The Californian
10 DAY TOUR FROM £1675
From San Diego drive north, following America's most famous coastline, taking in Los Angeles, 17-Mile Drive, Yosemite National Park, Napa Valley and concluding in San Francisco.
Any Questions...
We are the experts. Whatever your query or thoughts on your holiday, we are here to assist you. Please contact your Personal Travel Consultant
by telephone on:
0845 678 56 56
Complete the information below and we will contact you by telephone or email at your convenience.
See your tour
To view our interactive
map of this tour
Click Here
Tour Pace
Leisurely Lively
Tour experience
Scenic City
Highlights
- San Diego
- San Juan Capistrano
- Hollywood
- Los Angeles
- Santa Barbara
- Cambria
- San Simeon
- Central Coast
- Carmel
- Monterey Peninsula
- Monterey
- San Joaquin Valley
- Yosemite National Park
- Napa/Sonoma
- San Francisco
Sightseeing Highlights
- San Diego Tour the city's major attractions.
- San Juan Capistrano Visit this famous historic mission.
- Hollywood Visit the Kodak Theatre, Grauman's Chinese Theatre & the Walk of Fame.
- Los Angeles Drive the Sunset Strip and see Beverly Hills. Visit the J. Paul Getty Museum.
- Santa Barbara Stop in this beautiful Mediterranean-style seaside resort.
- Cambria Overnight in this quaint seaside township.
- San Simeon Join a guided tour of Hearst Castle.
- Central Coast Drive through the scenic vineyards of Central California.
- Carmel Stroll down Ocean Avenue past quaint stores and art galleries.
- Monterey Peninsula Drive along the fabled 17 Mile Drive.
- Monterey See Cannery Row and Fisherman's Wharf.
- San Joaquin Valley Drive through California's breadbasket.
- Yosemite National Park See Yosemite Valley, El Capitan, Half Dome and Yosemite Falls.
- Napa/Sonoma Drive along the scenic Carneros Highway and stop at a local winery for a wine tasting.
- San Francisco Enjoy a city tour including the city's most famous landmarks.
Dining Highlights
- Welcome Drink with your Tour Director in San Diego (WD)
- 8 full breakfasts (FB)
- Speciality lunch in the Sonoma Valley (HL)
- Buffet-dinner in Cambria (BD)
- Speciality dinner in San Diego (HD)
- Farewell Dinner with wine at a local restaurant in San Francisco (FD)
- 12 included meals in total (see day-by-day itinerary)
First Class Travel Highlights
- Return scheduled flights.
- The services of one of Trafalgar's professional Tour Directors on tour.
- Complimentary transfers on Day 1 from San Diego International Airport to your hotel in San Diego and on Day 9 from your hotel to San Francisco International Airport.
- Travel on Trafalgar's luxury air-conditioned coaches with reclining seats and restroom facilities.
- Stay in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities.
- All hotel service charges, baggage handling fees (one suitcase per person) and local taxes.
- A stylish travel wallet.
Luxury Private Car UK Transfers
- Exculsive door to door airport transfers
See your tour
To view our interactive
map of this tour
Click Here
Day 1 (Door to Door)
Arrive San Diego
Enjoy your luxury private car door to door transfer to your departure airport before your scheduled flight to San Diego, where a transfer is provided to your first hotel. Your Tour Director is at your hotel this afternoon to greet you and answer your questions. Please join us at 6pm for a Welcome Drink at the hotel. (WD)
Hotel: Westin San Diego (MD)
Day 2
San Diego sightseeing
Enjoy a morning city tour highlighting the historic Gaslamp Quarter, the bustling Embarcadero, Balboa Park and the historic Old Town. Spend the afternoon at your leisure. This evening, we head for Seaport Village, a 14- acre waterfront entertainment complex, recreating a harbourside setting of a century ago with meandering cobblestone pathways bordered by ponds, lakes, fountains and colourful, lush landscaping. (FB, HD)
Hotel: Westin San Diego (MD)
Dining Highlights: Dinner is served at a local restaurant with great harbour views.
