California and The Grand Canyon

This morning our motorcoach will transport us to the Charlotte airport for our flight to San Diego. Dinner is included tonight. (D)

This morning we visit the world-famous San Diego Zoo, where you’ll find more than 3,200 wild animals representing more than 800 species. We’ll take a tram ride through the subtropical gardens that are the natural habitat for these fascinating animals. Just outside of Los Angeles we stop for a tour of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Birthplace. See personal effects of the former President, including exhibits from his tenure in the White House. We overnight near Anaheim.

This morning we take a riding tour of the “City of Angels,” Los Angeles. In the heart of Hollywood, you’ll recognize the familiar façade of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. We’ll make a brief stop here to take pictures of the footprints, hand prints, and autographs cast in the concrete outside the theatre’s doors. This afternoon we visit the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum in Simi Valley, built around a courtyard and set on a hilltop with beautiful views. The library contains memorabilia and photographs, gifts of state received during his administration, a full scale replica of the oval office, and a large section of the Berlin Wall. We overnight in Ventura.

Today we visit and explore the Hearst Castle at San Simeon. The “Enchanted Hill” is a princely domain of castles, mansions, theaters, pools, and tennis courts, all created by William Randolph Hearst as his home and retreat. We overnight in the beautiful area of Monterey.

We travel the spectacular “17 mile drive,” where we’ll watch in wonder at some of the most photographed rockbound coastline in the world. We make our way to San Francisco where we stay for the next two nights. San Francisco is the true capital of the West. Dinner is included this evening at Fisherman’s Wharf. D

San Francisco is a world-class destination, a favorite of international travelers and domestic travelers alike. From the Bay Bridge and Treasure Island to the far side of the Golden Gate Bridge on our city tour this morning, we’ll see it all. Tour highlights include the “painted ladies” Victorian Homes, Civic Center area, Union Square, Alamo Square, Lombard Street view, the Golden Gate Bridge, Nob Hill, China Town, Coit Tower, the Presidio and more. Enjoy the rest of your afternoon at leisure.

We travel to Yosemite National Park. On our 26-mile, two-hour, open air tram tour, rangers introduce some of Yosemite’s most famous sightseeing points in Yosemite Valley and describe the history, geology, plant and animal life of the region. You will see Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, El Capitan, Tunnel View, Bridal Veil Falls and more. We travel to Oakhurst for the night.

Today we marvel in wonder at the huge redwoods in Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks. We’ll spend most of the day in this area, stopping for pictures at the General Grant and General Sherman Trees. These two Sequoias reaching heights of more than 260 feet and have a circumference of more than 100 feet! We overnight in Visalia.

This morning we are entering the San Joaquin Valley, the great central California “Garden of the Sun.” This area claims the greatest annual agricultural production of any in the United States. We may see fruits being hand-picked in the fields, or cotton, grain or hay being harvested. Our tour guide will give us a tour of the area with some personal stories and history thrown in. We will have lunch in Bakersfield before traveling to Las Vegas for a two-night stay. (L)

Nevada’s largest city, Las Vegas, is a razzle-dazzle city of lights, shows, hotels, shopping, and casinos. Our hotel is located on the “strip,” making it easy for you to enjoy this exciting city at your leisure today. You may choose to add a special treat, a 3-hour guided Jeep tour of the "City of Lights," cruising the iconic Las Vegas strip, seeing many of the city's most wellknown landmarks. (Optional: approx. $90 per person).

Today we travel to the Grand Canyon, a spectacle so impressive that words just can’t describe it. It’s hard to grasp the reality of a cut that’s a mile deep and as much as 18 miles across and more than 200 miles long. (D)

Leaving the Grand Canyon we travel through Flagstaff into Oak Creek Canyon, a favorite filming location for motion picture makers. We ascend 2,000 feet up the most beautiful red cliffs to a picturesque lookout point. Lunch time finds us in Sedona, the beautiful artist’s resort town at the southern mouth of Oak Creek Canyon. You’ll have time to eat and shop in town. We overnight in Holbrook.

The 93,493 acres of the Petrified Forest include the most spectacular display of petrified wood in the world! The Rainbow Forest Museum depicts the process in detail. We also traverse a portion of the Painted Desert, located within the park. This erosion-slashed area of mesas, pinnacles, ledges, and almost completely treeless canyons is too unbelievable for words. Our day ends in 200-year-old Old Town Albuquerque.

All good things must come to an end, so this morning we are transported to the airport for our flight home.