7-Day California Tour Packages
Ready to tackle California's highlights in a week? Southern California with LA, San Diego, beaches, or Northern California with San Francisco, wine country, and those massive redwoods. Try a coastal drive hitting Big Sur and all its beauty, Monterey, and Carmel. Move quickly and see a lot - you’ll never regret it.
Insider tips: Recommended 7-day California tour itineraries
Compiled by
MelissaCalifornia travel expert at TourRadar
6 Days in Baja California, incl. La Paz and Cabo San Lucas
This 6-day Baja California trip covers La Paz and Cabo San Lucas. You'll snorkel at UNESCO-listed Espíritu Santo Island alongside playful sea lions from September to May, plus take a glass-bottom boat cruise to the iconic Arch at Land's End. The itinerary includes the Bohemian town of Todos Santos, a walk to the famous Balandra Mushroom rock formation at Playa Balandra, and a beachfront lunch at Playa El Tecolote. Accommodations include 3 nights in La Paz hotels like Hotel Catedral or Hyatt Place with breakfast, then 2 nights at the all-inclusive Posada Real resort in Los Cabos. Local guides lead cultural tours through La Paz's cathedral and Centro de Artesanías.
- Day 1
La Paz Arrival
Plan to arrive in La Paz in the afternoon to skip rush hour traffic. The airport is just 20 minutes from most hotels. Take an evening walk along the malecón, the waterfront promenade that stretches 3.5 miles. This walk will help you get your bearings and spot good local restaurants for dinner.
- Day 2
La Paz City & Beaches
Start your morning at Playa Balandra before the crowds arrive around 11 AM. Take a quick 10-minute walk to see the famous mushroom rock but bring water shoes since the sand gets very hot. For lunch, head to Playa El Tecolote where local beach restaurants serve great fish tacos for about $3-4 each.
- Day 3
Espíritu Santo Island
Take a boat trip to Espíritu Santo Island, about 45 minutes from La Paz marina. If you're visiting between September and May, you can swim with sea lions. Bring a light jacket for the cool morning boat ride. Important: Only biodegradable sunscreen is allowed to protect the marine life.
- Day 4
La Paz to Los Cabos
The drive from La Paz to Cabo takes roughly 2.5 hours, but plan for 4-5 hours if you want to explore along the way. Stop in Todos Santos to browse art galleries and boutiques. Take a glass-bottom boat to The Arch in early afternoon for the best photos. As one visitor shared: "The boat ride to The Arch was smoother than expected, and the clarity of the water through the glass bottom was incredible – we could see tropical fish swimming right beneath us."
- Day 5
Los Cabos Free Day
Stay in the Corridor area between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo for good beach access. Médano Beach is one of the few safe swimming spots in Cabo San Lucas. Visit the fish market in San José del Cabo early morning to watch the local fishermen bring in their catch.
- Day 6
Departure
From Cabo San Lucas to San José del Cabo Airport (SJD), you'll need at least 45 minutes for the drive. Allow 2-3 hours for airport procedures. Security lines are usually shorter for morning flights. Some visitors prefer staying in San José del Cabo their last night to be closer to the airport.
Hiking in Yosemite National Park
From San Francisco to Yosemite, this 6-day California adventure showcases natural wonders. The trail winds through Tuolumne Grove sequoias, conquers Mist Trail's waterfalls, and scales Four Mile Trail to Sentinel Dome. Native American history comes alive at Ahwahnee Hotel before the final Golden Gate Bridge walk.
7 Days in Yosemite National Park, incl. Glacier Point and Red Peak Pass
The pristine Yosemite backcountry unfolds on this $2,900 week-long trek. The route leads from Curry Village through Illilouette Canyon, crossing high-altitude passes and camping by alpine lakes. Dramatic elevation changes from 1,200 to 11,000 feet reveal remote wilderness vistas.
- Day 1
Yosemite Valley Orientation
Head to Curry Village by late afternoon. You'll find the meeting point at the Mountain Shop on the street-facing side of the pavilion near the parking lot. Spend your first night at the Backpackers Camp by Tenaya Creek, surrounded by Yosemite's granite walls. Pack your backpack tonight to make your morning departure smoother.
- Day 2
Glacier Point to Illilouette Creek (7 miles)
Take the morning shuttle to Glacier Point (7,214 ft). The trail drops along Illilouette Ridge. Bring trekking poles for the steep downhill section. You'll cross Illilouette Creek at the halfway point. Pack water shoes for the knee-deep crossing and plan to cross in the afternoon when water levels are lower. Set up camp along Clark Fork among the sugar pines.
- Day 3
Ascent to Lower Ottaway Lake (9 miles)
Get ready for 2,500 feet of elevation gain. Start early to avoid the hot sun on exposed sections. Look for pieces of a 1960s plane crash on the trail to Merced Pass Lakes. Lower Ottaway Lake sits in a stunning cirque beneath Red Peak, with colorful metamorphic rocks that light up at sunset.
- Day 4
Red Peak Pass Crossing (9.5 miles)
Today you'll cross Yosemite's highest trail pass at over 11,000 feet. Leave before dawn to beat afternoon thunderstorms. The thin air will slow you down, so take plenty of breaks and drink lots of water. After the pass, enjoy views of the Minarets to the south as you descend to Triple Peak Fork. Find a campsite on the granite slabs near the Merced River.
- Day 5
Washburn Lake (6.7 miles)
An easier day following the Merced River's west bank. The morning trail stays fairly flat through glacier-polished terrain. A gradual climb takes you to Washburn Lake in the afternoon. "The lake is breathtakingly cold even in August. Bring water shoes for the rocky entry points," one hiker warns.
- Day 6
Merced Lake Area (7 miles)
Walk along the Merced River past waterfalls and the historic ranger station. The trail gets crowded near Merced Lake High Sierra Camp but quiets down quickly. Camp near Bunnell Dome for great evening views of the Cathedral Range. If you're up for it, climb the dome's easier north side at sunset.
- Day 7
Descend to Valley Floor (8 miles)
Your final day features classic Yosemite views: Half Dome, Liberty Cap, Nevada Falls and Vernal Falls. You'll drop 2,900 feet, mostly on stone steps. Start early to avoid crowds on the Mist Trail. Shuttles run back to Curry Village every 20-30 minutes.
California 7 Day Tour Packages You'll Love
Baja Beach Bliss & Cultural Insights: La Paz & Cabo 6D/5N
Hiking in Yosemite National Park
Wonders of Yosemite
John Muir Trail: Rae Lakes Loop
Fascinating West, Ending in San Francisco
Best of California's National Parks
California Dreaming: Yosemite, Death Valley & Coastal Camping
California National Park Discovery
West Coast Wonders: Las Vegas to San Francisco
California National Park Circle: Sand to Snow, Joshua Tree, Death Valley and Yosemite
What people love about 7-day California tours
- Hiking in Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is breathtaking. As I walked along the hikes that we went on, many times I did not know which direction to look since there was so much natural beauty.