Discover How Reagan's Personal, Film & Political Life Inspired His Vision of The Shining City
Key 20th Century Moments that Prepared a Nation to Embrace "The Shining City"!
Politicians are known for flowery speech and grandiose ideas that are supposed to inspire the masses. The difference is while President Reagan often referred to "The Shining City" in his political speeches from his earliest days, he focused on building that city every day of his life. His reference to The Shining City in his 1989 Farewell speech from the Oval Office was one of his most poignant references.
Looking back into key points of Ronald Reagan's life in Hollywood is a great place to begin to illustrate several of the most powerful moments in the 20th Century and how different leaders shaped our nation. Picking up from our Freedom Warriors tour, this Patriot Experience will connect dots from Reagan's boyhood & college years as he got his start in Hollywood.
You'll discover key connections that shaped America during the chaotic 60's and 70's including the Space Race, Vietnam and Richard Nixon's presidency. There are many cross connections with Nixon and Reagan in California, and you'll get to experience both Presidential Libraries in the lead up to the crescendo of the end of the Cold War.
These key historical moments will lead us to the special afternoon when you'll be invited to a private tour of Rancho Del Cielo, where Ron & Nancy lived atop the Santa Barbara mountains. The "Western White House" as it was known remains a special place where only invited guests can explore and see how this down-to-earth couple lived. In a fitting end to a special week, you'll also be invited to a special 115th birthday celebration for President Reagan. This is an experience you won't want to miss.
Meet The Shining City Historian Host & Explore Tour Stops!
Dr. Larry Schweikart of The Wild World of History. will lead this Patriot Experience sharing his expertise on Reagan and the 20th Century.
Old Town Monrovia is in the San Gabriel Mountains foothills. Incorporated in 1887, it's the 4th oldest general-law city in California.
Warner Bros. Studios was Ronald Reagan's home for his film making career. It also served as a launching point for his political career.
Santa Barbara, CA Discover exhilarating outdoor adventure to fascinating arts and culture to an incredible variety of local food and wine..
Reagan Ranch Center Located in downtown Santa Barbara, this facility serves as the launching points for our tour events.
The Shining City 6 Day / 5 Night Agenda
Sunday, February 1st:
Arrive in Los Angeles, California
3pm-6pm: Hotel Check in & Registration.
6:00pm-8:00pm: Meet & Greet with fellow team members and welcome dinner with Larry to review the upcoming week.
Monday, February 2nd:
9:00-10:30: Private breakfast with Larry. Get a thorough overview of the week's activities and the first in a series of historical perspectives with Vietnam, the Nixon Presidency and the Cold War.
11:30-3:00: Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum - located on nine acres in Yorba Linda, California, on the original site of President Richard Nixon's birthplace home. We invite you to visit our Permanent Galleries to learn more about the life and times of Richard Nixon. Visit Exhibitions to learn what special exhibitions are open or coming soon.
5:30pm-8:30pm: Free time to enjoy "Old Town Monrovia" followed by a team dinner at one of the historic local restaurants.
Tuesday, February 3rd:
9:30-11:00: Enjoy a Private brunch with Larry who will put into context how the influence of two cultural phenomena impacts 60's & 70's politics, foreign affairs, Vietnam & The COLD War.... Hollywood & the SPACE RACE. This lecture will be a great segue to the Warner Bros & Giffith Observatory tours.
11:30-3:00: Warner Bros VIP Tour - This classics-themed tour focuses on the Golden Age of Film and TV, shot on the iconic backlot from the early days of the Studio through the 1970s. This includes the period when Ronald Reagan was President of the Screen Actors Guild and made numerous films.
3:30-5:00 - Enjoy a late lunch / early dinner with local fare as we prepare to see explore the starts and see the SPACE RACE from a completely different perspective.
5:30-8:00: Griffith Observatory. See space and sunset over the LA Basin from a unique point of view.
Griffith Observatory is southern California’s gateway to the cosmos! Visitors may look through telescopes, explore exhibits, see live shows in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium, and enjoy spectacular views of Los Angeles and the Hollywood Sign.
