8 Days • 7 Nights
California Wine Country & Coast
Tour Includes
About the Trip
Trip Highlights
- The Napa and Sonoma wine country
- World-class Cabernet and Pinot tastings
- Farm-to-table Californian cuisine
- San Francisco by the bay
- Cypress-lined Monterey and Carmel
- Santa Barbara's wine country and charm
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 8-day journey.
Met at San Francisco airport and transferred to your hotel. Explore the waterfront and enjoy a welcome dinner in this beautiful city.
A day exploring San Francisco, the Golden Gate, cable cars and the Ferry Building's food scene, with time to enjoy its neighbourhoods and restaurants.
You drive north to the Napa and Sonoma wine country, touring cellar doors for tastings among the vines, with a gourmet wine-country lunch.
A full day in the wine country, more prestigious tastings, a hot-air balloon flight over the vines (optional), and farm-to-table dining in this gourmet region.
You drive south to the Monterey Peninsula, exploring its cypress-lined 17-Mile Drive, the aquarium and the storybook village of Carmel-by-the-Sea.
A day enjoying Monterey and Carmel, their galleries, beaches and coastal scenery, with optional tastings in the nearby Carmel Valley wine region.
You drive the spectacular Big Sur coast to Santa Barbara, the 'American Riviera', with its Spanish architecture, beaches and celebrated wine country, enjoying a tasting and a farewell dinner.
After breakfast you return your car and transfer to Santa Barbara or Los Angeles airport for your onward flight.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- 7 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner and two wine-country lunches
- 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 and guided wine tastings in Napa and Santa Barbara
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
How does wine tasting work with driving?
We plan tastings so you can enjoy them safely, with a designated driver, guided tours, or car services in the wine regions, as US drink-driving limits are strict. We build this into your itinerary so you can relax and savour the wine.
Do we need to know about wine to enjoy this?
Not at all — the wineries are welcoming and explain everything in an accessible way, tailoring tastings to your interest. Whether you are a keen collector or simply enjoy good wine and food, you will love it.
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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