Subscribe to
Our Bimonthly
E-Newsletter

Receive updates discounts plus French recipes!
Email us at frenchescapade
@yahoo.com
.
 

San Francisco, city of dreams and Napa Valley



San Francisco is one of the most exciting cities in the world: breathtaking views, wonderful food, sparkling nightlife, diversity of people and the feeling of freedom at its best.

We have prepared a tour where not only will you discover the highlights of the city (Golden Gate, Alcatraz, cruise on the bay, victorian houses) and its surroundings (wine in Napa) but also experience shows and activities only known by locals.

Jackie Grandchamps, the founder of French Escapade, has lived there since 1995 but she first came to San Francisco as a tourist. Therefore, she knows the places tourists like to see but also the "behind the scene" life of the city. For the past 13 years, she has learnt the secrets of this fabulous city, in and out.

Because we have desiged this tour to be as special as it could, you will remember this trip for a life time.

Golden gate


We have designed a tour for women and a special one for the LGBT community:


California for women



Victorian houses San francisco

Day 1: Guided Tour of San Francisco


2PM: Meet your fellow travelers during our welcome/ orientation meeting.

Then we will go on a guided tour of San Francisco. It is one of the most exciting cities in the US and certainly one of the most (if not the most) mythical cities.

You will enjoy the tour with one of our very knowledgeable guides who will give you a unique view of "The City" including: North Beach, Chinatown, Financial District, Embarcadero, Pacific Heights, Presidio, Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, and much more...


Day 2: Boat Cruise, Alcatraz and Sausalito


Morning: Boat Ride to the famous Prison of Alcatraz
We will take the ferry across the bay and visit the Alcatraz prison, once home of Al Capone and "Bird Man". With 378 cells and an entire island filled with history, suspense, and intrigue, it's an adventure you will not forget. It will give you the chill. The boat trip will also give you an incredible view of San Francisco.

Enjoy great food at Fisherman’s wharf for lunch. Taste some delicious seafood on the pier at one of the most typical restaurants with view on the Bay.



San Francisco Bay


Afternoon: Mediterranean-style Village of Sausalito
In the afternoon, we will visit another California jewel, Sausalito,with the Mediterranean charm of a seaside village tucked amongst the hills on the Bay.

It offers amazing panoramic views of San Francisco. You will have free time to stroll along the bay or visit the great shops and the many art galleries.

There are plenty of restaurants to choose from for dinner before we get back on the boat.

Day 3: Wine Tasting in the Wine Country


Full day: Napa Valley
Discover the Napa Valley, the most renowned wine making region of the entire continent. With its rich volcanic soil and an ideal varied climate, Napa County is optimally suited to produce world quality wine grapes. We will drive through the beautiful rolling grassy hills, old oak trees and vineyards. We will visit at least two famous wineries and sample vintage wines in their tasting room.

Lunch: Wine country picnic.
We’ll shop at a gourmet  marketplace, with over 200 cheeses from around the world, as well as salads, sandwiches, panini--everything needed for our wine country picnic.

End of day: Golden Gate
On the way back, we will stop by the famous Golden Gate so that you can admire the best view of the city from the bridge.

wine tasting in Napa valley

Golden gate



Day 4: Music, Choir and Laughs in San Francisco


Morning: Gospel Celebration

The 100 members of the Gospel choir take the Sunday celebration to another level. Clapping, swaying, and blasting out the spirit of empowerment, the choir embodies Glide's infectious message of diversity, acceptance, and unconditional love. The Glide Ensemble shakes the walls and raises spirits.


Afternoon: From China Town to Union Square
You will have some free time. They are many shopping opportunities: from cheap cameras and clothes at Fisherman Wharf or Chinatown to luxurious shopping malls at Powell and Union Square.

If you are not a shopper, we will give you ideas (and maps) of what to do: visit the MoMA (Museum of Modern Art), hop on the cable car, walk on the beach, in the beautiful Golden Gate Park, to the Presidio, to Fishermanswarf, and more...




Early Evening: Beach Blanket Babylon Spectacle

Beach Blanket Babylon, an internationally acclaimed San Francisco institution, is a zany musical spoof of pop culture with extravagant costumes and outrageously huge hats.  It continually evolves in its hilarious parodies of current events and popular icons as today’s headlines unfold. This is an incredible show not to be missed.

We will have our farewell dinner together after the show.


Day 5: Departure


After our breakfast together, it will be time to say goodbye to your new friends.


Number of participants:


max 10

Dates & Rates


July 16-20, 2009 (women-only tour)

$1,590 per person (land cost) + $350 for single room

Included
  • 4 night accommodation in a 3-star hotel
  • All breakfasts
  • 2 dinners
  • 1 lunch
  • Transport in a comfortable mini-van for the day to Napa
  • A tour leader throughout
  • All entrances to sites described in the itinerary

Excluded
  • Flight to and from San Francisco and transfer to hotel
  • 3 lunches
  • 2 dinners
  • Drinks
  • Personal expenses and tipping

California for the LGBT Community and their Friends


Welcome home to San Francisco! San Francisco has a special place in the hearts of gay and lesbian travelers. It's not only because of its history of fighting for LGBT equality. It is a place where world-class attractions, amazing restaurants, diverse neighborhoods and breathtaking views are around every gay-friendly corner.

