Central California coast: fabulous wines, geology and culture

Highlights

• Hear from experts about the making of great wines and enjoy tastings at picturesque vineyards.
• Discover the incredible geology of the Central California coast, including Morro Rock, and learn about the interplay between the rocks and the grapes (terroir and microclimates).
• Visit Hearst Castle, La Purísima Mission and the Santa Barbara Courthouse while exploring the cultural heritage of California.
• Experience beaches full of elephant seals, Santa Barbara’s renowned  Botanical Gardens and other elements of California’s nature.
• Stay in charming hotels and explore the centres of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara, two of California’s iconic cities.

Overview

Join local geologist Rick Behl and a host of other experts to explore what makes the Central California coast so special: the geology and the landscape, the vineyards and the wines, the heritage and the history, and the flora and the fauna. And, of course, the people: among them Native Americans, Spanish friars, European winemakers and Hollywood stars.

The region hosts a spectacular range of grapes, including Bordeaux, Rhone and Italian varietals. It benefits from a diverse “terroir” of soil types, terrain and microclimates. These result in a thriving wine culture, which we will explore via entertaining talks, vineyard visits and tastings.

The geology is equally compelling: the complex meeting of three tectonic plates (North America, Pacific, Farallon) has resulted in rugged mountain ranges, a chain of volcanoes, diverse rock types and, key to viticulture, a Mediterranean climate. We will come to appreciate how the landscape has been created.
The tour begins in SLO, as the in-the-know refer to San Luis Obispo. We will spend three days visiting local sights: seals and otters on the coast, sculpture gardens, impressive mansions and much more. We then move to Santa Barbara for four days including expansive vistas, beautifully preserved Missions, world-renowned botanic gardens and wonderful meals.

Join us for this incredible coastal journey. Just one run in 2025, so reserve your place soon!

Start/ finish

The tour begins in San Luis Obispo, California, and ends in Santa Barbara, California.

Activity level

Leisurely, with most walks of under 1 mile (1.6km) on generally easy terrain (view our activity level definitions here).

Transport

We will travel by small, comfortable, air-conditioned coach.

Weather

Autumn temperatures range from a high of 75°F during the day to a low of 51°F at night (24 to 10°C).

Accommodation

We will be lodging in centrally located boutique hotels in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara, with easy access to city centre walks. See details of the hotels in the Need to Know tab.