Description
Includes: Transfers to SeaTac, Roundtrip Non-stop Air on Alaska to Burbank, 5 Nights Hotels, Winter Whale Watch Cruise, Santa Barbara Mission or Old Town, Danish Solvang, Pismo Beach Monarch Grove, Hearst Castle Highlights Tour Elephant Seal Vista Point, Elk Horn Slough Estuary, Santa Cruise Pier, Golden Gate Bridge, Welcome Dinner, Breakfast Each Morning Singles Add $398
Day 1 Fly to Burbank and Head for California’s
Wild and Scenic Coast
Afternoon non stop flight on Alaska Air to Burbank. From here it is only 12 hours to the Golden Gate Bridge along highway 101 and breathtaking Hwy 1, but our journey will last six days and five nights as we take our time seeing the charming seaside towns and sites along the way. D
Day 2 Channel Island Whales, Santa Barbara Mission
The Santa Barbara Channel was designated the 9th Whale Heritage Area in the world. Board our boat for a 3-3.5 hour narrated cruise to view migrating Gray Whales. Seals, Sea Lions and several species of Dolphins along with occasional Orca Whale pods. Continue along the coastal highway to Santa Barbara. You will have a choice of shopping and exploring historic Old Town or taking a tour of the Mission built in 1786. Continue towards Danish Solvang. B
Day 3 Danish Solvang, San Luis Obispo Mission,
Pismo Beach Monarch Butterflies
You’ll be treated to a late check out with time to explore this charming Danish town. Then head to the beach towns and explore the historic Mission Plaza of San Luis Obispo. Continue to the Pismo Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove, one of only five sites in the state that has counts of over 10,000 butterflies annually. This years count 16,500.
Day 4 Hearst Castle, Elephant Seals
& Cruising Historic Hwy 1 to Carmel by the Sea
The Pacific Coast Highway is known for its eye-catching views, twists and turns. To really appreciate all it’s beauty, we will be taking two full days and 1 night to reach Half Moon Bay, just outside San Francisco. This morning arrive Hearst Castle for a guided tour. Highlights include the Grand Assembly Room, Refectory, Billiard Room, Theater, Gardens, Neptune and Roman Pools. Your choice of general tour with 160 steps (not all at once) or the specially designed accessibly one. Admission also includes a ticket to “Building the Dream” in the Hearst Castle Theater. As we head north towards Carmel by the Sea, make a stop at the Elephant Seal Vista viewpoint. Every year, up to 18,000 elephant seals arrive at this 4-mile stretch of beach. B
Day 5 Cruising Hwy 1 to Half Moon Bay,
Elk Horn Slough Wildlife Cruise and Santa Cruz Pier
This is Hwy 1 less traveled. Take a narrated cruise through The Elkhorn Slough, one of California’s largest and most spectacular wetlands one of 22 national estuarine research reserves in the USA It has a resident population of Sea Otters and hosts over 300 bird species. Santa Cruz boasts a lengthy pier that extends into Monterey Bay and features various eateries and shops. B
Day 6 Golden Gate Bridge and Charming Sausalito,
Return Flight Home
Ride across the famous Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito. It’s known for its Richardson Bay houseboat enclaves, built by artist squatters after WWII, epic collection of specialty shops and cafes. Return back to the Oakland airport for your return flight back to Sea-Tac landing at 8:30pm. B
Cen: 9:30am Gra: 9:50am Tum: 10:10am Oly: 10:30am Tac: 11:00am