Victorian houses San francisco

Day 1: Guided Tour of San Francisco


Morning: Guided Tour of San Francisco
After meeting your fellow travelers during our welcome/ orientation meeting, we will go on a driving guided tour of San Francisco. It is one of the most exciting cities in the US and certainly one of the most (if not the most) mythical cities.

You will enjoy the driving tour with one of our very knowledgeable guides who will give you a unique view of "The City" including: North Beach, Chinatown, Financial District, Embarcadero, Pacific Heights, Presidio, Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, and much more...


Lunch and afternoon : BBQ at the Private Home of Gays and/or Lesbian's from San Francisco
We will be invited at the home of some locals. This will be the opportunity to compare the way of living in the gay San Francisco to the one in the city or country you are from.

This is a unique opportunity we created for this group in order to exchange point of view and maybe make new friends.




Day 2: Music, Dance and Alcatraz Prison


Morning: Gospel Celebration

The 100 members of the Gospel choir take the Sunday celebration to another level. Clapping, swaying, and blasting out the spirit of empowerment, the choir embodies Glide's infectious message of diversity, acceptance, and unconditional love. The Glide Ensemble shakes the walls and raises spirits.


Afternoon: Boat Ride to the famous Prison of Alcatraz
We will take the ferry across the bay and visit the Alcatraz prison, once home of Al Capone and "Bird Man". With 378 cells and an entire island filled with history, suspense, and intrigue, it's an adventure you will not forget. It will give you the chill. The boat trip will also give you an incredible view of San Francisco.

Evening: Dance in a LGBT Club
If you are up to it, you can go and learn a line dance in a country club or if country is not your cup of tea, there are many clubs in the city with different music.


San Francisco Bay


Rainbow flag San Francico

Day 3: Follow the Rainbow to the Castro



Morning: Guided (easy) Walk in the Castro, the Gay Heart of the City
Discover with a knowledgeable guide the historical significance of the Castro neighborhood in addition to the huge social, sexual, political and financial impact the LGBT culture has created worldwide. The tour includes the legendary Castro theatre, the Pink Triangle Memorial Park, Harvey Milk's residence, the HRC Action Center and more.

Enjoy one of the many restaurants in the Castro for lunch.

Afterrnoon: From China Town to Union Square
You will have some free time either to hang out in the Castro or to explore the city.

We will give you ideas (and maps) of what to do: visit the MoMA (Museum of Modern Art), hop on the cable car, walk on the beach, in the beautiful Golden Gate Park, to the Presidio, to Fishermanswarf, and more...

Cable car San Francisco


Golden gate

Golden gate

Day 4: Wine Tasting in the Wine Country


Full day: Napa Valley
Discover the Napa Valley, the most renowned wine making region of the entire continent. With its rich volcanic soil and an ideal varied climate, Napa County is optimally suited to produce world quality wine grapes. We will drive through the beautiful rolling grassy hills, old oak trees and vineyards. We will visit at least two famous wineries and sample vintage wines in their tasting room.

Lunch: Wine country picnic.
We’ll shop at a gourmet  marketplace, with over 200 cheeses from around the world, as well as salads, sandwiches, panini--everything needed for our wine country picnic.

End of day: Golden Gate
On the way back, we will stop by the famous Golden Gate so that you can admire the best view of the city from the bridge.


Day 5: Giant Sequoia Trees



Morning: Muir Woods National Park
Muir Woods National Monument is a great destination to view ancient redwood trees (Sequoia Sempreverins) and the gorgeous coastal forests of Northern California. We will stroll through 1000 year old giant trees towering 260 feet high and find out why famed naturalist John Muir called this, "...the best tree-lovers monument that could possibly be found in all the forests of the world."

Afternoon: Free Time in San Francisco
For your last afternoon, you may have some shopping or catching out to do in the city. They are many shopping opportunities: from cheap cameras and clothes at Fisherman Wharf and Chinatown to luxurious shopping malls at Powell and Union Square. You may want to visit the Gay and Lesbian museum.

 

Sequoia tree


Evening: Farewell dinner
We will have have our farewell dinner together in a LGBT restaurant.

Dinner with French Escapade

Day 6: Departure


After our breakfast together, we will say goodbye to our new friends. You can also choose of one of these options for an extended trip:


Yosemite

Las Vegas Grand Canyon

Number of participants:


max 10

Dates & Rates


August 6-11, 2009: US $1,690 per person (land cost) + $450 for single room

If you are forming your own group, contact us for a customized trip (types of hotels, lenght of trip, types of visits,...).


Included

  • 5 nights accommodation in 3 star hotels
  • All breakfasts
  • 2 dinners
  • 1 lunch
  • Transport in a comfortable mini-van for the excursions outside San Francisco
  • A tour leader throughout
  • All entrances to sites described in the itinerary

Excluded
  • Flight to and from San Francisco and transfer to hotel
  • 4 lunches
  • 3 dinners
  • Drinks
  • Personal expenses and tipping