Itinerary Details
Coastal California, Napa & The Central Valley With San Francisco Extension
Day 1: LOS ANGELES Your Small Group Discovery Tour Begins! At 6:00 p.m., meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome drink. Small groups lead to big experiences on this Small Group Discovery tour!
Day 2: LOS ANGELES–SANTA BARBARAAmerican Riviera Enjoy morning sightseeing on a Los Angeles city tour that takes you from Olvera Street, the oldest thoroughfare in the city, to Hollywood, the motion picture capital of the world. Depart Los Angeles for the “American Riviera,” Santa Barbara, and meet a Local Guide for a small group exclusive city tour including the Presidio District, State Street Promenade, and the Stearns Wharf. Explore the Santa Barbara Old Mission, the Queen of the Missions, and marvel at the Spanish colonial architecture, including the Santa Barbara Courthouse. Tonight, celebrate the stunning scenery with dinner on the waterfront. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
With a Mediterranean-like climate, sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and world-famous wines, Santa Barbara is also known for outstanding food, sailing, and historic missions. The Santa Barbara Courthouse is an iconic landmark, with the clocktower featured in movies and the Spanish colonial architecture an everlasting lesson in California history.
Day 3: SANTA BARBARA–SOLVANG–PASO ROBLES Coastal California Discover the Santa Barbara coastline on a cruise in the Santa Barbara Harbor. Travel through the Santa Ynez Mountains to the Danish town of Solvang and enjoy a local bakery treat. Continue to Paso Robles for a two-night stay. (B)
LOCAL FAVORITE
Stroll the streets of Solvang and feel as though you’ve entered a charming Danish town with picturesque buildings and shops, restaurants and windmills that create a taste of Denmark in California’s Santa Ynez Valley. Enjoy a traditional Danish pastry at Mortensen’s famous bakery.
Day 4: PASO ROBLES. SAN LUIS OBISPOSatisfied and Sustainable Meet the [LF] Junk Girls in San Luis Obispo and discover the art of sustainability. Explore their studio and shop for inspiration before working on your own project from recycled products during a Small Group Discovery Exclusive event. Explore local art murals in downtown San Luis Obispo, recognized as one of the “happiest” cities in the US. Continue to Paso Robles this afternoon to Cass Winery for a tour and tasting. Enjoy dinner and a special evening event at Sensorio, where art, technology, and nature intersect. (B,D)
LOCAL FAVORITE
The Junk Girls breathe new life into well-loved treasures. Using recycled, repurposed, vintage, and antique items from the USA, they refresh items for their store and workshop space in San Luis Obispo. The Junk Girls’ sustainability mission is in-step with the Globus family of brands Lighthouse Project; an initiative focused on sustainability and responsible travel.
Day 5: PASO ROBLES–SAN MIGUEL–MONTEREYCentral Coast Scents Depart Paso Robles for San Miguel, a small community in the Central Coast with a rich agricultural heritage. Tour a [LF] lavender farm and explore the fragrant fields as you learn about their small batch processing. Continue to Monterey, home to the famous Cannery Row. Immortalized by John Steinbeck in his novel of the same name, Cannery Row is filled with stories and vibrant sights along the waterfront of Monterey Bay. Consider a sunset cruise this evening or enjoy a walk on the pier for memorable views of the ocean. (B)
LOCAL FAVORITE
Walk through the lavender fields during a visit to a working farm and explore nature one row at a time. Learn the difference between culinary and aromatic lavender and experience the rolling hills, hand-cultivation process, and moderate valley temperatures, all essential for the best lavender crops.
Day 6: MONTEREY–CARMEL-BY-THE SEA–WINTERSSpectacular Scenery Explore Monterey this morning on an orientation tour before departing for the quaint resort town, Carmel-by-the-Sea. Enjoy a scenic drive along the famed 17-Mile Drive and marvel at views of the Pacific Ocean. Continue to Winters for a two-night stay. (B)
LOCAL FAVORITE
Feel the windswept spirit of the Pacific Ocean with a spectacular drive along 17-Mile Drive to the charming haven of Carmel-by-the-Sea. See its crooked cottages and twisted trees in the popular haunt of writers, artists, and celebrities. You’ll pass by sweeping sea views and rocky shores, visit the world-famous Pebble Beach Golf Links and see the iconic Lone Cypress clinging to its rocky perch.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Enjoy two nights at Hotel Winters, a boutique hotel in the heart of downtown. Surrounded by orchards, farms, and vineyards, the charming small town has delicious farm-to-table cuisine, easy walking trails, local shops, and tasting rooms.
Day 7: WINTERS. BROOKS–WOODLANDSavory and Slow Welcome to the Central Valley of California, home to a diverse range of agricultural products that feed the nation. Depart Winters for Seka Hills, an olive tree farm and olive oil production site where traditional Native American values are at the core of their commitment to sustainable agriculture. On a Small Group Discovery Exclusive tour, learn about olive oil production and the process of creating Seka Hills’ award-winning estate blends. Savor regional signature specialties for lunch while enjoying sweeping views of the orchard and rolling blue hills.
This afternoon, explore the honey and mead movement in the Central Valley with a tour and tasting with the owners at The Hive. (B,L)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
“Seka” means blue in Patwin language - Seka Hills honors the blue hills that overlook the tribe of Yocha Dehe’s homeland in Capay Valley. They developed the land with a focus on environmental stewardship and sustainable agriculture. Seka Hills reflects both the region’s agricultural heritage and the tribe’s long history in the area, blending cultural traditions with modern farming and hospitality.
Day 8: WINTERS–NAPACalifornia Gold Depart Winters for the rolling hills of Napa, a world-famous wine region with more than 400 producers. Experience the Napa region on a Small Group Discovery Exclusive private tour of the area with a local guide and enjoy lunch at the Oxbow Public Market, a vibrant food marketplace in downtown Napa. Then, go beyond the corridor of Highway 29 for a private tour and tasting at a local winery. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
The deep-rooted vines of Napa Valley produce world-class wine and put Northern California on the world wine map in 1976, when a blind-tasting competition in France yielded winning results for Napa Valley wineries. Napa has serene countryside trails for walking, hot springs wellness experiences, a lively music scene and rich culinary choices to complement the vineyards and farms.
Day 9: NAPA. SONOMAThe Vineyards are Calling Explore Sonoma this morning on a sightseeing tour. Like the Napa Valley, Sonoma is also a well-known wine producer, but has cooler temperatures influenced by the Pacific Ocean. Later, enjoy leisure time to explore additional wineries, stroll through local parks, or consider a bike ride for scenic views of the area. Return to Napa, where your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)
ENHANCED FREE TIME
Explore more in the Sonoma and Napa area. Your Tour Director has suggestions for local activities.
Day 10: SAN FRANCISCOCity by the Bay Wave goodbye to your Tour Director and Driver and continue your two-night stay in captivating San Francisco with free time to explore. Enjoy a hop-on, hop-off bus pass to tour the city of San Francisco on your own. . Enjoy free time to explore the city at your own pace.(B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
The Golden Gate Bridge was built in 1937 and is an iconic symbol of San Francisco. The suspension bridge connects San Francisco to Marin County and is an engineering marvel, as the road is suspended by cables and anchored at the end of the 1.7-mile-long bridge.
Day 11: SAN FRANCISCOThe Gold City A full free day to explore San Francisco on your own.
ENHANCED FREE TIME
Explore more in San Francisco with a ride on a cable car, bike ride over the Golden Gate Bridge to scenic Sausalito, a walk by the Painted Ladies, lunch at the Wharf, or a visit to the Presidio.
Day 12: SAN FRANCISCO Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
