DAY1 Los Angeles - Solvang - Hearst Castle

After departing Los Angeles at dawn, we will drive along the beautiful Pacific Coast Highway and stop in the Santa Ynez Valley’s quaint Danish Village of Solvang just before lunchtime, approx. 11:30 a.m. Antiquated windmills and Northern European-style architecture punctuate this charming village's skyline. Brilliant sunshine, boundless open country and rolling hills--these are the characteristics that inspired the original Danish immigrants who settled this area to call it "Solvang" or "Sunny Field.” Pour yourself a cup of aromatic European coffee and nibble a piece of world famous Danish pastry. Around 1:00 p.m., we will board the bus to make our way to the ornate Hearst Castle* in San Simeon, where we should arrive by 3:00 p.m. Built by the famous newspaper tycoon, William Randolph Hearst, at the cost of the millions of dollars, Hearst Castle and the surrounding estate boasts 165 rooms filled with priceless antiques and works of art, as well as an ornate gilt-bordered swimming pool. We will have two hours to explore the castle and grounds before we board the bus to take us to dinner and our hotel in the evening.

DAY2 San Francisco - Stanford University

This morning, the tour will head to San Francisco’s popular Chinatown for passengers to enjoy breakfast. After our meal, we’ll explore San Francisco, the beautiful City by the Bay! Our tour will visit the stately Palace of Fine Arts; the world famous Golden Gate Bridge; Lombard Street, the world’s most crooked street; the bustling tourist area still home to many commercial fisheries, Fishermen’s Wharf. Passengers may also choose to take a one and a half hour Bay Cruise* to experience the sights of San Francisco from the water, with views of the East Bay and beautiful city skyline, the stately Golden Gate and Bay Bridges, and the harbor islands, including the infamous Alcatraz Island, Angel Island and Treasure Island. Around 3:00pm, passengers may choose to spend some time at leisure in the city, or have the option of the Extensive City Tour* to visit sights such as St. Mary’s Cathedral, the principal Catholic church of San Francisco; Alamo Square; Twin Peaks; the Civic Center; and the Castro District, otherwise known as the gay capital of the world. After the tour concludes at approximately 5:15 p.m., we will make a trip to Stanford University, slightly less than an hour’s drive from the city. Recognized as one of the world's leading research and teaching institutions, the tranquil campus is home to a rich collection of historical and contemporary buildings. Just before 7:00 p.m., we will return to the city for dinner and a night’s rest at our hotel.

DAY3 Yosemite National Park - Los Angeles (314miles)

We will depart San Francisco early this morning for a trip to Yosemite National Park, gem of California’s National Park system and UNESCO World Heritage site, where we should arrive by 9:00 a.m. Located near the geographical center of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, Yosemite is comprised of granite rocks, mighty waterfalls and placid valleys, giving it an aspect of a "land of the gods." With its notable cliffs and unique carved rock formations, there is little doubt that water - in both its liquid and solid form as glacial ice - was the chief architect of Yosemite's landscapes. We will have close to two hours to experience this natural wonder up close, with stops for photo opportunities and exploration at such viewpoints as the El Capitan and Bridal Veil Falls, the mighty Yosemite Falls, and the Tunnel View. We leave the park before lunchtime to make our final drive back to Los Angeles, where we should at approximately 6:40 p.m.

Note: itinerary varies slightly depending on day of departure