Wednesday, February 4th:
10:30-3:00: Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum. Over a five-decade career, Ronald Reagan inspired Americans to exceed their aspirations. His legacy lives on at The Reagan Library through events and exhibits that celebrate his values and determination.
3:30-5:00: Travel from SImi Valley to Santa Barbara and Check in at the Harbor View Inn..
6:00-8:30: Check After checking in and refreshing in your oceanside hotel, meet Dr. Larry for an evening adventure to one of his favorite local restaurants. Larry logged a lot of time in Santa Barbara when he was writing REAGAN - The American President.
Thursday, February 5th
Experience a peaceful Thursday morning on your own sleeping in, exploring Santa Barbara, enjoying a local breakfast joint or just relaxing.
12:00-1:15: Depart Harbor View Inn for the short drive to the Reagan Museum and Gallery. Enjoy a tour of the main gallery area before our departure to the ranch.
1:30-5:00: The Reagan Ranch - Rancho del Cielo was the Reagan's small (688 acres) ranch near Santa Barbara. It was used frequently during the Reagan administration as a vacation home. The ranch is very informal and has no central heating. The President enjoyed working outdoors at the ranch whenever he visited.
A few cows, some dogs and horses roamed freely there. The property also has a small lake where President and Mrs. Reagan canoed. The animals from the ranch and most of the Reagan family pets are buried at Rancho del Cielo.
7:00-9:00: Farewell Team Dinner at another of Larry's favorite restaurants. This will give us an opportunity to review the lessons learned from our week of discovering what President Reagan saw in his mind's eye when he spoke of The Shining City.
Friday, February 6th:
Times TBD: After checking out of the hotel, we'll enjoy a special celebration of President Reagan's 115th birthday at the Ranch Center.
Depart Santa Barbara, California
Join Larry and Experience the Epic Story of America's Exceptional Past.
Your All-Inclusive Premium Tour Package Includes:
- Full-Time Escort, Historians & Subject Matter Experts - Our tour guides provide unparalleled knowledge, qualifications and experience
- Museum & Tour Entrance Fees - Enrich your tour with curated, emotionally moving museum experiences and customized tour events each day
- First-Class Accommodations - Decompress from the day in private rooms at refined, stylish hotels in every town (free Wi-Fi included)
- Deluxe Coach for Road Travel - Sit back in first-class comfort, as you enjoy air conditioning and Wi-Fi (one most coaches) in between tour stops
- Mix of Activity & Relaxation - Patriot Experiences are designed to blend an enjoyable level of activity level to include some walking and time to explore or relax on your own
- Premium Local Food & Drink - Each day, depending on the schedule, there will be one, two or three meals provided. These will be customized based on location, schedule and guest preferences.
Your All-Inclusive Premium Tour Package DOES NOT Include:
- Transportation from your point of origin to the first hotel and return from last stop
- Any events listed as optional may require an extra fee, i.e. Baseball games, etc.
- Shopping, additional food & drink, activities you choose during free time
Note: Schedules, hotels, speakers and agenda may change based on availability, weather and efforts to maximize value to guests. Some tour locations have limited hotel brands and availability.
LARRY'S OFFER
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2 People / 1 Room
The Shining City
$6,995
Choose $500 Per Person Deposit
or
Save $700 with a Single Pre-payment
LARRY'S OFFER
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Solo Traveler
The Shining City
$3,995
Choose a $500 Deposit
or
Save $400 with a Single Pre-payment
If you want to discuss the tour details, click on the icon below to get your questions answered...
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FAQs
What is the purpose of these Patriot Experiences?
The trips are designed to bring American history to life, support the funding of Larry Schweikart’s Torch Film, and inspire future generations through firsthand experiences with historic American sites.
Who is Larry Schweikart and why is he leading these trips?
Larry is a world-class historian and professor, best known for the #1 New York Times best-selling "A Patriot’s History of the United States." His expertise and engaging style bring deep insight to each site visited.
What makes these experiences different from regular history tours?