Day 3
San Diego - San Juan Capistrano - Santa Monica
Journey north and visit the Mission San Juan Capistrano, one of the original missions built by the Spanish. On to the palm-lined streets of Beverly Hills, including famous Rodeo Drive and then the fabled Sunset Strip. After a lunch stop at the historic Farmers Market, join a guided tour of the Kodak Theatre, home of the Academy Awards ceremonies. View the famous Oscar statuette, and gain an insider's view of this glamorous production. See Grauman's Chinese Theatre, the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Hollywood Sign. This afternoon, as an option, perhaps join aMovie Stars' Homes guided tour to view the amazing mansions of some of the world's most famous celebrities, past and present. We end the day at our hotel in beautiful Santa Monica. This evening why not stroll over to the Third Street Promenade, an open-air pedestrian-only street of shops, restaurants and cafés, or to the iconic Santa Monica Pier? (FB)
Hotel: Sheraton Delfina Monica Hotel (SFC)
Day 4
Santa Monica - Santa Barbara - Cambria
Today we visit the magnificent J. Paul Getty Museum and enjoy the fabulous art collections and spectacular grounds overlooking the city and Pacific Ocean. Following the Pacific coast north, stop in Santa Barbara, one of California's most beautiful cities with spectacular Mediterranean architecture. The day ends on arrival at the quaint seaside township of Cambria and your delightful hotel nestled amongst pine trees. (FB, D)
Hotel: Cambria Pines Lodge (FC)
Day 5
Cambria - San Simeon - Hearst Castle - Monterey
A short drive along the coast brings us to San Simeon for a guided tour of Hearst Castle. Built on a hilltop overlooking the Pacific, the spectacular grounds and grandiose home feature the world-class art collection of newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst. We travel north through the stunning rolling hills of California's Central Coast, dotted with vineyards and wineries. Stop at the artist colony of Carmel with time to stroll down tree-lined Ocean Avenue past quirky shops and art galleries. Travel along the scenic 17Mile Drive, home to multi-million dollar mansions and Pebble Beach Golf Links, to the historic seaside town of Monterey, where Cannery Row and Fisherman's Wharf reflect the city's long history with the sea. This evening is at leisure in Monterey. (FB)
Hotel: Marriott Monterey (SFC)
Day 6
Monterey - San Joaquin Valley - Yosemite National Park
Journey inland through the fertile San Joaquin Valley, known as the breadbasket of California, and stop at an historic fruit stand for a chance to buy fresh-off-the-farm fruit. Travelling through the wooded Sierra Nevada Mountains we arrive at Yosemite National Park. Enter the spectacular Yosemite Valley and view the iconic formations of El Capitan and Half Dome and the breathtaking Yosemite Falls, the highest in North America. Enjoy a stroll along the Merced River and take in the immense beauty of this spectacular mountain setting. (FB)
Hotel: Yosemite View Lodge (MFC)
Day 7
Yosemite - Napa/Sonoma - San Francisco
We travel down the Sierras through Gold Country and enter the famous California Wine Country. We journey along the scenic Carneros Highway and stop at a family-owned vineyard for an exclusive winery experience. Meetwith the owners who take you on a private tour of their winery. Sample estate-produced wines and olive oil served with local artisan cheeses, and savor a delicious luncheon of fresh local produce, served al-fresco with sweeping views over the vineyards of the Sonoma Valley. Heading south, we arrive in the city-by-the-bay, San Francisco. As an option this evening, why not join a walking tour of Chinatown, where an ancient culture from the other side of the world survives and flourishes with remarkable authenticity; visit a fortune cookie factory and enjoy a delicious Chinese banquet at a local restaurant. An illumination tour of San Francisco completes this unique optional experience. (FB, HL)
Hotel: Hyatt Regency San Francisco (D)
Day 8
San Francisco sightseeing and at leisure
Enjoy a morning tour of North America's most romantic city and see the famous sights of this eclectic metropolis including Union Square, Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39, the Victorian mansions of Alamo Square, the rolling hills of the Presidio and Golden Gate Park. Spend the afternoon at your leisure. (FB, FD)
Hotel: Hyatt Regency San Francisco (D)
Dining Highlights: This evening, join your fellow passengers for a farewell dinner and toast to your California adventure.
Day 9
Depart San Francisco
Enjoy the morning at leisure, perhaps to pick up some last-minute souvenirs for friends and family back home. A complimentary transfer is provided to San Francisco International Airport for your return scheduled flight back to the UK. (FB)
Day 10 (Door to Door)
Arrive UK
On arrival at your UK airport, your driver will greet you and escort you to your waiting luxury private car for your door to door transfer to your home.
See your tour
To view our interactive
map of this tour
Click Here
Westin San Diego (MD)
Located in the heart of beautiful downtown San Diego, the 25 floors of guest rooms feature panoramic views of San Diego Bay, Coronado Island and the downtown cityscape.
