USA

10 day Tour of California Missions
Mission Dolores - Carmel - Old Mission Trail
St. Luis Obispo Mission - San Diego

Embark on a pilgrimage to California's twenty-one Spanish missions, which make up some of the state's richest historical landmarks. A visit to the missions provides a rare insight into California's Spanish heritage, and the Catholic history which contributed to the settlement of the state. Spanish Franciscans established these missions roughly one day's journey apart from each other so that people needing shelter could easily travel between the churches; the trail extends from San Diego to Sonoma, California. Aside from promoting Christianity, one of the functions of the mission chain was to provide safe havens for people traveling through untamed California in the early nineteenth century, and to protect the human rights of the Native people. As you travel along the trail dotted by these old Spanish churches, you will be reminded of the sacrifices made by those pioneer priests who came to America in its earliest days, whose work contributed to the freedom that we enjoy today. as low as $1,095 (Land Only call for Air)

ITINERARY

Day 1> San Francisco
Today, depart your local airport for your flight to San Francisco.
Upon arrival, you will be met and assisted by your Peter's Way representative - a professional tour escort.
Your luggage will be transferred to your bus and soon you will be on your way to your hotel in San Francisco. Balance of the day at leisure.
Overnight in San Francisco.

Day 2> Highlights Tour of San Francisco - Mission Dolores - Muir Woods
Begin your day with a visit to Mission Dolores, founded in 1776. Celebrate Mass at the Mission. It was the sixth of 21 missions established by the Franciscan fathers in California, and was built to honor St. Francis of Assisi, and Our Lady of Sorrows. The oldest structure in San Francisco, the mission has four-foot thick adobe walls. The altar and decorations are from Spain and Mexico. Next, you will be treated to a sightseeing tour of San Francisco, featuring the Civic Center, Opera House, Twin Peaks panoramic view of San Francisco, Golden Gate Park, Japanese Tea Garden, the Presidio and the Golden Gate Bridge. Visit Muir Woods, a national monument featuring ancient and towering redwood trees. The journey continues past a colorful houseboat community to picturesque and charming Sausalito.
Later, board the ferry for the bay crossing which passes near Alcatraz. Enjoy the refreshing bay air, and the sights of the San Francisco waterfront. The rest of the afternoon will be spent enjoying the Fisherman's Wharf attractions. Overnight in San Francisco.

Day 3> Mission San Juan Bautista - Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmelo
This morning, leave San Francisco through the Silicon Valley, to Salinas Valley, the artichoke capital of the world and the "salad bowl of America." Your first destination today will be Mission San Juan Bautista. Attend Mass at the Mission. Founded in 1797, it is the largest church in the mission chain and the only one still in service since its founding. Inside, the church's three aisle plan and large altar inspired many native Americans to convert, thus creating one of the largest congregations in all of California.
Then, we continue to the charming town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, a simple yet sophisticated shopper's paradise. Stop for lunch on your own.
After lunch, visit Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmelo, the final resting place of Father Junipero Serra. Founded in 1770, one of the original 13 Spanish missions in California, it is considered to be one of the state's most outstanding historic monuments. The dome, bell towers, and exterior have a Moorish influence, and its magnificent stateliness has been recaptured from careful restoration.
Overnight in Monterey.

Day 4> San Simeon - San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
Drive south today on a cliff-hanging highway along the overwhelmingly beautiful Big Sur coastline. California's scenic highway is one of the most spectacular coastal drives in the world. Upon arrival in San Simeon the group will tour the magnificent Hearst Castle. Built by newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst, its 123 acres of gardens, terraces, pools, and luxurious guest houses provide an ornate setting for the hundred-room mansion where heads of state, motion picture stars, and other international celebrities were entertained. Stop for lunch on your own.
After lunch, visit the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, founded in 1772, and attend Mass there. California's fifth mission, often called "the Prince of Missions," remains one of the prettiest and most interesting in the Franciscan chain. The red-tiled roof was first used here after the original thatched roofs repeatedly fell to hostile Native American's burning arrows. The former padres' quarters are an excellent museum chronicling both Native American and missionary life through all eras of the mission's use. Overnight in San Luis Obispo.

