California Coast & Yosemite

Prices

Value package from: £2459
Standard package from: £2875
Superior packages from: £3610

You can mix and match hotels from our value, standard and superior options – call for package price.

 

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Day 1
San Francisco Arrival

Depart London Heathrow – 10:40
Arrive San Francisco – 13:35
Journey Time – 10 hours 55 minutes

On arrival we recommend that you DO NOT collect your car as you will be tired and will only pay high fees to park the vehicle during your 3 days in the city. San Francisco Airport has a very safe and regulated taxi despatch system outside of the terminal so this is the easiest option, however if you do prefer to collect your vehicle upon arrival into San Francisco or would like us to arrange private transportation for you to your hotel, this can be done for an additional cost.

Hotels:
Value: King George Hotel
Standard: Hotel Adagio
Superior: Argonaut Hotel

Overnight – San Francisco

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Day 2
San Francisco
Suggested activities (Not included in pre-paid cost)

Morning
This morning we suggest you take a city tour – especially if this is your first time to this fabulous city as it will allow you to get your bearings.

Afternoon
Enjoy a quick 10-minute ferry ride to the centre of the San Francisco harbour to the infamous former prison island – Alcatraz. The visit includes a taped tour of the prison (once home to such famous criminals as gangster Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly”). Note: We strongly suggest that you pre-book this very popular Alcatraz tour which in our opinion is not to be missed – let us know at time of booking. Do book early to avoid disappointment!

Evening
Seafood dinner at one of many restaurants along the waterfront or at one of the trendy restaurants in the SoMa (South of Market) area! After dinner, enjoy a musical show, an American Conservatory Theatre performance or a comedy club, and a nightcap in one of the many rooftop cocktail lounges.

Hotels:
Value: King George Hotel
Standard: Hotel Adagio
Superior: Argonaut Hotel

Overnight – San Francisco

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Day 3
San Francisco
Suggested activities

Morning
Take a tour to Muir Woods, a forest of giant California redwood trees – some of the biggest trees in the world. On the way back, stop for lunch and shopping in the beautiful little town of Sausalito. Return to San Francisco by ferry or by bus; or take a walking tour of Chinatown with a dim sum lunch.

Afternoon
Free afternoon to shop! Explore Union Square’s department stores, small boutiques and art galleries; visit the neighbourhood shopping areas South of Market or Union Street; take a five-minute walk from downtown to the Embarcadero Centre, a three-level, four-building complex of 150 shops. Shop at the many complexes in the Fisherman’s Wharf area such as PIER 39, Ghirardelli Square and The Cannery and enjoy the musicians and street performers. Take a jeep tour of the area, or rent a bike and ride across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito and ferry back to San Francisco.

Evening
San Francisco has over 3,000 restaurants! Take your choice: For instance, an authentic Chinese banquet in Chinatown – the largest Asian settlement outside of mainland China, an elaborate Korean barbecue or an Italian feast in The City’s Italian section, called “North Beach” or how about a dinner cruise on San Francisco Bay. Enjoy dinner and dancing to a live band as you cruise past The City’s famous skyline at sunset.

PLEASE NOTE:
San Francisco is one of our favourite cities in the whole of North America & we would not recommend you spending any less than 3 nights in the city if this is your first visit. None of the tours or attractions mentioned in our suggested itinerary are included in your tour price, however, we would be very happy to make these arrangements on your behalf (subject to availability). In particular, as we have mentioned above, your visit to Alcatraz – as the ferry to the island can often be booked up days, or even weeks, in advance during the height of the season.  

There are numerous festivals going on throughout the year in San Francisco, art, film and dance festivals and this is in addition to a packed sport scene, which includes the world famous San Francisco 49’ers. We are happy to help our customers with purchasing tickets and advising on events taking place during your stay, please ask for details.

Hotels:
Value: King George Hotel
Standard: Hotel Adagio
Superior: Argonaut Hotel

Overnight – San Francisco

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Day 4
San Francisco to Yosemite National Park
164 Miles

Today you will collect your rental car. We have arranged for you to collect it from a convenient downtown location rather than having to go back out to the airport (**). Please ask about the additional cost for the in-car satellite navigation that will guide you along your route.

(**) Note: During the busy months of July & August experience has taught us to suggest that you collect your vehicle from San Francisco airport location rather than downtown to avoid potential long delays at the downtown rental station (a metered cab out to the airport will cost you approx. $40-$45).

The Knights Ferry Recreation Area featuring the Knights Ferry Covered Bridge makes for a great picnic stop if you stop at a deli or food outlet en-route. After, continue towards your accommodation, our standard and superior accommodation is located as close as you can be to the Yosemite National Park west entrance providing the easiest access to the Yosemite Valley and Visitor Center.

