Southern California Coast Tour - California Beaches, Channel Islands NP, Monarch Butterflies, and Gray Whales

Weather: Channel Islands NP, Santa Monica Mountains NRA - Average High 63, Average Low 47;
Chance of Sunshine: Sunny 12, Partly Cloudy 8, & Cloudy 11 Days. Fog 1 in 4 days on average. 
 
Flight Details
Target Airport: Los Angeles, CA (Airport Code: LAX)
Target Arrival: LAX before 12 Noon
Target Departure: LAX after 12:30PM

Photography Destinations

1) Robert Meyer Memorial State Beaches Park
2) Whale Watch Tour for Gray Whales
3) Pt. Mugu State Park
4) Channel Islands National Park Boat & Hike 
5) Monarch Butterfly Colony at Pismo Beach State Park
6) Coastline of Pismo Beach State Park
7) Missions of Carmel & Monterey, CA
8) Point Lobos State Reserve
9) Pinnacles National Monument
10) Big Sur Coast (CA Highway 1) 

Daily Tour Itinerary

Day 1
Flights: Arrive at LAX Airport
Afternoon: Drive to & Check-In in Oxnard, CA
Overnight Lodging: 1st 3 Nights in Oxnard, CA
Sunset: Robert Meyer Memorial State Beaches Park
Dinner: Oxnard, CA
 
Day 2
Sunrise: Robert Meyer Memorial State Beaches Park
Breakfast: Oxnard, CA
Mid-Day: Whale Watch Tour for Gray Whales - Oxnard, CA or Ventura, CA
Sunset: Pt. Mugu State Park
Dinner: Oxnard, CA
 
Day 3
Sunrise: Pt. Mugu State Park
Breakfast: Oxnard, CA
Mid-Day: Channel Islands National Park Boat & Hike - Oxnard, CA or Ventura, CA
Sunset: Either Meyer Beach, Pt. Mugu, or Another Park depending upon past weather/light.
Dinner: Oxnard, CA
 
Day 4
Sunrise: Either Meyer Beach, Pt. Mugu, or Another Park depending upon past weather/light.
Breakfast: Oxnard, CA
Late Morning: Drive to Pismo Beach Area
Overnight Lodging: 1 Night in Pismo Beach, CA
Mid-Day: Monarch Butterfly Colony at Pismo Beach State Park
Sunset: Pismo Beach State Park
Dinner: Pismo Beach, CA
 
Day 5
Sunrise: Pismo Beach State Park
Breakfast: Pismo Beach, CA
Late Morning: Drive to Monterey Area
Overnight Lodging: 2 Nights in Monterey, CA
Mid-Day: Missions of Carmel & Monterey, CA
Sunset: Point Lobos State Reserve
Dinner: Monterey, CA
 
Day 6
Sunrise: Point Lobos State Reserve
Breakfast: Monterey, CA
Late Morning & Mid-Day: Pinnacles National Monument
Sunset: Point Lobos State Reserve
Dinner: Monterey, CA
 
Day 7
Sunrise: Point Lobos State Reserve
Breakfast: Monterey, CA
Late Morning & Mid-Day: Drive Big Sur Coast (Highway 1) Southbound
Re-visit Monarch Butterfly Colony at Pismo Beach SP
Sunset: Robert Meyer Memorial State Beaches Park
Overnight Lodging: 1 Night in Oxnard, CA
Dinner: Oxnard, CA
 
Day 8
Sunrise: Pt. Mugu State Park
Breakfast: Oxnard, CA
Flights: Depart from LAX Airport (Please see above)
 
Estimated Tour Costs
The estimated tour cost for this adventure ranges from $1,300 to $1,500 per person, based upon 7 participants and double occupancy. Tour costs include everything except airfare to LAX, meals in restaurants, and Whale Watch/Channel Islands NP Boat Tours (approximately $30 for WW Tour and $48 for Channel Islands NP Boat Tour).