California Craft

Arrive in Los Angeles and make your way to our hotel in beautiful Pasadena. In the afternoon, gather in the lobby to meet your Frank Lloyd Wright Trust tour leaders and fellow travelers. A private in-depth, 2.5 hour guided tour of Greene and Greene’s masterwork, the Gamble House (1908-1909) awaits you. Step behind the velvet ropes to see the house’s details and masterful decorative finishes of its woodwork, glass, textile and metalwork up close. In the evening, get to know your fellow travelers during our welcome dinner featuring fresh and local Californian produce.
The Westin Pasadena D

After breakfast on your own, get ready for a full day in L.A. and Hollywood. Enjoy a curator-led  tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s seminal Hollyhock House (1919-21), Wright’s first project in southern California. From here, there is a view of the Ennis House across the valley. Then, see the architectural riches of downtown L.A, including the Bradbury building and Frank Gehry’s Disney Auditorium. After lunch, continue to West Hollywood for a tour of Wright apprentice Rudolph Schinder’s ground-breaking house on Kings Road. Designed in 1922 by the architect as an architectural and social experiment for his family and another couple — who shared the kitchen and patios — the ground-breaking house challenged the precepts of the nuclear family as well as the concept of shelter. Glass-walled, free-flowing spaces and roof-top sleeping porches blurred the lines between interior and exterior; communal and private. Return to the hotel for an evening at leisure. Downtown Pasadena is home to a wide variety of dining and entertainment options, all located within walking distance of the hotel.
The Westin Pasadena L

After breakfast on your own, explore Pasadena further. Return to the Gamble House for a walking tour of the surrounding neighborhood, home to other prominent Greene and Greene houses and gardens, including the stunning Duncan-Irwin House, considered to be one of their masterworks. We are invited to step inside this sprawling —yet intimate and welcoming — 6,000 square foot home by the owners. After lunch, visit the charming Vista Del Arroyo compound, a hidden gem located at the foot of the beautiful Colorado Street Bridge — for a glimpse of true Pasadena living. In the afternoon, enjoy an exterior visit to the nearby Millard House (1923), Frank Lloyd Wright’s first textile-block house, which he nicknamed “La Miniatura” on account of its (2,400 sq. ft) small size. Then, visit a nearby privately-owned, meticulously renovated historic bungalow for an exclusive tour. In the evening, toast an end to our sunny California adventure during our farewell dinner.
The Westin Pasadena L D

Our final morning is devoted to The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. Join our docent-led tour or see (part of) the sprawling, 130-acre gardens and museum collections on your own. Highlights include the American Decorative Arts collection — which includes excellent examples of Greene & Greene and Frank Lloyd Wright furnishings — and the world-famous Chinese and Japanese gardens. Then, transfer to the Los Angeles airport. Our estimated time of arrival is 2 pm.

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Daily Itinerary subject to change.

WARNING: This program involves walking on steep and rocky terrain. Participants must be physically fit.