Road Scholar : Home
On the Road: San Francisco, Monterey and Napa Valley

Program Number: 20556RJ
Start and End Dates:
6/6/2013 - 6/14/2013; 9/12/2013 - 9/20/2013; 10/17/2013 - 10/25/2013; 4/10/2014 - 4/18/2014;
Duration: 8 nights
Location: San Francisco, California
Price starting at: $1,799.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: On the Road
Meals: 23; 8 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 8 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian; Gluten Free; Low Fat; Low Salt    

California, here we come! Experience the diverse beauty of the Golden State in three iconic locations: San Francisco, Monterey and the Napa Valley. Experience San Francisco from Fisherman’s Wharf to the country’s largest Chinatown to a boat excursion on the Bay. Continue to beautiful seaside Monterey and learn about its missionary roots, plus take field trips to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the artist colony of Carmel. Enjoy the bounty of the Napa Valley, learning about the world-class winemaking industry of this sun-splashed growing region.




Highlights

• In Golden Gate Park, take a walk in the magical Japanese Tea Garden and see the many fascinating exhibits at the California Academy of Sciences.
• Journey along the famed 17-Mile Drive and stop to discover Point Lobos Natural Reserve.
• Learn about and savor the wine and foods of the Napa Valley and visit the renowned Culinary Institute of America.



Activity Particulars

Walking up to two miles on uneven terrain.



Itinerary Summary

Arrival San Francisco, 3 nights; coach to Monterey, 2 nights; coach to Napa, 3 nights; coach to San Francisco for departure.



Coordinated by Road Scholar.




San Francisco

A stunning city with a colorful past and vibrant present, San Francisco offers legendary landmarks — the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, cable cars and elegant Victorian homes — along with spectacular cityscapes and views of bay and bridges.



Monterey Bay

South of San Francisco, Monterey Bay is home to a variety of birds and marine mammals, including migrating gray and humpback whales. The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary protects more than 4,000 square nautical miles of the bay and ocean, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium is world-renowned.



Napa

Just 50 miles north of San Francisco, the town of Napa is gateway to world-renowned Napa Valley. Its hills are home to hundreds of wineries, from historic to ultra-modern, and the area is famed for dining, art and culture.
Accommodations
San Francisco hotel at Fisherman’s Wharf. Monterey hotel near Cannery Row. Napa hotel in the heart of California wine country.

Road Scholar Instructors
These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.
Don McLaurin
Don McLaurin has lived in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco for the last 23 years. Since his retirement 13 years ago, Don and his wife Inge have traveled extensively in Europe and in the U.S. Don has led over 40 Road Scholar programs in northern California and San Francisco, and leads walks in Fisherman's Wharf, Haight-Ashbury, the Japanese Tea Garden, and Golden Gate Park. In his free time, Don enjoys hiking throughout Marin County and the Pt. Reyes National Seashore.
 
Brad Davis
An avid collector of wine, Brad Davis has been a wine educator and instructor at the Santa Rosa Junior College for over 12 years. He has written for an international wine magazine and websites, and has served as the assistant director of the Savor Wine County Magazine's Wine Competition, as well as technical director for the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Brad is a member of the Society of Wine Educators and the Guild of Sommeliers.
 
Nancy Brennan
For a while, it appeared that Nancy Brennan had “a career a year.” Her various enterprises including, school teacher, mother, visual artist, interior designer, romance writer, newspaper columnist and reporter, historian, and excursion leader all reflect her multitude of interests. Nancy is a graduate of Stanford University and a member of National League of American Pen Women. She and her colleague, Rebecca Yerger, have a monthly history radio show on KVON, Napa’s local radio station.
 
Timothy Thomas
A fourth generation Monterey County native, Tim Thomas is the museum historian and director of public programs of the Monterey History & Art Association and the Maritime Museum of Monterey. Tim has also worked for the Monterey Bay Aquarium and California State Parks, where he developed many popular interpretive programs. For the past 15 years, Tim has conducted research on the many fisheries of Monterey Bay. He is the author of the book, “A History of the Monterey Waterfront.”
 
