California's Coastal Highlights Tour

California's Coastal Highlights Tour Itinerary

Day 1 - San Francisco
A scheduled trans-Atlantic flight takes you to San Francisco where you are met on arrival and transferred to your hotel for a three night stay in this colourful city. Enjoy your first night at your own pace; settle in somewhere for dinner and get a feel of home for the next few days.
Hotel: Beresford Arms

Day 2 - San Francisco
This morning embark on your included city tour, helping you to get your bearings in the busy streets of this multicultural gem. You will see the Twin Peaks, China Town, Golden Gate Park, Lombard Street and the Japanese Tea Garden - then we leave the afternoon to you, to explore further on your own.

Day 3 - San Francisco
A day at leisure. Your Tour Director will be on hand to help you plan; you might return to your favourite parts of the city from yesterday, find somewhere new, or perhaps join us on an optional excursion. We have visits to Muir Woods and the Wine Country, or a relaxing cruise around the Bay.

Day 4 - San Francisco / Monterey
We leave San Francisco early today for an enjoyable drive to Carmel along the famous 17 mile drive, with stops for photo mementoes along the way. Carmel is a beautiful town on the coast, so take a bit of time out to have some lunch, do some shopping, and enjoy the ocean. Later we take you on to Monterey, our overnight destination. Soak up the atmosphere of the shops and attractions on Fisherman’s Wharf, perhaps opt for an optional trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, then we check-in to our hotel for an evening at leisure.
Hotel: Days Inn Monterey, Meals: B

Day 5 - Monterey / San Simeon
The main attraction for your fifth day of the tour is a complete one-off, Hearst Castle. The once sprawling estate of 1930s newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst is now a state landmark of San Simeon, situated on the Pacific Coast. A tour of the castle will reveal to y ou the wonderful architecture and amazing history of this unique building and its fabulous grounds, caricatured as Charles Foster Kane’s home Xanadu in the infamous film ‘Citizen Kane’.
Hotel: Days Inn San Simeon Meals: B

Day 6 - San Simeon / Solvang / Santa Barbara / Los Angeles
We are heading towards Los Angeles today, with our first stop in Solvang, a small town with strong Danish heritage evident in its streets and bakeries, where you can stroll and shop on a relaxing break before our tour heads on. Look out for the replica of Copenhagen’s ‘Little Mermaid’ statue, and the bust of Hans Christian Anderson. We then visit the Spanish-Franciscan Mission building and its magnificent grounds, which are a wonderful place for you to look around before we finally reach Los Angeles, and you have the evening at leisure in this fashionable city.
Hotel: Best Western Cecil

Day 7 - Los Angeles
We include another city tour today, so that you feel at home right away. Olvera Street, the Hollywood Bowl, Sunset Strip, Rodeo Drive and the Farmer’s Market are all on our list. After you have navigated the glitz and glam, and had some lunch in a fabulous café or fresh from the market, the rest of the day is your own. Shop, sightsee or join us on an optional excursion to visit the Homes of the Stars.

Day 8 - Los Angeles
Enjoy your last full day at leisure in the city of angels. Universal Studios and Disneyland offer you a magical time - or take a Beach Tour with us and catch some rays.

Day 9 - Los Angeles / UK
Your time is at leisure perhaps for some last minute shopping before we transfer you to the airport for your flight back to the UK.

Day 10 - Return Landing
Morning arrival at your chosen UK airport - times vary.