Hotels:
Value:  Miners Inn Motel, Mariposa
Standard: Yosemite View Lodge – Mountain View
Superior: Yosemite View Lodge – River View

Overnight – Yosemite National Park

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Day 5
Yosemite National Park

We suggest a visit to the visitor center to pick up the latest information on hiking and activities in the park. You won’t want to miss the drive to Glacier Point for spectacular views of waterfalls and glacier-carved granite peaks.

As you first arrive on the Yosemite Valley floor, you’ll see that there is a one-way loop road that travels in a counter clockwise direction. As the valley floor opens in front of you, you will see El Capitan to the far left, and Yosemite Falls and Half Dome at the eastern end of the Valley. This is a great place to stop for panoramic photos. You may wish to visit the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center and Wilderness Center located in the Yosemite Village that provides detailed trip-planning information, books, exhibits and audiovisual programs. An orientation film called “Spirit of Yosemite” is shown in the Valley Visitor Center Theater.

Hotels:
Value:  Miners Inn Motel, Mariposa
Standard: Yosemite View Lodge – Mountain View
Superior: Yosemite View Lodge – River View

Overnight – Yosemite National Park

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Day 6
Yosemite National Park to Monterey
188 miles

Heading back to the Pacific Coast, travel across the San Joaquin Valley, knows as California’s breadbasket. We suggest a stop in San Juan Bautista at their historical fruit stand to buy fresh fruit and local specialties and a visit to the Old Mission San Juan Bautista, one of the original Spanish Missions. Continue to Monterey, your home for the next two nights.

Hotels:
Value: Comfort Inn Monterey by the Sea
Standard: Monterey Tides – Inland View
Superior: Monterey Tides – Deluxe Ocean View

Overnight – Monterey

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Day 7
Monterey at Leisure

A full day to explore the Monterey Peninsula, Pacific Grove and Carmel area famous for Cannery Row, Carmel-By-The-Sea, Monterrey Bay Aquarium, Pebble Beach and more. We suggest an afternoon visit to the world-famous 17-mile Drive, home to the Lone Cypress and Pebble Beach Golf Course. The 17-mile drive connects with the quaint village of Carmel where you can stroll down Ocean Avenue to explore the eclectic shops and cafes.

Hotels:
Value: Comfort Inn Monterey by the Sea
Standard: Monterey Tides – Inland View
Superior: Monterey Tides – Deluxe Ocean View

Overnight – Monterey

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Day 8
Monterey to Santa Barbara
235 Miles

An opportunity to travel the famous and spectacular Highway 1 winding through countless state parks and picturesque small towns. Though the route looks short we suggest an early start to accommodate the curvy roads and multiple stops. Leaving Monterey, the stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway leading through Big Sur is one of the most famous roads in America, carved into cliffs where 1000 meter high redwood covered mountains plunge down into the sea. Continue south to Santa Barbara, one of California’s most beautiful cities with spectacular Mediterranean architecture.

Hotels:
Value:  Best Western Plus Pepper Tree Inn
Standard: Inn by the Harbor
Superior: Kimpton Canary Hotel

Overnight – Santa Barbara

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Day 9
Santa Barbara at Leisure

Sheltered between the towering green mountains and the deep blue ocean, with the Channel Islands just offshore, Santa Barbara has been nicknamed the “American Rivera”. There are two main areas of interest in Santa Barbara; the historic downtown area with its delightful Spanish colonial architecture and old-world aesthetic and the harbor area.

You’ll also find the 19th mission constructed by the Spanish and considered to be the best preserved and most beautiful. Wine tasting, culinary experiences and world-class shopping also await you in this beautiful sea-side town.

Hotels:
Value:  Best Western Plus Pepper Tree Inn
Standard: Inn by the Harbor
Superior: Kimpton Canary Hotel

Overnight – Santa Barbara

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Day 10
Santa Barbara to Los Angeles 
87 miles

As you head toward Los Angeles you’ll pass Camarillo about 40 miles south of Santa Barbara. If you haven’t finished your shopping the Camarillo Premium Outlets mall featured over 160 stored with many famous brands. A fun and scenic way to enter Los Angeles is from Highway 1 through Malibu Beach and Santa Monica where you’ll quickly understand why these beaches are so popular!

Hotels:
Value:  Crowne Plaza Los Angeles Harbor
Standard: Hilton Anaheim
Superior: Loews Hollywood Hotel

Overnight – Los Angeles

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Day 11
Los Angeles at Leisure

Los Angeles is really a jumble of many towns – 95 municipalities in fact, with as many unique personalities. Today there are many sightseeing opportunities including Hollywood with famous Grauman’s Theatre home to the famous hand and foot prints of the stars. From Grauman’s Theatre you can easily book a sightseeing tour of movie star homes with a lively and informative guide who’ll point out the famous homes and where the stars may be seen around town! Or you can visit Universal Studios for a behind the scenes look at movie making.

