Wednesday, February 27, 2013  Winery Tours 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. $60 per person Savor an afternoon of private tastings and tours at two local wineries, Beauregard and Hallcrest Vineyards. Wine experts will not only guide us through the tastings, but will also share their extensive knowledge of the regional history of the Santa Cruz hills and its burgeoning viticulture scene. Experience the beauty and flavors of this unique area.  California Missions Tour 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. $33 per person Experience California history firsthand at two historic missions, San José and Santa Clara de Asís. Mission San José, established in 1797, is the fourteenth of the twenty-one Spanish Missions in Alta California. Mission Santa Clara de Asís, established in 1777, is the eighth oldest of the original California missions. This mission is located on the campus of Santa Clara University, which is the oldest college in the state and the only one that is the successor of a Spanish mission. The missions were established by the Spanish Franciscan missionaries to introduce Christianity and the Spanish way of living to the native people. Essentially self-sustaining villages, the missions were occupied by local natives, soldiers, artisans, and priests.
For more information visit the California Missions Resource Center
 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. $30 per person Enjoy an afternoon at Stanford
University with guided tours of the Music Library and the Archive of Recorded
Sound, located in Braun Music Center. Also included is a tour, led by University
Organist Robert Huw Morgan, of the five organs in beautiful Memorial Church. Photo of Memorial Church courtesy of David Black-Schaffer This is a walking tour, although there is the option for individuals to ride the tour bus to the various sites on campus. More information on music at Stanford University Details on the organs of Memorial Church  Monterey Bay Whale Watching Tour 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. $95 per person February is during gray whale migration season, and Monterey is the best place along the California coast to observe them. The gray whale prefers shallow water and migrates closer to shore here than anywhere else along the coast. Sea otters, sea lions, and seals are present year-round and are seen on all whale watching trips. Dolphins, porpoises and even killer whales are often seen here. Marine biologists will be on-board the boat to help with spotting and identifying the abundant marine life, including the many varieties of birds in the area. Don’t miss this uniquely California experience! Bus departure from the Fairmont Hotel at 7:30am. For more information and to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable trip, be sure to review the trip preparations.  California Poppy Eschscholzia californica |
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