History
Our business began as a vacation planning business; we designed custom tours for people who were visiting California and the Western United States. For each client, we created a customized itinerary, tailored to their interests and needs, recommended and booked all of their local arrangements, and facilitated the smooth progress of their trip with a pack of materials, and by maintaining regular contact with the client and with local suppliers throughout their visit. In 2004, we had our first request to actually drive and guide a tour. The two senior citizens from South Africa were particularly persuasive, and we decided to give it a go. 2 weeks with clients on the road were all it took to convince us that this was the direction in which we wanted our business to go. We applied for the necessary permits, changed our website, and have been guiding our tours ever since. While we specialize in California and the Western US, we have taken clients to 28 different states.
Specialties
Quintessential Tours offers escorted, customized, private tours for small groups in California and the Western United States. Destinations we serve include California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana and Colorado. Every tour is customized to each client's individual interests and needs, and escorted by a committed guide, who serves as driver, tour guide and personal assistant throughout the tour. As can be seen from some of the reviews, we also offer local wine tours near our home base in Santa Cruz County, California.