California Classics
10 Days Starting in San Francisco and ending in Los Angeles
Visiting: San Francisco, Sausalito, Napa, Yosemite National Park, Monterey, Carmel Valley, Big Sur, San Simeon, Solvang, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles
Tour operator:
Tour code:
AA-2024
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
0 - 36
Age range:
5-99
Special diets catered:
Please Advise Request
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
When you hum along to California Dreamin’ on the radio, what wistful wonders come to mind? Giant sequoias in Yosemite National Park? Big reds in Napa Valley? Mega stars in Los Angeles? Colossal mansions that dot the entire Pacific coastline? From the City by the Bay to the City of Angels, this ten-day tour of California reveals every heavenly sight that earned the Golden State its name. Yosemite’s Cathedral Spires, 17-Mile Drive’s Lone Cypress, and San Simeon’s Hearst Castle are just a few you’ll want your camera ready for. Between the high energy of Silicon Valley and the high style of Beverly Hills, this encompassing California vacation weaves in plenty of kickback time with visits to a Napa Valley vineyard, the quiet Danish village of Solvang, and the tony resort zip codes of Monterey, Carmel, and Santa Barbara. Don’t forget your shades.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive In San Francisco
Location: San Francisco
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: San Francisco Marriott Marquis
Meals Included: No Meals
At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome drink.
Day 2: San Francisco
Location: San Francisco
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: San Francisco Marriott Marquis
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Enjoy morning sightseeing in one of the world’s most beautiful cities. See Golden Gate National Recreation Area, including the Golden Gate Bridge and the Presidio. Free time this afternoon to explore the city. Ride the world-famous cable cars, shop in Union Square, or visit the Museum of Modern Art. Dinner at a local restaurant this evening.
Day 3: San Francisco,Sausalito,Napa
Location: San Francisco, Sausalito, Napa
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: San Francisco Marriott Marquis
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travel across the Golden Gate Bridge this morning to the charming town of Sausalito. Continue to Sonoma for lunch on your own. Visit a local vineyard for a tour and tasting. TASTES & TRADITIONS Cross San Francisco Bay on the iconic Golden Gate Bridge to stroll the quaint artisan avenues of Sausalito. Enjoy waterfront views and breathtaking scenery in the charming waterfront village with a large variety of shops, restaurants, and art galleries. Venture to Sonoma with its wealth of verdant vineyards for a wine tasting.
Day 4: Napa,Yosemite National Park
Location: Napa, Yosemite National Park
Accommodation: Lodge
Accommodation Name: Tenaya Lodge At Yosemite
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travel eastward through the Sierra Nevada Mountains to Yosemite National Park. Free time this evening. NATURAL WONDERS Yosemite has innumerable lakes, meadows, ice-sculpted domes, forests, waterfalls, and unspoiled alpine scenery. Descend into the 4,000-foot valley for an open-air Valley Floor Tram to explore the famous sites of El Capitan, Cathedral Spires, Yosemite Falls, and Half Dome. Here, John Muir realized, “The mountains are calling, and I must go.” We think you’ll agree.
Day 5: Yosemite National Park,Monterey
Location: Yosemite National Park, Monterey
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hyatt Regency Monterey
Meals Included: Breakfast
Giants of the Land and Sea Before departing Yosemite National Park, visit Mariposa Grove, home to many old-growth sequoias. Stand in awe as you look skyward at these massive giants, one of the Earth’s largest and longest living organisms. Then, on to Monterey, home to the famed Cannery Row. HISTORY & HERITAGE Immortalized by John Steinbeck in his novel of the same name, Cannery Row is filled with history and vibrant sights along the waterfront of Monterey Bay. Once a bustling district of sardine factories, the street is a brightly painted avenue of eateries and shops that harken back to a heritage of fishermen and rich stories. In the morning, stroll along the wharf for the chance to see whales, otters, and other sea creatures in the kelp forests of the Pacific Ocean shore.
Day 6: Monterey. Excursion To Carmel
Location: Carmel Valley
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hyatt Regency Monterey
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Cottages & Cypress Trees This morning, spend your free time visiting historic Cannery Row. Other highlights today include a visit to the resort town of Carmel with a scenic drive along the famed 17-Mile Drive. Return to Monterey for free time before dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 7: Monterey,Big Sur,San Simeon,Solvang
Location: Monterey, Big Sur, San Simeon, Solvang
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Corque
Meals Included: Breakfast
California Gold Journey south through Big Sur to San Simeon and visit Hearst Castle. Continue to Solvang for a free evening. LEGENDARY LIVES Visit the opulent mansion of legendary newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst, which houses splendid antiques, art treasures, and exotic possessions purchased at an estimated $50 million. Your guided tour shows off the highlights of the impressive 123-acre estate.
