Day 1: DINNER @ MULATE’S / LAFAYETTE, LA:  We depart this morning on our exciting journey west. After traveling through Mississippi, we will spend our first night in Lafayette, LA. This evening we will enjoy an authentic Cajun dinner at Mulate’s. (D)

Day 2: GULF OF MEXICO / GALVESTON, TX:  From Cajun country we enter the Lone Star State of Texas and Galveston, our destination for the night. Gaslights, stately Victorian buildings, and the clip-clop of carriages transport us to life as it was in the late 19th century. Enjoy your leisure time walking along the beach, browsing on “the strand,” riding the trolley to see historic mansions, or just relaxing at our grand hotel that overlooks the Gulf.

Day 3: ALAMO / Riverwalk / NARRATED BOAT TOUR / San Antonio, Tx: Today we travel to San Antonio, one of the most charming and historic cities in America. We’ll remember the Alamo, a hallmark of Texas history. Following a narrated boat tour on the San Antonio River, the evening is free for shopping and exploring along the picturesque Riverwalk. Make plans for dinner at one of the terraced restaurants overlooking Riverwalk.  

Day 4: LUNCH @ HISTORIC FORT STOCKTON / LAS CRUCES, NM:  We continue westward across the flatlands of Texas. In Fort Stockton we may see Paisano Pete, the world’s largest road runner. Lunch is included at the barracks at Old Fort Stockton. Our day ends in Las Cruces, NM. (L)

Day 5: TUCSON, AZ / SAGUARO NATIONAL MONUMENT / ARIZONA SONORA DESERT MUSEUM / YUMA, AZ:  Enjoy the beauty of nature as we travel across New Mexico and Arizona. In Tucson, we visit Arizona Sonora Desert Museum. See hundreds of huge saguaro cactus amid desert creatures in their natural environment. The botanical gardens and natural walkways add to the adventure that unfolds.

Day 6: OLD TOWN / HARBOR CRUISE / GUIDED CITY TOUR / SAN DIEGO, CA:  Upon arrival in San Diego, we visit Old Town for sightseeing and shopping. On a narrated harbor cruise of the San Diego Bay we’ll see the U.S. Navy fleet, Coronado Bridge, Star of India and more. See the highlights of San Diego this afternoon on a guided city tour. You will have an option to visit the San Diego Zoo (on your own).

Day 7: MISSION San Juan Capistrano / RONALD REAGAN PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY & MUSEUM / LUNCH @ REAGAN’S COUNTRY café / LOS ANGELES, CA:  Mission San Juan Capistrano is most famous for the annual return of the swallows in mid-March but is brimming with interesting history. The serenity amid the 10 acres of lush gardens, fountains and old adobe walls offers respite from the busy world. From here we travel to Simi Valley. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library sits on top of a hill with a view of the entire valley and is the burial site of this great president. While here, you will want to walk through Air Force One and tour the library and museum.  After an included lunch at Reagan’s Country Café we travel to Los Angeles where we stay two nights. (L)

Day 8: GUIDED TOUR OF LOS ANGELES & HOLLYWOOD / FARMERS MARKET / DINNER @ CITY-WALK / LOS ANGELES, CA:  Our guided tour of Los Angeles includes Hollywood, Sunset Boulevard, Mann’s Chinese Theatre, and more. Concluding at Farmers Market, this will be your opportunity to buy fresh fruits and other treats. After some free time this afternoon, a special dinner is included at Universal’s CityWalk. (D)

Day 9: PACIFIC OCEAN / BOXED LUNCH / HEARST CASTLE / PACIFIC GROVE, CA:  Ever since arriving in California we have been glimpsing the Pacific Ocean. Today we travel its coastline on our way to San Simeon and Hearst Castle. Better wear comfortable walking shoes; we ascend a few flights of stairs at what was once the estate of William Randolph Hearst. Located atop a 1,600-ft mountain with a spectacular view of San Simeon and the Pacific Ocean, the main house alone consists of 115 rooms! We’ll tour the ground floor of the main house, one guesthouse, both pools, and the gardens. We continue north along the coastline and overnight in Pacific Grove. (L)