William Florian
A former lead singer of the New Christy Minstrels during the 1970s, William Florian continues to delight audiences with his upbeat and energetic performances of America’s favorite folk songs. As a solo artist, William released the album, “Counting on You,” and received an award from the American Song Festival for his song, “You Touch Me Again.” William is also a founding member of the Mountain Folk Singers, and writes and produces many of their songs.
 
Meals and Lodgings
   Radisson Hotel
  San Francisco 3 nights
   Bay Park Hotel
  Monterey, CA 2 nights
   Embassy Suites
  Napa 3 nights
 Radisson Hotel
Type: Five-Star Hotel
  Description: Welcome to the Radisson Fisherman's Wharf Hotel in San Francisco, CA The Radisson Fisherman's Wharf Hotel is located on beautiful Fisherman's Wharf overlooking breathtaking San Francisco Bay. You'll find popular San Francisco attractions just steps from our door, including Pier 39, Alcatraz Island, Ghirardelli Square and the world famous San Francisco cable cars. Select rooms feature views of the bay, and all guests enjoy complimentary high-speed, wireless Internet during their stay in San Francisco.
  Contact info: 250 Beach St.
San Francisco, CA 94133 USA
phone: 415-392-6700
web: www.radisson.com/san-francisco-hotel-ca-94133/cafisher
  Room amenities: Our 355 tastefully appointed guest rooms feature the Sleep Number® bed and complimentary high-speed, wireless Internet access. Upgraded rooms including balconies are available, and some rooms also feature mini refrigerators. The Radisson is one of only two Fisherman's Wharf hotels that offer guest rooms with a spectacular view of San Francisco Bay. At the Radisson Hotel Fisherman's Wharf, we offer th37" flat screen LCD TV with pay-per-view movies Clock radio Hair dryer High-speed, wireless Internet (complimentary) In-room coffee maker In-room safe Iron/ironing board Spacious executive work desk Two-line phone with voicemail
  Facility amenities: Hotel amenities include a heated outdoor swimming pool open all year, Fitness Center, Business Center, meeting services and concierge staff.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: Please contact the hotel. Please contact the hotel. Cannot guarantee Road Scholar prices.
  Check in time: 4:00 PM

 Bay Park Hotel
Type: Full Service Hotel
  Description: Excellent central location on Carmel Hill.
  Contact info: Hwy. 1 at Munras Avenue, 1425 Munras Ave.
Monterey, CA 93940 USA
phone: 831-649-1020
web: www.bayparkhotel.com
  Room amenities: Coffee makers, refrigerators, hair dryers, voice mail
  Facility amenities: Pool, gazebo, hot tub, fitness center, valet laundry, voice mail
  Smoking allowed: Yes

 Embassy Suites
Type: Full Service Hotel
  Description: Located conveniently in the town of Napa, in the heart of Napa Valley.
  Contact info: 1075 California Blvd,
Napa, CA 94559 USA
phone: 707-253-9540
web: www.embassysuites1.hilton.com
  Room amenities: Irons, hair dryers
  Facility amenities: Indoor and outdoor heated pools, ATM, baggage storage,airport shuttle, sauna, whirlpool, bike rental, valet laundry, gift shop
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights after: Unknown Contact the hotel. Cannot guarantee availability or rates.
  Check out time: 11:00 AM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
3:00 p.m. hotel check in time. 4:00-5:00 p.m. meet in hotel meeting room for Road Scholar registration. You will be staying at Radisson Hotel that night.
  End of Program:
Program ends approximately 11:00 a.m. with drop offs at San Francisco International Airport and San Francisco Radisson Hotel. You will be staying at Embassy Suites the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required.
  Parking availability:
Radisson Hotel has a parking garage. Fee is $23.10/night.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  San Francisco
  Nearest city or town:  Oakland
  Nearest highway: US 101
  Nearest airport:  San Francisco International Airport
  From End of Program
  Location:  Napa
  Nearest city or town:  Oakland
  Nearest highway: Hwy.29
  Nearest airport:  Oakland International
Travel Details
 

San Francisco International Airport

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Airport Express
phone: 415-775-5121

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$17-advanced reservation not necessary
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

20 mins. depending on traffic 
 

Distance:

 

8 mi.
   

