Inside the San Diego Zoo Home to more than 4,000 animals representing over 800 species, the San Diego Zoo at Balboa Park is the largest zoo in the world. Tauck takes you on a private insider’s tour of this acclaimed international wildlife experience today, boasting some of earth’s rarest animals and considered one of the most progressive institutions of its kind. Enjoy some great panda-watching opportunities, and watch river hippos and polar bears cavort underwater as you take a close-up look at wildlife from all over the world in exhibits that replicate their natural habitats. Following your memorable zoo visit, your afternoon is free; a quest to discover San Diego’s historical and cultural attractions might include exploration of lively Old Town, or perhaps a visit to Seaport Village or the USS Midway Museum. We invite you to join us this evening for a special farewell cocktail reception and exclusive dinner cruise on the shimmering waters of San Diego Bay. Meals BD 11. Journey Home Tour ends: San Diego. Fly home anytime. A transfer to San Diego International Airport is included from Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina; checkout time is 12:00 PM. You should allow a minimum of two hours at the airport for your flight check-in. Meals B | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Optionals & Add-Ons |
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Your Itinerary |
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| Day 1: Arrive San Francisco Tour begins: 5:30 PM at The Westin St. Francis. A transfer is included from San Francisco International Airport to The Westin St. Francis. Join us tonight for a welcome cocktail reception and dinner at your hotel, a beloved San Francisco landmark that has kept watch over Union Square in the city’s heart since 1904. Overnight: The Westin St. Francis, San Francisco, CA Meals Included: Dinner Day 2: City Tour / Wine Country Nob Hill... Chinatown... Fisherman’s Wharf... Lombard Street... see these celebrated San Francisco destinations and more on a city tour. Then cross the majestic Golden Gate Bridge and head north to the Sonoma Valley, home to some of the world’s finest vineyards. After a tour, tasting and picnic lunch at the Viansa Winery, return to San Francisco to explore as you please. Overnight: The Westin St. Francis, San Francisco, CA Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch Day 3: Gold Country / The Yosemite Valley Venture through Gold Rush country and into the Sierra Nevada – then look around in awe as you arrive at the valley that so inspired conservationist John Muir... and led to the creation of Yosemite National Park. Spend two nights amidst soaring cathedral ceilings and massive stone fireplaces at The Ahwahnee, a National Historic Landmark in the heart of the park. Dine à la carte in the award-winning Ahwahnee Dining Room with its floor-to-ceiling windows. Overnight: The Ahwahnee, Yosemite National Park, CA Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Day 4: Yosemite National Park With names like Bridalveil Falls, Half Dome, El Capitan and Cathedral Spires, Yosemite’s legendary wonders are yours to behold on a day of discovery that begins with Tauck’s private two-hour walking tour with a local naturalist, and continues with the rest of the day free to explore the park’s magnificent waterfalls, glacier-hewn gorges, granite peaks and remarkable wildlife as you please. Enjoy dinner on your own tonight, surrounded by The Ahwahnee’s imposing stonework and intriguing Native American art. Overnight: The Ahwahnee, Yosemite National Park, CA Meals Included: Breakfast Day 5: Across Lush Valleys to Monterey After a visit to the Mariposa Museum and History Center, traverse the farmland of the San Joaquin Valley – dubbed “America’s Salad Bowl” – to sleepy Merced. Then it’s on to the Pacific Coast and Carmel-by-the-Sea, a lovely coastal village with a longstanding reputation as an artists’ colony. Spend some time browsing the art galleries and boutiques before arriving in Monterey for a two-night stay. Dine this evening at one of Monterey’s fine restaurants. Overnight: InterContinental The Clement Monterey, CA Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Day 6: Monterey Bay Aquarium / 17-Mile Drive Awaken at the new InterContinental the Clement Monterey, close to your next destination – the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, showcasing some 200 exhibits on marine life and one of the most respected aquariums in the world. Tour the Monterey Bay Peninsula, an enclave of impressive homes and lovely beaches; travel the 17-Mile Drive through Del Monte Forest to Cypress Point and the famed Pebble Beach golf course. The rest of the day is free in Monterey. Overnight: InterContinental The Clement Monterey, CA Meals Included: Breakfast Day 7: Big Sur and Hearst Castle Redwoods and elephant seals are just a few of the sights that await you along one of the most beautiful drives in the nation today – on Scenic Pacific Coast Highway 1, passing the rugged Big Sur coastline as it weaves its way southward along the ocean. Marvel at elaborately carved ceilings and other adornments on a walking tour of Hearst Castle at San Simeon, the grandiose