Day 5> Mission La Purisma - Mission Santa Ines - Solvang - Santa Barbara
Leave San Luis Obispo to visit Mission La Purisma Concepcion de Maria Santisima, founded in 1787. Attend Mass at the Mission. Reconstructed in its still-rural setting, this is the most extensively rebuilt of the mission chain. The mission's open arrangement is unusual, varying from the standard "quadrangle" around a large inner yard. Continue to Solvang in the Santa Ynez Valley, to visit the Mission Santa Ines. Founded in 1804, this perfectly restored Mission is the oldest structure in the area. The main building contains early Native American artifacts and relics once belonging to the missionaries. Like many other missions, Santa Ines still maintains an active congregation.
Time will be given to explore Solvang, better known as "Little Denmark," a charming village which has developed into a veritable corner of Denmark itself. Its Danish heritage is preserved architecturally with authentic windmills, gas streetlights, and thatched roofs.
Continue to Santa Barbara, a spectacular Southern California coastal community known as the "American Riviera."
Overnight in Santa Barbara.

Day 6> Mission Santa Barbara - Mission San Fernando Rey de Espana
This morning you will visit Mission Santa Barbara, founded in 1786. Attend Mass at the Mission. Still inhabited by Franciscan friars, it was the tenth of the California missions. Its beautiful setting, unique twin bell towers, and lovely facade have earned it the title,"Queen of the Missions." Its architectural design, differing from the standard mission simplicity, incorporates many Moorish and classical elements. Santa Barbara's residents embraced the church's distinctive look as the town grew in the 1920's and 1930's and incorporated red roof tiles, thick stucco walls, arches, and outdoor arcades into the design of the town's new buildings.
This afternoon, drive to San Fernando Valley, which is located just north of Los Angeles, to visit the Mission San Fernando Rey de Espana. Established in 1797, the mission complex was destroyed several times but was always faithfully rebuilt with low buildings surrounding grassy courtyards. The Convento, a 250 foot long colonnaded wing dating from 1810, is the compound's oldest remaining structure. As part of his United States tour, Pope John Paul II visited the mission's exquisitely kept gardens, fountain, and museum in September, 1987.
Overnight in Los Angeles.

Day 7> Los Angeles
Today you will visit North Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Grauman's Chinese Theatre, Hollywood and Vine, Avenue of the Stars, and Wilshire Blvd.
The afternoon is at your leisure. Perhaps explore the fascinating Universal Studios, housing the world's largest movie and sound stages, or visit the world-famous Disneyland resort.
Overnight in Los Angeles.

Day 8> Mission San Juan Capistrano - Mission San Luis Rey - San Diego
Today, leave Los Angeles and drive south to the fabled mission city of San Juan Capistrano, where legend has it that flocks of swallows arrive promptly on March 19th and depart on October 23rd each year, the date of the death of the patron saint of the mission, St. John of Capistrano. Attend Mass at the Mission. The Mission, built in 1776, is a living example of Spanish and early California history. "The Jewel of the Mission" is known throughout the world and is one of California's most treasured historic, religious, and cultural landmarks. After the visit, continue to Dana Point, where you will have lunch on your own at on one the restaurants overlooking the ocean.
After lunch, continue south to visit Mission San Luis Rey, "the King of the Missions." Located a few miles inland and founded in 1798, it is the largest of the Spanish missions and is one of the most impressive architecturally.
Overnight in San Diego.

Day 9> San Diego
Begin your day with a visit to Presidio Park, called the "Plymouth Rock of the Pacific." Here, you will visit Junipero Serra Museum, which overlooks the spot where the Spanish Franciscan missionary, Father Junipero Serra, established California's first mission in 1769. Then, continue your drive through Mission Bay, a beautiful 4600 acre aquatic playground with miles of sandy beaches, rolling park lands, and shoreside resorts. Then onward to Balboa Park, one of the city's most famous and beautiful attractions. Established in 1868 and covering 1400 acres, it is the oldest and one of the largest city parks in the country , and it features seven museums along its main drive and a world-famous zoo.
Stop for lunch on your own at the Embarcadero.
This afternoon, we visit the Mission San Diego de Alcala, the "Mother of the California Missions." Attend Mass at the Mission. This was the first of 21 missions founded by Father Serra.
Overnight in San Diego.

Day 10> Return home
Today you will be transferred to San Diego Airport for your return flight to your local airport.