18 Days
April 18 - May 5 2007
DINNER AT MULATE'S/ LAFAYETTE, LA: We depart this morning on our exciting journey west. After traveling through Mississippi, we spend our first night in Lafayette. This evening we will enjoy an authentic Cajun dinner at Mulate's. (D)
DAY 2: GULF OF MEXICO/ FREE AFTERNOON/ GALVESTON, TX: From Cajun country we enter the Lone Star State of Texas to Galveston, our destination for the night. Gaslights, stately Victorian buildings, and the clip-clop of carriages along the Strand transport us to life as it was in the late 19th Century. You will have leisure time to enjoy this historic island; browse downtown shops, ride historic trolleys around the island, walk along the beach, or just relax at our beautiful and stately hotel that overlooks the Gulf. You will certainly hear stories of what remains our nation's deadliest disaster, the 1900 storm.
DAY 3: ALAMO / RIVERWALK / RIVER TAXI RIDE / SAN ANTONIO, TX: Today we travel to San Antonio, one of the most picturesque and historic cities in America. We'll visit the legendary Alamo, a hallmark of Texas history. Following a water taxi ride on the San Antonio River, the evening is free for shopping and exploring along the festive Riverwalk.
DAY 4: LUNCH AT HISTORIC FORT STOCKTON / LAS CRUCES, NM: We continue westward across the flatlands of Texas. In Fort Stockton we stop for pictures of Paisano Pete, the world's largest road runner, and experience a unique lunch in the old barracks at Fort Stockton. Our day ends in Las Cruces, NM. (L)
DAY 5: TUSCON, AZ / ARIZONA SONORA DESERT MUSEUM / YUMA, AZ: Enjoy the beauty of nature on land controlled by the Federal Government as we travel across New Mexico and Arizona. In Tuscan, we visit Arizona Sonora Desert Museum where hundreds of huge Saguaro Cactus grow amid desert creatures in their natural environment, enhanced with botanical gardens and natural walkways
DAY 6: OLD TOWN / HARBOR CRUISE / GUIDED CITY TOUR / SAN DIEGO, CA: Upon arrival in San Diego, we visit Old Town Historic District for sightseeing and shopping. Included is a narrated harbor cruise of the San Diego Bay where we'll see the U.S. Navy fleet, Coronado Bridge, shipyards, Star of India and more. Our local guide joins us for a tour of San Diego. You will have an option to visit the San Diego Zoo (on your own).
DAY 7: MISSION SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO / CRYSTAL CATHEDRAL / RONALD REAGAN PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY & MUSEUM / LUNCH AT REGAN'S COUNTRY CAFE / LOS ANGELES, CA: Mission San Juan Capistrano is most famous for the annual return of the swallows in mid-March. Founded in 1776, the mission includes buildings, gardens, and an American Indian cemetery. Then, we will go inside Crystal Cathedral, an all-glass sanctuary enclosed by 10,000-mirrored windows to take photos. What an awesome sight! The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library sits on top of a hill with a view of the entire valley and is the burial site of this great president. After an included lunch, you can explore the many exhibits - Early Years, Hollywood, California Governorship, Road to the White House, Gifts Fit for a President, Oval Office, and many more. We stay two nights in Los Angeles area. (L)
DAY8: UNIVERSAL STUDIOS TOUR / LUNCH AT CITY WALK / GUIDED TOUR OF LOS ANGELES AND HOLLYWOOD / FARMERS MARKET / LOS ANGELES, CA: After a tour of Universa Studios, we'll enjoy an included lunch at City Walk. We then depart on a guided tour of Los Angeles seeing many famous landmarks - Hollywood, Sunset Boulevard, Mann's Chinese Theatre, and lot's more. Our tour concludes at Farmers Market, a wonderful place to buy fresh fruits and other treats. (L)
DAY 9: PACIFIC OCEAN / BOXED LUNCH / HEARST CASTLE / PACIFIC GROVE, CA: Ever since arriving in California we have been glimpsing the Pacific Ocean. Today we travel it's coastline on our way to San Simeon and Hearst Castle. Better wear comfortable walking shoes; we ascend a few flights of stairs at what was once the estate of newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst. Located atop a 1,600-ft mountain with a spectacular view of San Simeon and the Pacific Ocean, the main house alone consists of 115 rooms! We'll tour the ground floor of the main house, one guesthouse, both pools, and the gardens. We continue north up the coastline headed to our overnight in the Pacific Grove area. (L)
DAY 10: PIER 39 / LUNCH / CITY TOUR / GOLDEN GATE BAY CRUISE / ALCATRAZ / SAN FRANCISCO, CA: San Francisco, the "City by the Bay", is home for the next two nights. Lunch is included at Pier 39, followed by a guided city tour. This is truly a uniquely diverse area of California. We then board a ferry for the Golden Gate Bay Cruise. You can take pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco skyline, and of Alcatraz prison. This evening you may want to return to Pier 39 where there are many restaurants, markets, souvenir shops, and import houses. (L)
DAY 11: DAY OF LEISURE / SAN FRANCISCO, CA: Enjoy San Francisco however you like! Hop on board a cable car to explore this romantic city. Try an authentic lunch in Chinatown where streets are lined with Chinese shops and restaurants, or explore Fisherman's Wharf. There are several walking tours available.
