We’re getting ready to hit the road. Over the next few weeks we’ll be traveling in Arizona and California. If all goes according to plan, we’ll follow the itinerary posted below. We hope to provide daily updates on our progress on this California Dreamin’ blog for folks who want to know what we’re up to.
We also hope to provide pictures. But keep in mind . . . we are new to the blogosphere and we don’t really know what we’re doing or how to do it. So there’s no telling how this learn-as-you-go experience will work.
Itinerary for California Dreamin’ Tour 2014
All the leaves are brown and the sky is gray.
I’ve been for a walk on a winter’s day.
I’d be safe and warm if I was in L.A.;
California dreamin’ on such a winter’s day.
-John Phillips & Michelle Phillips
Thursday, February 20
Depart from Raleigh-Durham International (RDU) via American Airlines (AA) Flight 1563 to Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) and then on to Phoenix (PHX) on AA Flight 2441. Arrive in Phoenix at 1:35 p.m. Our first night in Phoenix will be spent at an Airbnb (see https://www.airbnb.com/ for details on Airbnb) on Van Buren Street.
Friday, February 21
Friday morning we visit the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix (http://www.dbg.org). In the afternoon we either explore Phoenix or head to Sedona, AZ and explore Sedona. Depending on where we end up we will either spend the night in the B&B again or at the Sedona Motel.
Saturday, February 22
We head for the south rim of the Grand Canyon. We spend Saturday night at Bright Angel Cabins on the rim of the Grand Canyon.
Sunday, February 23
We explore the Grand Canyon. At 9:57 that evening we board the Southwest Chief at the Amtrak Station in Flagstaff, AZ and head across the desert to Los Angeles. We have a private berth in a sleeper car.
Monday, February 24
We arrive at Union Station in Los Angeles at 8:15 a.m. Two hours later we board the Coast Starlight train heading to San Luis Obispo. If all goes as planned we arrive in San Luis Obispo around 3:30 where we will rent a car. We will either drive to Paso Robles to have dinner with Joey & Sam, or to Cambria where we spend the night at Olallieberry Inn.
Tuesday, February 25
We tour Hearst Castle, William Randolph Hearst’s opulent estate in San Simeon, (www.hearstcastle.org), and wander about in Cambria. We spend a second night at Olallieberry Inn.
Wednesday, February 26
We leisurely drive along the visually dramatic Highway 1 from Canbria to Monterey stopping to sightsee and have a picnic lunch. We spend the night at the Green Gables Inn in Pacific Grove.
Thursday, February 27
We spend a second day sightseeing in Monterey and a second night at the Green Gables Inn.
Friday, February 28
We drive from Monterey to Palo Alto where we hope to have lunch with an old friend from KU days. Then we head on to Stockton where we will have dinner with Cheryl and Giulio Ongaro, friends from our early days in Carrboro. We spend the night at Hilton Inn Stockton.
Saturday, March 1
We drive from Stockton to Sonoma where we tour wine country – tasting & sightseeing – for two days. We are staying at the BW Sonoma Valley Inn.
Sunday, March 2
Day 2 of Sonoma. So many wines, so little time.
Monday, March 3
Drive from Sonoma to San Francisco. Sightseeing in San Francisco. Lunch or dinner at the Cliff House.
Tuesday, March 4
Depart for home from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) on AA Flight 1658 to Dallas and then on to RDU via AA Flight 1049.
This trip is over planned, you need to go where and when your spirit moves you. Can’t wait to see the pics.
Oops…typing too fast. I was meaning to say, leave it to a brother to critique your traveling style! Hope you have lots of fun.