Worldwide Destinations
Freedom To Wander
California Gardens & Mansions
See a vast array of flora and architecture as we explore diverse mansions and gardens in southern California! Experience three unique attractions, each featuring breathtaking gardens and historic buildings, while enjoying a two-night stay in Pasadena.
See a vast array of flora and architecture as we explore diverse mansions and gardens in southern California! Experience three unique attractions, each featuring breathtaking gardens and historic buildings, while enjoying a two-night stay in Pasadena.
VISIT THREE UNIQUE & DISTINCT ATTACTIONS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA!
See a vast array of flora and architecture as we explore mansions and gardens.
Take a tour of the Kimberly Crest House and Gardens, a historical French-Chateau mansion with beautiful Italian-style gardens. Stroll through the lush gardens and woodlands of Descanso Gardens and enjoy a delicious farm-to-table lunch at their Farmhouse Restaurant. Visit the Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens, featuring 16 distinct themed gardens and more than 50,000 works of art and historical documents.
Spend two nights in Pasadena, California and explore Old Town, brimming with shops, entertainment venues and restaurants, and buildings that showcase a variety of architectural styles.
Inclusions
Deluxe motor coach transportation
Expert Guide
2 nights of hotel accommodations
Admission to Kimberly Crest Mansion with docent-led tour
Descanso Gardens with self-guided tour
Huntington Library with docent-led tour
2 Breakfast, 2 Lunch
Taxes
Exclusions
Guide and bus driver gratuity
Meals on-own per itinerary
Travel Protection Insurance
Single Supplement Price $1,195.00
Day One
Today we depart Phoenix and head towards sunny California, with a stop in Redlands to visit the Kimberly Crest House and Gardens. Kimberly Crest, a designated historical landmark, was built in 1897 and features a French Chateau-style architecture. The property includes a carriage house, koi ponds, orange groves and beautiful Italian-style gardens. Enjoy a docent led tour of the mansion where you’ll get a glimpse of life in the early 1900’s and learn about the Kimberly and Shirk families who lived here. From Redlands we’ll travel to Pasadena and check in to the Hilton-Pasadena for two nights. The hotel is just a short walk to Old Town Pasadena where you’ll find a variety of shops, entertainment venues and restaurants where you can enjoy dinner on your own.
Day Two
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll visit Descanso Gardens in La Canada Flintridge, a 150-acre area of cultivated and wild land surrounded by mountains. The botanical garden is known for its diverse collection of plants, lush gardens, colorful native flowers and peaceful woodlands. Originally a private estate called the Boddy House, the grounds include walking paths, outdoor art installations, themed areas including a stunning rose garden, model trains and a ride-on train. Lunch at the beautiful Farmhouse at Descanso Gardens is included today. The restaurant highlights local, sustainably sourced ingredients and a cash bar offering wine, beer and cocktails. After exploring Descanso Gardens, we’ll return to Pasadena where you can further explore Old Town. Perhaps visit the Norton Simon Museum and their impressive art collection, or stroll through the Gamble House, a great example of Arts and Crafts architecture. For dinner on your own, you have many restaurant options, from casual to upscale.
FB, LDay Three
Enjoy an included breakfast at the hotel before checking-out and traveling to Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens, known as ‘The Huntington’. The library and museum house the collections of the nation’s founders, including the papers of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, and nearly 50,000 works of art from around the world. The gardens encompass 16 themed gardens over nearly 130 acres. Most notable are the Rose Garden, the Shakespeare Garden, the Chinese and Japanese Gardens and an herbarium. A box lunch is included before our journey back to Phoenix.
FB, LFB=Full Breakfast, L=Lunch
Suggested Packing
-Casual Clothing that can be mixed and layered
-Comfortable walking shoes
-Hat and Sunscreen
-Cash and Credit Cards (Only those needed)
-Medicine and spare prescriptions
-Extra glasses and/or contacts
-Book, Word Search and/or Crossword Puzzle
-Binoculars
-Seat Cushions and/or Blanket (If attending a parade or show)
-Ear plugs and sleep mask
-Mini-Sewing Kit
-Toiletries and Tissues
-Chargers for devices (Cell phones, Tablets, etc.)
-Extra Memory Cards (Digital Cameras) or Extra Film
Average Temperature
Pasadena | March | 72 / 49
Activity Level 2
This is perfect for those who want a balanced approach to travel. It’s comfortable for walking at least 30-45 minutes over a variety of terrains, and perfect for those who want to explore a new city on foot. With a few hills or flights of stairs, this product level is perfect for those who like to take in everything their destination has to offer.
Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.
Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Bell Recreation Center | Bell Recreation Center 16820 North 99th Ave. (Corner of 99th and Hutton) |
| Burger King Superstition | Burger King Superstition 6820 East Superstition Springs Blvd, Mesa |
| Fords Travel SunCity West | Fords Travel Sun City West 13593 West Camino Del Sol, Sun City West |
| Pebble Creek | Pebble Creek (Eagle's Nest Parking Lot) 3645 Clubhouse Drive, Goodyear AZ |
| Sun Lakes Cottonwood | Sun Lakes Cottonwood 25630 Brentwood Drive, Sun Lakes AZ |
| From Price | Book Now | Call Back | Telephone | Favorites |
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