The Gardens of California
Join us on
this springtime tour to Northern California. You don't have to be a gardener to
enjoy this adventure. Just let your senses tune into the beauty of the gardens
and the scent of the sea air. Late March and April are the perfect months to
visit the magnificent formal gardens along the coast. For gardeners and non
gardeners alike the tour includes San Francisco's outstanding museums, such as
the new Academy of Sciences, as well as the exciting Castello
Di Amorosa, Napa Valley's premier castle winery.
Day 1 - Saturday, March 27th, Includes
Supper
It's 'All
Aboard' as we board the Coast Starlight in Oxnard and travel northbound to
Salinas. For those departing from Mission Viejo or Glendale, you may board
our motor coach at the college campus for a drive to Oxnard where you will join
passengers from Ventura County. All luggage will
be stored on our motor coach while we travel in comfort on a scenic six hour
train ride along the coast. Lunch on your own while on
board Amtrak. An evening arrival brings us to Salinas. Our motor
coach will be waiting for us at the station to transfer us to Pacific
Grove's Lighthouse Lodge for a two night stay. Our lodge is located within
one block of the spectacular Pacific Ocean, beaches,
and an historic lighthouse. Here you'll come to find an abundance of
nature, seascapes and small town charm. A casual supper of hot dogs and
hamburgers awaits us.
Awaken each
morning to a complimentary chef prepared breakfast, served cooked to order.
Served in the dining room or perhaps you may call for Breakfast in Bed
service. Bask in the early morning light as you stroll down to the beach
or visit the historic Lighthouse. Then spend the rest of the day
sightseeing in Carmel, Monterey and Pacific Grove, we join our hosts at the Inn
this evening for a Poolside Barbecue of hamburgers and hot dogs.
Monterey Peninsula to San Francisco
Day 3 - Monday, March 29, Includes
Breakfast
After checking out of our hotel, we journey up the peninsula visiting gardens
along the way. First we tour the Elizabeth Gardens and Mansion, then off
to Stanford University to tour the campus with their outstanding collections of
sculptures. Time for lunch on your own at one of the cafes or
cafeteria. Then enjoy a brief visit
to Sunset Magazine demonstration gardens before continuing to San
Francisco. Late afternoon sightseeing before arriving at our hotel, the luxurious Parc
55, for a three night stay. Our hotel, located off Union Square with its
exquisite shops and Powell St. cable car, has on-site
restaurants, a cocktail lounge, and a fitness center. Dinner on your own
and an evening tour of Chinatown.
Filoli Mansion, Golden
Gate Park Museums
Day 4 - Tuesday,
March 30
Morning
departure for the Filoli Estate for a two hour docent
guided tour. The estate includes a 43-room mansion and 16 acres of themed
formal gardens. For those who have visited Filoli
Estates and prefer to spend the morning in San Francisco, a shuttle will be
available to transfer you to Golden Gate Park to join the remainder of our tour
group at 12:30 PM. Lunch is on your own. Upon our arrival at the Golden Gate
Park, we visit the new Academy of Sciences,
named by Conde' Nast Traveler as one of the 'New
Wonders of the World.' Your admission includes access to all museums and
aquarium exhibits, the rainforest, the living roof,
and the planetarium shows. Then we visit the de Young Museum and, time
permitting, stop at the Legion of Honor before returning to the Parc 55 Hotel. Evening on your own.
Napa Valley
Day 5 - Wednesday, March 31, includes
Lunch
Spend the
day enjoying the scenery as we travel to Napa Valley. Our first stop will be to
the new and exciting Castle Di Amorosa. The Tuscan-style castle is the crowning
achievement of California vintner Daryl Sattui, who
spent $30 million over 13 years building his dream. The owner, concerned about
authenticity, imported chestnut timbers, five-inch-thick doors from Italy, and
hired masons to shape every stone by hand. Beneath the castle is a two-acre
barrel cellar and tasting room where, after our castle tour, we will sip wines
from chardonnay to “super Tuscan“ mélange of California-grown cabernet and
merlot. Lunch will be included in addition to another
stop along the Napa Wine Trail. Upon our return to the Parc 55 Hotel, your evening is free to enjoy.
