2nd - 14th February 2010

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Day 1 –  Tuesday 2nd February
Depart UK on direct flight to Los Angeles. On arrival at Los Angeles airport, clear US customs and immigration to board your tour coach and transfer to downtown LA and check-in to your hotel.

In the afternoon there will be a guided sightseeing tour of Los Angeles including all the famous points of interest such as Hollywood, Beverley Hills, Rodeo Drive, Melrose Avenue and Sunset Strip. There will be the opportunity to purchase lunch at the well-known Farmer’s Market.

Get together dinner tonight at the hotel.

O/N LOS ANGELES (D)

O/N LOS ANGELES (B)

Day 3 – Thursday 4th February
Today depart Los Angeles this morning and drive north along the coastal highway as far as Santa Barbara and then head inland along the Santa Ynez valley. There will be a stop on a ranch for demonstration of horse handling skills, haywagon ride and barbecue lunch. For those who are interested there will also be the opportunity for a short trail ride on one of the ranch’s gentle Quarter Horses.

This afternoon continue along the Santa Ynez valley and stop at a vineyard for a tour and opportunity to sample some of the highly acclaimed wines produced in this region.

We arrive later in the town of San Luis Obispo. After checking into the hotel there will be the opportunity to explore the famous farmer’s market is held in the town every Thursday evening. There will be food, market stalls and live entertainment on offer.

O/N SAN LUIS OBISPO (BL)

Day 4 – Friday 5th February
This morning continue north via the Pacific Coastal Highway. Enjoy fantastic views as you head south along this spectacular coastal road. A stop will be made to visit the incredible Hearst Castle, the extravagant and palatial former home of William Randolph Hearst, the publishing mogul and inspiration for the Orson Welles film “Citizen Kane”.

Continue your scenic coastal drive this afternoon en route to Monterey this afternoon and visit the Fisherman’s Wharf and Cannery Row. Here there will be the opportunity to visit the world famous Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Dinner included this evening in a harbour front restaurant.

O/N MONTEREY (BD)

Day 5 – Saturday 6th February
The morning and early afternoon will be devoted to visiting some farms in the Salinas Valley, often referred to as the ‘salad bowl’ of the nation. The tour will focus on winter vegetable production including artichokes, broccoli and cauliflower. Lunch will be included locally. Continue to San Francisco later this afternoon and check in to your hotel in the downtown area.

O/N SAN FRANCISCO (BL)

Day 6 – Sunday 7th February
Depart this morning for a sightseeing tour of San Francisco, including the Fisherman’s Wharf, China Town, Little Italy and the Golden Gate Bridge.

The afternoon is free to enjoy this unique North American city. Optional activities might include a visit to Alcatraz, an island in the middle of San Francisco Bay that became the prison of choice for the most serious criminals because it was considered escape proof!

O/N SAN FRANCISCO (B)

Day 7 – Monday 8th February
Depart San Francisco this morning and head south along the San Joaquin Valley, one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world. Visit a large grower of permanent crops in the valley featuring such crops as citrus fruits, almonds, pistachios and pomegranates. Lunch will be included locally. This afternoon visit an organic dairy farm, one of the few remaining family owned and operated dairy farms in California.

O/N FRESNO (BL)

Day 8 - Tuesday 9th February
After breakfast depart for Yosemite National Park for a ‘Valley Floor Tour’, which provides an excellent overview of the area and main natural landmarks such as the Half-Dome and El Capitan. Witness some of the USA’s finest scenery.

Afterwards there will be the opportunity to purchase lunch before departing the national park area and returning to Fresno.

O/N FRESNO (B)

Day 9 – Wednesday 10th February
Depart early this morning for Tulare, where most of the day will be devoted to attending the World Ag Expo, the largest of its kind in North America, with some of the world’s most modern machinery on display. Later this afternoon depart show and continue south to Bakersfield.

Dinner included this evening.

O/N BAKERSFIELD (BD)

Day 10 – Thursday 11th February
Depart Bakersfield this morning and journey east entering the vast arid zone of the Mojave Desert with spectacular desert scenery on all sides. Make a stop en route at the abandoned mining town of Calico.

Later this afternoon arrive in Las Vegas, the entertainment capital of the USA. Once you have checked into your hotel your time is your own to explore the many attractions the city has to offer.

O/N LAS VEGAS (B)