California
The Best of California: The Reagan Library to the Channel Islands
Program No. 14491RJ
See More Photos
The Best of California: The Reagan Library to the Channel Islands
The Best of California: The Reagan Library to the Channel Islands
1 of 6
Participant Reviews
Based on 30 Reviews
SHOWING
This was my first Road Scholar trip and I loved this itinerary. The trip to the Channel Islands National Park was fabulous. On our return from Santa Cruz Island we encountered whales and a super pod of dolphins; a rare event. The Getty Center and The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library were so interesting. I am a solo traveler and everyone on this trip was extremely welcoming. I have already enrolled in 3 more Road Scholar trips this next year.
— Review left November 8, 2025
Overall this program was a good mix of experiencing the part of California I had not had the opportunity to visit. I enjoyed all of the field trips especially the Channel Islands and the surprise super pods of Dolphins on the return trip back to the mainland.
— Review left October 21, 2025
This was a well organized trip with interesting sights. The guide and lectures provided background information. A plus was staying at the same hotel for all five nights then traveling to the destinations.
— Review left October 8, 2025
This is a fantastic trip!!
— Review left October 6, 2025
Wonderful trip. Everything was great. Hard to pick one place over another. A lot was packed into a week: Santa Barbara & the mission; Channel Island (Santa Cruz); Getty; Reagan Library. I think we could go back and do it all again & still not see everything. Hotel couldn't have been better. 4th floor with balcony overlooking the ocean.
— Review left March 17, 2025
This is a great program for learning some California history!
— Review left March 10, 2025
Fabulous trip. Ventura is an ideal location for all the day trips. Crowne Plaza is right on the beach, ideal for evening and morning walks. Plenty of restaurants/shops within walking distance for free time activities. Also the San Buenaventura Mission is really worth visiting. Our Tour Director Jill did an excellent job in organizing the food menus, daily lectures, visits and transportation. Leo of Silver Wing Limo was very helpful as well in getting me to and from the hotel/airport, which is not easy if you don't have a car. All the places we visited were interesting and different from the others. A surprise was the Santa Barbara Courthouse which is quirky, fun and eclectic. Like no other courthouse anywhere. Reagan Museum is outstanding and easy to maneuver. Air Force One! So cool. Channel Islands are a reminder of what California once was, before humans settled here. The foxes are very cute and the ravens are friendly. Margery the naturalist is a font of information. The megapod of dolphins we encountered on the boat over was an added treat. The Getty is equally beautiful in its gardens as in its architecture. I love this trip.
— Review left October 21, 2024
A great program … the Getty, the Reagen, the Santa Barbara Mission and the Channel Islands. So great to leave the driving to the professionals and the logistics to our outstanding group leader Jill
— Review left October 15, 2024
This is a fun trip with a variety of experiences in California. Each day was interesting and we were well prepared for each experience by fantastic speakers. My goal was to see the Island Scrub Jay on Santa Cruz Island in the Channel Islands National Park and I was excited to see about 10. We had choices of difficulty for hikes and that was good. The leader was so experienced and friendly. I recommend this trip highly.
— Review left September 30, 2024
This was a wonderful opportunity to see one of the least visited national parks. Road scholar provided excellent naturalists and handled all the arrangements to access this spectacular national park. The rest of the trip itinerary was well planned, varied, and the pace was just right.
— Review left September 23, 2024
This trip was very worthwhile. Good weather too. I liked what we saw and heard. Some of it was a worthwhile review, also alot of new info.
— Review left September 21, 2024
My trip with Road Scholars, the Best of California—the Reagan Library, the Getty, and the Channel Islands —was one of the best vacations I have ever had. This was my first Road Scholar trip and I have already signed up for my second. The group leader, Dawn, the hotel, the Crown Ventura, the pre-tour morning lectures, and all the other participants made this a pitch perfect trip.
— Review left October 2, 2023
This was an excellent and diverse program. Learned about Missions and native peoples. Saw whales on the boat trip to the Channel Islands and hiked to wonderful cliff views. Enjoyed the Getty museum and the Regan Library was fascinating. Highly recommend this program!
— Review left September 25, 2023
Staying in one place (on the beach) and visiting four California highlights (all different) was a fabulous, short trip for a girl from Maine.
— Review left September 23, 2023
This program covers diverse topics in a very interesting and beautiful region!
— Review left January 4, 2023
This was our first Road Scholar program and I picked it for the destination and it's short time period. It's a lot of learning, not a true vacation! You have to be up early and ready to do things all day long with a group. You get your money's worth though.
— Review left September 5, 2022
Unfortunately the weather was cold and raining the first two days we were in California; we were not able to take the scheduled boat ride to the National Parks in the Channel Island. Finally the sun came out and we enjoyed spending a day at President Reagan's Library. That was very interesting, so much has been included in that Library, although I was an adult during Reagan's term in office I found the day educational.
Our New Year's Eve party at the hotel was fun although we all headed to bed very early to be ready for our early morning departure for Pasadena and the Rose Parade. Our reserved seat were great, the floats were as always spectacular, to top off the day we were able to spend the afternoon getting a close up look at all the floats. Floats were parked in a large park where we were able examine up close how the flowers were assembled on to the float.
