Itinerary
- Day 1
San Francisco
You'll arrive in San Francisco and get transferred to The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel, where you're booked for the next 3 nights. Your tour guide meets you in the evening to go over what's ahead and answer any initial questions you might have.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
- Day 2
San Francisco
Start your San Francisco day with an insider tour hitting the main neighborhoods. You'll walk through Chinatown first, then head to Union Square for shopping and people-watching. The historic cable car ride is next, and it's worth the experience even if you've seen photos. After that, you'll bike across the Golden Gate Bridge in the afternoon, which takes about an hour and gives you incredible bay views. By evening, take the ferry past Pier 39 and Alcatraz Island to finish with the skyline lit up.
Included Activities
- Insider tour of San Francisco including Chinatown, Union Square, and Fisherman's Wharf
- Ride on historic cable car
- Bicycle tour across Golden Gate Bridge
- Bay cruise with views of Pier 39, sea lions, Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz Island
Landmarks Chinatown Union Square Fisherman's Wharf Golden Gate Bridge Pier 39 Alcatraz Island 
- Day 3
San Francisco
Your guide is on hand if you need help planning, but this day is yours to explore at your own pace. Take a cable car out to Fisherman's Wharf and grab some fresh seafood along with a loaf of that famous sourdough bread. The marina's a good spot to watch the sea lions, and from there you can look out toward Alcatraz Island. If shopping interests you, head over to Union Square for some time browsing.
Included Activities
- Insider tour in San Francisco including ride on the Cable Car
Optional Activities
- Visit Fisherman's Wharf for local seafood and sourdough bread
- Watch sea lions at the marina
- View Alcatraz Island from across the bay
- Shopping in Union Square department stores or boutiques
Landmarks Fisherman's Wharf Alcatraz Island Union Square Ghirardelli Square - Day 4
San Francisco to Yosemite National Park
You'll head east from San Francisco toward Yosemite National Park, driving through California's High Sierra region. The landscape includes Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, El Capitan, Tunnel View, and Bridalveil Falls, so bring your camera for the views. After you arrive, you'll stay one night at the Courtyard Fresno.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Included Activities
- Yosemite National Park tour including views of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, El Capitan, Tunnel View, and Bridalveil Falls
Landmarks Yosemite National Park Yosemite Falls Half Dome El Capitan Tunnel View Bridalveil Falls - Day 5
Yosemite National Park to Las Vegas
Travel through the Mojave Desert heading toward Las Vegas, pulling in during the late afternoon. By evening, you'll get a tour of the famous casinos along the Strip and see the colorful lights of Fremont Street. You're staying 2 nights at the Sahara Hotel.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Evening insider tour of Las Vegas casinos along the Strip
- Visit to Fremont Street
Landmarks Las Vegas Strip Fremont Street 
- Day 6
Las Vegas to Grand Canyon West
Get your photo at the legendary Las Vegas Welcome Sign early, then drive 260 miles to Grand Canyon West. Along the way, you'll pass Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam, both worth a quick look. Once at Grand Canyon West, the afternoon is yours to explore at your own pace. You can opt for a helicopter flight, rafting down the Colorado River, or walking the Skywalk platform if those appeal to you. The evening gives you time to shop and grab dinner.