Cambria Pines Lodge (SFC)
The Cambria Pines Lodge is nestled on 25 wooded acres and offers a peaceful, relaxing experience. Accommodation ranges from rustic cabins to elegant suites all with modern facilities surrounded by beautiful landscape.
Marriott Monterey (SFC)
Located within the heart of downtown Monterey and surrounded by the Monterey Peninsula, the hotel offers well-appointed guest rooms with spectacular views, heated pool, whirlpool and on-site fitness centre.
Yosemite View Lodge (MFC)
The Lodge has three pools and five spa tubs, including four outside on the patio. One of the outside pools and some of the spa tubs have views of the wild Merced River rushing alongside the hotel.
Sheraton Delfina Santa Monica Hotel (SFC)
Boasting exhilarating views of the Pacific, amenities include a fitness centre, fine dining at the full service restaurants and popular lounge and outdoor heated pool.
Hyatt Regency San Francisco (D)
Situated right on the Embarcadero waterfront, guests will enjoy the Eclipse Cafe and 13 Views coffee and cocktail bar and the 24-hour gymnasium.
See your tour
To view our interactive
map of this tour
Click Here
Chinatown walking tour
"The best experience of San Francisco by Night." Start with a guided walking tour of Chinatown, one of the largest Chinese communities outside of China. Walk along Grand Avenue and explore Chinese markets, herb shops, a fortune cookie factory and much more (weather permitting). We then experience an authentic family-style Chinese feast at Hunan Home's Restaurant, which has won numerous awards for its exceptional food and service, including the Golden Award for the "Best Bay Area Chinese Restaurant" in the Chinese World Journal. After dinner, hop-on one of San Francisco's fabled Cable Cars, and ride along one of the city's most scenic routes. Here, we board our coach for our Illuminations Tour and see how the Crown Jewel of the Pacific shimmers at night! We'll drive past the glittering lights of North Beach, the Embarcadero, Fisherman's Wharf, Telegraph Hill, Coit Tower, the Broadway Strip, and the historic Ferry Building. We then drive across the Oakland Bay Bridge to Treasure Island, a former US Navy base, for a spectacular night panorama of sparkling San Francisco! Adult: $69.00
San Diego Zoo
Visit this world-famous zoo located in beautiful Balboa Park. The San Diego Zoo cares for over 3800 animals of 800 different species. You won't want to miss the new "Absolutely Apes" exhibit with its 110 foot long, 12 foot tall glass observation window for an unforgettable up-close experience with endangered apes. Stop by the Giant Panda Research Station and say hello to Little Su Lin, born on August, 2005. She and her mother, Bai Yun, are out and about in their luxurious accommodation (check times). Your admission includes the zoo bus tour, round-trip Skyfari Aerial Tram Ride, all shows and children's zoo.
Adult: $39.00 / Child: $28.00
San Diego Scenic Harbor Cruise and Historic Coronado
We start with a one-hour narrated boat tour of San Diego Harbor. Take in the Star of India, the U.S. Navy surface fleet, Coronado Bay Bridge and busy shipyards. On occasion, we'll see US battleships up close and personal when they're ported in the harbor. The views of both San Diego and Coronado, combined with the natural beauty of the harbor, make this a memorable hour out on the water. Next we'll be 200 feet above the bay as we drive across the famous Coronado Bridge, a unique 2.1 mile bridge with an 80 degree bend that opened in 1969 and connects San Diego to the "Crown City" of Coronado. Our next stop will be the iconic Hotel Del Coronado, a National Historic Landmark that opened in 1888. Charlie Chaplin, Babe Ruth, and Charles Lindberg, not to mention the last 10 US Presidents, have all stayed at the Hotel, and you'll see why. Movie buffs out there might remember the hotel from "Some Like It Hot" with Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis. You will have ample time to wander through "The Del" and soak in all of its grandeur. The final stop will be at the Coronado Ferry Landing Marketplace. The view and photo opportunities of the harbor with the San Diego skyline as a backdrop are worth the stop alone.
