BY: JD CONROY
On January 2nd a group of American Classic Travelers returned from a 6-day journey to Southern California to see the Rose Parade. I wanted to share some of our experiences with you!
WE ARE DOING THIS TRIP AGAIN NEXT YEAR!
CALL 847-548-3333 OR CLICK THE BUTTON BELOW FOR INFORMATION ABOUT HOW YOU CAN JOIN OUR Rose Parade TRIP IN December 2019!
Flight to Los Angeles
MAnhattan Beach
Upon arriving in Los Angeles, we went straight to Manhattan Beach to see sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean.
Ayres Hotel
We arrived at the Ayres Hotel in Manhattan Beach for a 5-night stay. This hotel served as a perfect home away from home, and we only had to unpack our suitcase once!
catalina island
Catalina Island is scenic island located 22 miles off the coast of Southern California. This scenic island is home to dramatic cliffs, charming shops and eateries, and wonderful views of the Pacific Ocean. Catalina Island was home to Cubs Spring Training from 1921 - 1951.
Surprise whale & Dolphin Sighting
On our ferry ride over to Catalina Island, our ship captain spotted a whale and dozens of dolphins. We took a detour to follow the whale and dolphins. It was an amazing surprise to do some whale watching on our tour!
The stunning sunset over the Pacific Ocean from our ferry.
Dinner & Tour Aboard Queen Mary
The Queen Mary is a gigantic, retired ocean liner that resides in Long Beach, California. It was an active passenger vessel between 1936 - 1967. Today it serves as a historical site, convention center, hotel, and restaurant. We enjoyed a historical tour of the ship and a gourmet dinner on board.
Warner Bros Studio Tour
We took a behind-the-scenes tour of Warner Bros Studio to see the set of Friends, costumes from Harry Potter, and so much more!
Shown above is a fake town at Warner Bros Studio often used as a set for movies and TV shows taking place in smaller, Midwestern towns.
On our tour we visited the set of Ellen!
san fernando cathedral
The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels is the mother church of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. This church has a unique, modern design. The sides of the church are lined with beautiful tapestries illustrating the Communion of Saints.
Our local guide Curt did a magnificent job pointing out the fascinating intricacies of this Cathedral.
walt disney concert hall
Our second stop on our guided tour of Los Angeles was at the famous Walt Disney Concert Hall. We learned about the Hall’s unique architectural design and the important role it plays in Los Angeles arts and culture.
Hollywood
We walked the Hollywood Walk of Fame to see the Dolby Theatre (home of the Academy awards) and the Chinese Grauman Theatre.
Rose Parade Float Decorating
We journeyed to Pasadena to witness the last minute preparations for the Rose Parade. Engineers, artists, and florists hurried to put the final touches on their floats the last day before the parade.
Reagan Presidential Library & Museum
At the Reagan Presidential Library & Museum we learned about the life and Presidency of Ronald Reagan. The museum is home to President Reagan’s Air Force One Jet. As part of the museum tour you can walk on board Ronald Reagan’s Presidential Jet!
The Reagan Presidential Library & Museum is perfectly situated in the scenic Simi Valley.
Rose Parade
We enjoyed awesome seats for the Rose Parade! So neat to see one of America’s grand traditions in person!
The police clear the way for the parade - in dramatic fashion!
The Rose Parade has three different categories of participant: floats, equestrians, and marching bands. The Rose Parade celebrated it’s 130th year in 2019!
Santa Monica Pier
The last stop of our tour was the Santa Monica Pier - the end of the famous Route 66. It was hard to say goodbye to the ocean and sunshine!
Flight home to Chicago
Thanks for the memories!
We had an amazing group of travelers! Thank you for the memories!