Compare Tournament of Roses with San Diego by Globus vs Southern California Dreaming by Tours of Distinction
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 8 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 3,189 | $ 3,199 |
| Price Per Day | $ 399 | $ 400 |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
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| Flights & Transport | No | Airfare included |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
7 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 4 Dinners |
| Description | You can leave your rose-colored glasses at home when you pack your bags for America’s favorite New Year’s celebration. Everything is coming up roses on this special tour of Los Angeles, starting with a pre-countdown gala complete with beats, bites, and bubbly. The celebration continues New Year’s Day at Pasadena’s famous Tournament of Roses Parade where you’ll enjoy reserved grandstand seats, an official commemorative program, and prime viewing of the spectacular floral floats and marching bands from around the world. Truly stop and smell the roses at the post-parade viewing area where you can get up close to the fragrant, fantastic creations. Other quintessentially Californian experiences include guided sightseeing in Los Angeles, a visit to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, a special New Year’s Day lunch, and a farewell dinner at a locally loved restaurant. |
Celebrate California’s Hollywood vibe strolling down the Walk of Stars and shopping on Rodeo Drive…Chill Out cruising the sun-spangled Pacific coastline… Peace Out in the sophisticated serenity of Catalina Island… Fall in Love with wildlife at the San Diego Zoo… and, revel in the natural beauty and slick urban offerings of Palm Springs. This is California Dreaming. |
Day 1: ARRIVE IN LOS ANGELES
Welcome to California! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome drink.
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Day 2: LOS ANGELES
The City of Angels Depart on a Los Angeles city tour that takes you from Olvera Street, the oldest thoroughfare in the city, to Hollywood. Then visit the [LF] Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. This evening, join your travel companions at an exclusive Globus New Year’s Eve dinner & gala, complete with hats, party favors and of course, champagne! We celebrate on New York time as the iconic ball drops in Times Square. (Breakfast,Dinner)
LOCAL FAVORITELEGENDARY LIVES Visit the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in a hilltop setting in Simi Valley and final resting place of the 40th U.S. President and First Lady. Here, the legacy of the President is on display in extraordinary and educational exhibits. Enjoy the impressive sights of Air Force One, Marine One, a replica of the Oval Office and a piece of the fallen Berlin Wall.
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Day 3: LOS ANGELES. TOURNAMENT OF ROSES PARADE
Everything’s Coming Up Roses! Happy New Year! Get ready for one of the world’s most popular parades—you’ll see it live! Globus has specially selected reserved grandstand seating only minutes from the beginning of the parade route for prime viewing. After the parade, return to the hotel for a New Year’s Day lunch. Later, for those who wish, join a trip to Santa Monica for a walk on the famous pier, shopping on the 3rd Street Promenade, or relaxing on the beach. (Breakfast,Lunch)
TOUR HIGHLIGHTSPECIAL EVENT See the spectacular floats made entirely of flowers (plants, and seeds). Marching bands from around the world, horse-guards, and celebrities parade through the lovely town of Pasadena. You’ll also receive the official parade program to take home as a special souvenir.
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Day 4: LOS ANGELES
The Ultimate Flower Arrangement This morning, enjoy the opportunity to view the amazing Rose Parade floats in the post-parade viewing area. Enjoy a very special farewell dinner this evening at a local restaurant. (Breakfast,Dinner)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT BOTANICAL MASTERPIECES For many visitors, seeing the magnificent Rose Parade floats up close is the highlight of the entire event, allowing you to get up close to these amazing and intricately designed floats – made entirely of flowers, plants, and seeds. Take the opportunity for an amazing photo opportunity as you marvel at the hours of dedication and craftsmanship devoted to each design.
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Day 5: LOS ANGELES–AMTRAK’S PACIFIC SURFLINER–SAN DIEGO
All Aboard! This morning, transfer to historic Union Station to board Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner train bound for San Diego, known as “America’s Finest City”. Upon arrival in San Diego, you will be met by a Globus Host who will help you transfer to your hotel and answer any questions about your stay. (Breakfast)
TOUR HIGHLIGHTEPIC RIDE Glide along beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean and Southern California beaches and passing seaside towns on a ride aboard the Pacific Surfliner train to San Diego. Settle in to your comfortable, reclining seats with views courtesy of large picture windows to take in the scenery. An onboard market-style café features fresh food, snacks, and beverages, including soft drinks, wine, cocktails, and local craft beer.
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Day 6: SAN DIEGO
Sunny California Experience San Diego at your leisure. (Breakfast)
FREE TIME TIPSEXPLORE MORE in this quintessential Southern California city featuring an ideal marine climate and 70 miles of beaches to choose from. Consider a visit to the world-famous San Diego Zoo, take a harbor cruise, or dine in traditional style in the lively Gaslamp District or Hotel Coronado.
