USA Vacations

California

9 Days California Coast Vacation Luxury Tour Package

Duration: 9 Days/ 8 Nights
Priced From: $2,419 pp dbl. occ.
Dates: Apr - Oct

Explore the “Golden State’s” stunning coastline on this incredible California vacation. Begin your trip in San Francisco with a sightseeing tour of the city’s main attractions, including Fisherman’s Wharf, and ample free time to hop a historic cable car or stroll through Chinatown. Head south to the Monterey Peninsula and stop at lovely Carmel, a retreat favored by writers, artists, and celebrities. A highlight of the day is the scenic 17-Mile Drive with views of Cyprus Point, Pebble Beach Golf Course, and Lone Cyprus. Then enjoy a variety of sea life at Monterey Bay Aquarium, the nation’s largest marine sanctuary. Travel along Big Sur Coast Highway to San Simeon for a tour of the Hearst Castle, the opulent mansion of wealthy newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst, with splendid antiques, art treasures, and exotic possessions purchased at an estimated $50 million. Then travel through the Santa Ynez Mountains to Santa Barbara on the way to Long Beach. Enjoy a dinner and ghost tour aboard the RMS Queen Mary and a leisurely cruise to Catalina Island. Back on the California mainland, take the coastal highway to the 18th-century San Juan Capistrano Mission before arriving in San Diego for a sightseeing tour. In San Diego, you choose your experience – a visit to the San Diego Zoo or SeaWorld. A farewell dinner cruise around San Diego Harbor and dancing atop the yacht is a perfect finale to your California Coast vacation. If you want to see and experience sunny California, this vacation is for you! Sit back, relax, and enjoy California’s beauty.

Day 1 San Francisco
Welcome to the Golden State! This evening, mix and mingle with your traveling companions at the 6:30 pm welcome reception. Your Tour Director will prepare you for your upcoming adventure. (WR)

Day 2 San Francisco
Morning sightseeing in one of the world’s most beautiful cities, famous for its natural harbor, lush parks, cable cars, and bustling docks. Your tour includes Golden Gate Park, Twin Peaks, Nob Hill, and much more. Our tour ends at Fisherman’s Wharf, where you’ll enjoy lunch with incredible views of the San Francisco Bay. This afternoon, enjoy free time for pursuing your favorite interests and activities—ride the world-famous cable cars, shop in Union Square, or stroll around Chinatown. (B,L)

Day 3 San Francisco–Carmel–Monterey
Travel south to the rugged beauty of the Monterey Peninsula. Enjoy a visit to the lovely town of Carmel, a popular retreat for writers, artists, and celebrities. A highlight of today’s journey is the spectacular 17-MILE DRIVE to Monterey, with views of Cypress Point, famous Pebble Beach Golf Course, and the tenacious Lone Cypress. The ocean canyon surrounding Monterey Bay is deeper than the Grand Canyon and harbors a rich variety of sea life, which can be seen this afternoon at MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM. Here you can explore the hidden world of this spectacular ocean realm at the heart of the nation’s largest marine sanctuary. The exhibits recreate the bay’s habitats, from shallow tide pools to the open ocean and deep sea. (B)

Day 4 Monterey–Big Sur Coast Highway–San Simeon–Santa Barbara
This morning we’ll travel along the scenic Big Sur Coast Highway and journey to San Simeon and visit HEARST CASTLE , the opulent mansion of wealthy newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst, which houses splendid antiques, art treasures, and exotic possessions purchased at an estimated $50 million. The tour shows off the highlights of the impressive 123-acre estate. Then, travel through the Santa Ynez Mountains to your resort hotel in Santa Barbara. (B,D)

Day 5 Santa Barbara–Los Angeles –Long Beach
Morning at leisure. You can take the Santa Barbara Trolley, swim at the pool, bicycle along the oceanfront, visit the zoo or Stearns Wharf. Look out for Hollywood celebrities’ homes that dot the shoreline from Malibu to Santa Monica. We then travel to Long Beach and see Metropolitan Los Angeles along the way. This evening, enjoy dinner aboard one of the most famous ships in history, the RMS QUEEN MARY followed by a GHOST & LEGENDS TOUR. (B,D)

Day 6 Long Beach. Cruise to Catalina Island
A leisurely morning CRUISE across 26-mile San Pedro Channel to beautiful CATALINA ISLAND. Once a ritzy playground for the rich in the 1930s and 1940s, Catalina Island today is a casual and laid-back destination. Enjoy a guided tour of the island before plenty of time to stroll the quaint streets of the Mediterranean-flavored port town of Avalon. This evening, maybe take a stroll along the waterfront and stop by Shoreline Village, a recreated turn-of-the-century harborside center with specialty shops and boardwalk entertainment. (B)

Day 7 Long Beach–San Juan Capistrano –San Diego
Take the coastal highway to San Diego. Stop in San Juan Capistrano to visit the beautiful 18th-century MISSION, a majestic work of art. Founded more than two centuries ago, the mission is a monument to California’s multicultural history, embracing its Spanish, Mexican, Native American, and European heritages. Take some time to walk along the ancient cloisters amid the time-softened beauty of old adobe buildings. Continue to San Diego for a city sightseeing tour. (B)

Day 8 San Diego. Choose Your Experience
A PLATINUM EXCLUSIVE, select how you wish to spend your day. Choose between a visit to the world-famous SAN DIEGO ZOO featuring animals from around the world or visit SEAWORLD, home to the mighty king of the sea, Shamu. This evening we top off the tour with a farewell dinner CRUISE around San Diego Harbor. Enjoy a spectacular sunset, sweeping 360-degree views, and gourmet cuisine followed by dancing atop the yacht—the perfect finale for your “California Coast Vacation.” (B,D)

Day 9 San Diego
The vacation ends this morning with guests departing on individual schedules. Airport transfers are provided. (B)

10/09

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