California

The Best of California: The Reagan Library to the Channel Islands

Program No. 14491RJ
Experience it all on this comprehensive exploration of California. Savor great cuisine, explore National Parks, visit renowned museums and enjoy insightful lectures along the way!

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At a Glance

Experience California’s diverse cultural and natural wonders. View J. Paul Getty’s extensive art collection at the J. Paul Getty Museum, learn about the Channel Islands and sit in the peaceful courtyards at the historic mission of Santa Barbara. Insights gained through lectures and visits will give you a full picture of California culture.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to two miles per day on uneven city streets most days, standing up to two hours on field trips. On day trip to Channel Islands, walking on uneven, dirt trails with options of walking two to five miles. Boat trips to the Channel Islands are dependent on ocean conditions, which can be rough, and subject to cancellation by the boat’s captain depending on ocean swell and wind conditions. Alternate plans on the mainland will be in place if an island field trip is cancelled. Field trips included in the itinerary require traveling on LA freeways, be prepared to experience some traffic during the week.

What You'll Learn

  • Trace the history of the California Mission system with a local expert and sit in the peaceful courtyards at the historic mission of Santa Barbara.
  • View J. Paul Getty's extensive art collection at the Getty Museum against a backdrop of dramatic architecture, tranquil gardens and breathtaking views.
  • Celebrate The Great Communicator at the Reagan Library, which was renovated after a revealing in-depth study of his diaries.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Profile Image
Margery Spielman
Margery Spielman is an accomplished environmental artist, lecturer, naturalist and professional diver. As a scuba instructor and stunt diver, she worked underwater on numerous television productions and for many years, worked on freelance assignments for The Cousteau Society, doing research, logistics, diving, speaking and illustrating. Described as a visionary realist, she’s exhibited her artwork in major Marine Art Expos from Hawaii to Paris. For over 25 years, Margery’s been the leading Naturalist in Road Scholar’s Channel Islands programs.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Margery Spielman
Margery Spielman View biography
Margery Spielman is an accomplished environmental artist, lecturer, naturalist and professional diver. As a scuba instructor and stunt diver, she worked underwater on numerous television productions and for many years, worked on freelance assignments for The Cousteau Society, doing research, logistics, diving, speaking and illustrating. Described as a visionary realist, she’s exhibited her artwork in major Marine Art Expos from Hawaii to Paris. For over 25 years, Margery’s been the leading Naturalist in Road Scholar’s Channel Islands programs.
Profile Image of Donna Granata
Donna Granata View biography
Donna Granata is the founder and executive director of Focus on the Masters (FOTM), a highly respected nonprofit archive and educational program documenting contemporary artists. An accomplished artist in her own right, Granata is an internationally published portrait photographer. Her photographs have been displayed across the United States. Selected works from her FOTM portrait series are housed in the Smithsonian's Archive of American Artists; in the photographic collection of the George Eastman Museum and other public institutions housing the personal archives of the artists documented.
Profile Image of Walt Agajanian
Walt Agajanian View biography
Born and raised in Southern California, Walt Agajanian left California to see other parts of the country and ended up in college at the University of Wyoming, intended to be a high school science teacher. Returning to California, Walt changed his plans and went into business. Having had a passion for history as well as science, he eventually decided to enroll at California State University, Northridge for a second bachelor’s and a master’s degree in history. He now teaches history at Ventura College.
Profile Image of Susan Morris
Susan Morris View biography
Susan Morris has been conducting historical research involving the Channel Islands since 1987. With a bachelor’s in journalism and a certificate in archaeology, she has participated in field studies on seven of the eight Channel Islands. She was the principal investigator of a cave-associated archaeology survey on Santa Rosa Island. Passionate about solving historical mysteries, her focus of the past eight years has been historical research for the Island of the Blue Dolphins website hosted by Channel Islands National Park.
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Year
2024
  • 2024
  • 2025
Date
Sep 15 - Sep 20
  • May 05 - May 10
  • Sep 15 - Sep 20
  • Sep 29 - Oct 04
  • Dec 28 - Jan 02
Please Note: The program differs on certain dates.
Please Note: The program differs on certain dates.
Select trip year and date
2024
  • 2024
  • 2025
Sep 15 - Sep 20
  • May 05 - May 10
  • Sep 15 - Sep 20
  • Sep 29 - Oct 04
  • Dec 28 - Jan 02
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
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6 days
5 nights
13 meals
5 B 3 L 5 D
DAY
1
Check-In, Registration, Orientation, Dinner
Ventura, CA
D
Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach

Activity note: Hotel check-in from 4:00 p.m.

Afternoon: Program Registration: after you have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your group leader and let them know you have arrived. Orientation: the Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the program theme, the up-to-date daily schedule and any changes, discuss safety guidelines, emergency procedures, roles and responsibilities, and answer any questions you may have. Lunch at the Getty Center on Day 4 is on your own. If you wish to eat at the Getty Restaurant, reservations are recommended. Make reservations for the restaurant by calling (310) 440-6810. Reservations should be made between 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. We have set aside some free time in the schedule for your personal independent exploration. Please be aware that program activities, schedules, and personnel may need to change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner: At the hotel, enjoy dinner plus water; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: Enjoy the remainder of the evening getting to know your fellow participants and discovering what you share beyond a love of lifelong learning.

