California Dreamin’

Tour Information

7nt Tour Begins & Ends San Francisco: 2nts San Francisco; 1nt Lake Tahoe; 2nts Yosemite National Park; 2nts Monterey;

Day 1

Fly from the UK – San Francisco (2 nights)
Welcome to the City by the Bay! Join your complimentary transfer to the tour hotel perfectly situated right on the Embarcadero waterfront. At 6:00pm join your fellow adventure-seekers at a Kick-Off Party at the hotel.
Overnight: Hyatt Regency San Francisco

Day 2

San Francisco sightseeing & at leisure
Let’s see if we can leave our hearts in this great city! See the many city sights, including Lombard Street, “The Crookedest Street in the World,” Pier 39’s sea lions, known as the “Sea Lebrities,” the “Painted Ladies” of Alamo Square and so much more! One of the grooviest and newest spots in town is the California Academy of Sciences – an aquarium, a planetarium and a natural history museum all rolled into one. You’ll be among the 40,000 creatures that creep, crawl, fly, slither, waddle and swim in this one-of-a-kind museum. Dinner this evening is a delicious Chinese Banquet in Chinatown. But first, explore the many alleys and stop by the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory. You’re in luck – these famous cookies are as fresh as they come! (Full breakfast / Highlight dinner)
Overnight: Hyatt Regency San Francisco

Day 3

San Francisco – Gold Country – Lake Tahoe
Today your Tour Director will reveal a Hidden Treasure! You’ll then head toward Sacramento and the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park. This is where gold was found in 1848, spurring the legendary Gold Rush. Discover invaluable nuggets of knowledge as you visit a replica of the mill and see if you can strike it rich panning for gold! Later, continue to Lake Tahoe, where you’ll be treated to fantastic views from the Lake Tahoe Gondola. Save some pixels on that camera, because coming up is The Deck – a 14,000-square-foot observation platform perched at an elevation of 9,123 feet. (Full breakfast )
Overnight: Embassy Suites Lake Tahoe Resort

Day 4

Lake Tahoe – Mono Lake – Yosemite National Park (2 nights)
Now it’s time to venture to another planet – or at least a place that looks like another planet. Between one and three million years old, Mono Lake seems to come from another place, thanks to its odd-looking limestone formations called tufa towers. Learn about the lake’s history at the Mono Lake Visitor Center and get interesting accounts about its history, geology and rich birdlife from an Expert Naturalist. Next, travel over the Tioga Pass (weather permitting) to Yosemite. Tonight, join your Tour Director for an “Evening in Yosemite” and gaze into the heavens during an exclusive stargazing experience with a Yosemite Park Ranger. Far from the lights of civilization, the inky skies above Yosemite are truly cosmic with their mesmerizing scattering of stars and planets. (Full breakfast)
Overnight: Yosemite View Lodge

Day 5

Yosemite National Park sightseeing & at leisure
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Yosemite National Park is awesome! You and your wide-eyed compadres will be introduced to Yosemite Valley’s most famous icons as you ride aboard a private open-air tram while a Park Ranger gives you the scoop on the park’s history, geology, and the plant and animal life. Be sure to take the easy hike to the Yosemite Falls, the tallest waterfall in the United States. This afternoon is free to pursue your own interests! You might want to take a bike ride on 12 miles of paved trail, rent a raft for a float down the Merced River, or attend one of the many ranger presentations offered daily. Your Tour Director will be on hand to help you plan your day! This evening, after a yummy Barbecue Dinner, enjoy gooey s’mores around the campfire while an expert on the park serves up tasty tidbits of local history and folklore. (Full breakfast / Highlight dinner)
Overnight: Yosemite View Lodge

Day 6

Yosemite – San Juan Bautista – Carmel - Monterey (2 nights)
Today you’ll go from the mountains to the sea, heading west through the fertile San Joaquin Valley. Stop at a historic fruit stand to sample fruit fresh from the fields, then visit the historic Old Mission San Juan Bautista, and learn about the original 21 missions built by the Spanish. Arriving at the breathtaking California coast, enjoy the scenery along 17 Mile Drive, home to the Lone Cypress, a stunning coastline rich in marine life and some of the most impressive mansions ever built. Drive along the top-ranked Pebble Beach Golf Links and wonder how anyone can concentrate on their game with such amazing views to distract them! Nearby is the village of Carmel, where quaint cottages look like they’ve been plucked from the pages of a storybook. After some free time in Carmel, head to Monterey, where John Steinbeck’s life and work come to life at Cannery Row and Fisherman’s Wharf. (Full breakfast)
Overnight: Portola Hotel & Spa

