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.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Meals
13 Meals
5 Breakfasts
3 Lunches
5 Dinners
The following choices may be available when requested in advance: Vegetarian, Gluten Free, Low Fat, Low Salt
Lodging
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Display
Sep 15, 2024 - Sep 20, 2024
  • Sep 15, 2024 - Sep 20, 2024
  • May 05, 2024 - May 10, 2024
  • Sep 15, 2024 - Sep 20, 2024
  • Sep 29, 2024 - Oct 04, 2024
  • Dec 28, 2024 - Jan 02, 2025
  • Feb 23, 2025 - Feb 28, 2025
  • May 04, 2025 - May 09, 2025
  • Aug 24, 2025 - Aug 29, 2025
  • Sep 28, 2025 - Oct 03, 2025
  • Dec 28, 2025 - Jan 02, 2026
5 nights
Ventura
Delight in the year-round sunshine of Ventura, California with its miles of clean, uncrowded beaches, spectacular mountainous back country, and the magnificent Channel Islands National Park on the horizon. At the center of it all, right at the water's edge, stands the Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach Hotel. Located just steps away from the Amtrak platform and convenient to the scenic Pacific Coast Highway, this location is also steps from the beach. It is ideally situated within walking distance of historic downtown Ventura where you will find the San Buenaventura Mission, museums, antique stores, a wide variety of restaurants, bookstores, cafes, clothing shops, and art galleries. Special Note: This is a high-rise hotel.
5 nights
Ventura
Delight in the year-round sunshine of Ventura, California with its miles of clean, uncrowded beaches, spectacular mountainous back country, and the magnificent Channel Islands National Park on the horizon. At the center of it all, right at the water's edge, stands the Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach Hotel. Located just steps away from the Amtrak platform and convenient to the scenic Pacific Coast Highway, this location is also steps from the beach. It is ideally situated within walking distance of historic downtown Ventura where you will find the San Buenaventura Mission, museums, antique stores, a wide variety of restaurants, bookstores, cafes, clothing shops, and art galleries. Special Note: This is a high-rise hotel.
5 nights
Ventura
Delight in the year-round sunshine of Ventura, California with its miles of clean, uncrowded beaches, spectacular mountainous back country, and the magnificent Channel Islands National Park on the horizon. At the center of it all, right at the water's edge, stands the Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach Hotel. Located just steps away from the Amtrak platform and convenient to the scenic Pacific Coast Highway, this location is also steps from the beach. It is ideally situated within walking distance of historic downtown Ventura where you will find the San Buenaventura Mission, museums, antique stores, a wide variety of restaurants, bookstores, cafes, clothing shops, and art galleries. Special Note: This is a high-rise hotel.
5 nights
Ventura
Delight in the year-round sunshine of Ventura, California with its miles of clean, uncrowded beaches, spectacular mountainous back country, and the magnificent Channel Islands National Park on the horizon. At the center of it all, right at the water's edge, stands the Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach Hotel. Located just steps away from the Amtrak platform and convenient to the scenic Pacific Coast Highway, this location is also steps from the beach. It is ideally situated within walking distance of historic downtown Ventura where you will find the San Buenaventura Mission, museums, antique stores, a wide variety of restaurants, bookstores, cafes, clothing shops, and art galleries. Special Note: This is a high-rise hotel.
5 nights
Ventura
Delight in the year-round sunshine of Ventura, California with its miles of clean, uncrowded beaches, spectacular mountainous back country, and the magnificent Channel Islands National Park on the horizon. At the center of it all, right at the water's edge, stands the Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach Hotel. Located just steps away from the Amtrak platform and convenient to the scenic Pacific Coast Highway, this location is also steps from the beach. It is ideally situated within walking distance of historic downtown Ventura where you will find the San Buenaventura Mission, museums, antique stores, a wide variety of restaurants, bookstores, cafes, clothing shops, and art galleries. Special Note: This is a high-rise hotel.
5 nights
Ventura
Delight in the year-round sunshine of Ventura, California with its miles of clean, uncrowded beaches, spectacular mountainous back country, and the magnificent Channel Islands National Park on the horizon. At the center of it all, right at the water's edge, stands the Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach Hotel. Located just steps away from the Amtrak platform and convenient to the scenic Pacific Coast Highway, this location is also steps from the beach. It is ideally situated within walking distance of historic downtown Ventura where you will find the San Buenaventura Mission, museums, antique stores, a wide variety of restaurants, bookstores, cafes, clothing shops, and art galleries. Special Note: This is a high-rise hotel.
5 nights
Ventura
Delight in the year-round sunshine of Ventura, California with its miles of clean, uncrowded beaches, spectacular mountainous back country, and the magnificent Channel Islands National Park on the horizon. At the center of it all, right at the water's edge, stands the Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach Hotel. Located just steps away from the Amtrak platform and convenient to the scenic Pacific Coast Highway, this location is also steps from the beach. It is ideally situated within walking distance of historic downtown Ventura where you will find the San Buenaventura Mission, museums, antique stores, a wide variety of restaurants, bookstores, cafes, clothing shops, and art galleries. Special Note: This is a high-rise hotel.
5 nights
Ventura
Delight in the year-round sunshine of Ventura, California with its miles of clean, uncrowded beaches, spectacular mountainous back country, and the magnificent Channel Islands National Park on the horizon. At the center of it all, right at the water's edge, stands the Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach Hotel. Located just steps away from the Amtrak platform and convenient to the scenic Pacific Coast Highway, this location is also steps from the beach. It is ideally situated within walking distance of historic downtown Ventura where you will find the San Buenaventura Mission, museums, antique stores, a wide variety of restaurants, bookstores, cafes, clothing shops, and art galleries. Special Note: This is a high-rise hotel.
5 nights
Ventura
Delight in the year-round sunshine of Ventura, California with its miles of clean, uncrowded beaches, spectacular mountainous back country, and the magnificent Channel Islands National Park on the horizon. At the center of it all, right at the water's edge, stands the Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach Hotel. Located just steps away from the Amtrak platform and convenient to the scenic Pacific Coast Highway, this location is also steps from the beach. It is ideally situated within walking distance of historic downtown Ventura where you will find the San Buenaventura Mission, museums, antique stores, a wide variety of restaurants, bookstores, cafes, clothing shops, and art galleries. Special Note: This is a high-rise hotel.





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