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!
Program
At a Glance
Duration
6 days
Program Begins
Ventura, CA
Program Concludes
Ventura, CA
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
11 (
5B, 2L, 4D
)
Activity Level
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.
Best of all, you'll...
- 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.
- Learn about the Great Communicator at the Reagan Library, which was renovated after a revealing in-depth study of his diaries.
Featured Expert
All Experts
Paul R. Spitzzeri
A California historian and author of numerous works on such topics as railroad development and regulation, overland emigration, and criminal justice, Paul R. Spitzzeri received his bachelor’s and master’s in history from California State University, Fullerton. He is Museum Director of the Workman and Temple Family Homestead Museum near Los Angeles and an Award of Merit recipient from the American Association for State and Local History for his biography of the Workman and Temple families.
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
Please Note:
These experts may not be available for every date of the program
Paul R. Spitzzeri
A California historian and author of numerous works on such topics as railroad development and regulation, overland emigration, and criminal justice, Paul R. Spitzzeri received his bachelor’s and master’s in history from California State University, Fullerton. He is Museum Director of the Workman and Temple Family Homestead Museum near Los Angeles and an Award of Merit recipient from the American Association for State and Local History for his biography of the Workman and Temple families.
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.
Donna Granata
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.
Jill Swaim
Jill Swaim is a retired elementary and middle school teacher. She taught for 39 years in San Diego, Oceanside, and Santa Paula, all districts in California. She has worked for Road Scholar since 2003 as a group leader, and has become a volunteer ambassador for the organization. Her hobbies include spending time with her grandchildren, travel, and volunteering.
Walt Agajanian
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.
Susan Morris
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.
Mary Jackson
Mary Jackson recently retired from teaching English at a Northern California high school. During a 34-year career, she taught honors English and multicultural literature, chaired the English department, and served as a mentor teacher. During the summers, Mary and her husband, Drew, took high school students on international trips that took them throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa. Over 60 Road Scholar programs later, they stay busy with both intergenerational and adult programs in Northern California, from hiking Yosemite to exploring the coastal village of Mendocino.
Daire Coco
Daire Coco has been working in the travel industry in Southern California since 2015. Based in San Diego, she has led groups to many of the region’s top attractions. She loves sharing her knowledge of the area with visitors from around the world. Having lived in Mexico for several years, Daire has a keen interest in the Mexican and Spanish influences on Southern California. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, dining ou, and exploring new destinations.
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 a 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 sea 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.
Small Group
(13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Books and Resources
View Full List
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call
800-454-5768
Enroll with Confidence
Peace of Mind
We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.
Assurance Plan
Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.
Want to Protect Your Investment?
Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.
Sustainable Travel
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.
- Peace of Mind
We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.
- Assurance Plan
Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.
- Want to Protect Your Investment?
Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.
- Sustainable Travel
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.