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Day 7: SAN DIEGO
Museum Mania Enjoy a free day to explore San Diego. (Breakfast)
FREE TIME TIPSEXPLORE MORE in San Diego with a day at Balboa Park where culture, science and nature collide. This incredible park features the largest collection of museums outside of Washington DC. Home to the Museum of Us, the Air & Space Museum, the San Diego Museum of Art, and the Natural History Museum. The Spanish Renaissance architecture throughout the Park is breathtaking and set amongst beautifully landscaped gardens and trails.
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Day 8: SAN DIEGO
Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)
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Day 1 - Arrive Los Angeles, California
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Los Angeles. Upon arrival in Los Angeles, we transfer to our hotel in Santa Monica. After some down-time, we have dinner at a local restaurant.
LA is much more than Hollywood. It is America’s second oldest city and entertainment capital and has 75 miles of pristine coastline, the San Gabriel Mountain Range and an ideal climate to explore year-round. Plus, let’s not forget impressive Galleries, Museums and a thriving chef scene. Oh, and the shopping is second-to-none. Do not leave LA without making your own local purchase.
Our hotel for 2 nights is the DoubleTree in Santa Monica which is one of National Geographic’s Top 10 Beach Cities in the World. We are ideally situated to enjoy the iconic Santa Monica Pier and Third Street Promenade, numerous restaurants, shopping and cultural attractions that have attracted celebrities for decades. (D)
Day 2 - Los Angeles
After breakfast, we journey through the city of Los Angeles on a tour guided by a local. Sights include: Downtown, Olvera Street -Old Town, Hollywood & Mann’s Chinese Theater, Beverly Hills & Rodeo Drive, Farmer’s Market, Chinatown & Little Tokyo.… Look-out for the Hollywood Sign! This afternoon, have your own ”Red Carpet Moment” on the Hollywood Walk-of-Fame Tour. Afterwards, we will enjoy dinner in the area. (B,D)
Day 3 - Los Angeles
The second largest city in America offers so much! Today is at leisure to discover everything Los Angeles is know for. Your Tour Director can offer many great ideas for sightseeing. (B)
Day 4 - Los Angeles - Catalina Island - San Diego
This morning, a short ferry ride will take us to the town of Avalon on Catalina Island! The town surrounds beautiful Avalon Bay on the southeast end of Catalina Island. We will take a guided tour off-the-beaten-path along “Skyline Drive” which travels 10 miles into the Island’s lush and protected wilderness area. Keep an eye out for spectacular vistas, ocean views and the largest of their inhabitants –the Buffalo!
Enjoy some free time on Catalina before we ferry to Dana Point and transfer to San Diego. Upon arrival, we check in to our centrally located hotel for our 2 night stay.
With near perfect weather year-round, 70 miles of spectacular coastline, world-class attractions and a thriving urban core, complete with a sophisticated art, dining and nightlife scene, San Diego has earned the name of California’s Beach City. (B)
Day 5 - San Diego
After breakfast, we head to the San Diego Zoo. Our visit includes entrance to the Zoo (with bus tour). This100-acre (40-hectare) zoo is home to more than 3,500 rare and endangered animals representing more than 650 species and subspecies, and a prominent botanical collection with more than 700,000 exotic plants. The afternoon is at leisure to explore America’s Beach City. Some great sights to check out include:the Coronado, USS Midway & Maritime Museum to name a few. We have an Italian dinner tonight in the historic Gaslamp Quarter. (B,D)
Day 6 - Palm Springs, CA
This morning, say goodbye to San Diego & the Pacific Ocean as we journey inland to Palm Springs. The Aerial Tramway in Palm Springs is the world’s largest rotating tram car and travels over two-and-one-half miles along the breathtaking cliffs of Chino Canyon, transporting riders to the pristine wilderness of the Mt. San Jacinto State Park. Once at the top, we have lunch with spectacular views! After, we transfer to our hotel and check in for our 2 night stay. Tonight is at leisure for you to explore your hotel and the surrounding area on your own.
Palm Springs is a desert oasis set in the Coachella Valley. For more than half a century, Palm Springs has been a playground for Hollywood celebrities—Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Elizabeth Taylor all visited here often. Today, this trending and vibrant city has a unique food and drinks scene, a plethora of outdoor activities & great health escapes. (B,L)
Day 7 - Palm Springs
Discover Palm Springs on a 2.5 hour bus tour of the place that was once known as ‘Hollywood’s Playground.’ Your guide will provide commentary on stars who have lived in this exclusive California destination: including luminaries like Marilyn Monroe, Nat King Cole, and Elvis Presley. The remainder of the day is at leisure until our dinner this evening. Later, we embark on a Stargazing experience. (B,D)
Day 8 - Depart Palm Springs
This morning, we head to the airport and check in for our flight. Upon arrival, transfer home with memories of that California Sunshine.
