Enjoy nine days and eight nights of exploration in coastal California. Take breathtaking coastal drives along the Pacific and enjoy the cultural vibrancy of California’s major coastal cities. Span the coastline from San Francisco to San Diego, and enjoy the many stops along the way.
Day 1: Arrive San Francisco, California - Tour Begins
Begin your California stay in San Francisco. Stay in the Sheraton Fisherman’s Wharf, which will give you great views of the city and the San Francisco Bay.
Day 2: San Francisco
Take a guided tour of “the City by the Bay”, with stops at Twin Peaks and the Golden Gate Bridge. Visit historic Chinatown. In the afternoon, enjoy leisure time around Fisherman’s Wharf, where you have many shops and restaurants to choose from. A visit to Pier 39 may bring you close to dozens of vocal, frolicking sea lions. In the evening you may opt to take a trolley ride up and down San Francisco’s hilly streets.
Day 3: San Francisco - Yosemite National Park
Today takes you into the California interior for the spectacular natural beauty of Yosemite National Park. Marvel at towering sequoias, spectacular waterfalls, and geological wonders like Half Dome and El Capitan. Take in all the scenery and keep an eye out for wildlife including deer and black bear.
Day 4: Yosemite National Park - Monterey
From Yosemite, we return to the coastline, arriving in scenic Monterey. The remarkable 17 Mile Drive will provide awesome views of the ocean and bring you by the often photographed Lone Cypress Tree in Del Monte Forest. Visit Seal Rock where seals congregate and see the famous Pebble Beach Golf Course. Then, venture into Old Monterey with its historic buildings and landmarks, including Cannery Row.
Day 5: Monterey - Solvang
Travel along the Big Sur Coast to the charming village of Solvang. Along the way, you will visit the famed Hearst Castle, William Randolph Hearst’s “ranch” that housed 165 rooms and sat upon 40,000 acres of land. Enjoy exploring the castle’s interior and the pools and gardens on the grounds outside.
Day 6: Solvang - Santa Barbara - Solvang
Enjoy and excursion to Santa Barbara where you can take an electric shuttle to the Stearns Wharf or walk the downtown area. Return to spend a second evening in the Danish village of Solvang.
Day 7: Solvang - Los Angeles - San Diego
Travel south to California’s two largest cities, Los Angeles and San Diego. A tour of the City of Angels will take you to Graumann’s Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where you can check the stars on the sidewalk for familiar celebrity names. In the evening, arrive in pleasant San Diego for the night’s lodging.
Day 8: San Diego
Take a comprehensive morning tour that includes the Gaslamp Quarter, Coronado Island and of course, San Diego’s downtown. In the afternoon, enjoy the city at your leisure. You may wish to visit the world famous San Diego Zoo. Dinner will be served at Tom Ham’s Lighthouse with the San Diego Bay and the city skyline as a backdrop to your delicious meal.
Day 9: San Diego - Tour Ends
The tour concludes, but the memories of the California coast will be etched in your heart for years to come.
Visit California landmarks like the Hearst Castle, Fisherman’s Wharf and Half Dome in Yosemite National Park. Enjoy comfortable lodging in the Dutch village of Solvang, and the bustling cities of San Francisco and San Diego. See the beautiful architecture, experience the lively culture and be awestruck by the incredible scenery of coastal California on this amazing tour vacation!