There are many van services from the airport. Departing from the baggage level. Prices are comparable
 

Oakland International Airport

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Airport Express
phone: 415-775-5121

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$55
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

40 mins. depending on traffic 
 

Distance:

 

21 mi.
 
Driving Directions
  Los Angeles, CA Take I-5 N Slight left onto I-580 W (signs for Tracy/​San Francisco) 15.8 mi Keep left at the fork and merge onto I-580 W 30.6 mi Slight right to stay on I-580 W (signs for Oakland/​San Francisco) 15.6 mi Take exit 19A on the left to merge onto I-80 W toward San Francisco Partial toll road 6.8 mi Take exit 2C for Folsom St 0.5 mi Turn left onto Folsom St 0.3 mi Turn left onto The Embarcadero 1.5 mi Slight right to stay on The Embarcadero 0.1 mi Slight left onto Beach St Destination will be on the right
  Sacramento, CA Take I-80 W across the Bay Bridge. Take exit 2C for Folsom St 0.5 mi 8. Turn left onto Folsom St 0.3 mi 9. Turn left onto The Embarcadero 1.5 mi 10. Slight right to stay on The Embarcadero 0.1 mi 11. Slight left onto Beach St Destination will be on the right
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Program registration, wine/cider social, dinner, orientation and get-acquainted meeting
(Thursday, June 6)
   
 Arrive To: Check in to the hotel and register for the program after 4 p.m.
 Dinner: Dinner at nearby restaurant.
 Evening: Orientation and get-acquainted meeting..
   
Accommodations: Radisson Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Golden Gate Park, Academy of Sciences, Japanese Tea Garden, de Young Museum, Mission Dolores, Chinatown and North Beach
(Friday, June 7)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel meeting room.
 Morning: Board the motor coach with our on-board instructor as we begin our field trip to Golden Gate Park for a guided visit to the Academy of Sciences .Welcome to the Academy – the only place on the planet with an aquarium, a planetarium, a natural history museum, and a 4-story rainforest all under one roof. It’s a stunning architectural achievement with hundreds of unique exhibits and nearly 40,000 live animals. We'll continue our visit to the park with a stop at the Japanese Tea Garden.The Japanese Tea Garden is a historical Japanese-style garden originally built as the Japanese Village for the 1894 California Midwinter International Exposition. Japanese immigrant and gardener Makoto Hagiwara designed the bulk of the garden and was officially appointed caretaker in 1894 until the hysteria surrounding World War II. In the years to follow, many Hagiwara family treasures were liquidated from the gardens, but new additions were also made. Today, the Tea Garden is one of the most popular attractions in San Francisco, featuring beautiful monuments, bridges, native Japanese plants and ponds. For a spectacular view of the park and San Francisco landmarks, we'll take the elevator to the 9th floor of the de Young Museum before we leave the park.
 Lunch: We'll enjoy a picnic lunch in Golden Gate Park.
 Afternoon: We continue the field trip with a guided visit at historic Mission Dolores. Mission Dolores has always had a central place in the religious, civic, and cultural life of San Francisco. Misión San Francisco de Asís was founded June 29, 1776, under the direction of Father Junipero Serra and is both the oldest original intact Mission in California and the oldest building in San Francisco. Today, the Mission Dolores Parish comprises both the Basilica and the Old Mission. Continuing with our San Francisco exploration we head to Chinatown for a guided walking tour. San Francisco Chinatown is the largest Chinatown outside of Asia as well as the oldest Chinatown in North America. It is one of the top tourist attractions in San Francisco. We will see some of the alleys, temples, and shops as we learn some of the colorful history of this unique area.
 Dinner: Our final destination will be the North Beach area of the city where we'll enjoy dinner at one of its classic Italian restaurants. North Beach is a neighborhood in the northeast of San Francisco adjacent to Chinatown, Fisherman's Wharf and Russian Hill. The neighborhood is San Francisco's Little Italy, and has historically been home to a large Italian American population. It still holds many Italian restaurants today, though many other ethnic groups currently live in the neighborhood. It was also the historic center of the beatnik subculture. Its residential neighborhood is populated by a mix of young urban professionals, families and Chinese immigrants connected to the adjacent Chinatown.
   
