Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe
Photo Credit: Robert Holmes/California Tourism

DAY 1  Early this morning we’ll be transferred to the Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport to board our flight to San Francisco. After claiming our luggage we’ll board our waiting motorcoach and head for our hotel for the next 2 nights located just 2 blocks from Fisherman’s Wharf.  You'll have time to explore and have a bit of lunch on your own prior to walking the 2 short blocks to the boat for our narrated Harbor Cruise under the Golden Gate Bridge and around Alcatraz Island.  Following our cruise, we’ll enjoy included dinner on Fisherman’s Wharf.

DAY 2  Breakfast will be included this morning, then we’ll enjoy a guided tour of San Francisco, including Chinatown, Golden Gate Park, the Presidio and much more.  The remainder of the day will be free to enjoy Fisherman’s Wharf or ride the Cable Cars. Remember, our hotel is just a short distance from the wharf, so you will be free to return to the hotel to rest.    


DAY 3  Following our included breakfast, we’ll board our coach for the ride across the Golden Gate Bridge to the artist community of Sausalito. You’ll have time to browse the shops and explore this wonderful town overlooking San Francisco Bay. We’ll arrive in Sonoma in Napa Valley this afternoon to visit a winery. You'll hear the story of wine-making and enjoy some of their products during a wine-tasting session.  We’ll then head on to the capital of California, Sacramento, where we’ll tour the California State Railroad Museum and have time to explore Old Sacramento. Later we’ll check into our hotel for the night with the evening free to relax and have dinner (on your own).

DAY 4  We’ll enjoy our included breakfast, then we’re off to visit the Marshall Gold Discovery Historical Park, the site of Sutter’s Mill, where gold was first discovered (sparking the California gold rush). Later we’ll stop in Placerville (Hangtown) to hear the gold mining history of this town. We’ll then continue on through the beautiful Sierra Mountains to Lake Tahoe, where we’ll drive around the western side of the lake stopping at several viewpoints for photo opportunities, including Emerald Bay. We’ll make one more stop at the historic Cal-Neva Hotel, once owned by Frank Sinatra, on the way to our hotel/casino in Lake Tahoe, NV for our overnight. Dinner will be included at the hotel with the evening free to relax or enjoy the gaming action. 

DAY 5  Following our included breakfast, we’ll head through Carson City, the capital of Nevada, to Virginia City, once the richest mining town in the world and still much like it was in its heyday. We’ll enjoy a narrated tram tour, and then you will have time to explore the downtown shops and casinos, and have lunch (on your own).  We'll then continue on to Reno (the “Biggest Little City in the World”) for our overnight in the downtown area. The evening will be free to explore or just relax, and have dinner on your own.

DAY 6  Breakfast is included this morning, with a late morning departure. We’ll head west over Donner Pass to Donner Memorial State Park, which honors those who died here during the winter of 1846 – 47. You'll enjoy the slide show and have time to explore the museum and see the Monument.  Late this afternoon we’ll arrive back in San Francisco and check into our airport hotel for the night. This evening we’ll enjoy a Farewell Dinner.

DAY 7  This morning we’ll transfer to the San Francisco airport for our flight home, full of wonderful memories of the “City by the Bay,” wine country, and beautiful Lake Tahoe. Upon our return you’ll be transferred back to your pickup point.

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