These are immersive, story-rich experiences with Larry and his special guests as your guides, turning each location into a living lesson connecting past, present, and future.
Will I be able to interact with Larry during the trip?
Yes. Larry leads discussions, answers questions, and participates throughout each experience, creating a highly interactive journey.
How does my participation help fund the Torch Film?
Profits from these experiences go directly toward completing the remaining $90,000 needed for the Torch Film, a legacy-driven project being developed in partnership with Angel Studios.
What is the Torch Film and what will it include?
The Torch Film is the first step in a potential multi-season episodic series tracing American history through the eyes of a fictional family, using true historical events. It aims to inspire patriotism and preserve America’s founding values.
Click here to learn more about Angel Studios and the Torch film.
What if the Torch Film doesn’t get picked up by Angel Studios?
The Torch video being produced will position the project for distribution with Angel or other studios. Your participation still directly supports its completion and public release.
Are there incentives if I book more than one tour?
Yes! Reserving two or more tours will afford special benefits. These benefits will include "PRODUCER CREDITS" where you will be recognized at the end of the Torch Film for your support.
You will be invited to a private Reveal Party in Scottsdale, Arizona to see the Patriot's Torch, meet the cast, director and network with your fellow supports who made the Torch a reality.
If you book 3 or 4 tours, you will be invited to a VIP Experience on-location during the filming of the Torch. Your VIP experience will include hotel, meet-and-greet with the cast and crew, and a private dinner.
When you register for your first Patriot's Torch tour, you will receive more information on the incentives for joining Larry on multiple trips.
What if I want to support the Patriot's Torch, but I can't join any of the tours?
There are a number of options that will be available to support the effort. If you would like more information, you may reach out online by clicking here Contact Us or call toll free at 855-867-3284.
I am a solo traveler. Can I add a roommate?
Yes, if you reserve a solo traveler tour, if there is space available you can upgrade to a 2-person sleeping room and pay the difference.
Are these trips appropriate for all age groups?
Absolutely. These trips are perfect for creating shared memories across generations while passing on the values of American exceptionalism. Generally, young children under the age of ten won't enjoy a trip of this design.
What if I want to join a trip but can’t attend all four experiences?
You can reserve a spot on any trip with no requirements to participate in more. You will receive exclusive pre-public release to see the Patriot's Torch and other benefits for supporting this effort.
Are transportation, lodging and meals included?
You are responsible to get your tour guests to the start of the tour and home from the end point. Once you are onsite, you will enjoy transportation for every part of the experience.
Your accommodations and most meals listed in the itinerary are covered. There are sometimes when you will have free time to sleep in or explore on your own.
You will also see optional activities in some of the itineraries, like the Red Sox or Padres baseball games that are not included in the pricing because not all guests enjoy those sports. If you choose to join us, there will be an additional ticket fee or you can explore the local area on your own.
Where can I see the full itinerary and trip details?
Full itineraries are available on the official trip pages. Each page includes daily schedules, city highlights, and optional experiences. Click on the following to see each tour:
How do I reserve my spot?
You can reserve your place with a $500 per person deposit, $1,000 total for any of the four trips, provided space is still available. You may register online on each tour page, schedule a 15-minute Torch Talk, Contact Us via email or call toll free at 855-867-3284.
When is the balance of the tour fee due?
Final payment for the three 2025 tours, Pilgrims to Patriots, Freedom Warriors and Aviation Warriors is due 45 days prior to the trip. Final payment for The Shining City tour in February 2026 is due 60 days prior to the tour.
Is there a discount if I pay for the trip in a single payment?
Yes. You save 10% with a single payment for any of the trips. You can choose that option at the bottom of each tour page.
How do transferable deposits work?
A $500 deposit per person secures your space on one of the four trips and is fully transferable. If you choose not to attend, it can be transferred to someone else of your choosing, preserving the same discounted rate.
If you do not have a person to transfer the trip to, although we cannot guarantee it, it is likely we will have an extensive waiting list and will do our best to transfer your trip, which would then allow for a refund.
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