Accommodations: Radisson Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Another exciting field trip with our on-board instructor as we visit Coit Tower, the Cable Car Museum, ride a cable car, visit the Farmer's Market at the Ferry Building, cruise the harbor, visit Fisherman's Wharf for a walking tour and dinner
(Saturday, June 8)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in nearby restaurant
 Morning: Board the motor coach with our on-board instructor for another exciting field trip around the City by the Bay. We begin with a visit to Coit Tower. Atop Telegraph Hill is the 210-foot Coit Tower, built with funds left to the City by philanthropist Lillie Hitchcock Coit for the beautification of San Francisco. The view from atop the east side of the tower spans 360 degrees. Inside you'll visit a history museum and murals that depict working life in 1930s California. Next we head for the Cable Car Museum. From the first run in 1873 to the present you'll learn about the inventor, technologies, builders, rapid expansion, near loss and the ongoing efforts to save and rebuild the cable cars of San Francisco. The museum houses a collection of historic cable cars, photographs, mechanical displays and gift shop run by the Friends of the Cable Car Museum - a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of cable car history. No visit to San Francisco would be complete without a ride on the famed cable cars-so hop aboard for a ride on the popular Powell-Hyde St. route. Then we're off to visit the Ferry Building. Opening in 1898 on the site of the 1875 wooden Ferry House, the Ferry Building became the transportation focal point for anyone arriving by train from the East, as well as from all the East Bay and Marin residents who worked in the city. From the Gold Rush until the 1930s, arrival by ferryboat became the only way travelers and commuters?except those coming from the Peninsula?could reach the city. Extensive renovation of the Ferry Building is now complete. The Marketplace, organized along the central Nave, provides a distinctive space for bringing together the greater Bay Area's agricultural wealth and renowned specialty food purveyors under one roof. The exterior and main public hall have been restored to their original grandeur for use by ferry passengers and the public at large.
 Lunch: We'll have our lunch at one of the many venues in the Ferry Building Marketplace.
 Afternoon: Next stop is the dock where we'll board a boat of the Blue & Gold Fleet for a Bay Cruise Adventure to experience the thrilling history of San Francisco Bay. The fully narrated one-hour tour which sails along San Francisco’s historic waterfront where there's no better way to experience unobstructed views of sensational skylines in every direction. It's a great vantage point for snapping pictures or simply reflecting on the vast beauty of the San Francisco Bay. Sail past the PIER 39 sea lions, under the Golden Gate Bridge and circle Alcatraz Island. Onboard narration describes the City’s landmarks as you sail along in comfort aboard the boat where both indoor and outdoor seating are provided. Back ashore we have a guided visit to Fisherman's Wharf. Most of the boats berthed at Fisherman’s Wharf belong to a third generation of fishing craft piloted by descendants of the fishermen who have made their livelihoods on the waters of San Francisco Bay for many generations. Fisherman’s Wharf, which has been the home of San Francisco’s colorful fishing fleet for nearly a century and a quarter, is world famous for its wide variety of fseafood. Much of this fame is due to the annual harvest of that most delectable of all crustaceans, the Dungeness crab of San Francisco.
 Dinner: Another"must" in any visit to San Francisco is to have a meal at Fisherman's Wharf so dinner tonight will be at a well-known Wharf restaurant.
   