Adult: $35.00 / Child: $29.00 Minimum
Movie Stars Homes Tour
You've seen them in movies, now see where the stars actually live. Sit back and relax in the comfort of air-conditioned mini-buses and go where larger buses can't go. This guided two-hour tour takes in over 40 breathtaking mansions. In Beverly Hills and Bel-Air, you'll find there's no place like home for stars that may include Corteney Cox, Keanu Reeves, Tobey Maguire, Madonna, Halle Berry, Jackie Chan, Britney Spears, Winona Ryder and Nicholas Cage. In Holmby Hills, you'll see the notorious Playboy Mansion and the colossal home of producer Aaron Spelling. You may also pass the former estates of such legends as Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Gregory Peck, Jack Benny, Judy Garland, Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, and some of your favorite TV and movie locations. $59.00
Monterey - Dinner at Bubba Gump
Who would have ever guessed an Academy Award winning film from 1994 would have something in common with great food? Enter Bubba Gump Shrimp Company Restaurant in Monterey. Perched right on the edge of majestic Monterey Bay in historic Cannery Row, the restaurant was modeled after the movie "Forrest Gump" which took home the Oscar more than a decade ago and remains a classic to this day. Forrest Gump loved his shrimp, and Bubba Gump Restaurant is no different. The restaurant is known for great seafood (not to mention award winning baby back ribs) all in a fun and festive atmosphere. Bubba Gump is also brimming with memorabilia from the movie itself, and if you're lucky the waiters and waitresses might even quiz you on your Forrest Gump trivia knowledge. Adult: $40.00
Golden Gate Bridge Walk & Sausalito
Given that this is San Francisco's and one of this country's most iconic landmarks, you must experience the Golden Gate Bridge in all its glory. There is no better way to experience the size and height of this bridge than walking across its length. So, bundle up (it can get quite windy) and get ready for a unique experience. We start off at the aptly named Roundhouse. Originally designed as a restaurant, it now houses the Golden Gate Bridge Gift Center. Watch the exhibit showing the cross-section of a cable before
heading off onto the bridge itself. At mid-span, we are 220 feet above the water's surface, and passing ships below look like small toys. As you stroll from one side of the bridge to the other (1.7 miles), you will learn who named it, how the structure cheated the laws of concrete and steel, and what members of the Halfway to Hell Club did to join it. Once across the bridge, we head for Sausalito where there is time at leisure to explore this quaint seaside village. We then board the ferry for the crossing of San Francisco Bay back to Fisherman's Wharf. Enjoy the best views of the city skyline and Alacatraz Island. Adult: $39.00
Afternoon Excursion to Sausalito
If you do not want to walk across the Golden Gate Bridge, we offer a Sausalito-only option. Sausalito is a charming waterfront community that lies across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. Because of its Mediterranean flair and breathtaking views, it is often compared to the French Riviera, but the locals you'll meet are pure "California!" Sausalito hosts a thriving artist community and is home to many art galleries, quaint shops, waterfront restaurants, and open-air cafes offering spectacular views of San Francisco across the Bay. We then board the ferry for the crossing of San Francisco Bay back to Fisherman's Wharf. Enjoy the best views of the city skyline and Alcatraz Island. Adult: $39.00
Dates and prices
Your prices have been updated
Prices based on per person sharing a twin or double room. For single room supplements and triple room reductions please call for details.
- gdirections
- gpolyline
- gdirections
- gdirections
- gdirections
- gdirections
- gdirections
- gpolyline
- gpolyline
- gdirections
- icon_ 4
- icon_ 0
- icon_ 0
- icon_ 0
- icon_ 0
- icon_ 1
- icon_ 5
- icon_ 1
- icon_ 0
- icon_ 0
- icon_ 4
- Santa Monica
- Yosemite National Park
- Hollywood
- Sunset Strip
- Kodak Theatre
- Monterey
- Golden Gate Park
- Santa Barbara
- Hearst Castle
- Hollywood Walk of Fame
- Gaslamp Quarter
- Embarcadero
- Balboa Park
- Seaport Village
- San Juan Capistrano
- Graumans Chinese Theatre
- J. Paul Getty Museum
- Cambria
- El Capitan
- Half Dome
- Yosemite Falls
- Union Square
- Fisherman's Wharf
- Pacific Heights
- Presidio
- USA
- California
- Sonoma
- Los Angeles
- San Francisco
- San Simeon
- San Diego
Please note: Route displayed may not be an exact representation of the actual route taken.
Show Available Street Views
Return To Map
The best way to view the available street view is to zoom in on the city/area of interest, click on the "streetview" button above and follow the following steps
Back to search results
Book It
Share It
Remove from Compare My Tours
Add to Compare My Tours