9-Nights Coastal California & Yosemite from $2,649

Coastal California & Yosemite

Day 1: SAN FRANCISCO Welcome to San Francisco! Your Tour Director is available from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. to answer any questions.

Once settled, perhaps venture out and start exploring this vibrant city. Walk to Union Square or to Chinatown, the largest Chinatown outside of Asia, or seek out some of the city’s renowned culinary scene.



Day 2: SAN FRANCISCO Today, tour the “City by the Bay.” Guided sightseeing includes the Golden Gate Bridge, Nob Hill, Chinatown, and Fisherman’s Wharf. This afternoon is yours to explore. Perhaps take an iconic cable-car ride, visit Golden Gate Park or tour Alcatraz Island Prison. Or take the optional guided bike tour across the Golden Gate Bridge and down into the lovely waterfront town of Sausalito before returning by ferry to Fisherman’s Wharf.

NOTE:
Advance ticket purchase through the National Park Service is recommended for Alcatraz Island.



Day 3: SAN FRANCISCO-YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK–OAKHURST This morning, travel east through California’s Central Valley and enter Yosemite National Park, one of the most visited national parks in the United States. See iconic landmarks such as El Capitan, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls, the tallest waterfall in North America, as you explore a landscape of soaring granite cliffs, spectacular waterfalls, and lush forested valleys. Overnight in nearby Oakhurst.



Day 4: OAKHURST-YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK–MONTEREY Return to Yosemite to see the giant Sequoias, among the largest trees on Earth. Then head west to Monterey on California’s Pacific Coast. Visit historic Old Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey Harbor, where sea lions and otters are often spotted, and explore Cannery Row, the waterfront district made famous by John Steinbeck’s novel Cannery Row. (B)



Day 5: MONTEREY–17-MILE DRIVE-CARMEL-PISMO BEACH Travel along California’s Pacific Ocean on scenic 17-Mile Drive. See the iconic Lone Cypress and stop at the Pebble Beach Visitor Center to learn about the history of Pebble Beach Golf Links. Continue to Carmel-by-the-Sea, a coastal village known for its cottages, galleries, and white-sand beach. Journey through Big Sur, where the dramatic coastal cliffs, redwood forests, and stunning ocean views make this California’s most scenic drive. Overnight in Pismo Beach.

NOTE:
Travel along the coast to Big Sur is dependent on the current road conditions and regulations on Pacific Coast Highway 1.




Day 6: PISMO BEACH-SOLVANG-SANTA BARBARA-LOS ANGELES Continue down California’s Central Coast to Solvang, a Danish-inspired village known for its windmills, half-timbered buildings, and bakeries. Enjoy free time to stroll the village streets and sample traditional Danish pastries. Continue to Santa Barbara. where Spanish Colonial architecture, palm-lined waterfronts, and a Mediterranean climate define the city’s character. Take a walk along Stearns Wharf pier or browse the shops and galleries in downtown Santa Barbara before arriving in Los Angeles for a two-night stay.



Day 7: LOS ANGELES Begin the day with a sightseeing tour of Hollywood including the historic TCL Chinese Theatre and the Dolby Theatre, home of the Academy Awards ceremony. Visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where more than 2,700 terrazzo and brass stars honor achievements in film, television, music, radio, and live performance. Continue to the Santa Monica Pier and Santa Monica Beach, one of Southern California’s most popular coastal destinations. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Perhaps join the optional excursion to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures to explore the history of filmmaking and the art of cinema.



Day 8: LOS ANGELES–DANA POINT-SAN DIEGO Today, travel south along the California coast to San Diego, with a stop in Dana Point, known for its harbor and Pacific Ocean views. Continue to San Diego for a city tour that includes a visit to the historic Hotel del Coronado, a National Historic Landmark featured in films such as Some Like it Hot. Check into your downtown hotel for a two-night stay. This evening, perhaps explore the city’s waterfront and vibrant dining scene.



Day 9: SAN DIEGO Enjoy a day at leisure. Explore the city by bike along the waterfront, take a harbor cruise, or spend time discovering neighborhoods such as the Gaslamp Quarter and Little Italy. Or join an optional excursion to the world-famous San Diego Zoo, a 100-acre wildlife park that is home to more than 12,000 rare and endangered animals and one of the largest botanical collections in the United States.



Day 10: SAN DIEGO- MISSION SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO-LOS ANGELES Have free time this morning before traveling north to Los Angeles. En route, visit Mission San Juan Capistrano, the “Crown Jewel of the California Missions”. Founded in 1776, the Mission is a monument to California’s multi-cultural history, embracing its Native American, Spanish, Mexican and European heritage.

Continue to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), where your vacation ends. Please schedule departing flights for 5 p.m. or later. You may also choose to extend your vacation with extra nights to further explore Los Angeles.