Hotels:
Value:  Crowne Plaza Los Angeles Harbor
Standard: Hilton Anaheim
Superior: Loews Hollywood Hotel

Overnight –  Los Angeles

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Day 12
Los Angeles to San Diego
133 Miles

Travelling south today, you can access Highway 1 at Newport Beach and travel to San Juan Capistrano. En route you van visit the beach communities of Laguna Beach and Dana Point before reaching San Juan Capistrano, home to Mission San Juan Capistrano, the 7th of the 21 California Missions. Enjoy your arrival to San Diego as you round the interstate and have your first view of the sparkling San Diego bay and beaches.

Hotels:
Value:  Best Western San Diego/Miramar Hotel
Standard: Bahia Resort Hotel
Superior: Hilton San Diego Resort & Spa

Overnight – San Diego

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Day 13
San Diego 

At the southern tip of California, bordered by Mexico to the south, the Pacific Ocean to the west, and the Anza-Borrego Desert and Laguna Mountains to the east, San Diego offers spectacular options for sightseeing and outdoor recreation. Step out on your first morning in San Diego and you’ll soon find yourself slipping into the groove of California’s Beach City, famed for its laid-back lifestyle and friendly vibe. World-class attractions like SeaWorld, LEGOLAND, the San Diego Zoo and Mission Bay Aquatic Park offer plenty of fun for families and adults alike. But San Diego is an adult playground too, with unique Cali-Baja cuisine to discover, more than 100 craft breweries to visit and a sizzling nightlife scene with rooftop bars and jumping clubs for a night on the town.  Perhaps today you might like to visit one of the world famous attractions today, the zoo is one of the few places at houses the Giant Panda, take in the USS-Midway, a Naval aircraft carrier turned museum and explore the downtown and Gaslamp Quarter not to mention Little Italy or Hillcrest.

Hotels:
Value:  Best Western San Diego/Miramar Hotel
Standard: Bahia Resort Hotel
Superior: Hilton San Diego Resort & Spa

Overnight – San Diego

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Day 14
San Diego

San Diego is not known as the Beach City for nothing, there really are wonderful beaches everywhere but our suggestion is to head for the community of La Jolla, located approximately 20 minutes north of downtown San Diego. It is a seaside village nestled along seven miles of gently curving coastline. Its name (pronounced La Hoya) translates to “the jewel” in Spanish and is an appropriate description of this beautiful hamlet filled with spectacular scenery, outdoor recreation, world-class shopping, fine dining and an eclectic mix of museums, theatres and art galleries.  Shop along Prospect Street, La Jolla’s main thoroughfare and one of San Diego’s most trendy shopping areas, sometimes called the “Rodeo Drive” of San Diego. Prospect Street is also home to the thought-provoking Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego – La Jolla. Stroll through Ellen Browning Scripps Park, overlooking the inlet beaches of La Jolla Cove and the Children’s Pool where seals frolic. View the Stuart Collection of Sculpture, 17 contemporary artworks on the UCSD campus. End the day in style, fine dining in the village and then attending a performance at the Tony® Award-winning La Jolla Playhouse. For the more adventurous how about a tandem hang glide/paraglide experience at the Torrey Pines Gliderport, kayak the sea caves of La Jolla Cove or dive/snorkel in San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park, the first coastal underwater preserve on the West Coast. Then explore the marine life at Birch Aquarium at Scripps and enjoy a leisurely hike at Torrey Pines State Reserve, home of one of the world’s rarest pine trees. End the day atop Mt. Soledad for 360º views of San Diego and a spectacular sunset over the Pacific Ocean. Of course there is one other option.. laze away this final day of your holiday under the warm California sunshine one the pristine beaches watching the waves lap in from the Pacific Ocean, the choice is yours.

Hotels:
Value:  Best Western San Diego/Miramar Hotel
Standard: Bahia Resort Hotel
Superior: Hilton San Diego Resort & Spa

Overnight – San Diego

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Day 15
San Diego Departure

Today your adventure comes to an end with your departure flight.

As hotel check-out time is 11:00 am you can leave your bags with the hotel bell-desk while you do any last minute shopping or sightseeing.

Depart San Diego– 20:35
Arrive London Heathrow – 15:10
Journey Time – 10 hours 35 minutes

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Your holiday includes

• Scheduled Flights
• UK & US Airport taxes
• Accommodation – 14 nights
• Compact car rental based on Hertz – 14 day rental
• Exclusive travel documentation portfolio including personalised maps, itinerary and driver directions along with all applicable tickets and vouchers.

Additional Experiences

Our holidays are completely tailored to suit you. We would be happy to help you choose from a vast array of additional experiences that will enhance your North America holiday adventure.

These might include:

There are many more, often quite unique to your chosen destination so please do ask.