DAY
2
Field Trip to Santa Barbara, Channel Islands Lecture
Ventura, CA
B,L,D
Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach

Activity note: Depending on traffic, the drive to Santa Barbara is approximately 45 minutes (25 miles); Getting on/off motorcoach; Walking on even terrain and standing for long periods of time; Participants can climb the 85-foot clock tower of the Santa Barbara Courthouse.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: This morning, we’ll be joined by a local expert who will trace the history of the mission system from its Spanish beginnings to the missions in Latin America, and examine why they were used in California. Hear about Father Junipero Serra and what life was like at the California Missions. Discuss why the missions failed and how they are viewed today. Our private motorcoach will depart the hotel for the Santa Barbara Mission, where we will enjoy a self-guided visit. Founded in 1786, Mission Santa Barbara was the 10th of the missions to be built. It is called the "Queen of the Missions" for its beautiful hilltop setting and majestic views. Our morning continues with a visit to the Santa Barbara Courthouse. The courthouse is the jewel in Santa Barbara's architectural crown, on the National Register of Historic Places and a National Historic Landmark. The current courthouse, completed just four months before the U.S. stock market crash of 1929, looks as if it belongs in southern Spain with its Spanish-Moorish architecture and surrounding sunken garden. The top of the 85-foot clock tower offers panoramic views of the surrounding city and the mountains.

Lunch: At a favorite local restaurant in downtown Santa Barbara.

Afternoon: We will depart for Ventura after lunch on our private coach. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: Enjoy an evening session with a local expert learning about Channel Islands National Park in preparation for the next day's visit via boat to Santa Cruz Island. Channel Islands National Park covers five of the eight Channel Islands off the coast of Southern California. Having endured thousands of years of isolation, these islands are host to a variety of flora and fauna that cannot be found anywhere else on Earth.

DAY
3
Field Trip to Santa Cruz Island
Ventura, CA
B,L,D
Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach

Activity note: Weather permitting, travel to Santa Cruz Island is approximately one hour boat ride each way. Walking distances up to 2 miles on uneven terrain with elevation change of up to 300 feet; Layered clothing, rubber soled shoes, and a good grip are all recommended. Please refer to the attached document "What to expect on your island days!" for more detailed information about the islands you will be visiting.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We’ll take our private motor coach from the hotel, we’ll enjoy an all day outing to Santa Cruz Island via Island Packers boat. Upon arrival at the Island, we will disembark the boat to the pier where we will have a short orientation before heading out on our naturalist-led walk. With its pristine beaches and grass covered hills, Santa Cruz is the largest island of the five islands comprising Channel Island National Park, and is a miniature of what Southern California looked like 100 years ago. With our expert, we’ll embark on an easy, 1 mile round trip walk with good examples of native and endemic plants through Scorpion Cavern. If participants are eager for a more rigorous hike, they can partake in a 2 mile round trip hike to Cavern Point, which climbs 300 ft on the first third of the hike to Cavern Point and then flattens out providing expansive vistas of the Santa Barbara Channel. Our naturalist will talk about the isolation of the island, animals, plants, restoration projects, ranch history, and the marine environment at stops along the trail.

Lunch: Boxed lunch. Our lunches are packed so all trash can fit in a pocket to avoid littering. There are limited trash cans on the island. Please remember to bring your reusable water bottle.

Afternoon: Continue our field trip on Santa Cruz Island. The boat operated by Island Packers returns to the mainland around 5:00 p.m.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
4
J. Paul Getty Center
Ventura, CA
B,D
Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach

Activity note: Depending on traffic, drive to Getty Center approximately one hour and 50 miles; Walking between the buildings is on flat, paved surfaces but access to the bottom of the Central Gardens involves a slight incline

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We start our morning with a lecture from a local expert about J. Paul Getty and his collection. From the hotel, we’ll ride to the J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Center to view the Getty's collection of artwork and grand gardens. The museum is accessed from the parking structure by a 3/4 mile hovertrain. The Getty Center is one of the most visited art museums in the United States and presents the Getty's collection of Western art from the Middle Ages to the present against a backdrop of dramatic architecture, tranquil gardens, and breathtaking views. This stunning collection features works by Titian, Rembrandt, Manet, and Monet. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration of the Getty Center.

Lunch: On your own at Getty Center.

Afternoon: Continue your free day exploring the Getty Center. After the Getty Center, we’ll return to the hotel for dinner.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
5
Field Trip to Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum
Ventura, CA
B,L,D
Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach

Activity note: Depending on traffic, drive to the Reagan Library is approximately 40 minutes and 35 miles; standing for up to two hours with limited seating available in the museum.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will start our morning with a lecture from a local expert about Ronald Reagan. We will learn about his early life in Hollywood to his rise to the Oval Office. The 40th President of the United States, Reagan moved to Hollywood to fulfill his dream of becoming an actor. After becoming President of the Screen Actors Guild, he became involved in politics as a spokesman for General Electric. After gaining support, he was persuaded to run for Governor of California and eventually became President of the United States. Known for his new economic and political incentives, Reagan grew from a small town icon to one of the most favored Presidents in American history. From the hotel, we’ll take a field trip to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum. Opened to the public in 1991, the 100 acre site is perched on a mountaintop with sweeping views of mountains, valleys, and the Pacific Ocean. Follow a young Ronald Reagan on his rise from local hero and college standout to the glamorous world of Hollywood stardom. His campaign trail and inauguration as the 40th President of the United States, the Oval Office, and key events of his two terms are revealed through documents, photographs, and artifacts from eight dynamic years in the White House. In the Air Force One Pavilion, board the aircraft that served as the "Flying White House" for President Reagan.

Lunch: Lunch at Reagan Library.

Afternoon: Free time to explore the exhibits and grounds on your own before returning to the hotel.

Dinner: At a local restaurant, our farewell dinner.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
6
Program Concludes
Ventura, CA
B

Activity note: Hotel check-out 11:00 a.m.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We hope you enjoy all your Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. We encourage you to join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!






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