Begin your northern California adventure by flying to Sacramento.  Our first stop will be the Railroad Museum, a world-class tribute to the role of the “iron horse” in connecting California with the rest of the nation, featuring restored locomotives and cars, unique exhibits, and thousands of artifacts from the transcontinental railroad era.  After checking into our hotel, we’ll gather for a delicious welcome dinner. Meals: D

Today we’ll drive to the charming city of Sonora, known as the “Queen of the Southern Mines”.  We’ll take a step back in time to experience the Gold Rush era at the Columbia State Historic Park.  Columbia was once the second largest city in California with it being one of the most prosperous gold mining towns in the country.  Enjoy lunch on your own before we continue on to Yosemite Valley Lodge, located in the heart of the Yosemite National Park. Meals: B, D

Yosemite National Park is best known for its cascading waterfalls, ancient granite monoliths, vast wildness area, and grand meadows.  We’ll take an all-day tour highlighting the history and natural beauty of the park and its many treasures including the valley floor, Glacier Point (weather permitting), and the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. Meals: B, L 

Today is a big travel day, heading across the fertile Central Valley area, known for its agricultural bounty and home to 1.88 million acres of the world’s most productive farmland.  One of the leading products grown in this area is almonds due to the Mediterranean-like climate.  We’ll stop at a local almond farm to learn how almonds are grown and harvested and sample some of these nutty delights.  We’ll make our way to San Francisco, where we’ll check into our hotel located near Fisherman’s Wharf.  We’ll enjoy a lovely dinner together on Pier 39. Meals: B, D 

This morning, we’ll venture out for a city tour of San Francisco, crossing the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and seeing Golden Gate Park, Painted Ladies, and Chinatown.  The afternoon is yours to explore the history, cuisine, and coastal landscapes that San Francisco has to offer. Meals: B

We’ll venture out across the bay bridge to Napa, known for its riverfront promenade, amazing art scene, historic architecture, fresh cuisine, and outstanding wines.  Napa Valley is also a leader in growing and distributing unique and distinct olive oils due to the area’s ideal weather conditions and different soil elements.  At an olive oil tasting, we’ll compare and contrast different styles of olive oil.  After having lunch on your own at the Oxbow Market, we’ll continue through the Napa Valley to the Francis Ford Coppola Winery for a wine tasting.  This unique winery offers a variety of tasting experiences and culinary delights while exploring the vast collection of movie memorabilia from Coppola’s prestigious filmmaking career.  We’ll check in to our hotel in Sonoma Valley, our home for the next two nights. Meals: B 

Today we’ll visit the Charles M. Schulz Museum featuring the largest collection of original Peanuts comic strips in the world.  See original Peanuts artwork up close, learn about the art of cartooning and Charles M. Schulz’s role in its development, watch Peanuts animated specials in the theatre, and draw your own cartoon in the hands-on education room.  We’ll take a short walking tour of historic downtown and visit the State Historic Park to see the Mission San Francisco Solano.  After enjoying lunch on your own, spend the afternoon exploring the shops, galleries and historic sites that make downtown Sonoma a gathering place for locals and visitors alike.  Tonight, we’ll gather for a farewell dinner. Meals: B, D

It’s time to say goodbye to sunny California as we travel home with wonderful memories, new friends, and stunning landscape photos. Meals: B