Best of California (Summer 2011)

This Site: Home > Tours > Best of California (Summer 2011)

Starting from
$3150

Dates

Departure City

Accommodations

Request A Quote

Best of California (Summer 2011)

Tour Pace: Easily manageable distances between overnight stops allow for feature-packed touring days. The tour starts and ends with two-night stays in San Francisco and Los Angeles, enabling in-depth sightseeing in two of the world’s most exciting cities. Hotels: Enjoy luxury, comfort, character and superb locations in San Francisco, Monterey, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles. Spend the night in the heart of California’s Wine Country and stay inside Yosemite National Park with spectacular views.

Dates From:
01/06/2012 through 03/16/2012

Trip Length:
9 days

Supplier:
Insight Vacations

Itinerary:

Day	Description	View All +
Day 1	01 ARRIVE SAN FRANCISCO Welcome to California! On arrival at San Francisco International Airport, your airport transfer service takes you to your tour hotel. At 6 p.m., gather at the hotel with your Tour Director and fellow travelers for a Welcome Reception and light buffet.(Welcome Reception)	View Details +
Day 2	02 SAN FRANCISCO SIGHTSEEING Spend the morning taking in the bustling activity on Union Square, the famous cable cars, the stately Victorian homes of Alamo Square and the beautiful Golden Gate Park. After a free afternoon, join your Tour Director and fellow passengers for an informative walking tour through Chinatown, including stops at various shops and landmarks, followed by an authentic Chinese banquet at a local restaurant.(Full Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)	View Details +
Day 3	03 SAN FRANCISCO NAPA SONOMA This morning enter California’s lush premier wine country, Napa Valley. After free time in Napa, step aboard the beautifully restored Napa Valley Wine Train. Enjoy fine dining and wine tasting while traveling through Napa Valley’s picturesque landscape. Later, drive along the scenic Carneros Highway to Sonoma Valley and enjoy a tour and tasting at a local winery followed by some time at Sonoma’s historic plaza to peruse the quaint shops. The evening is at leisure.(Full Breakfast / Lunch)	View Details +
Day 4	04 SONOMA YOSEMITE Travel through California’s Gold Country and into the Sierra Nevada Mountains to Yosemite National Park, one of the first wilderness parks in the United States. Explore the valley floor with its spectacular waterfalls, the imposing rock formations of El Capitan and Half Dome and abundant wildlife. Spend the night inside Yosemite National Park, close to North America’s highest waterfall.(Full Breakfast)	View Details +
Day 5	05 YOSEMITE MONTEREY Early risers can enjoy the peace and quiet of Yosemite Valley, or take a short walk to the magnificent Yosemite Falls. Then drive down the Sierras and through the fertile San Joaquin Valley, the breadbasket of California. Purchase local fresh fruit at a historic fruit stand en route to the picturesque town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Browse the art galleries and quaint shops on Ocean Avenue, then take a relaxing drive across the Monterey Peninsula and along the scenic 17 Mile Drive. Pass the famous Pebble Beach Golf Links and multi-million dollar mansions before arriving in charming Monterey. End the day with a lecture and private dinner at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, with superb views of Monterey Bay and time to view some of the outstanding exhibits.(Full Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)	View Details +
Day 6	06 MONTEREY SANTA BARBARA Head south this morning and stop in San Simeon for a guided tour of Hearst Castle, the grandiose estate of publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst. Continue south through the vineyards of the Central Coast to the elegant resort of Santa Barbara. Enjoy an orientation tour of this seaside paradise before checking into your beachfront hotel. This evening, your Tour Director offers you a selection of restaurants for your dining pleasure.(Full Breakfast / Dine Around)	View Details +
Day 7	07 SANTA BARBARA LOS ANGELES Visit the beautiful Mission Santa Barbara and learn about the chain of 21 California missions along California’s El Camino Real. Then journey along the spectacular Santa Monica Bay, passing through glamorous Malibu on your way to Santa Monica. Take time to stroll along the popular Third Street Promenade. Visit the J. Paul Getty Museum with its world-class collection of Western art, set against a backdrop of dramatic architecture, tranquil gardens and breathtaking views. Continue on to your luxurious hotel at L.A. LIVE, the city’s newest and one-of-a-kind entertainment destination. Tonight, set out for glittering Beverly Hills and a Celebration Dinner at a popular restaurant.(Full Breakfast / Celebration Dinner with wine)	View Details +
Day 8	08 HOLLYWOOD SIGHTSEEING Cruise through Beverly Hills and Bel Air aboard specialized mini-coaches, past movie stars’ mansions, while enjoying entertaining stories from your guide about celebrities past and present. In Hollywood, spot the Hollywood Sign, view Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and stroll along the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Experience the glitz and glam of Hollywood on a private tour of the Kodak Theatre, home to the Academy Awards ceremony. This afternoon, why not join an optional Universal Studios Hollywood Tram Tour?(Full Breakfast)	View Details +
Day 9	09 DEPART LOS ANGELES Your California vacation comes to an end with a departure transfer to Los Angeles International Airport. Or perhaps extend your vacation to see Monument Valley, the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas. This itinerary forms part of our Great Western American Adventure.(Full Breakfast)	View Details +