DAY 12: SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK / TULARE, CA : Leaving a little of our hearts behind, we depart San Francisco on our way to Sequoia National Park. Massive California Sequoia trees are awesome to behold!! Taking a picture of just one tree is a challenge.
DAY 13: PALM SPRINGS CITY TOUR / PALM SPRINGS, CA: The beautiful resort area of Palm Springs beckons. Located in the upper Colorado Desert at the foot of the 10, 804 ft. San Jacinto Peak, Palm Springs has been the idyllic setting for many golf tournaments, Hollywood productions, and famous residences. Enjoy a guided tour where you see the homes of many past and present celebrities and learn the secret of this desert town's bountiful water supply. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy.
DAY 14: TOMBSTONE, AZ / BOOT HILL CEMETERY / DINNER & SHOW AT TOMBSTONE LIVERY STABLE / BENSON, AZ: Returning to Arizona we can almost imagine the wagon trains against the horizon or the cowboy riding off into the sunset. You will have time to walk the wooden sidewalks of Tombstone and to browse the shops as memories of the cowboy shows of the 50's overtake us. After a brief stop at the infamous Boot Hill Cemetery, we will enjoy dinner from the back of a chuck wagon, and then be entertained vaudeville-style by Cowboy Doug. (D)
DAY 15: SHOPPING IN JUAREZ, MX / AUTHENTIC MEXICAN DINNER / EL PASO, TX: Leaving Arizona, we pass through New Mexico on our way to El Paso, TX, our overnight destination. Mid-afternoon we cross the border into Juarez where we can stock up on bargains galore. An authentic Mexican dinner is included this evening. (D)
DAY 16: EL PASO CITY TOUR / BIG SPRINGS, TX: For over 400 years El Paso, at the famous "Pass of the North" has been a favorite stop and destination for visitors from all over the world. El Paso can trace its early roots to a time that predates the celebrated Pilgrim's landing on Plymouth Rock, and is the oldest settlement in Texas. Our local guide takes us on an historic journey and scenic drive of this fascinating border city. We travel to our destination, Big Springs, where we stay overnight.
DAY 17: FORT WORTH STOCKYARDS / FAREWELL DINNER / SHREVEPORT, LA: There is ample time to explore the historic stockyard area in Fort Worth. Peek into a honky-tonk saloon, take a carriage ride, visit Cowtown Museum, or order a T-Bone steak. As we enter Louisiana we're reminded that this wonderful experience is winding down. A special farewell dinner is included this evening. (D)
DAY 18: HOME: After touring California and the Great Southwest, we are on our way home. The spectacular sights nature has provided, the beautiful cities man has built, our many new friends, and the memories we have shared will not soon be forgotten.
Deluxe motorcoach
All attractions
17 Nights Lodging
All meals Listed
Luggage Handling
Tour Director
$3549.00 $2719.00 $2559.00 $2399.00
Deposit required to sign up. Make checks to the Lawrence County Senior Center. Please call The Senior Center for more information. 931-762-9259.