Accommodations: Radisson Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Travel to Monterey, visit San Juan Bautista State Historic Park, Monterey Bay Aquarium, evening lecture-an introduction to the area
(Sunday, June 9)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel meeting room.
 Morning: Bpard the motor coach for the trip to Monterey. We stop at beautiful San Juan Bautista State Historic Park. The park is part of a nationally recognized historic landmark adjacent to the extant portion of California's 15th Spanish era mission. The park and its Plaza represent what was once the "town square" of the largest town in central California and a vital crossroad for travel between northern and southern California. Visitors can gain an appreciation of California's people, from Native Americans through the Spanish and Mexican cultural influences, right up to the American period in the late 19th century. We enjoy a guided walking tour of the park buildings.
 Lunch: We enjoy lunch at any nearby restaurant of your choice.
 Afternoon: We continue our trip to Monterey where we spend the afternoon at the famed Monterey Bay Aquarium. The Monterey Bay Aquarium founded 1984) is located on the former site of a sardine cannery on Cannery Row. It has an annual attendance of 1.8 million visitors. It holds thousands of plants and animals, representing 623 separate named species on display. The aquarium benefits by a high circulation of fresh ocean water which is obtained through pipes which pump it in continuously from Monterey Bay.Among the aquarium's numerous exhibits, two are of particular note: The centerpiece of the Ocean's Edge Wing is a 10 meter (33-foot) high 1.3 million liter (1/3 million gallon) tank for viewing California coastal marine life. In this tank, the aquarium was the first in the world to grow live California Giant Kelp using a wave machine at the top of the tank (water movement is a necessary precondition for keeping Giant Kelp, which absorbs nutrients from surrounding water and requires turbidity), allowing sunlight in through the open tank top, and circulation of raw seawater from the Bay. The second exhibit of note is a 4.5 million liter (1.2 million gallon) tank in the Open Sea galleries (formerly the Outer Bay), which features one of the world's largest single-paned windows (crafted by a Japanese company, the acrylic window is actually five panes seamlessly glued together through a proprietary process). Sealife on exhibit includes stingrays, jellyfish, sea otters, and numerous other native marine species, which can be viewed above and below the waterline. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is also one of only two aquariums in the world to exhibit bluefin and yellowfin tuna. For displaying jellyfish, the MBA uses an aquarium called a Kreisel tank which creates a circular flow to support and suspend the jellies. Visitors are able to inspect the creatures of the kelp forest at several levels in the building. The aquarium does not house mammals other than otters.
 Dinner: We arrive at our hotel and check in. Dinner is served in the hotel dining room.
 Evening: We meet our instructor who will be with us for tomorrow's field trip and have an overview of Monterey area history.
   
Accommodations: Bay Park Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Field trip with our on-board instructgor along 17-mile Drive, visit Carmel Mission, lunch in Carmel, visit Pt. Lobos, Cannery Row for dinner
(Monday, June 10)
   
