Coast Tour to Santa Barbara, Solvang & Hearst Castle by Empire Vacations

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Duration: 14h
Location: Hearst Castle, 750 Hearst Castle Rd, San Simeon, CA 93452, United States | San Simeon, United States


Category: Day Trips & Excursions

Highlights:
Guided exploration of must-see sights on the Central Coast
Spanish Mission in the seaside city of Santa Barbara
Authentic Danish village of Solvang in the Santa Ynez Valley
Opulent turn-of-the-century hilltop estate at Hearst Castle
Centuries-old antiques, artwork & architecture at the castle

Inclusions:
Guided tour of Santa Barbara, Solvang, and Hearst Castle
Admission to Hearst Castle
Roundtrip transportation from and to Los Angeles
Wireless Internet on board full-size buses only, not available on vans or smaller vehicles
Live tour commentary

Description:

Spend a day exploring the cities and landmarks of the California coast on this guided excursion to sunny Santa Barbara, charming Solvang, and the opulent estate of newspaper baron William Randolph Hearst.

Head north from LA to Santa Barbara, a city of whitewashed buildings with red-tile roofs, nestled between the azure Pacific and the Santa Ynez Mountains. Step into an old Spanish mission, where you can learn about the region's early European settlers in the hushed beauty of the centuries-old church.

Your next stop is in the Santa Ynez Valley, but might as well be on the other side of the Atlantic. The Danish village of Solvang is complete with half-timbered European-style buildings and windmills. Stroll through town to check out statues of Hans Christian Anderson and his fabled siren, the Little Mermaid, and spend some time browsing the quaint shops for Christmas ornaments and Danish wares.

Finally, make your way to the lavish and eclectic Hearst Castle, perched on a hill in the Hart San Simeon State Park. Called La Cuesta Encantada—The Enchanted Hill—by its larger-than-life owner, this palatial estate played host to the rich and famous of the early 20th century during its heyday, welcoming guests like Charlie Chaplin, Charles Lindbergh, Winston Churchill, and Franklin Roosevelt. Roam the sprawling grounds alongside resident zebras, pass by the white marble Neptune Pool, and then head indoors to admire a fantastic collection of antiques, artwork, mosaics, and décor.