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Particulars

Trip Dates:

2010

Napa, Sonoma & SF- Feb 12-18

San Bernerdino Mtns, L.A. & Santa Monica- Feb 19-25

Custom trips also available. Call or email for details.

Trip Size:

8-16 participants

Total Days:

7days/ 6 nights for each trip

Arrive/Depart:

Napa/ San Francisco
Ontario/ Santa Monica

Accommodations:

River Terrace Inn, Napa

Harvest Inn, St. Helena

Mount View Hotel and Spa, Calistoga

Grape Leaf Inn, Healdsburg

Lake Arrowhead Resort, Lake Arrowhead

Westlake Village Inn, Westlake Village

Shutters on the Beach, Santa Monica

Activity Level:

Moderate with challenging options
30-40+ miles daily
van supported

Terrain:

Variety

Cost:

Land Cost (current year):
Napa, Sonoma & SF- US $2950pp
Includes 7B/2L/5D

San Bernerdino Mtns, L.A. & Santa Monica- US $2950pp
Includes 7B/2L/5D

Single Supplement:
US $750 for either trip

Bike Rental:
Madone 4.5 with Shimano 105
US $280 for either trip

Tour of California, Biking

Tour with the Pros

The Tour of California is recognized as the largest cycling event in the United States and Great Explorations will again be offering the opportunity to cycle the beautiful California routes and watch world-class cyclists including three-time winner Levi Leipheimer & Tour de France legend Lance Armstrong from Team Radioshack; Christian Vande Velde, Dave Zabriskie and Svein Tuft from Garmin Slipstream and an international field that will put this race in the ranks of the Grand Tours.

In 2010 we are offering two ‘back to back’ seven day, six night trips; Napa, Sonoma & San Francisco from May 12-18 and San Bernerdino Mountains, L.A. & Santa Monica from May 19-25. You will have ample chance to mix with professional racers and be up close to the action. In Great Explorations style, we’ll take care of the logistics and ensure that you will enjoy yourself to the fullest.

Our Napa, Sonoma and San Francisco trip begins in Napa on May 12 and finishes in San Francisco seven days later. On this trip, you will have the opportunity to ride part of the spectacular Davis to Santa Rosa stage through the lush vineyards of Napa and Sonoma counties. Ride ahead of the pros and watch from a privileged position as the peleton races by. You’ll also be able to watch the start of Stage 3 that departs from San Francisco; you’ll cycle some of the most beautiful roads in California, taste wine from renowned wine makers and stay in luxurious inns and lodges at each day’s end.

Our San Bernerdino Mountains, L.A. & Santa Monica trip begins on May 19 in Ontario, California; we will spend three nights at Lake Arrowhead Resort, two nights at the Westlake Village Inn and one night at the exclusive Shutters on the Bay Hotel in Santa Monica. On this tour, you will have the chance to ride and watch the mountain stage to Big Bear Lake, the time trial in LA and final stage in Westlake Village. You will ride spectacular roads through the San Bernardino National Forest, the same route as the pros on the final day of the Tour and, to finish our California experience, a coastal ride finishing in the charming beach town of Santa Monica.

Great Explorations has been organizing trips to ‘Grand Tour’ races for over 10 years (one of only two N.A. official tour operators of the Tour de France) and has unparalleled experience in trips of this kind.

Only Great Explorations:

• Small groups, extraordinary guides, and authentic experiences.
• A ride you will never forget: for the Napa, Sonoma and SF- through Napa Valley, ahead of the pros (we'll salute them with wine glasses, as they pass); for the San Bernerdino, L.A. & Santa Monica trip, riding up to Big Bear Lake, with the crowds cheering you on.
• Private wine tastings at exclusive vineyards
• Order off the menu at restaurants you won't find in guidebooks
• Wine reception on arrival and final nights
• A Great Explorations custom jersey for each guest
  
• The opportunity to meet pro riders from top teams
• We design and operate our own trips so there are only good surprises.

*From our Tour of California trips, Great Explorations will be making a donation of $100 per guest to your choice of: the Lance Armstrong Foundation; Breakaway from Cancer Foundation; your local cancer charitable organization.

 

Itinerary

Tour of California Napa, Sonoma & SF- Getting there:
This trip starts in Napa and your hotel is included on arrival day. Our Trip Planner will provide information on shuttles between San Francisco and Napa and hotel recommendations for SF for those staying there prior to the trip.

DAY 1:

Napa – Our guides will be at the River Terrace Inn, Napa between 4-6 to fit bikes; there will be time for a warm-up ride out to the Hess Collection, a winery and contemporary art gallery north of town or partake in a yoga class at the sleek new studio, Ubuntu to loosen up from your travels. We will meet for a wine reception at 7:00 pm, followed by dinner at Angele, a charming restaurant in a converted boathouse on the Napa River. The Terrace River Inn is a boutique hotel located in the center of Napa.

 

DAY 2:

St. Helena (22 miles) –From Napa, we’ll cycle along the Silverado Trail historic route stopping to visit and taste at Frog’s Leap and Quintessa, two of the most impressive of the Napa Valley wineries. In St. Helena, visit the fascinating shops in this trendy town or pedal more miles in the nearby hills. We will dine at a local bistrot and enjoy the comforts of the Harvest Inn.