 Breakfast: A full buffet breakfast at the hotel.
 Morning: We board the motor coach for our field trip with our on-board instructor. We travel from Pacific Grove along the17-mile drive. The road runs inland past Spanish Bay, then adjacent to beaches and up into the coastal hills, providing scenic viewpoints. Travel along the road takes as long as the traveler likes, a minimum of 20 minutes south to Carmel without stops. There are numerous turnouts along the road to stop, take pictures, or get out and stroll along the ocean or among the trees. Chief among the scenic attractions is the Lone Cypress Tree, a salt pruned tree which is the official symbol of Pebble Beach and a frequent fixture of television broadcasts from this area. The road also provides access to Spyglass Hill, Cypress Point and Pebble Beach, and other golf courses around the community. After reaching Carmel Way, and the exit to Carmel, the 17-Mile Drive then heads northeast to where it eventually terminates at the Highway 68/Highway 1 interchange. In Carmel our first stop is the San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo Mission. The Basilica Church, a registered National Historic Landmark, is the centerpiece of the Mission. Upon entering, visitors are usually struck by its catenary ceiling, thirty foot reredos and 5 foot thick walls. The Missions fine collection of Spanish Colonial Liturgical Art and Artifacts are displayed through the church.Behind the Basilica. In the Munrás courtyard, one will find the Munrás Family Heritage Museum. It displays the treasured keepsakes of one prominent Monterey family. Its goal is to enhance every visitor's appreciation of their own unique legacy.In Convento Museum, through which one exits the Mission complex, is found the cell used by Blessed Junipero Serra and where he died in 1784. Other rooms in the museum present interpretive displays for further understanding the history of this beautiful heritage site.
 Lunch: We continue to lovely Carmel for lunch. Carmel-by-the-Sea, often called simply Carmel, is a small city, founded in 1902 and incorporated in 1916. Situated on the Monterey Peninsula, the town is known for its natural scenery and rich artistic history. In 1906, the San Francisco Call devoted a full page to the "artists, poets and writers of Carmel-by-the-Sea", and in 1910 it reported that 60 percent of Carmel's houses were built by citizens who were "devoting their lives to work connected to the aesthetic arts." Early City Councils were dominated by artists, and the town has had several mayors who were poets or actors, including Herbert Heron, founder of the Forest Theater, bohemian writer and actor Perry Newberry, and actor-director Clint Eastwood, who was mayor for one term, from 1986 to 1988. Like a jewel found along California's coast, Carmel has the sophistication of San Francisco and the glamour of Hollywood, nestled into one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world.
 Afternoon: After lunch and some free time in Carmel we continue to Pt. Lobos Reserve. Deriving its name from the offshore rocks at Punta de los Lobos Marinos, Point of the Sea Wolves, where the sound of the sea lions carries inland, the Reserve has often been called "the crown jewel of the State Park System." Point Lobos has offered many things to millions of people who have visited it over the years. Our instructor guides our visit.
 Dinner: After spending some time at Cannery Row we return to our hotel.
 Dinner: We travel back to Monterey to Cannery Row for dinner and time to investigate its attractions.John Steinbeck's Cannery Row spotlights the legendary lane during its industrial heyday, but the street's true story begins long before canneries lined the former Ocean View Avenue. From Native American, Asian and European settlement, through the boom and bust of the whaling and sardine industries, to structural and economic despair followed by restoration and re-development, the tale of Cannery Row – so renamed by Monterey officials 13 years after the release of Steinbeck's novel – continues to fascinate guests. Here, past and present alike influence the architecture, cuisine and attractions as Cannery Row continues to celebrate the unshakable spirit on which it was founded.
   