Day 7

Monterey sightseeing
We have something special in store for you today – a private behind-the-scenes look at the Monterey Bay Aquarium! Taking place before the aquarium even opens, this exciting tour gives you a chance to interact with staff and see the marine life in a whole new way. Afterward, enjoy free time to take in the aquarium’s various exhibits at your own pace. Discover the Giant Octopus which can grow up to 30 feet long and weigh nearly 100 pounds; the Kelp Forest, which at 28 feet high, is one of the tallest aquarium exhibits in the world; the stunning one-million gallon Outer Bay, home to giant tunas, sharks and turtles, or maybe explore the ocean at Splash Zone, where you can dive into a kelp forest and see sharks and penguins. Later, you have a choice of included activities – you might take a kayak for a paddle on Monterey Bay or hop on a bicycle and pedal from Cannery Row to the Pacific Grove Lighthouse! Tonight, gather up the gang and head to the beach for a Farewell Do, a Classic California Beach Party, complete with grass huts, palm trees, tiki torches and a roaring bonfire - you’ll agree that it’s the ideal spot to relax and enjoy the waves and ocean breeze! Sit by a roaring bonfire and enjoy a scrumptious clambake, followed by delectable s’mores and games of beach volleyball and bocce! (Full breakfast / Farewell dinner)
Overnight: Portola Hotel & Spa

Day 8

Monterery – Roaring Camp – Depart San Francisco
Traveling north past Santa Cruz and heading inland, arrive at Roaring Camp, the coolest train depot this side of the Mississippi. Here you’ll ride into the past aboard an authentic narrow-gauge steam train that’ll take you over trestles and through towering California Redwood groves. Along the way, conductors will narrate the history of the railroad and surrounding giants of the forest. As the train hisses to a stop, it’ll be time to disembark into the 21st century and, unfortunately, conclude your amazing California adventure. A complimentary transfer will take you to San Francisco International Airport and, for guests extending their stay, back to the tour hotel in San Francisco. (Full breakfast)
Please do not schedule flights before 4pm

Day 9

Arrival back to the UK

What's Included

• Return transatlantic flights

Sightseeing Highlights

• San Francisco: Explore the city; visit the California Academy of Sciences.
• Gold Country: Learn about California’s Gold Rush and pan for gold.
• Lake Tahoe: Ride the Lake Tahoe Gondola for the best views of the lake.
• Mono Lake: Enjoy breathtaking vistas and learn from an Expert Naturalist about this otherworldly lake and natural wonderland.
• Yosemite National Park: Explore the park with a Park Ranger aboard a private open-air tram; join a Park Ranger for an evening of stargazing; enjoy s’mores and storytelling around a campfire.
• San Juan Bautista: Visit the historic mission and learn about the 21 missions built by the Spanish along California’s El Camino Real.
• 17 Mile Drive: Admire the spectacular coastal scenery as you journey along this famous scenic road.
• Carmel: Discover this California coast jewel, a top-ten destination in the US.
• Monterey: Join an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Monterey Bay Aquarium; go kayaking or explore by bicycle; party at our Classic California Beach Party.
• Roaring Camp: Ride aboard a historic steam train and admire the giant California Redwood trees.

Dining Highlights

• 7 full breakfasts
• Special Chinese banquet highlight dinner in San Francisco
• Special barbecue highlight dinner in Yosemite
• Farewell Dinner clambake beach party with drinks in Monterey
• 10 included meals in total (see day by day itinerary)

First Class Travel Highlights

• First Class hotel accommodation includes two-bedded rooms with private facilities, all hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes.
• Touring by luxury air-conditioned motorcoach with reclining seats and onboard restroom.
• The services of a top professional Tour Director.
• Qualified Expert Naturalist at Mono Lake, Park Rangers and Storyteller in Yosemite.
• A stylish wallet, travel documents and Welcome on Tour book with map.
• Complimentary airport transfers are provided on Day 1 and Day 8.