Day 10: PIER 39 / LUNCH / CITY TOUR / GOLDEN GATE BAY CRUISE / SAN FRANCISCO, CA:  San Francisco, the “City by the Bay,” is home for the next two nights. Lunch is included at Pier 39 in Fisherman’s Wharf, followed by a guided city tour. This is a uniquely diverse area of California. On our Golden Gate Bay Cruise you can take photos of the Golden Gate Bridge, the San Francisco skyline and Alcatraz prison. This evening you may want to return to Pier 39 where there are many restaurants, souvenir shops and import houses. (L)

Day 11: DAY OF LEISURE / SAN FRANCISCO, CA:  Enjoy San Francisco however you like! Hop on board a trolley to explore this romantic city. Try an authentic lunch in China Town where streets are lined with Chinese shops and restaurants, or explore Fisherman’s Wharf. There are several walking tours available.

Day 12: SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK / CALIFORNIA SEQUOIA’S / TULARE, CA:  Leaving a little of our hearts behind, we depart San Francisco on our way to Sequoia National Park. Massive California sequoia trees are one of the most awesome sights in the world! Taking a picture of just one tree is a challenge. Our accommodations are in the Tulare, CA area.

Day 13: PALM SPRINGS CITY TOUR / PALM SPRINGS, CA:  The beautiful resort area of Palm Springs beckons. Located in the upper Colorado Desert at the foot of the San Jacinto Peak, Palm Springs has been the idyllic setting for many golf tournaments, Hollywood productions, and famous residences. Following a guided city tour the remainder of the day is yours to enjoy. Option: Elite Land Tours’ Palm Springs Windmill Tour.

Day 14: TOMBSTONE, AZ / CHUCK-WAGON DINNER & SHOW:  Returning to Arizona one imagines wagon trains against the horizon or a cowboy riding off into the sunset. In Tombstone, we enjoy dinner served off the back of a chuck wagon, then good belly laughs as Cowboy Doug entertains vaudeville style. (D)

Day 15: TOMBSTONE’S BOOT HILL CEMETERY / FREE TIME IN TOMBSTONE / DINNER / EL PASO, TX:  We’ll get a close-up experience of the old west while exploring Tombstone. From the Birdcage Theater to the OK Corral this is as close as you get to the Old West. Walk in Boot Hill Cemetery and see how the old cowpokes lived and died. Later we pass through New Mexico on our way to El Paso, TX. A Mexican-style dinner is included. (D)

Day 16: EL PASO CITY TOUR / TEXAS:  For over 400 years El Paso has been a favorite stop and destination for visitors from all over the world. El Paso is the oldest settlement in Texas and can trace its early roots to a time before the Pilgrim’s landed on Plymouth Rock. Our local guide takes us on a historic journey and scenic drive of this fascinating border city.

Day 17: FORT WORTH STOCKYARDS / FAREWELL DINNER @ MONJUNIS / SHREVEPORT, LA:  There is ample time to explore the historic stockyard area in Fort Worth. Peek into a honky-tonk saloon, take a carriage ride, visit Cowtown Museum, or order a T-bone steak. As we enter Louisiana we’re reminded that this wonderful experience is winding down. A special farewell dinner is included this evening at Monjunis Italian Restaurant. (D)

Day 18: HOME:  After days of touring California and the Great Southwest, we are on our way home. The spectacular sights nature has provided, the beautiful cities man has built, our many new friends, and the memories we have shared will not soon be forgotten.

Package Includes: Round-trip deluxe motorcoach transportation, 17 nights lodging, all meals and attractions listed in all caps and bold print, taxes, gratuities on included meals, tour director, luggage handling. Not included: Gratuities for local guides, tour director, and motorcoach driver. 

23 Meals Included: 4 Lunches, 5 Dinners, 3 Breakfast, 11 Deluxe Continental Breakfasts, (L-Lunch, D-Dinner, B-Breakfast)