Accommodations: Bay Park Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Travel from Monterey to Napa Valley along the Pacific Coast Highway 1, cross the Golden Gate Bridge, lunch in Sausalito, guided visit and tasting at Mumm Champagne Cellar
(Tuesday, June 11)
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at the hotel
 Morning: Board the motor coach for our trip to Napa Valley. We travel a part of the scenic Pacific Coast Highway on our way north. It is famous for running by some of the most beautiful coastlines in the world, leading to its designation as an All-American Road. We enter San Francisco from Pacifica and cross the Golden Gate Bridge with a stop for a photo op at the north end.
 Lunch: Our lunch stop is colorful Sausalito with views of San Francisco across the Bay. What is now Sausalito was once the site of a Coast Miwok settlement known as Liuaneglua. In 1838 during the Mexican era, an Englishman by the name of William A. Richardson, who became a Mexican citizen and married the daughter of the Commandant of the Presidio of San Francisco, established a large ranch from which the later town acquired its name, the "Rancho Del Sausalito" Sausalito is Spanish for "little willow grove." By 1926, a major auto ferry across the Golden Gate was established, running to the Hyde Street Pier in San Francisco. This ferry was an integral part of old U.S. Highway 101. It ceased operation shortly after the Golden Gate Bridge opened in May of 1937. Sausalito receives a steady stream of visitors via the bridge and a ferry service from San Francisco. We'll have lunch in Sausalito. You may choose a waterfront restaurant with spectacular views of the bay and San Francisco. Or perhaps you prefer the hamburger stand famous for its burgers! It will be your choice with meal allotment provided.
 Afternoon: Continuing our travels north from Sausalito, we skirt the northern edge of San Francisco Bay referred to as San Pablo Bay. San Pablo Bay is a shallow tidal estuary. It receives the waters of the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers, via Suisun Bay and the Carquinez Strait on its east end, and it connects to San Francisco Bay on its south end. The bay is heavily silted from the contributions of the two rivers, which themselves drain most of the Central Valley of California. At the Napa Sonoma Marsh San Pablo bay also receives the waters of Sonoma Creek , Petaluma River, and the Napa River, the latter of which flows into the Carquinez Strait via the Mare Island Strait near its entrance into the bay.The bay is approximately 10 miles across and has an area of approximately 90 square miles. As we enter the Napa Valley we travel scenic Silverado Trail along the valley's eastern edge to Mumm, Napa for a tour and tasting. Napa County, once the producer of many different crops, is known today for its wine industry, rising in the 1960s to the first rank of wine regions with France and Italy. Napa is the premier wine making region in the United States. The Napa wine country was the inspiration for the fictional Tuscany Valley on the nighttime soap opera Falcon Crest. On our visit to Mumm Napa you will find the guides use simple to understand terminology and walk you through each step in the process of making sparkling wine in the traditional French methods. You begin your tour in a demonstration vineyard, and then enter the state-of-the-art winery. Enhancing the tour are short video loops of activities one might not see unless you visit at the appropriate time of the year, in which case you witness activity first hand! Guides use the brief videos to show the action of harvest, bottling, riddling, disgorging, and labeling. In just forty-five minutes you become an expert in champagne method sparkling wine production! And you can judge their success as you sample their product.
 Dinner: We arrive at Embassy Suites and check in. After complimentary Happy Hour, dinner is served in the hotel meeting room.
   
Accommodations: Embassy Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Field trip to Historic Cemetery, Napa Valley Museum, Oxbow Market, the Hess Collection Winery
(Wednesday, June 12)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at the hotel
 Morning: We board the motor coach for our Napa Valley field trip-first stop a guided visit to the historic Tulocay Cemetery, a unique Napa Valley site. The history of Tulocay Cemetery is the history of the Napa Valley and the surrounding community. The markers and mausoleums, from the opulence of the Victorian era to the ground level gravestones of today, reflect the diversity of its heritage. Established in 1859, the land was donated by Don Cayetano Juarez to the people of the Napa Valley. Today, Tulocay is a private, non-profit, non-sectarian cemetery and is under the care of the Tulocay Cemetery Association.Then we continue on to the Napa Valley Museum for a guided visit. The museum is dedicated to promoting the cultural and environmental heritage of the Napa Valley.The changing exhibits represent a diverse range of subjects from fine arts to history to natural sciences.
 Lunch: Next we stop at the Oxbow Market for lunch.Steve Carlin is Founder and CEO of Oxbow Public Market. His background includes 20 years with Oakville Grocery Company, a leading Northern California specialty foods retailer, and Project Manager of the San Francisco Ferry Building Marketplace. Steve was responsible for planning, leasing, marketing, and overseeing the initial operations of the Ferry Building Marketplace.
 Afternoon: Our final stop is the Hess Collection Winery for a guided visit and tasting plus viewing the fascinating art collection. Donald Hess began collecting art in 1966. Today, The Hess Collection houses less than a quarter of a collection that is shown in museums worldwide. His collecting style is a personal endeavor driven by a passion rather that monitory investment or current trends. He develops a close dialogue with an artist to better understand what drives him or her to create and he carefully limits his focus as a collector to 20 living artists whose work he faithfully supports long term. As is evident by the caliber of the collection, he collects with the uncanny ability to acquire works by lesser known artists who often go on to become well known and respected in their disciplines. his typical commitment to an artist spans decades and various stages of his career.
 Dinner: We return to our hotel in time to relax before a pre-dinner wine class with our viticultue expert, tasting included, followed by dinner in the hotel meeting room.
   