Included Activities
- Photo stop at Las Vegas Welcome Sign
- Drive to Grand Canyon West with views of Lake Mead and Hoover Dam
- Skywalk Experience at Grand Canyon West
- Free time to explore Grand Canyon West
Optional Activities
- Helicopter flight over Grand Canyon
- Raft trip on the Colorado River
- Walk on the Skywalk platform
Landmarks Las Vegas Welcome Sign Lake Mead Hoover Dam Grand Canyon West - Day 7
Las Vegas to San Diego
Leave Las Vegas and drive through Palm Springs, which has that Hollywood money feel with golf courses and celebrity homes scattered around. Continue south to San Diego, about four hours total, where the beaches and parks are the main draw. The weather here stays pretty consistent year-round. Once you arrive, the evening is free so you can wander through neighborhoods like the Gaslamp Quarter or Little Italy on your own.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Drive through Palm Springs with views of downtown, golf courses, and San Jacinto Mountains
- Drive to San Diego
- Evening at leisure
Landmarks Palm Springs San Jacinto Mountains 
- Day 8
San Diego
Take a guided tour of San Diego with a local who knows the city well. You'll check out coastal neighborhoods like Sunset Beach to see the surf culture up close. The tour also covers the Navy's role in San Diego since the port is significant militarily. After the guide leaves you, the evening is open for exploring nightlife, whether that's waterfront bars, live music venues, or casual spots in downtown.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- City tour of San Diego with tour guide
- Visit to Sunset Beach and coastal neighborhoods
Optional Activities
- Visit to one of San Diego's many attractions
Landmarks Sunset Beach 
- Day 9
San Diego to Los Angeles
Head north from San Diego along the coast into Orange County. Stop at Laguna Beach to see the cliffs and art galleries, plus get a feel for the local surf scene. From there, continue to Los Angeles, where you'll arrive in the afternoon. The evening is free, though you could take an optional trip to Long Beach if you want to see more of the area that night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Drive north along Orange County coast
- Visit to Laguna Beach with local art galleries and surf culture
- Travel to Los Angeles
Optional Activities
- Visit to Long Beach to see the historic ocean liner Queen Mary
Landmarks Laguna Beach Long Beach Queen Mary 
- Day 10
Los Angeles
An insider tour of Los Angeles covers Venice Beach with its Muscle Beach and boardwalk scene, then Santa Monica's historic pier. You'll see Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive for the shopping side of LA, walk the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and pass the Chinese Theatre. Grab lunch at the Farmer's Market in the afternoon. Then choose between hiking up to Griffith Observatory for views or spending the rest of the day at Universal Studios.
Included Activities
- Insider tour of Los Angeles
- Visit to Venice and Santa Monica
- Exploration of Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive
- Visit to Hollywood Walk of Fame, Chinese Theatre, and Hollywood Sign
- Meal at the Farmer's Market
Optional Activities
- Hike through Hollywood Hills to Griffith Observatory
- Tour of Universal Studios
Landmarks Venice Beach Muscle Beach Santa Monica Pier Beverly Hills Rodeo Drive Hollywood Walk of Fame Chinese Theatre Hollywood Sign Griffith Observatory Universal Studios Farmer's Market - Day 11
Los Angeles to Central Coast
Leave LA and drive to Malibu, the exclusive coastal town where celebrities have homes. Keep heading north on the Pacific Coast Highway to Santa Barbara, which has that European feel people call the American Riviera. You'll have lunch with local wine and food, tour the town hall with its Spanish architecture, then continue to the Central Coast for the night.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Drive to Malibu
- Drive along Pacific Coast Highway to Santa Barbara
- Visit to Santa Barbara town hall with Spanish architecture
- Lunch with local food and wine in Santa Barbara
Landmarks Malibu Santa Barbara - Day 12
Central Coast to Monterey
Drive north on Highway 1 to Hearst Castle, this wild mansion built by newspaper baron William Randolph Hearst with different architectural styles mixed together. After that, continue on the famous Highway 1 past Big Sur, one of California's most beautiful stretches of coastline. You'll cross the Bixby Bridge, another iconic spot, then pull into Monterey for the night. The evening is yours to relax.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit to Hearst Castle
- Drive along Highway 1 past Big Sur with scenic viewpoints
- Cross the Bixby Bridge
- Arrival in Monterey
Landmarks Hearst Castle Big Sur Bixby Bridge - Day 13
Monterey Peninsula to San Francisco
Drive the 17-Mile Drive on the Monterey Peninsula, a scenic route that ends at Carmel, a charming village with art galleries and shops. Then explore Monterey's Fisherman's Wharf and Cannery Row, the historic harbor area that inspired John Steinbeck's writing. If aquariums interest you, the Monterey Bay Aquarium shows sea creatures and sea otters. On the way back to San Francisco, drive through the farming areas of Castroville and Santa Clara.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Drive along 17-Mile Drive
- Visit to Carmel
- Exploration of Monterey's Fisherman's Wharf
- Exploration of Cannery Row
- Return drive through Castroville and Santa Clara to San Francisco
Optional Activities
- Visit to Monterey Bay Aquarium
Landmarks 17-Mile Drive Carmel Fisherman's Wharf Cannery Row Monterey Bay Aquarium - Day 14
San Francisco
Your trip ends today. Arrange an individual transfer to the airport, or if you want more time in California, you can book extensions on your own.
Optional Activities
- Individual extension options available
