The California Coast
Highlights: Lead in price from €1265pp - 3*
Take a first look at Los Angeles, a stroll along Santa Monica Pier, visit Hollywood, or Beverly Hill. Travel north to Santa Barbara and continue onto San Luis Obispo. Drive the famous HWY1 and discover the Central Coast of California. Pass through San Simeon and visit Hearst Castle. Continue along the majestic coastline of Big Sur and you'll arrive at Carmel. Explore the 17mile drive along the Monterey Peninsula before spending 2 nights in beautiful Yosemite National Park and then 2 nights in elegant San Francisco and its surrounding areas, like Napa and Sonoma wine country.
Day 1: Los Angeles – Arrival
Arrival depending on your flight time. Collect your vehicle at the airport. A first look at the beautiful city of Los Angeles. There’s so much to see from the beaches of Santa Monica and Venice to the Walk of Fam in Hollywood. Our advice: Make a stop at Griffith Observatory (watch the sunset and spectacular views of LA and the Hollywood Hills) Overnight in LA. Accommodation - Crowne Plaza Los Angeles Harbor Hotel Long Beach or Similar – (1 Night)
Day 2: LA - Pacific Coast - Malibu - Santa Barbara.
Start the day with a drive through Santa Monica and the famous beaches of Malibu. Continue up the coast to Santa Barbara, a beautiful seaside community with its famous mission and palm-lined walkways. The harbor and wharf areas are great to explore on foot or rent a bike and see even more. Further north, the classic beach towns of California's Central Coast beg to be explored. Overnight in the heart of California's Central Coast. Accommodation - Courtesy Inn San Simeon or Similar – (1 Night)
Day 3: Santa Barbara - Highway 1 - Monterey/Carmel
This morning continue north, and near San Luis Obispo join Highway 1 which is renowned as one of the most scenic roadways in the US. Enjoy more stunning views of the rugged coastline and the Pacific with a drive on the 27Km Scenic Drive, which passes through the famous Pebble Beach Golf Course. Experience the quaint village of Carmel and the charming seaside town of Monterey. Accommodation - Chaminade Inn Santa Cruz or Similar – (1 Night)
Day 4: Monterey/Carmel - Yosemite National Park
Start your day early and continue across California's agricultural Central Valley before ascending into the mountains of the Sierra Nevada. Join highway 49 and travel south through California Gold country following in the footsteps of the thousands of gold seekers during the gold rush of 1949. Today this area's streams and creeks are still considered some of the best for gold panning enthusiasts. Continue to Yosemite National Park and overnight for 2 Night’s. Accommodation - 2* Comfort Inn Yosemite or Similar. (2 Nights).
Day 5: Yosemite
A full day to explore. Yosemite National Park embraces some of the world's most spectacular scenery and affords a wonderful collection of waterfalls, meadows and forests, including groves of giant sequoias. Marvel at the sheer granite domes and cliffs that soar thousands of feet up from the valley floor. The massive glacial-shaped rock formations of El Capitan and Half Dome are the most famous landmarks of the park and keep a majestic watch over the valley.
Day 6: Yosemite - San Francisco
Today depart Yosemite and head for the city on the bay. This scenic drive will take you into the heart of San Francisco your base for the next 2 days and you will get your first glimpse of this fabulous city, one of the most photographed, filmed and documented cities in the world. Visit Union Square, Chinatown, take a stroll down the crooked Lombard Street, take a walk in Crissy Field and take a picture with the famous Golden Gate Bridge. Our Advice, Combine the visit of Alcatraz (Pre-book in advance), the prison famous for Al Capone. Overnight San Francisco Accommodation - 3* Hotel Metropolis or Similar. (2 Nights)
Day 7: San Francisco – Sonoma/Napa – San Francisco (73km one way)
Today at your leisure but you could choose to explore the beautiful Wine Country. You will cross the Golden Gate Bridge. On your way you should stop by the picturesque town of Sausalito, with its quaint shops and restaurants and the lovely and unique view of the San Francisco skyline. Drive north through the Sonoma wine region which offers over 375 wineries – from wine castles and the winery resort of Francis Ford Coppola, one of Hollywood’s most famed directors, to simple and rustic tasting rooms. Return to San Francisco for overnight
Day 8: Departure
Return flight at the San Francisco airport depending on the time of your flight. Return your vehicle at the Airport.
*=local charge