Accommodations: Embassy Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Field trip to Calistoga and Sharpsteen Museum, Castello di Amorosa and the Culinary Institute of America for guided visit and wine tastings, musical entertainment in the evening
(Thursday, June 13)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel
 Morning: Board motor coach for today's field trip.Our first stop is the Sharpsteen Museum in Calistoga. Following Mexican Independence, mission properties were secularized and disposed of by the Mexican government with much of the Napa Valley being partitioned into large ranchos in the 1830s and 1840s. The first American settlers began arriving in the 1840’s. Samuel Brannan was the leader of a settlement expedition on the ship Brooklyn landing in Yerba Buena (San Francisco) in 1846. He published San Francisco's first English language newspaper, the California Star. Following the discovery of gold in Sacramento, Brannan pursued many business ventures, which made him California’s first millionaire.. Fascinated by Calistoga’s natural hot springs, Brannan purchased more than 2,000 acres with the intent to develop a spa reminiscent of Saratoga in New York. It is rumored that the name Calistoga is a combination of the words California and Saratoga. In 1868 Brannan's Napa Valley Railroad Company's track was completed to Calistoga. This provided an easier travel option for ferry passengers making the journey from San Francisco. With the addition of railroad service, Calistoga became not only a destination, but also the transportation hub for the upper valley and a gateway to Lake and Sonoma Counties. A 6 meter diorama of this early Calistoga can be seen in the Sharpsteen Museum.The Sharpsteen Museum's permanent exhibits are designed to present the history of the upper Napa Valley from its pre-history to post World War I with an emphasis on people and changes brought by the period of U.S. emigration and development. In addition to its many historical exhibits, the Museum uses unique and extraordinarily extensive dioramas to depict Calistoga during its period as the elegant 1860s Hot Springs resort developed by pioneer, promoter, publisher, entrepreneur, and California's first millionaire, Sam Brannan.
 Lunch: Lunch in Calistoga.
 Afternoon: This afternoon we have a guided visit and tasting at exciting Castello di Amorosa.First opening its doors to the public in April 2007, the Castello di Amorosa is located near Calistoga, California. It is the pet project of 4th generation vintner, Dario Sattui who also owns and operates the V. Sattui Winery named after his great-grandfather who originally established a winery in San Francisco in 1885. Sattui claims to have spent nearly all his resources during the 14 year process of building this medieval replica castle on the vineyard grounds. The winery sits on property that was once part of an estate owned by Edward Turner Bale. Continuing the field trip we take a short drive to the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone.Located in California’s lush Napa Valley, the CIA at Greystone features a wide variety of innovative programs and facilities for culinarians. Collectively, they emphasize the cooking and baking traditions of many cultures; fresh, seasonal ingredients; health and nutrition; and sustainable agriculture. After our guided visit we enjoy a wine and hors d'oeuvres tasting.
 Dinner: Dinner is served in the hotel meeting room.
 Evening: We have an entertaining evening with a musical program.
   
Accommodations: Embassy Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Farewell breakfast, program ends
(Friday, June 14)
   
 Depart From: We check out of the hotel and board the motor coach for our return to San Francisco.
 Breakfast: We have our farewell breakfast at the hotel.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast

Free Time Opportunities
  
  Monterey, CA General Overview
Monterey offers unlimited opportunities for sight-seeing. However, participants will have little free time to explore on their own.
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


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