Hearst Castle & Treasures of the American Riviera

Journey Into the Timeless Allure of California’s American Riviera

 

Discover the elegance of California’s Central Coast on a captivating three-day escape where coastal beauty, rich heritage, and relaxed sophistication blend seamlessly. From the sunlit shores of Santa Barbara to the storied grandeur of Hearst Castle, this journey captures the enchanting spirit of the American Riviera.

 

Stroll Santa Barbara’s palm-lined waterfront and browse the lively Sunday Arts & Crafts Show at Stearns Wharf, where ocean breezes and local flavors abound. Step inside the magnificent Santa Barbara Courthouse, with its hand-painted murals and sweeping views, then make a photo stop at the iconic Mission Santa Barbara, gracefully set against the mountains.

 

In San Luis Obispo, unwind at the charming Apple Farm Inn, where vintage elegance and cozy comforts create a welcoming retreat, paired with time to enjoy the inviting atmosphere.

 

Stop in the tiny town of Harmony (population: 18), where quiet charm and whimsy linger. Continue to the seaside village of Cambria before ascending to Hearst Castle, where opulent rooms, sunlit terraces, and priceless collections bring William Randolph Hearst’s grand vision to life high above the sparkling Pacific. 

 

Your visit begins with the immersive IMAX presentation Building the Dream, offering a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the creation of this architectural masterpiece. Then, experience the estate during your choice of three distinct guided tours, each unveiling different facets of the castle, from the lavish State Rooms and legendary Neptune Pool to the more private upstairs suites. You'll be able to explore Hearst Castle in a way that is uniquely your own.

 

Along the rugged shoreline, go behind the scenes on a tour of the Cultured Abalone Farm and discover how these prized delicacies are sustainably raised from microscopic larvae to full-grown shells in a fascinating blend of science, care, and coastal tradition.

 

From Spanish-inspired landmarks to dramatic ocean vistas, this escape captures the very best of California’s Central Coast and includes 5 meals: 2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 2 dinners.

 

Tour Fare:

• $1250 per person double occupancy

• $1480 per person single occupancy

 

Early Booking Savings:

• Save $100 per person if you’re among the first 20 guests to book

• Save $50 per person if you’re among the next 21–30 to book

 

Cancellation Protection Plan (CPP):

• $125 per person, double or triple occupancy

• $140 per person, single occupancy

 

Deposit and Final Payment:

• A deposit of $150 (+CPP) per person due at time of booking

• Final balance due July 2, 2026

 

 

 

Hearst Castle

 

Santa Barbara Art Walk

 

Santa Barbara Courthouse

 

Old Mission Santa Barbara

 

Bubblegum Alley

 

Apple Farm Inn

 

 

 

 

Cultured Abalone Farm

 

 

Tour Manager:* Pat Brown

 

*Tour Manager is subject to change without notice.

 

Activity Level: High

The Grand Rooms Tour is 70 minutes long and includes approximately 140 steps, both up and down, and 2/3-mile walk. An accessibly-designed Grand Rooms Tour may be available for disabled guests who have difficulty climbing stairs or standing and walking for extended periods of time. The ADA tour has limited availability and must be selected during the booking process, when available. Loaner wheelchairs are available for the ADA tour if needed.

The Upstairs Suites Tour is 70 minutes long and consists of approximately 367 stairs, both up and down, and a 3/4-mile route to walk.

The Cottages & Kitchen Tour is 70 minutes long and consists of approximately 193 stairs, both up and down, and a 3/4-mile route to walk. 

Single and multiple-pronged canes are allowed on all tours as long as they have rubber tips. Seat canes are not allowed. There are single canes available for guests to borrow.

 

What's Included in the Tour Fare

• Round-trip luxury motor coach transportation from pickup locations throughout San Diego County

• Professional Tour Manager throughout the trip

• Complimentary bottled water and snacks on the coach

• Santa Barbara Stearns Wharf & Sunday Arts & Crafts Show

• Visit the 1929 Spanish-Moorish Santa Barbara County Courthouse

• Photo stop at Old Mission Santa Barbara

• Two-night accommodations at Apple Farm Inn in San Luis Obispo

• Welcome dinner at Olive Garden

• Time on own in Cambria

• Choice of Guided Tour at Hearst Castle (see options below)

• Visit San Luis Obispo with photo stop at Bubblegum Alley

• Behind-the-scenes auquafarm tour at Cultured Abalone

• 5 meals: 2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 2 dinners

 

What's Not Included in the Tour Fare

• Meals not listed in the itinerary

• Travel insurance

• Room incidentals

• Alcoholic beverages

• Gratuities for the Tour Manager & Driver

 

Day 1 - Included Olive Garden Dinner Choices:

All entrees include unlimited breadsticks and famous house salad, as well as choice of fountain drinks, fresh brewed iced tea, hot coffee, or hot tea.

• Tour of Italy:

  Three Olive Garden classics all on one plate! Chicken Parmigiana, Lasagna Classico* and signature Fettuccine Alfredo – all with homemade sauces made fresh every morning.

