California Coast

br />From the big cities of San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego, to Mother Nature’s masterpiece, Yosemite National Park, you’ll see the sights and landmarks that make California so unforgettable. Witness the majestic Golden Gate Bridge. Tour glorious Hearst Castle and explore some if its 165 rooms and 127 acres. Travel along the breathtaking Big Sur Coast. Stay in the quaint Danish village of Solvang. Spend an afternoon in Santa Barbara, famous for its natural beauty. Stop at Graumann’s Chinese Theatre and see the popular Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Day 1: Arrive San Francisco, California - Tour Begins
Welcome as you join us on a scenic journey along California’s amazing coast. Your tour begins in “the City by the Bay,” San Francisco. Enjoy the ambiance of this lively city, known for its ethnic diversity and unique history.

Day 2: San Francisco
A local guide showcases the popular landmarks of San Francisco, including the Twin Peaks, the Golden Gate Bridge and Chinatown. Later, enjoy some leisure time to explore Fisherman’s Wharf where you may sample cracked crab and the renowned sourdough French bread. Shop in lively Union Square or visit Ghirardelli Square, once the site of one of the largest producers of chocolate in the country. For a true local experience, ride the famed cable cars up and down San Francisco’s thrilling hills as you sightsee.

Day 3: San Francisco - Yosemite National Park
Today you wind through the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountains en route to one of Mother Nature's greatest masterpieces, Yosemite National Park. While camping at the park in 1903, President Teddy Roosevelt called Yosemite "the most beautiful place in the world." Yosemite’s amazing waterfalls, unique rock formations, deep valleys, Alpine meadows and groves of beautiful trees will leave you awestruck as they did Ansel Adams, who lived in the park while taking his famous portfolio of striking photographs. Upon arrival, join your fellow travelers on an open-air tram* to view sites such as Yosemite Falls, Half Dome and El Capitan, as well as learn about the park's history, geology, and wildlife.

Day 4: Yosemite National Park - Monterey
Travel to Monterey, the city often called the greatest meeting of land, sea and sky. Monterey is home to the famed 17 Mile Drive, also known as one of the most breathtaking coastlines in the world. Along the drive you will pass through the Del Monte Forest and see such famous sights as the Lone Cypress Tree, perhaps the most photographed tree in the world; Seal Rock, where the seals may actually bark at you; and the Pebble Beach Golf Course. Next, travel to Old Monterey, the place where California’s statehood began in 1849, filled with lovingly restored historic buildings and Spanish adobes. An afternoon arrival will allow you time to independently explore charming Old Monterey and shop at Cannery Row, made famous by John Steinbeck.

Day 5: Monterey - Solvang
Journey 90 miles along the Big Sur Coast, flanked by the Santa Lucia Mountains and the sea sprayed, rocky Pacific, for a trip that will surely take your breath away. Upon arrival in San Simeon, you will visit one of the world’s greatest showplaces, the palatial mountaintop retreat of Hearst Castle, built by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst. Tour the Castle, built on a 40,000 acre ranch that Hearst frequently camped on as a child. Now a National Historic Landmark, Hearst was constantly building and rebuilding what he simply called "the ranch." As a result, the estate was not completed during Hearst's lifetime, and was later donated to the State of California in 1957. Explore some of its 165 rooms and 127 acres of gardens, terraces, pools and walkways. Later, arrive at the quaint Danish village of Solvang, in Santa Barbara County, known for its old-world architecture and flower-lined streets. After dinner a local Solvang native will thrill you with the history of the Danish people who settled this beautiful area.

Day 6: Solvang - Santa Barbara - Solvang
Founded in 1911 by a group of Danish educators, Solvang’s flower-lined streets and European shops and bakeries are the perfect setting for a morning stroll. Later, you'll leave for Santa Barbara, famous for its breathtaking setting and natural beauty fused from the dramatic mix of mountains, valleys, beaches, islands and the sea. Some free time allows you to explore the downtown area laced with pedestrian-friendly sidewalks and paseos, with the Santa Ynez Mountains as a lovely backdrop. You may prefer to grab a pedicab (Santa Barbara’s answer to the rickshaw) or hop aboard an eco-friendly electric shuttle to the waterfront area famous for Stearns Wharf which has been a part of the scene since 1872.

Day 7: Solvang - Los Angeles - San Diego
This morning, continue on your coastal journey to glittering Los Angeles, the “City of Angels,” and home to Universal Studios, as well as a host of your favorite musical and film celebrities. During your tour of Los Angeles, visit Graumann's Chinese Theatre, where nearly 200 movie stars have left their hand and foot prints, and see the popular Hollywood Walk of Fame. Tonight, arrive in California's second largest city, San Diego. Known for its ideal climate, 70 miles of pristine beaches, and world-class attractions, San Diego is bordered by the Pacific Ocean, Mexico, the Anza-Borrego Desert and the Laguna Mountains.