estate of publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst – who referred to the 165-room Spanish-Moorish mansion as ”the ranch,” and tinkered with it so much during the 27 years he resided there that it was never completed in his lifetime! Arrive at The Cliffs Resort, overlooking the Pacific on Shell Beach. Overnight: The Cliffs Resort, Shell Beach, CA Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Day 8: Santa Barbara / Los Angeles Silhouetted against the Santa Ynez Mountains, seaside Santa Barbara is your next stop along the ”Gold Coast.” See the Mediterranean architecture of the old courthouse, with free time to explore the city. Continue on to glamorous Los Angeles, America’s second-largest city and entertainment capital. Visit the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles’ Getty Center, featuring an extensive collection of pre-20th-century European art and sculpture, antiquities, and photographs by many of the world’s famous artists. Evoking the grandeur of a century ago, your landmark Pasadena hotel – The Langham Huntington, Pasadena, Los Angeles – is a retreat from the bustle of the city, long favored by celebrities. Overnight: The Langham Huntington, Pasadena / Los Angeles, Pasadena, CA Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner Day 9: Hollywood / Capistrano / San Diego It’s “Hooray for Hollywood” as you explore the historic movie capital, including Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, Sunset Strip and Grauman’s Chinese Theater. Head south to San Juan Capistrano, the mission town famous for the swallows that arrive each March; spend some free time before winding your way along the breathtaking Pacific Coast to San Diego. Your home for the next two nights enjoys a prestigious waterfront location on Mission Island, boasting panoramic views of both San Diego Bay and the San Diego city skyline. Overnight: Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, San Diego, CA Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner Day 10: Inside the San Diego Zoo Home to more than 4,000 animals representing over 800 species, the San Diego Zoo at Balboa Park is the largest zoo in the world. Tauck takes you on a private insider’s tour of this acclaimed international wildlife experience today, boasting some of earth’s rarest animals and considered one of the most progressive institutions of its kind. Enjoy some great panda-watching opportunities, and watch river hippos and polar bears cavort underwater as you take a close-up look at wildlife from all over the world in exhibits that replicate their natural habitats. Following your memorable zoo visit, your afternoon is free; a quest to discover San Diego’s historical and cultural attractions might include exploration of lively Old Town, or perhaps a visit to Seaport Village or the USS Midway Museum. We invite you to join us this evening for a special farewell cocktail reception and exclusive dinner cruise on the shimmering waters of San Diego Bay. Overnight: Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, San Diego, CA Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner Day 11: Journey Home Tour ends: San Diego. Fly home anytime. A transfer to San Diego International Airport is included from Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina; checkout time is 12:00 PM. You should allow a minimum of two hours at the airport for your flight check-in. Overnight: Meals Included: Breakfast |
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Dates & Prices |
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Specials |
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Tauck Tour Deals Traveling with a group of friends or family can add to the joy of any journey.
Book a group of 10 on any Tauck land journey or cruise and the 11th guest travels FREE.
Book a group of 8 on any Tauck Bridges family adventure and the 9th guest travels FREE Tauck Single Specials For those seeking singles tours, we are pleased to offer special values on select departures to our guests who choose to travel solo. You can travel with peace of mind, knowing that you are among like-minded travelers and will have all the day-to-day details handled for you! While everyone is welcome, on these select dates we offer special arrangements to those traveling solo at a reduced cost.
Tauck Single Specials in North America
Michigan's Lakes & Mackinac Island Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia San Fransisco, Sonoma & Napa Valleys
Tauck Single Specials in Europe
A Week in Ireland A Week in Spain Mediterranean Discovery Istanbul and the Black Sea Treasure of the Mediterranean Cruising Mediterranean Shores The Blue Danube Holland Belgium in Spring Strasbourg to Prague Serenade The Rhine and Moselle Budapest to Amsterdam by Riverboat Budapest to the Black Sea Classic Italy Bellissima Northern Italy Italian Lakes, Venice, Florence and Rome A Week in Paris and Provence
Tauck Singles Specials in Latin America
Panama Canal & Costa Rica |
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| Important Note: All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to confirm availability and pricing. |
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