Christmas at the Castle

Explore Hearst Castle in all its Christmas splendor. You’ll get the opportunity to view the castle during the day and again at night as we enjoy an evening tour with docents dressed in period costume. This is truly an experience you won’t soon forget!

Quick Information

The tour includes home pickup, roundtrip transportation aboard SuperCoach III, accommodations, five meals (4 lunches, 1 dinner), all tours and attractions listed, and the services of a Sports Leisure Tour Director.
1050/1150 Gold Passport Points.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1

Travel on board SuperCoach III to Salinas for lunch at New Awakenings, a wonderful downtown eatery. At the National Steinbeck Center learn more about the author and his stories that were a reflection of our nation during his lifetime. Continue on to San Luis Obispo and one of the most delightful inns you have ever experienced and this time of year it will be fully decorated for Christmas. Enjoy dinner tonight with your travel companions. Apple Farm Inn – 2 nights (L,D)
Day 2

Take in the views of the ocean today from Avila Beach, a quiet little town on San Luis Obispo Bay. Lunch is included at the Old Custom House, a waterfront favorite of the locals. Visit the Avila Valley Barn to enjoy a taste of old-fashioned holiday spirit. This evening catch the local trolley for a ride about town and follow the aroma…barbecued ribs, freshly picked produce (yes, even in December), arts and crafts, and live entertainment… it’s San Luis Obispo’s Farmer’s Market. (L)
Day 3

Journey back in time as you visit Hearst Castle, the former home of larger-than-life publisher William Randolph Hearst. The daytime tour includes the main guest house, the dining room and the grounds. Lunch is included in the town of Cambria before checking into your accommodations for the final night, situated on the bluffs above the Pacific in San Simeon. Tonight return to Hearst Castle for the popular evening tour. It features docents dressed in period costumes to make you feel like you are experiencing life at the castle as Heart’s own guest may have in the 1930’s. While both tours require walking up and down over 300 steps, it’s an awesome experience you won’t soon forget. Best Western Cavalier (L)
Day 4

Travel through the Santa Lucia Mountains to enjoy the beauty and bounty of the region surrounding Paso Robles. We will enjoy lunch at yet another “castle” before returning to Sacramento with a stop at Casa de Fruita, a true shopper’s paradise. Arrive in Sacramento in the early evening. (L)