Except for the 2 days of bad weather it was an enjoyable trip.
— Review left June 25, 2022
This was my first COVID-era trip. Always facemasked and hand cleaning. Same hotel restaurant for breakfast+dinner. Beautiful time of year to go see the oldest attractions (Santa Barbara Mission) and newest attractions: Reagan Presidential Museum/Library; Getty Museum. Fascinating to see the pedestrian malling of downtowns Santa Barbara and Ventura. Gorgeous trip to Santa Cruz Island / Channel Islands National Park, with great hikes and serenading by porpoises to and from the island. The Getty Center was an amazing museum of mostly European Art. What a jewel of a museum. Another great day at the Reagan Museum (even if you didn't vote for him in 1980/84). Presidential museums/libraries are must visits for Americans and persons with interest in political history. A very pleasurable week in coastal California! Just a lot of time in buses, but no ride greater than like 60 minutes. Expect great weather.
— Review left November 27, 2021
This program offers a terrific variety of activities for a very reasonable price. Participants learn some California history, visit a world famous museum, enjoy the natural history of a Channel Island, and gain a unique political perspective as well. ALL in 4 days!!!!
— Review left September 7, 2021
This program not only takes you to wonderful museums, but introduces you to the Channel Islands, which are a natural wonder. The choice of walks on Santa Cruz Island allows you to enjoy its beauty without making you feel like you have to do a strenuous hike to appreciate it. The base location is within an hour of all of our destinations so you never feel like you are living on a bus.
— Review left September 5, 2021
Outstanding variety of destinations, especially the Reagan Library and Getty Museum and Channel Islands trip.
— Review left March 9, 2020
The Best of California: The Reagan Library to the Channel Islands. A marvelous way to spend 6 days and learn about early California life with the Chumash Indians and Spanish padres, walk on an island that is being preserved, visit the variety of art to be seen at the Getty Center and to enjoy a presidential library where you can experience the Reagan years.
— Review left March 7, 2020
This program is so diverse it is perfect for two people with different interests. You will not be disappointed!! The learning experience is delightful.
— Review left January 26, 2020
This trip was my first RS experience and it exceeded my expectations. The trip was well-organized and the experts were engaging. The Tournament Of Roses parade was amazing! Our bleacher seats were great. I learned a bunch, made new friends, and came home happy. Thanks,RS!
— Review left January 8, 2020
What a marvelous trip! The Rose Bowl Parade was a once in a life time experience for me, a life long East Coast resident. Checked that one off my bucket list! The Reagan Library was beautiful, such a pretty location and what a treasure trove of memorabilia. It was also impressive how the staff dealt with the change of plans due to rough seas on our Channel Islands day. Many of us were able to go to the Island later and visit the Getty Museum, a "must see" for visitors to Southern California.
— Review left January 6, 2020
If you like variety and have unique experiences on your "bucket list," this trip is for you! One day, you'll be learning about the Chumash and touring an original California mission. The next day, you'll be among the privileged few, hiking in serene isolation on one of the protected Channel Islands, with its endemic plants and miniature foxes (and perhaps sighting whales and dolphins). Another day, you'll be touring Air Force One at the Reagan Library. And then, best of all, a reserved bleacher at the Pasadena Rose Parade--there is nothing like experiencing this parade in person! One of the most varied tours we've experienced--something interesting and different every day.
— Review left January 5, 2020
This was an excellent trip! The sites were varied, well known, and well managed. Anyone who is interested in art, history, the environment and the outdoors, as well as California missions, should consider this!
— Review left August 28, 2019
This program has an extraordinary leader and experts!
— Review left March 2, 2019
I really enjoyed the trip. The tour leader, Hidy, was just fantastic, very easy to get along with, very organized, and very helpful with questions and assistance. I would take another tour with her as the tour leader. Good job Hidy.
I really enjoyed the sights that we visited, from Santa Barbara mission and courthouse, the Reagan Library, channel islands, and of course the rose bowl. Our bus drivers were helpful and courteous, the buses were on time and clean. I liked that our group was 22 people, allowing us to spread out comfortably on the buses.
I realized that our hotel, Embassy Suites, had its challenges. They did they best to have rooms cleaned, but were unable to have enough housekeeping staff to timely clean the rooms. Fortunately, my roommate and I were not messy people and only required fresh towels and coffee each day. I also recognize that the meals were ok. I also enjoy the Embassy Suites made to order breakfast omelettes, and the boxed meals were really good. The dinners were ok, but tasted just like regular dinner, nothing special, which was a bit of a surprise for Embassy Suites name. I don't know what the hotel could have done better for the dinners, how to suggest improving, just say that I would eat there again. I would stay there again. Overall, the location on the beach, the clean and adequate features from nice breakfast and happy hour, and suite rooms make it worth the limitations. Hopefully by the next time a tour group stays at Embassy Suites, the hotel will be more prepared for customers and increased staff. Road Scholar tours should stay at Embassy Suites again.
— Review left January 27, 2019
Hildy did a great job with our tour group. She is so knowledgeable about the area.
Very happy with itinerary for Rose Parade and California highlights.
— Review left January 9, 2019