San Francisco & The Wine Country
DAY 1, HOME – SAN FRANCISCO
This
morning we'll fly from your hometown to San Francisco. Upon arrival in San
Francisco, we transfer by deluxe private motor coach to The Prescott Hotel.
As we step into the lobby of The Prescott, the blazing fireplace, red fir
wainscoting, alabaster chandeliers and richly upholstered furniture create
an atmosphere of comfortable elegance and quiet luxury. It’s location, one
block from Union Square, offers the convenience of shopping at such well
known stores as Saks Fifth Avenue, Tiffany, Macy’s, I. Magnin and F.A.O.
Schwartz just to name a few.
In the lobby of The Prescott, we find one of the finest restaurants in all of San Francisco, The Postrio, a creation of internationally acclaimed chef Wolfgang Puck.
This evening we will have the opportunity to get to know our fellow travelers a little better over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at the station’s Welcome Reception at the San Francisco Press Club.
 |
 |
 |
DAY 2, SAN FRANCISCO
This morning we rise, and after a hearty breakfast, depart the hotel for
a sightseeing tour of San Francisco. Our tour takes us by such historic
and cultural landmarks as Coit Tower, the Japanese Tea Garden, Mission Delores,
the most photographed object in the world, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the
most crooked street in the world – Lombard Street. Along the way, we pass
through the many diverse neighborhoods of the City such as Nob Hill, North
Beach (Little Italy), Pacific Heights, Chinatown and the Haight Ashbury
district.
 |
 |
 |
This afternoon and evening are at leisure.
DAY 3, SAN FRANCISCO – NAPA VALLEY
Following
breakfast this morning, we set out on an exciting excursion into the world-renowned
Napa Valley. This wine producing region of California is home to some of
the world’s best vintages which we will sample today.
Our
tour begins with a beautiful drive across the Golden Gate bridge and through
Marin County. Our first stop will be at the Niebaum-Coppola winery where
we’ll have the opportunity to participate in a guided private tour while
sampling the finest Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabarnet Sauvignon that
the family of Francis Ford Coppola has to offer.
Our next stop will be at the Merryvale Vineyards Founded in 1983, this historic winery is located in the heart of Napa Valley. Merryvale has the privilege of selecting only the finest grapes from more than 30 of the most sought-after vineyard “jewels” in the Napa Valley. The inviting cellar is the ultimate in wine tasting environments.
A special lunch will be served in the magnificent Cask Room at Merryvale Vineyards. The menu will include a three-course entrée with unlimited wines during lunch.
This evening is at leisure.
DAY 4, SAN FRANCISCO
This morning and afternoon are entirely at leisure for individual sightseeing and last minute shopping. Several side tours will be offered to those who care to participate on their own.
Optional Tour - Alcatraz
World famous Alcatraz Island is a former maximum security Federal penitentiary
that housed such well-known gangsters as Al Capone, “Baby Face” Nelson and
“Machine Gun” Kelly. Nicknamed “The Rock”, Alcatraz sits in the center of
San Francisco Bay offering sweeping views of the entire Bay area. Alcatraz
was said to be escape proof and only a handful of escapees have actually
succeeded in breaking out of the prison and braving the freezing waters
of the Bay. No trace of them has ever been found, and though they are presumed
to have drowned, their fates still remain a mystery today.
Optional Tour – Muir Woods/Sausalito
Surrounding
the city of San Francisco are some of the most spectacular nature areas
in the United States. Muir Woods exists as a national monument to one of
the early American naturalists, John Muir, and is home to the largest redwood
trees in the U.S.
After visiting the Redwood Forest, we’ll visit the neighboring town of Sausalito. Sausalito is famous for its charming atmosphere, art galleries, restaurants and many one-of-a-kind boutiques and shops. Here we can enjoy lunch, shop or just wander through the streets.
This
evening our San Francisco and the Wine Country adventure concludes with
our farewell banquet. What better way for us to spend our final evening
in the “City By The Bay” than on the Bay itself?We’ll enjoy the arresting
skyline of San Francisco including the landmark TransAmerica Pyramid, Embarcadero
Center’s four “fingers”, and Coit Tower on Telegraph Hill.Sail under the
magnificent Golden Gate Bridge and enjoy the festive lights adorning the
Bay Bridge at night.
The Hornblower – M/V Commodore – is a gracious 90-foot motor yacht built of mahogany, teak and koa woods. With two salons, a hardwood dance floor, two mahogany bars, and stereo sound system, the Commodore can accommodate 100-135 guests. All cuisine is freshly prepared onboard in a fully equipped galley.
After
a short coach transfer from the hotel to the pier, we’ll board the yacht
for a 3-4 hour dinner and cruise. The evening will feature cocktails throughout,
a four-course dinner (tables set with white linens, polished silver and
china) and entertainment. This luxury yachting adventure will certainly
be an unforgettable finale to our memorable stay in San Francisco and the
Wine Country.
DAY 5, SAN FRANCISCO
This morning after breakfast we depart for the San Francisco International Airport where we board our waiting flight for home, arriving late afternoon.