California | San Francisco

15 DAYS/14 NIGHTS

Begins San Francisco and ends San Diego.

DEPARTURES

Year round.

YOUR FLY DRIVE INCLUDES:

• Round trip scheduled flights
• Fully-inclusive Intermediate 4 door car hire
• Accommodations as stated
• Route maps and detailed itinerary

DAY 1 ARRIVE SAN FRANCISCO

Depart the UK on your chosen scheduled flight to San Francisco. Upon arrival, transfer independently to your hotel in Union Square.
Hotel: Grand Hyatt San Francisco 

DAYS 2 & 3 SAN FRANCISCO

San Francisco is perhaps one of the most enchanting cities in the United States. From the crooked street in the world, Lombard Street, to Alcatraz and Fisherman’s Wharf; Union Square to the Cable Cars; Chinatown to the Golden Gate Bridge – the city is packed with things to see and do to suit everyone. Enjoy two days exploring the city.
Hotel: Grand Hyatt San Francisco 

DAY 4 CARMEL

Driving distance: 85Mi/143Km
This morning collect your rental car in downtown before you head south to the beautiful coastal town of Carmel. Browse the charming tree lined streets and its quaint shops, galleries and restaurants.
Hotel: Carmel Valley Ranch

DAY 5 CARMEL

Enjoy a relaxing day in the Carmel area. Travel the ‘17 Mile Drive’ through Del Monte Forest to Cypress Point or sit and soak up the scenery from the beautiful grounds of your hotel.
Hotel: Carmel Valley Ranch

DAY 6 PISMO BEACH

Driving distance: 115Mi/185Km
The Pacific Coast Highway is one of the most spectacularly scenic drives you’ll find, so today’s journey is guaranteed to create a lasting memory for you. En route, visit Hearst Castle at San Simeon, the grandiose estate of publisher William Randolph Hearst. Your hotel this evening is in the pretty seaside town of Pismo Beach.
Hotel: Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa

DAY 7 SANTA BARBARA

Driving distance: 80Mi/128Km
After a leisurely morning, continue south along Highway 1, to Santa Barbara, silhouetted against the Santa Ynez Mountains.
Hotel: Hyatt Santa Barbara

DAY 8 SANTA BARBARA

You are sure to enjoy today. Relax in the surroundings of your beautiful hotel, explore the shops and restaurants of Santa Barbara, or enjoy a walk along the beach or the Santa Barbara Pier.
Hotel: Hyatt Santa Barbara

DAY 9 LOS ANGELES

Driving distance: 84Mi/135Km
En route to Los Angeles, include a visit to the J Paul Getty Museum, featuring an extensive collection of art and sculpture. Your accommodation for the next two nights will be in the Beverly Hills area of Los Angeles.
Hotel: Mr C Beverly Hills 

DAY 10 LOS ANGELES

From your hotel you are a short drive from world-famous Rodeo Drive, so take some time to ‘window shop’ where the rich and famous do their shopping. Include a visit to the new Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles.
Hotel: Mr C Beverly Hills 

DAY 11 HUNTINGTON BEACH

Driving distance: 35Mi/56Km
Now it’s time to relax by the beach. From Los Angeles, a short drive will take you to ‘Surf City – California’, Huntington Beach. Your hotel is ideally located across the road from some of the best surfing California has to offer and a short stroll from its quaint Main Street.
Hotel: Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach

DAY 12 HUNTINGTON BEACH

Take a day to pamper yourself in the hotel’s wonderful spa or relax by the pool. Wander along the beach and watch with amazement as the surfers ‘ride the waves’.
Hotel: Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach

DAY 13 SAN DIEGO

Driving distance: 85Mi/137Km
Allow plenty of time today to include stops at Newport Beach and Laguna as you journey south to San Diego, sitting at the southern tip of California.
Hotel: US Grant 

DAY 14 SAN DIEGO

San Diego has much to offer all visitors, young and old. Sea World and the San Diego Zoo are certainly worth a visit, or you may prefer to explore the Mission Bay or Coronado Bay area of the city, both offering fabulous beaches. 
Hotel: US Grant 

DAY 15 JOURNEY HOME

Time for some last minute shopping, sightseeing or relaxing before you return your rental car and check-in for your flight to the UK.

PRICES

From £2145 per person based on twin occupancy of Standard rooms in low season.
Other prices available on request.

Yosemite National Park Tour

•Begins and ends in San Francisco.
•Departs daily, May 1st to October 31st 2013, and Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday November 1st 2013 to March 31st 2014.

DAY 1
Depart San Francisco for the scenic drive to Yosemite. A short stop will be made en route, before arriving at Yosemite Park Arch Rock entrance. After a brief tour up to Tunnels View and along the south side of Merced River you will arrive at your hotel. You are then invited to take the free shuttle into the valley.
Hotel: Yosemite Lodge or The Ahwahnee

DAY 2
Today you will have an early start for the Glacier Point Tour (May to October, remainder of year itinerary includes a two hour Yosemite Valley Floor tour). This is a picturesque four hour tour which elevates you 8,000 ft for a breathtaking panoramic view of Yosemite Valley. The remainder of the day is free to explore this magnificent national park.
Hotel: Yosemite Lodge or The Ahwahnee

DAY 3
This morning is your last chance to view the splendours of Yosemite before commencing your journey back to San Francisco.

From £335 Yosemite Lodge
From £599 The Ahwahnee
Per person based on twin occupancy of Standard rooms in low season. Other prices are available on request.

California Pacific Tour

•Begins in San Francisco and ends in Los Angeles.
•Departs daily, year round.

DAY 1
Depart San Francisco along the San Andreas Fault, through Half Moon Bay and on to Santa Cruz, accompanied by beautiful views of the ocean. Following a stop at Cannery Row, you’ll have time for lunch in Monterey and perhaps a visit to the Aquarium. This afternoon, you’ll tour 17 Mile Drive, Pebble Beach and Carmel.
Hotel: Bay Park Hotel, Monterey (or similar)

Day 2
Following a leisurely breakfast, you’re transferred to Salinas Train Station, where you board AMTRAK. Your voyage takes you through Salinas Valley, the centre of Monterey County’s agricultural region, where the scenery of winding rivers and lush farming landscapes finally gives way to vineyards and oil fields. You are met on arrival by The Wine Wrangler for some wine tasting. Your afternoon is at leisure in this quintessential small town.
Hotel: Paso Robles Inn, Paso Robles (or similar)

Day 3
The highlight today is a visit to Hearst Castle in San Simeon where a film and tour will leave you spellbound. This afternoon you take your second rail journey, through Pismo Beach, alongside some of the most incredible ocean scenery on the coast as the train winds towards Santa Barbara and Oxnard. As you continue south into the metropolis of Los Angeles, the scenery changes and your journey ends.

From £405
per person based on twin occupancy of standard rooms in low season. Upgraded hotels available on request.

The Wine Country Tour

•Begins and ends in San Francisco.
•Departures year round

California's wine region is a feast for the senses, surrounding you with simply beautiful landscapes and tasting some of the world's best wines. Departing from San Francisco, this nine hour small group tour includes talks by the guide/driver on the art of wine making and tours of both Sonoma and Napa Valleys, Enjoy visits to two famous Sonoma wineries, sampling vintage wines in their tasting rooms, followed by lunch in a cosy restaurant. Relax on a scenic ride through the tumbling vineyards of Napa Valley, before finishing the day at Domaine Chandon to enjoy an informative tour of the wonderful sparkling wine house and, of course, a necessary tasting!

From £78 per person