Painting Tours: USA – San Francisco and the Wine Country- Not scheduled in 2020
Don't be a tourist.
Be our guest.
Be our guest.
Day 1: Welcome
5 PM: Meet your fellow travelers, your teacher and your tour leader at our selected hotel for our orientation meeting followed by a welcome dinner.
“I left my heart in San Francisco, High on a hill, it calls to me.”
San Francisco justly ranks as one of the greatest cities in the world. Famous for grand-dame Victorians, classic cable cars, dynamic diversity, a beautiful waterfront, and a soaring crimson bridge, the “City by the Bay” truly has it all.
San Francisco is undeniably a “must see”.
Days 2 and 3: San Francisco
You will sketch in plein-air some of the emblematic spots of San Francisco. Here is a non-exhaustive list of some of them:
Painted Ladies
One of the most photographed locations in San Francisco, Alamo Square’s famous “postcard row” is indeed a visual treat: a tight, escalating formation of Victorian houses back-dropped by downtown skyscrapers, providing a stunning contrast.
Palace of Fine Arts
This is one of the most photographed sites in the City, featured in numerous films and TV productions: Greco-Roman style Rotunda and colonnades surrounded by swans drifting across the peaceful lagoon.
Golden Gate Park
One of the largest urban parks in the world without one single “Keep Off the Grass” sign on its 1,017 acre with trees, flowers, plants, lakes…
Golden Gate Bridge
Once called “the bridge that couldn’t be built,” today it is one of the seven wonders of the modern world. This magnificent span, perhaps San Francisco’s most famous landmark, opened after a four-year struggle against relentless winds, fog, rock and treacherous tides.
Fisherman’s Wharf
The historic San Francisco waterfront provides the picture perfect backdrop for postcard views of the Golden Gate and Bay bridges, Alcatraz, Angel Island and the famous City skyline.
Day 4: Wine Country and Wine Tasting
With more than 425 wineries, miles of rugged Pacific coastline, towering redwood forests, and its close proximity to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, Sonoma County is a dream sketching spot in California.
Lunch: You will be treated for lunch and wine tasting in one of the numerous wineries in Sonoma.
The afternoon is yours to explore, shop or paint at the Sonoma Plaza, the gorgeous historic landmark that radiates romance around every corner, cafe and cobblestone…
Day 5: Plein-air and Studio Painting in SF
Morning-Plein-air:
On your last painting day in SF, you will spend the morning sketching one more iconic spot of the City.
Afternoon:
It is time to finish up some of the paintings started this week. The day will end with a little “vernissage” showing your work over a cocktail drink. We will treat you for the farewell dinner before saying goodbye.
Day 6: Departure
You can leave at your convenience or extend your stay up to 3 days at the hotel (at the discounted rate if you book early enough).
Dates & Rates
Not scheduled in 2020
Includes
- A welcome reception
- 2 dinners: one welcome dinner on day 1 and one farewell dinner on day 5
- 1 lunch and wine tasting in Sonoma
- All art classes (daily demos, one-on-one support and instructions)
- Transportation every day from and to our selected hotel (including transportation to Sonoma)
- The use of a “studio” on the last afternoon
- Complementary snacks and drinks brought to the painting sites
- A tour leader throughout the week
Excludes
- Your hotel.
- Breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners
- Painting supplies
- Tour leaders(s) tipping
How to Book
To Make Your Reservation for a French Escapade Tour please follow the steps below and review our Cancellation Policy:
1
Check Availability
Send us an e-mail to check availability. Include the dates of the workshop you are interested in (not just the destination since we do have several workshops at the same location) and the number of people you will be reserving a spot for.
2
Submit Registration Form and Send $600 Deposit
After receiving confirmation of availability, complete and submit the Reservation Form and send your $600 deposit
3 methods of payment:
- pay by check, (if you live in Canada, it needs to be a money order), payable to French Escapade LLC, 2389 Blackpool Place, San Leandro, CA 94577
- pay by wire transfer (let us know and we will provide you with our account number)
- pay by credit card using www.paypal.com (3.5% convenience fees applies)
3
Receive Confirmation
We will send you a written confirmation of your reservation along with an information package for your trip (info about pick up and drop off, recommended insurance, name of a travel agent, what to bring, etc…). Do not make any travel arrangement before we tell you that the trip has a guaranteed departure.
4
Submit Remaining Balance
Your remaining balance is due 90 days prior to departure. Make sure to review below our cancelation policy in case you need to cancel the trip.
Cancellation Policy
| If you cancel the trip: | Cancellation Fee per Person |
|---|---|
| More than 90 days before departure | The $600 deposit is forfeited (however $500 can be transferred-only one time-to another trip with a departure date within 2 years of cancelation date) |
| 61-90 days before departure | 50% of total cost forfeited |
| 31-60 days before departure | 75% of total cost forfeited |
| 0-30 days before departure | 100% of total cost forfeited |
| If French Escapade cancels | You get a full refund |