10 Days • 9 Nights
California Highlights: San Francisco, Coast & Los Angeles
Tour Includes
About the Trip
Trip Highlights
- San Francisco's cable cars and Golden Gate
- The Napa Valley wine country
- The legendary Pacific Coast Highway
- Monterey, Carmel and dramatic Big Sur
- Elegant Santa Barbara
- Los Angeles, Hollywood and the beaches
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 10-day journey.
Welcome to California. You are met at San Francisco airport and transferred to your hotel. Take a first stroll along Fisherman's Wharf as the fog rolls in, and enjoy a welcome dinner.
A guided tour of the city's hills and highlights, the Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars, Chinatown and Lombard Street, with time to ride a cable car and explore.
A day in the Napa and Sonoma wine country, touring vineyards and cellar doors for tastings among the rolling vines, with a gourmet wine-country lunch.
You collect your car and drive south down the coast, perhaps via the beaches of Santa Cruz, to Monterey, famous for its aquarium, cannery row and cypress-lined shores.
A day exploring the Monterey Peninsula, the world-class aquarium, the scenic 17-Mile Drive past Pebble Beach, and the storybook village of Carmel-by-the-Sea.
You drive the most spectacular stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway through Big Sur, its cliffs plunging to the sea, continuing to elegant, Spanish-flavoured Santa Barbara.
A morning in Santa Barbara's palm-lined streets and mission, then a drive to Los Angeles, arriving for a first taste of the City of Angels.
A guided tour of LA's icons, Hollywood, the Walk of Fame, Beverly Hills and the beaches of Santa Monica and Venice.
A free day to enjoy LA, the beaches, the theme parks, the museums, or the boutiques, ending with a farewell dinner.
After breakfast you return your car and transfer to LA airport for your onward flight, having driven the Golden State's finest coast.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- 9 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner and a Napa wine lunch
- Airport transfers
- Touring, sightseeing and activities as per itinerary with expert guides
- Self-drive car hire or private transport as specified
- National park and attraction entry fees as per itinerary
- a self-drive vehicle, a San Francisco tour, a Napa wine excursion and a Los Angeles tour
Exclusions
- International airfare
- Visa or tourist card fees where applicable
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Fuel and parking for self-drive
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa & ESTA: California is part of the USA, so Visa Waiver Program travellers need an approved ESTA before flying, and other nationalities need a US B-2 visa; a valid passport is required. We advise you based on your nationality
- Currency & tipping: The currency is the US Dollar and cards are accepted everywhere; tipping is expected, around 18 to 20 percent in restaurants, and tips for guides, drivers and hotel staff. Sales tax is added at the register
- Best time to visit: California is a year-round destination; spring and autumn are ideal for touring, summer is warm and busy on the coast and in the parks (and very hot in the deserts), and winter suits the cities and skiing in the Sierra
- Driving & distances: California is large, and a self-drive is the classic way to explore; Americans drive on the right, roads are excellent, and we arrange car hire and detailed routes, though city parking can be costly
- National parks: Yosemite, Death Valley, Sequoia and others are highlights; some Sierra roads and passes close in winter, and popular parks may require timed-entry reservations in peak season, which we arrange
- Deserts & heat: Death Valley and the desert parks are extremely hot in summer; we plan desert visits for cooler months or early in the day, and you should always carry plenty of water
- Wine country: Napa and Sonoma are world-class; if tasting, plan a designated driver or a guided tour, as US drink-driving limits are strict and strictly enforced
- Health & power: No vaccinations are required, but travel insurance is essential as US healthcare is costly. Power is 120V with type A and B plugs, so bring an adapter; the legal drinking age is 21 and ID is required
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Pacific Coast Highway easy to drive?
Yes — it is a well-maintained, spectacularly scenic road, though winding through Big Sur, so allow plenty of time to enjoy the viewpoints. We provide a comfortable car and detailed notes, and the drive is a highlight of the trip.
Which direction is best, north to south or south to north?
Driving north to south (San Francisco to LA) puts you on the ocean side of the road for the best views and easiest pullouts, which is why we plan it this way. We can reverse it to suit your flights if needed.
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included, along with any meals named in the itinerary such as a welcome dinner or a wine-country lunch. California's dining is world-class, so most lunches and dinners are left free so you can explore, with our recommendations.
Is this a self-drive holiday?
Most California itineraries are designed as self-drives, the classic and flexible way to explore the coast, parks and cities, with a comfortable car and detailed route notes. We can also arrange private driver-guides or rail where it suits.
Do I need an ESTA or visa?
Visa Waiver Program travellers need an approved ESTA before flying; other nationalities need a US visitor visa. We confirm exactly what you need for your nationality when you book.
When is the best time to visit California?
Spring and autumn are ideal for touring, summer is warm and lively on the coast (but very hot in the deserts), and winter suits the cities and Sierra skiing. We advise on timing for your chosen route, especially for the parks and deserts.
Are the national parks easy to visit?
Yes, though popular parks like Yosemite may require timed-entry reservations in peak season, which we arrange, and some Sierra roads close in winter. We plan your park visits and any permits so everything runs smoothly.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. We can adjust the cities, coast, parks and wine country, change the pace, mix self-drive with flights, and tailor hotels to your interests and budget. Every itinerary is a starting point.
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