Travel Home
Day 6 - Thursday, April 1, Includes lunch
Breakfast on your own at the hotel or nearby coffee shops.
Luggage will be collected by the bellmen and brought to the coach before our
departure from the Parc 55 Hotel. On the way
home, you are invited to be our guest for lunch at the famed Madonna
Inn. Have a fun trip and thank you for traveling with us!
From $800 double occupancy or $1,100
single occupancy
Tour Price includes:
·
One way fare on Amtrak Coast Starlight - Oxnard to
Salinas
·
Deluxe Motor Coach Tour
·
Services of a professional Tour Director
·
Luggage Handling throughout (One Bag per person)
·
5 Nights Hotel Accommodations as listed or similar
·
Six Meals (2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Casual
Dinners)
·
Castle and winery tour
·
Admission to two gardens and two museums
Prices do
not include: meals, unless listed, incidentals, and gratuities (Tour Director,
$5 per person per day is customary. And for the Motor coach Driver $4-$5 per
day)
Departures and Parking
Glendale
College Campus (a parking permit will be issued).
Upper Parking Lot B, Mountain St.
& SR-2 Glendale Fwy.
Orange County at Saddleback College
Mission Viejo Lot #1, enter on Avery Boulevard.
Parking permits may be purchased from dispenser.
Ventura - The Museum of Ventura County
Oxnard Amtrak Depot or nearby location (will
advise)
Glendale College 818-240-1000 Ext. 5015
Saddleback College 949-582-4646
Museum of Ventura County 805-641-1876 Ext 305
Contact Information, for Reservations or
Questions
Glendale
College 818-240-1000 Ext. 5015
Saddleback College 949-582-4646
Museum of Ventura County 805-641-1876 Ext 305 or membership@venturamuseum.org
For
additional information or to reserve a space on the tour contact:
Loretta at
805-641-3131, lorettadubois@gmail.com
Email
Loretta at lorettadubois@gmail.com
Loretta DuBois, California Discovery Tours
1015 Belfast Lane
Ventura, CA 93001
Payment Due Date:
Reservations
may be held without deposit by contacting Loretta Dubois. For full final tour payment,
please refer to the group itinerary, college program or museum newsletter.
Cancellations:
Refunds for
cancellations (less a processing fee) will be given if you space can be resold.
For trip cancellation and emergency medical insurance, see the information on
website travel insurance.
Clothing:
Casual
clothes for traveling and comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
Dressy casual for any evening events in San Francisco you wish to go to. Days
may be mild but evening and motor coach travel will warrant a warm
jacket. Please refer to weather reports closer to the date of the
trip. Don't forget a camera and plenty of film or megabytes for the
outstanding scenery you will see. Flashlights come in handy and binoculars add
a great dimension to sightseeing too!
Wheelchairs and Health Issues - Please
Read Carefully:
The 2-story
Lodges may not have elevators, please advise us if you prefer a first floor at
these hotels. Many of the tours require participation in excursions that
can, by their nature, be physically demanding. Higher elevations, walking
tours, traveling a long distance on a motor coach with limited access to your
luggage, in addition to being exposed to weather changes, are a few experiences
you may encounter on tours. Medical attention may be several hours to a day
away in case of emergency. Thus you should only participate in these outings if
you are free of any physical disability that would limit your participation. If
you have any doubt about your ability to safely participate in the activities
you should consult your physician and notify us of medical concerns prior or
within three days of confirming this tour reservation.
On this tour, the group will be traveling by
motor coach for a full day, with stops every two to three hours for
refreshments. Some facilities can accommodate wheelchairs and the
hotel telephone numbers are listed on our itinerary for your reference.
It is important that you notify us immediately if you will be using a
wheelchair or require any special assistance and we can advise you accordingly.
Participants needing assistance must have an attendant companion to take full
responsibility for them and must provide their own collapsible wheelchair.
Responsibility:
Loretta
DuBois, California Discovery Tours, (Loretta DuBois Tours), Museum of
Ventura County, community colleges and tour directors act strictly as agents
for travel arrangements and are not responsible for any damages a customer may
suffer due to the negligence of any individual entrusted with service. We shall
not be held liable for personal injury, property damages or delays due to
mechanical difficulties, weather conditions or any circumstances beyond our
control.