• Shrimp Scampi:

  Shrimp sautéed in a garlic sauce, tossed with asparagus, tomatoes and angel hair Pasta.

• Eggplant Parmigiana:

  Hand-breaded eggplant, lightly fried and topped with marinara and melted mozzarella. Served with a side of spaghetti.

• Spaghetti & Meatballs:

  Spaghetti and meatballs with your choice of marinara or meat sauce.*

• Chicken Alfredo:

  Creamy alfredo sauce made from scratch with ingredients like parmesan, cream, garlic and butter, served with fettuccine pasta and topped with sliced grilled chicken.

• Dessert: 

  Sicilian Cheesecake with Strawberry Topping.

*Meat sauce is made with pan-seared beef and Italian sausage

 

Day 2 - Included San Simeon Beach Bar & Grill Dinner Choices

All entrees include a green salad, table bread, coffee, tea or soft drink

• Grilled Salmon:

       Topped with lemon dill butter. Served with rice and vegetables

• Mediterranean Chicken:

       Chicken breast marinated in herbs and lemon. Served with rice and vegetables

• Pasta Riviera (vegetarian option):

      Topped with tomato, basil, capers, mushrooms, garlic, olive oil, parmesan and herbs. Served with garlic cheese bread.

• Dessert: 

       vanilla ice cream with chocolate topping

 

Day 2 - Hearst Castle Tour Choices

1. Grand Rooms Tour: Recommended for first-time visitors. Tour Hearst Castle’s opulent social rooms.

2. Upstairs Suites Tour: Ascend narrow winding staircases to explore the breathtaking libraries, guest accommodations, and Hearst's own suite.

3. Cottages & Kitchen Tour: See the sprawling kitchen that served dozens of guests, and two of the hilltop's sumptuously furnished guest cottages.

 

How to Book Your Reservation

Making your reservation is easy. Simply click the Book Now button above to select your date and confirm your space online, 24/7. You can also call the DayTripper Tours reservations department at (619) 334-3394 during business hours M-F, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

 

Deposit and Final Payment

A deposit of $150 per person is required to secure your booking, with the final balance due 45 days prior to departure.

 

Smartphones

Although not necessary to fully enjoy your trip, a personal smartphone and personal headset can greatly enhance your tour experience. Take high-quality photos, share your experience on social media in real time, search for nearby restaurants and topics of interest, set reminders, and more.

 

45-Day Cancellation Deadline

• If you purchased the Cancellation Protection Plan (CPP) before the cancellation deadline, your tour is fully refundable up until two hours prior to the tour departure time (see below). If you did not purchase the CPP you may cancel your booking forty-five (45) or more days prior to the departure date to receive a refund less a $100 per person cancellation fee. Alternatively, when you cancel your booking forty-five (45) or more days prior to the departure date, we can waive the cancellation fee and transfer the full amount to another tour or a non-refundable voucher, which can be applied to any future excursion booked within one year of the original tour date. Cancellations within 45 days of departure are nonrefundable and nontransferable for any reason if you did not purchase the CPP.

• Passenger name changes, deviations, or other changes made by the passenger after the final payment deadline has passed will be assessed a $50 per person change fee plus any fees incurred by the service providers. No refunds, transfers, or credits can be issued for any reason on bookings canceled after the cancellation deadline.

 

Optional Cancellation Protection Plan (CPP) - Cancel for any reason and receive a full refund.

DayTripper Tours offers an optional Cancellation Protection Plan (CPP) for this tour. The CPP allows you to cancel your reservation for any reason at least two hours prior to your scheduled departure time for a full refund (less the cost of the CPP). The CPP may be purchased prior to the tour’s stated cancellation deadline. To cancel your reservation, please call (619) 334-3394 during business hours to notify a reservations agent, or leave a time-stamped voice message after hours at least one hour prior to your scheduled departure time, and your refund will be processed. CPP does not cover the single supplement of the remaining traveler when a traveling companion cancels from a double occupancy reservation. The CPP is not insurance, but rather an agreed-upon cancellation fee paid in advance for the right to cancel a reservation according to the terms stated in this clause. Protect yourself even further with Travel Insurance (see below). CPP is not offered on tours that include air, rail, or cruise line transportation.

 

Protect Your Investment with Travel Insurance

At DayTripper Tours, we recommend you purchase insurance to help protect against unforeseen events such as flight delays, baggage loss, or even sudden sickness or injury, all of which could impact your excursion. In today’s ever-changing travel environment, you can relax and enjoy your trip with the security of knowing those unexpected circumstances are covered by a travel protection plan. You can purchase travel insurance from any company you choose; however, for your convenience, we offer travel protection through Travelex Insurance Services (CA Agency License #0D10209). For more information and to receive a quote, click here. Please note: Your policy must be purchased on or before the date you submit your final payment for the tour in order to be eligible for the pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver.

Santa Barbara Apple Farm Inn hotel Cambria Food & Drink Options Hearst Castle Cultured Abalone Farm