Californias Gold Coast

•   A privately guided walk with a naturalist during a two-night stay at The Ahwahnee® in Yosemite National Park who shares insights on its wildlife, geology and history

Day 1: Arrive San Francisco
A transfer is included from San Francisco International Airport to The Westin St. Francis for a two-night stay. California dreams become reality tonight at our welcome cocktail reception and dinner at your hotel. A beloved San Francisco landmark that has kept watch over Union Square since 1904, The Westin St. Francis is inextricably entwined with the city itself.
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... the names alone evoke iconic visions of cityscapes that have made San Francisco famous around the world. Today’s city sightseeing excursion includes a mix of must-see sights and cultural delights to give you a well-paced overview of the “City by the Bay.” Cross the Golden Gate Bridge – one of the most beautiful and oft-photographed bridges in the world – and head north to Sonoma Valley, the birthplace of wine in California. Enjoy a tasting tour at a Sonoma winery, reflecting the essence of local wine-making; your travels take you through rolling hills blanketed in vineyards before returning to San Francisco to explore as you wish. Dinner is on your own tonight in a city known for its variety of restaurants and unique culinary treats.
Overnight: The Westin St. Francis, San Francisco, CA
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 3: Gold Country and the Yosemite Valley
Speculators from around the world rushed to California in the 1800s to find their fortune in the rich mountain veins and rivers of gold country. You won’t be rushed today as we step back in time to the days of the Forty-niners in Jamestown at the foot of the Sierra Nevadas – look around and see remnants of the town’s boom and bust periods as you stop for lunch at the historic National Hotel, an area landmark since 1858. Next up are the scenic treasures and great valley that so inspired conservationist John Muir... and led to the creation of Yosemite National Park. Spend two nights at The Ahwahnee®, a National Historic Landmark in the heart of the park that was specifically designed to highlight its natural surroundings – Half Dome, Glacier Point and Yosemite Falls; a testimony to the relationship between architecture and nature. The lodge boasts soaring cathedral ceilings and massive stone fireplaces, with richly hued Native American artwork. Dine at your leisure tonight in the Ahwahnee Dining Room – floor-to-ceiling windows offer spectacular views of Yosemite’s wilderness, and perhaps some wildlife.
Overnight: The Ahwahnee, Yosemite National Park, CA
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4: Yosemite National Park
The entire day is yours to do as you wish in Yosemite; your accommodations put you right in the center of it all. Begin your explorations with Tauck’s private two-hour walking tour – led by a local naturalist, this is a great way to learn about the stories behind natural wonders like Bridalveil Falls, whose wind-driven waters take on the appearance of a delicate veil; El Capitan, the largest granite monolith in the world; and Cathedral Spires and Rocks, doubly impressive in height and size! There are more waterfalls, glacier-hewn gorges, granite peaks and remarkable wildlife within easy access of your wilderness lodge. Optional park activities are available at an additional charge, including a tram tour of Yosemite’s valley floor and an excursion to Glacier Point for a remarkable vantage point to view the valley below.
Overnight: The Ahwahnee, Yosemite National Park, CA
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 5: Across Lush Valleys to Monterey
Leave Yosemite after breakfast today for an exclusive visit and demonstration of early mining equipment at the Mariposa Museum and History Center. Then it’s time to travel on to the California coast, passing through the farmland of the San Joaquin Valley – along with the Salinas Valley, the two regions have been dubbed “America’s Salad Bowl” due to their production of citrus fruit, leafy vegetables and nuts. Stop in Merced for lunch, then the scenic feast continues in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Founded as a small artists’ colony, today it is one of the hottest tourist destinations in the state, thanks to its celebrity residents and its undeniably romantic charm. Enjoy time at leisure, browsing in art galleries and boutiques, before arriving in another incredibly beautiful Pacific gem – seaside Monterey.
Overnight: InterContinental The Clement Monterey, CA
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 6: Monterey Bay Aquarium / 17-Mile Drive
Your accommodations at the InterContinental the Clement Monterey are next door to the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium; Tauck’s guided tour of the aquarium showcases some of the 200 marine life exhibits that make it one of the most respected aquariums in the world. Drive out to the Monterey Bay Peninsula, viewing a parade of impressive homes and lovely beaches, and travel along the 17-Mile Drive, renowned as one of the most scenic coastal routes in the world. Many of the sights you’ll pass by this afternoon may look familiar; several have been in films with such stars as Elizabeth Taylor, Dean Martin and Marlon Brando. You’ll be back in Monterey in the afternoon, where the rest of the day is free for you to enjoy as you wish.
Overnight: InterContinental The Clement Monterey, CA
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 7: Big Sur and Hearst Castle
Redwoods and seals are just a few of the sights that may be seen today on a drive along the scenic Pacific Coast Highway #1 as it follows the Big Sur coastline – this drive was named one of National Geographic’s “Ultimate Road Trips” and is considered one of the world’s best drives. Stroll the manicured grounds and explore Hearst Castle during a guided visit that reveals the grandiose lifestyle of publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst, who referred to this 165-room Spanish-Moorish mansion as “the ranch.” He tinkered with it so much during the 27 years he lived there that it was never completed in his lifetime. Arrive at The Cliffs Resort on Shell Beach for a memorable night’s stay overlooking the Pacific Coast!
Overnight: The Cliffs Resort, Shell Beach, CA
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8: Santa Barbara / Pasadena / Los Angeles
Seaside Santa Barbara is your next stop along California’s Gold Coast. See the Spanish Mediterranean architecture of the old courthouse, designated a National Historic Landmark, before free time to explore the city. Journey on to Pasadena this afternoon to The Langham Huntington, Pasadena, Los Angeles – a short drive from the hustle and bustle of the city, this landmark retreat has long been favored by celebrities.
Overnight: The Langham Huntington, Pasadena, Los Angeles, Pasadena, CA
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 9: Hollywood / The Getty Museum
Explore glamorous “LA” today, where you’ll get a look at many iconic images including Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, Sunset Strip, the Kodak Theatre and Grauman’s Chinese Theater. Spend the afternoon at the J. Paul Getty Museum in Getty Center, featuring an extensive collection of pre-20th-century European art and sculpture, antiquities, and photographs. Enjoy the hotel’s beautiful grounds and diverse amenities this afternoon before our farewell reception and dinner tonight.
Overnight: The Langham Huntington, Pasadena, Los Angeles, Pasadena, CA
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 10: Journey Home
Tour ends: Los Angeles. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from The Langham Huntington, Pasadena, Los Angeles to the Los Angeles International Airport. Allow a minimum of two hours for flight check-in.
Overnight:
Meals Included: Breakfast

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
5/23/2012 - 6/2/2012	$3,990
5/30/2012 - 6/9/2012	$3,990
6/9/2012 - 6/19/2012	$3,990
6/13/2012 - 6/23/2012	$4,490
6/23/2012 - 7/3/2012	$3,990
7/4/2012 - 7/14/2012	$3,990
7/14/2012 - 7/24/2012	$4,490
7/25/2012 - 8/4/2012	$3,990
8/15/2012 - 8/25/2012	$3,990
8/25/2012 - 9/4/2012	$3,990
9/5/2012 - 9/15/2012	$3,990
9/15/2012 - 9/25/2012	$4,490
9/22/2012 - 10/2/2012	$4,490
9/26/2012 - 10/6/2012	$3,990
10/6/2012 - 10/16/2012	$4,490
10/17/2012 - 10/27/2012	$3,990
10/27/2012 - 11/6/2012	$3,990
Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

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