Day 8: Solvang,Santa Barbara,Los Angeles
Location: Solvang, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Westin Bonaventure
Meals Included: Breakfast
Treasures & Traditions Explore the Danish town of Solvang and enjoy a Globus Local Favorite Danish specialty at a local bakery. Then, travel through the Santa Ynez Mountains to beautiful Santa Barbara to visit the Old Mission Santa Barbara. Continue to metropolitan Los Angeles, the motion picture capital of the world. CULTURAL GEM Stroll the streets of Solvang and feel as though you’ve entered a charming Danish town with picturesque buildings and shops, restaurants and windmills that create a taste of Denmark in California’s Santa Ynez Valley. Enjoy a traditional Danish pastry at Mortensen’s famous bakery.
Day 9: Los Angeles
Location: Los Angeles
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Westin Bonaventure
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Morning sightseeing of this gigantic metropolis takes you from Olvera Street—the oldest thoroughfare in the city—to Hollywood. See the Sunset Strip and Beverly Hills. Later, visit the Getty Museum. This evening, your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 10: Los Angeles
Location: Los Angeles
Meals Included: Breakfast
Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. You may choose to extend your time in Los Angeles and explore more on your own. Extra nights are available for purchase.
What's Included
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Accommodations
Stay in comfort at selected hotels including San Francisco Marriott Marquis, Embassy Suites Napa Valley, Yosemite View Lodge, Hyatt Regency Monterey, Hotel Corque, and Westin Bonaventure.
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Sightseeing Tours
Enjoy guided tours of San Francisco, Yosemite National Park, Monterey, and Los Angeles, including iconic locations like the Golden Gate Bridge, El Capitan, and Hollywood.
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Special Experiences
Experience unique moments such as a wine tasting in Sonoma, exploring the Danish town of Solvang, and visiting the Getty Museum in Los Angeles.
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Meals
Breakfast is provided daily, along with 3 dinners at local restaurants, offering a taste of the local cuisine.
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Transportation
Travel comfortably between the tour's highlights in a coach, ensuring a seamless experience.
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UNESCO Sites
Visit the breathtaking Yosemite National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its stunning natural beauty.
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Small Group Experience
Enjoy a more personal experience with Small-Group Discoveries on select dates, limited to an average of just 24 guests per departure.
What's Not Included
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended for all travelers to ensure protection.
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Some Meals
Not all meals are covered.
Some lunches and dinners will be at your own expense, providing the opportunity to explore local cuisines. -
Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, mini-bar, and room service are not included.
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Optional Excursions
Optional excursions and activities not listed in the itinerary are available at an additional cost.
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Airport Transfers
Airport transfers are not included but can be arranged at an additional cost.
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Gratuities
Gratuities for tour director, drivers, and local guides are not included and are at your discretion.
UNESCO Sites
Yosemite National Park
Small Group
Globus offers Small-Group Discoveries on select North America dates. A Small-Group Discovery is limited to an average of just 24 guests per departure. There’s always room to roam with extra space between you and other travelers—while still getting up close and personal to the experiences you’ve been dreaming of. Small-Group Discoveries include all the features of a traditional Globus escorted tour, complete with expert Tour Director, Driver, and Local Guides who ensure that your health and safety is our top priority. A Small-Group Discovery trip is the perfectly sized tour—without the crowds.
Meals
Breakfast daily, 3 dinners
Accommodation
San Francisco:San Francisco Marriott MarquisNapa:Embassy Suites Napa ValleyYosemite National Park:Yosemite View LodgeMonterey:Hyatt Regency MontereySolvang:Hotel CorqueLos Angeles:Westin Bonaventure
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodations can I expect during the California Classics tour?
Accommodations range from upscale hotels in major cities like the San Francisco Marriott Marquis and the Westin Bonaventure in Los Angeles to cozy lodges such as the Yosemite View Lodge in Yosemite National Park.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes, English speaking local guide available on this tour.
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Is wine tasting included in the tour itinerary?
Yes, the tour includes a visit to a local vineyard in Sonoma for a tour and wine tasting experience.
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Will there be an escort accomanying this tour?
Yes
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes, 5 years and above
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How much free time will I have during the tour?
As detailed in the itinerary
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Are meals included in the tour package?
9 Breakfast, 3 Dinner is included.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
For over 90 years.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Travel documents, including any air tickets, itineraries, and other information, are available approximately two to three weeks prior to departure provided full payment has been received.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
The Globus Lighthouse Project - an illuminating initiative where we can all come together to tread lightly and give generously for the globe's greater good. Globus, along with sister companies Avalon Waterways and Cosmos, invite our travellers and partners to help us in supporting causes that provide for a more sustainable planet and a brighter tomorrow.
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Low Deposit
Globus requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of globus charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Rated 5* on Trust Pilot & ABTA Protected.