Gardens and Galleries of California

Explore the magnificent gardens, mansions, museums and art galleries of California, as you travel from Los Angeles, to the seaside resort town of Santa Barbara and on to San Francisco.

Visit the J Paul Getty Museum and Getty Villa plus the Huntington Gardens and the Grand Filoli gardens.

Detailed itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive Los Angeles (D)
You are met at the airport and transferred to your Los Angeles hotel. Enjoy a welcome dinner this evening and meet your botanical tour escort.

Day 2: Getty Museum and Villa (B)
Visit the architecural masterpeiece that is the J. Paul Getty Museum. The location boasts views of the Los Angeles skyline and the museum’s stunning gardens were designed by artist Robert Irwin. The waterfall terraces flow down to the floating azalea maze that resembles a floating labyrinth, creating a unique centrepiece to the garden. A visit to the Getty villa and garden is an option for you this in the afternoon. The villa houses Greek, Roman and Etruscan antiques, it also demonstrates how Romans used gardens with outer and inner Peristyle courtyards and loggias. You can stroll along the colonnades, to enjoy the Pacific Ocean views. Option to return to your hotel.

Day 3: Huntington Gardens (B,L)
Explore the Huntington Gardens, sprawled over 207 acres with 14,000 different plant species and maintained by 40 gardeners. These gardens have an amazing art collection and a world-famous library of books. There are gardens representing all parts of the world. Enjoy a tour of the gardens followed by lunch in a relaxing setting, at the Tea Room overlooking the three acre rose gardens.

Day 4: Lotus land, Santa Barbara (B,D)
Lotus Land is a fantasy world created with dramatic plant combinations and exotic hard landscaping. Paths are lined with huge diamonds of green glass and a Mediterranean blue, kidney shaped pond that is bordered by abalone shells.

Day 5: Hearst Castle - San Francisco (B,D)
Morning visit to an amazing castle created by mining magnate William Randolph Hearst and designed by Julia Morgan. There are 165 rooms and 127 acres of gardens to explore. A huge feat of engineering, there were many tonnes of topsoil poured onto the rocky site to create the gardens. Courtyards, terraces, gardens, staircases, pools and fountains were all used to link the many buildings. Hearst loved to swim in the famous Neptune pool with his favourite dachshunds. You can wander through the gardens or choose to visit one of the museums to view the amazing art collections. You then continue north to the city of San Francisco.

Day 6: San Francisco (B)
Considered among America’s finest gardens, Filoli is now owned by the National Trust. Among the sections of the gardens to explore are the Sunken Garden, Pool Pavilion Garden, a large Walled Garden, Rose and Knot Gardens, plus topiary and beautifully manicured hedges. San Francisco Botanical Gardens at Strybing Arboretum is a botanical treasure with more than 7,500 varieties of plants.

Day 7: Depart San Francisco (B)
Enjoy some free time, prior to being transferred to the airport.

Included:
• Three nights accommodation in Los Angeles, 1 night in San Luis Obispo and 2 in San Francisco
• Arrival and departure transfers
• 6 Breakfasts, 1 lunch and 3 dinners
• Transport
• Entry to The J Paul Getty Museum and Villa
• Entry to Lotus Land
• Entry to Hearst Castle and gardens
• Entry to Filoli Gardens
• Entry to San Francisco Botanical Gardens

Please contact your Concierge Traveller Advisor for prices and more information.

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