Introduction
Travelling to California promises awe-inspiring national parks, spectacular landscapes, and vibrant cities.
California has more than 1,100 miles of coastline, which is adorned with amazing beaches, from picture-perfect coves to lovely golden sandy shores. Take a trip down from San Francisco to Los Angeles for stunning coastal views, passing through quaint communities and the breath-taking Big Sur region of California.
The Napa Valley wine region and stunning Lake Tahoe are a contrast to California’s beautiful coastline. The nine national parks in California, which feature scenery ranging from the imposing waterfalls of Yosemite to the ominous setting of Death Valley, are arguably the most striking of them.
For those who enjoy the city, glamorous Los Angeles has magnificent beaches and is a great place to spot celebrities, while San Francisco is home to the Golden Gate Bridge and infamous Alcatraz. You’ll be in a cosmopolitan paradise if you add trendy Palm Springs and sunny San Diego to your Californian adventure.
Highlights
SAIL AN AMERICA’S CUP YACHT (3 hours - San Francisco)
Ride an America’s Cup yacht around San Francisco Bay. Embark on an exciting sailing adventure, while taking in famous sights like the Golden Gate Bridge from a different angle.
YOSEMITE GUIDED TOUR (4 hours - Yosemite National Park)
The Yosemite National Park is yours to explore with your expert guide. Trek along the Merced River to a fantastic picnic location while admiring the Half Dome granite monolith.
TRAIN LIKE A SUPERSTAR (Various - Los Angeles)
Discover how the A-listers maintain their physical fitness from a celebrity trainer. Whatever your ability, this customised session will help you reach your fitness objectives with individualised instruction and exercises.
Recommended Hotels
Zeppelin San Francisco
This distinctive, modern building is located nearby the Theatre District and Union Square area of San Francisco. The hotel’s charming rooms and suites are full of quirky details and provide king- or queen-sized beds, the newest technology, and unobstructed views of the downtown skyline.
Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel
This resort is directly on the beach and offers all the amenities of a city hotel, along with amazing views. The opulent rooms and suites provide a breezy haven from the sun, and the heated pool, spa, and dining options will satisfy all your needs.
The Resort At Pelican Hill
The Resort at Pelican Hill features two golf courses, one of California’s largest spa facilities, five dining options, and a pleasantly lavish swimming pool. Take advantage of easy access to Newport Beach and its magnificent harbour. Reap the benefits of the amazing shopping, a wide range of outdoor sports, and numerous great sights around.
Sample Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival In San Francisco, Usa
Your Californian adventure commences as you take your flight to San Francisco, and pick up your rental car. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.
Day 2: San Francisco
Start the day with a guided bicycle trip that travels along the gorgeous shoreline of San Francisco and across the recognisable Golden Gate Bridge with its punchy orange colour. The latter opened in 1937 and is considered one of the 7 Wonders of the Modern World as it reaches 746ft towards the sky and is 1.7miles long. Its aim was to connect the communities of Marin and San Francisco with each other, and is commonly also used nowadays by hikers and cyclists. The bridge is also a notable attraction during running marathons. A catamaran sunset ride around the Bay can then be taken afterwards to fully appreciate the grand view.
Days 3 & 4: Yosemite National Park
After arriving at Yosemite National Park, spend the rest of the day exploring on your own this paradise of waterfalls, beautiful meadows, and granite mountains. On the following day, you and your driver guide can explore more of the park’s natural splendours. The National Park is ideal for hiking as it offers over 750 miles of trails and there is an abundance of wilderness to discover on your trek. For nature lovers, there are also over 165 bird species, and if you fancy climbing, you can enjoy climbing challenges across its plains. In the summer months, the Park is ideal for water activities along the Merced River, including swimming, boating and fishing. Whilst in the winter months you can pack your ski gear for some adventure on the slopes!
Days 5 & 6: Monterey
Take a shared kayaking trip to Monterey Bay for the opportunity to see harbour seals, otters, and a variety of shorebirds. Explore the Monterey Aquarium on your second day there, for an awesome experience seeing leopard sharks, sardines, wolf eels, and other aquatic life.
Day 7: Big Sur
To get to Big Sur, take a lovely drive along California’s coastline. Don’t forget to stop to take amazing scenic photos along the way. Take a guided tour of McWay Canyon to see the imposing coastal redwoods that inhabit it.
The Big Sur also offers Bixby Bridge, where you can truly appreciate a dramatic sight and the stunning area of Pfeiffer Beach with its notable purple sand is perfect for a sunset.
Your day will come to a close by driving to Santa Barbara.
Day 8: Channel Islands National Park
After travelling to Ventura, board a ferry to the Channel Islands, where you may explore this magnificent national park’s fascinating sea caves while kayaking and snorkelling with others.
Days 9-11: Santa Monica
The next three nights will be spent in Santa Monica. Lessons in surfing, a tour of Los Angeles, and a bike ride to Venice Beach are among the optional private activities. Santa Monica is a city full of adventures to be experienced. You could enjoy exploring the Santa Monica Pier, indulge in some shopping, dine in world-class restaurants and even ride the Pacific Park’s Ferris Wheel! With many local markets dotted around and its bustling Main Street you could feel like one of the locals during your stay here.
Day 12: Depart Los Angeles For Return Home
Your Californian adventure comes to a close as you depart for Los Angeles to catch your flight home.
