Southern California Welcome to the South Coast of Orange County, set in the Center of Southern California. The Gold Coast, as it is known, sets the traveler in the most pristine and beautiful surroundings and yet the best location to enjoy all of Southern California's attractions right between Los Angeles and San Diego and close to Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, LegoLand and Sea World.

Join us as we explore this sun drenched California Riviera where we will discover the rich history of Old California at Mission San Juan Capistrano, the Jewel of the Missions". This is the home of the Swallows of Capistrano, who make their amazing migration annually and where year round events celebrate the music, food, history and culture of California and around the world. It is here you can hear the Mission Bells from Mission Inn Bed and Breakfast, where you will be surrounded by a two hundred-year-old orange grove and can relax poolside or walk the peaceful grounds in view of the Mission and the Great Stone Church.

While staying at DoubleTree Guest Suites in Dana Point, one looks out over the beach where California surf legends were born. From this all suite California style hotel, you can sip Margaritas while watching the sun set over the ocean and smelling the glowing campfires on the beach.

Doubletree is walking distance to the Dana Point Harbor and the Ocean Institute where the Tall Ship Pilgrim is docked and still sails today. It stands as testament to the ships of old that once came to transport the Mission's surplus's as Native American's dropped the cow hides off the cliffs to the waiting vessels below. The Ocean Institute is a hands-on educational center where people of all ages can encounter marine life and where maritime history comes to life!

The artist colony of Laguna Beach welcomes art lovers to experience the extraordinary Pageant of the Masters, Festival of the Arts and Art-A-Fair Festival. Famous for it's galleries, shops and restaurants, this beachside city's miles of coastal cliffs and scenic beaches have led many to compare this part of California to that of the French Riviera and The Gold Coast of Italy. The California beach culture and lifestyle add a magic that set the Southern California Coast apart from anywhere in the world. Here you will stay at Arabella Laguna, enchanting vintage cottages set around a lush garden and gazebo that have been transformed into beautifully decorated eclectic bungalows and are just steps from the ocean.

Traveling north through the town of Pismo Beach and the Mission city of San Luis Obispo, we reach our destination, the charming seaside village of Cambria just South of San Simeon. Here your accommodations will also feature floral gardens but this time creek side. Bluebird Inn in Cambria features a cottage lodge with a flagstone fireplace, showcasing an antique player piano and European music box. The lodge was built around the original house built in 1880 by George Washington Lull for his new bride Mary who he had acquired by giving up a horse, hunting knife, chaps and riding money to a passing settler. A love story, not to miss, just a part of the magic of the journey.

Miles of rolling, oak covered hills, lead to wineries tucked along the back roads. We will view the soaring scenic vistas of the Central California Coast, tour theenchanting Hearst Castle and hike through the Red Wood Forests of Big Sur where the pines meet the Pacific and Marine Life abounds including seals, sea lions and sea otters.

Meet Toola from Monterey Bay Aquarium

After emerging from the beautiful Big Sur area, the landscape opens up to a breathtaking view of open water meeting land as you head toward Monterey Peninsula. In Monterey, one can soak up the rich history of the area by visiting a section of California's Mission Trail, historic Fisherman's Wharf and Cannery Row. Monterey Bay Aquarium is unsurpassed in it's rich displays of sea life. After a visit to the aquarium, you can stop for a meal right next door at Bubba Gumps. (Try to get a seat by the huge picture windows so you can watch the sea otters at play while you enjoy your meal!) Not far from all of Monterey's attractions is the Gosby House Inn in Pacific Grove. This charming Victorian Mansion offers 22 individually decorated rooms, well tended gardens and a central patio where one can relax while planning the next excursion.

As we depart from our Northern Destination, we take the back route through cherry orchards around snow capped Mount Hood, and back to the Rogue Valley via Crater Lake. Here we stay over before traveling back across the border to California and our final relaxing destination, Lakeland Village Resort at Lake Tahoe. This condo resort is located directly on the lake where you will relax on a private white sandy beach while marveling at the vastness of this great mountain lake, resembling an ocean and take in the magnificence of yet another national treasure. Tension washes away with the rhythm of the soft waves folding onto the shore and at night you can view galaxies of stars from the Lakeland Village pier.

Recreational opportunities abound in beautiful Lake Tahoe, where families find a resort destination with something for every age. There is parasailing, jet skiing, boating, hiking, fishing, ice-skating and trips to Emerald Bay on The Tahoe Queen, an authentic paddlewheeler.

As we head back through Central California, we make our final stop to Mammoth Lakes. Although known mainly as a ski resort, this is also an ideal place for your summer road trip. Golfing, biking, hiking and fishing are widely available as well as their numerous snow activities winter through most of spring.