Golden California
Trip Itinerary
Day 1
San Francisco Arrival
Arrive at San Francisco International Airport, pick up your car and proceed to your hotel.
Day 2
San Francisco
You are free to enjoy this fascinating city today. Walk through the narrow crab markets of Fisherman’s Wharf and enjoy sidewalk dining and many fine attractions. Charming neighborhoods greet you at every turn with their elegant architecture. See Chinatown, the Japan Center, and the Embarcadero. Looming in the middle of the bay is the ominous island of Alcatraz, housing the infamous prison.
Day 3
San Francisco
A full day to explore San Francisco, or the rolling hills of California’s Wine Country, Napa Valley, where famed wineries welcome you for tours and tastings. Established in 1828, this fertile area is considered the premier wine growing region in the United States.
Day 4
San Francisco – Monterey/Carmel / driving distance: 126 mi / 202 km
Drive south to Monterey where you can stroll along Fisherman’s Wharf and Cannery Row. The 17-Mile Drive toll road along the Peninsula Coast from Pacific Grove to Carmel boasts magnificent seaside scenery. Visit Carmel Mission, founded in 1770.
Day 5
Monterey/Carmel – California Central Coast / driving distance: 246 mi / 394 km
One of the most scenic drives of your journey today takes you along the California coast through the Big Sur peninsula to San Simeon. Make time to visit Hearst Castle or to take a hike along one of the many well maintained trails near Pfeiffer State Beach.
Day 6
Central Coast – Solvang – Malibu – Los Angeles / driving distance: 208 mi / 334 km
Drive down the coast passing San Luis Obispo to Solvang, a unique town founded by Danish immigrants. Solvang is a quaint village in the Santa Ynez valley surrounded by local wineries and famous for its bakeries and specialty shops. Drive by Malibu and Santa Monica to Los Angeles. If you plan to arrive in Los Angeles early, we suggest a visit to Universal Studios this afternoon before continuing to your hotel in Los Angeles.
Day 7
Los Angeles
A full day at leisure. Today we suggest a full-day visit to Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom of Disneyland. Known as one of the top tourist attractions in Southern California, Disneyland attracts millions of visitors from all over the world and offers pleasures for young and old alike. Or, simply discover Los Angeles, including Hollywood and Beverly Hills.
Day 8
Los Angeles – Las Vegas / driving distance: 280 mi / 450 km
Today drive east through the Mojave Desert and the ghost town of Calico en route to the glittering Entertainment Capital of the World, Las Vegas. Once an oasis on the route to California, Las Vegas began as a Mormon settlement and boomed fleetingly during the silver rush. Today Las Vegas is one of the great gambling capitals of the world, with 24-hour entertainment and world-class dining.
Day 9
Las Vegas (Grand Canyon, optional)
A full day at leisure for you to either take a short drive to Lake Mead and Hoover Dam, or see one of the great natural wonders of the world, the spectacular Grand Canyon, on an optional day trip by air. In form, glowing color, and geological significance, the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River is unsurpassed. The canyon is 277 miles long, averages 10 miles in width from rim to rim and is 5,700 feet deep.
Day 10
Las Vegas – San Diego / driving distance: 336 mi / 538 km
Drive south past Lake Elsinore to the town of Temecula. Enjoy famed rolling hills and vineyards on your way to San Diego, popular for its year-round sparkling weather and relaxed living.
Day 11
San Diego
A full day to discover some of San Diego’s attractions such as: Balboa Park, Old Town, Sea World, which is the largest park in the world devoted to marine life, Coronado Beach, the San Diego Zoo, and Seaport Village.
Day 12
San Diego – Los Angeles Departure / driving distance: 121 mi / 195 km
Return your car at the San Diego airport before your departure flight, or drive north to Los Angeles to end your tour.
Prices, Dates, Hotels & Conditions
CHANGE CURRENCY
€
£
$
A$
¥
C$
The final price you will pay for this tour is that displayed in USD. Prices converted in other
currencies are for guidance purposes only and are approximate.
| DAILY DEPARTURES | PRICE FROM (STANDARD) |
PRICE FROM (UPGRADE) |
PRICE FROM (DELUXE) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January, February, March, November, December | 850 | 1129 | 1549 |
| April | 850 | 1221 | 1751 |
| May, June, July, August, September, October | 1074 | 1300 | 1751 |
| NIGHT | CITY | HOTEL ACCOMMODATION STANDARD |
HOTEL ACCOMMODATION UPGRADE |
HOTEL ACCOMMODATION DELUXE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-3 | San Francisco | Hotel Whitcomb | Americania Hotel | Park Central Hotel |
| 4 | Monterey | Monterey Bay Travelodge | Hilton Garden Inn Monterey | Hotel Pacific |
| 5 | Central Coast | Courtesy Inn San Simeon | Holiday Inn Express Solvang | SeaCrest OceanFront Hotel |
| 6-7 | Los Angeles | Clarion Hotel Anaheim Resort | Hilton Anaheim | Hilton Anaheim |
| 8-9 | Las Vegas | Excalibur Hotel & Casino | Luxor Hotel & Casino | Tropicana Las Vegas |
| 10-11 | San Diego | Days Hotel Circle Near SeaWorld | Sheraton Mission Valley | Sheraton San Diego |
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- Walk along the railings of San Francisco’s world famous Golden Gate Bridge
- Marvel at 17-Mile Drive’s The Lone Cypress
- Experience California’s Central Coast splendor on Highway 1
- Enjoy Danish-style hospitality in Solvang
- Get closer to the stars at TCL Chinese Theatre, formerly Grauman's Chinese Theatre, a Hollywood landmark
- Enjoy 24 Hour entertainment in glittering Las Vegas
- Enjoy the authentic atmosphere of Old Town San Diego, the birthplace of California
Admission fees not included
INSIDER TIPS - DON'T MISS
THE USS MIDWAY IN SAN DIEGO
Take a self-guided audio tour of one of America’s longest-serving aircraft carriers and learn about the history of the carrier as well as life aboard the carrier as you walk through the different levels of the carrier and see the exhibits as well as 27 restored aircraft carriers. For the brave, try one of the three flight simulators!
CAYUCOS STATE BEACH
Looking for the quintessential California beach town, look no further. This small town of 3,000 still has many of its original 19th century buildings. Enjoy the large white sandy beaches, long fishing pier, quaint shops and freshly baked cookies from the Brown Butter Cookie Co, or a cold beer at the local saloon.
Admission fees not included