 

DAY 3:

St Helena (18 or 36 miles) - Spend a full day in the St. Helena area, with many choices. Ride up into the hills above the valley, past forests of California redwoods to high altitude vineyards, which are gradually encroaching on old ranch lands. Then sweep back down the Pope Valley into St. Helena. Or meander through the Napa Valley, visiting Bale’s Grist Mill, which was a focal point for the valley’s settlement during the first half of the 19th century. Cross the Napa River, ride on the lower slope of Howell Mountain and into a rain forest. Whichever option you choose, you’ll enjoy gorgeous scenery.

 

DAY 4:

Calistoga (11 or 31 miles) - Today’s destination is Calistoga, known for its thermal spas and mud baths. You have many options to dial in the mileage of your choice. Take a shorter route in order to have more time to visit some of the historic vineyards in the region, including those that first put California on the oenological map. On the longer ride, you will have the opportunity to watch Old Faithful spout off, as well as to cycle to the historic Chateau Montelena winery, and simply enjoy more of the amazing diversity of this stunning California countryside.

 

DAY 5:

Healdsburg (28 or 39 miles) - Continue north into the Alexander Valley and then over the Mayacamas Ridge to leave Napa Valley and enter the Sonoma Valley. Pedal through the pretty valley of the Maacama Creek and onto the flat lands of the Russian River Valley. Explore extensive vineyards along the edge of the Geysers, the world’s largest geothermal field. Discovered in 1847, these amazing hot spots soon gave rise to the California Spa tradition. Your day ends in the delightful town of Healdsburg, a town with the best qualities of turn-of-the century America, yet with the ambiance of a European countryside. Discover its Spanish-style plaza, numerous museums and excellent antique shops before settling down to a scrumptious dinner.

 

DAY 6:

Healdsburg (21, 30 or 35 miles) – On this day, the Tour of California will come racing across from Davis to Santa Rosa and we are in the perfect position to watch. In addition to taking in the race, our ride will explore the unique Russian history of this American enclave. Uncover the wineries of the Russian River Valley, and the unexpected hops industry as well. If you are feeling adventurous, take a side trip into the wild country along Porter Creek.

 

DAY 7:

(30 miles) We will transfer south as we ride part of the 2009 route, from Sausalito to San Francisco. We will arrive in time to watch the start of Stage 3 before a celebratory lunch on the waterfront. We bid goodbye after lunch.

 

Tour of California –San Bernerdino Mountains, L.A. & Santa Monica- Getting there :
This trip starts in Ontario on May 19- most people will fly into Ontario and spend the night beore our rendezvous there; we can make several recommendations for hotels in your Trip Planner.

DAY 1:

Lake Arrowhead – After meeting at the Hotel Indigo in Ontario at 10:30 am we will shuttle to Lake Arrowhead Village in time for lunch. Afterwards we fit bikes and cycle a loop ride that will finish at the Lake Arrowhead Resort. The hotel is located in the San Bernardino National Forest which is home to seven different ecosystems and is a popular recreation area for visitors from Southern California. Swim in the lake or enjoy spa facilities. We will have dinner in the excellent restaurant here, Bin 189, with not surprisingly, an extensive wine list.

 

DAY 2:

Lake Arrowhead – Rise early and enjoy a yoga session before breakfast or sleep in and ponder the day over coffee on the dock. You have choices for your cycling options today, but the popular route will likely be to Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area with a picnic lunch lakeside and back by Valley View Park.

 

DAY 3:

Lake Arrowhead –Today’s destination is Big Bear Lake and we will be able to cycle the same route as the pros who begin the stage from Pasadena. The climb is gradual and your guides will be on hand if you need refreshments or a lift. You can choose to watch on one of the climbs or at the finish, after which we will cycle back to our lodge.

 

DAY 4:

Westlake Village -The exciting time trial takes place today in LA and depending on start times (announced early February), we will determine the morning ride options. The time trial is often a deciding stage in this Tour and Levi Leipheimer and Lance Armstrong are both contenders. We will ride or shuttle north to Westlake Village, along with the team buses to prepare for the next day’s final stage. As we are staying at the same hotel as many of the professional teams there should be ample opportunity to mix.

 

DAY 5:

Westlake Village - The final stage will no doubt be very exciting and being based in Westlake Village will give us the advantage of being in prime position to watch. You will have the opportunity to ride the race course and participate in post-race festivities as the leader is crowned and champagne uncorked.

 

DAY 6:

Santa Monica- We’ll linger over breakfast and then ride through the Agoura Hills to the coast, finishing our week with a oceanside ride from Malibu to Santa Monica. Late afternoon try your hand at surfing or relax and spa. We’re staying at the exclusive Shutters on the Beach, an exquisite beachfront boutique hotel. We will enjoy a final night dinner here and celebrate our Tour of California.

 

DAY 7:
Departure.

If you are comparing our trip to others, be sure to consider the number of nights included, time spent shuttling (when you could be cycling), the quality of lodging, bikes, guides and experience in planning trips of this type (+20 years). We hope you'll join us!