Day 8: San Diego
This morning, join a local guide for a comprehensive tour including downtown, the Gaslamp Quarter, Balboa Park, Coronado Island and Old Town San Diego. The afternoon is yours to experience San Diego at your leisure. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for dinner at a great local restaurant.

Day 9: San Diego - Tour Ends
Your tour ends today, but the memories will stay with you forever.

Don't miss our current specials: Free or Reduced Companion Air to Europe Check out these last minute SAVINGS provided by our airline partners who have offered special pricing for specific tours and dates only. As a result, we're delighted to offer you FREE or reduced companion air on select tours. See list of tours for details on our last minute offer applied to that specific tour when you make your air-inclusive booking. Some restrictions may apply, please call 800-942-3301 for details. Italian Vistas This 13 day trip has everything you've always wanted in a trip to Italy. Enjoy multiple night stays in Rome, Florence, Venice, the Amalfi coast and Stresa in the Lakes District. Discover the treasures of Classical and Christian Rome. Walk in the footsteps on the ancients in Pompeii. See the gems of the Renaissance in Florence's Academy Gallery, including Michelangelo's David. Visit Lugano, Switzerland, and cruise to Isola Bella, one of the scenic Borromean Islands. Reflections of Italy Revel in the magic of Italy on this 10-day tour that explores the cities of Rome, Florence, Venice, Assisi and Perugia. Travel the Tuscan and Umbrian countryside, exploring medieval hill towns and visiting the birthplace of St. Francis, Assisi. Discover the masterpieces of the Renaissance in Florence and see hot glass transformed into exquisite art on Murano Island. Linger in Venice for two nights before ending your journey in the lovely Italian Lake region. Cross the border and explore the Swiss resort town of Lugano. Spain's Classics Spain is a colorful pageant of art, history and culture, set against a backdrop that spans sunny Mediterranean shores and grand mountain ranges, dotted with groves of oranges and olives. Explore the priceless treasures in Madrid’s Prado Museum. Visit the exotic and expansive Alhambra palace, resplendent with Moorish regal flair. See Columbus’ tomb. Feel the passion of the Flamenco with reserved seating at a performance in Seville. Explore Valencia, Barcelona, Granada, Cordoba and Toledo. Travel the Sierra Nevada Canada's Winter Wonderland Immerse yourself in the ultimate winter wonderland — the Canadian Rockies. Hop aboard VIA Rail Canada's Snow Train Express and head for Jasper with spectacular views. Travel across the Icefields Parkway with breathtaking scenery. Relax at three Fairmont properties: Jasper Park Lodge, Château Lake Louise, and the Banff Springs Resort, each magically decorated for the holiday. Enjoy a cooking demonstration, kitchen tour and learn how to make your own holiday pastries FREE Door to Door Service Now Vacations Start at HOME! Don't worry about getting to the airport... because a vacation should be worry-free. With Collette Vacations, enjoy free round trip sedan service that takes you from your home to the airport when you purchase an air-inclusive Collette tour.* This personalized service - including gratuities - is available on new air-inclusive bookings to the South Pacific, Canada, and Europe; and on ALL Smithsonian Journeys Travel Adventures and Explorations by Collette tours. On departures May 2010 and beyond, Door to Door transfers are included with air-inclusive bookings to all destinations Great Savings • Added Comfort • More Convenience
Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
9/5/2010 - 9/14/2010	$1,999
9/12/2010 - 9/21/2010	$1,999
9/26/2010 - 10/5/2010	$1,999
10/10/2010 - 10/19/2010	$1,999
11/7/2010 - 11/16/2010	$1,999
3/27/2011 - 4/5/2011	$1,999
4/3/2011 - 4/12/2011	$1,999
4/10/2011 - 4/19/2011	$1,999
5/8/2011 - 5/17/2011	$1,999
5/22/2011 - 5/31/2011	$1,999
6/5/2011 - 6/14/2011	$1,999
6/12/2011 - 6/21/2011	$1,999
6/26/2011 - 7/5/2011	$1,999
7/10/2011 - 7/19/2011	$1,999
7/17/2011 - 7/26/2011	$1,999
8/14/2011 - 8/23/2011	$1,999
8/21/2011 - 8/30/2011	$1,999
8/28/2011 - 9/6/2011	$1,999
9/4/2011 - 9/13/2011	$1,999
9/18/2011 - 9/27/2011	$1,999
9/25/2011 - 10/4/2011	$1,999
10/9/2011 - 10/18/2011	$1,999
10/16/2011 - 10/25/2011	$1,999
11/6/2011 - 11/15/2011	$1,999
11/13/2011 - 11/22/2011	$1,999
3/25/2012 - 4/3/2012	$1,999
4/29/2012 - 5/8/2012	$1,999
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

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