California Classics

Tour Information

8nt Tour Begins San Francisco, Ends Los Angeles: 2nts San Francisco; 1nt Sonoma; 1nt Yosemite National Park; 1nt Monterey; 1nt Solvang; 2nts Los Angeles

Day 1

Fly from Dublin – San Francisco
Arrive in San Francisco. (Sat.)
Welcome to the Golden State! At 6:30 pm, meet your traveling companions for a welcome drink. Your Tour Director will prepare you for your upcoming adventure.
Overnight Marriott San Francisco

Day 2

San Francisco. (Sun.)
Morning sightseeing in one of the world’s most beautiful cities. Your tour includes Golden Gate Park, Twin Peaks, Fisherman’s Wharf, and much more. Afterward, enjoy a spectacular CRUISE around San Francisco Bay. Still plenty of time for pursuing your favorite interests and activities—ride the world-famous cable cars, shop in Union Square, or visit the Museum of Modern Art. (B)
Overnight Marriott San Francisco

Day 3

San Francisco–Wine Country–Lake Tahoe
From the Pacific coast, travel to the lush hills of Sonoma and Napa Valley with its charming wineries. Today’s highlight features an unforgettable picnic lunch and wine tasting under olive trees and grape trellises at VIANSA WINERY. Next, stop in Old Sacramento, a former Gold Rush town and now California’s capital city. Continue to stunning Lake Tahoe, surrounded by the Sierra Mountains. There’s plenty of time to explore this alpine lake, the largest in North America and also one of the highest. Even though the average depth of the lake is 989 feet, it is one of the clearest and purest bodies of water in the world! (B,L)
Hotel: Napa Valley Marriott

Day 4

Lake Tahoe–Yosemite National Park
Southward through the Sierra Nevadas to YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK. Yosemite has innumerable lakes, meadows, ice-sculpted domes, forests, waterfalls and unspoiled alpine scenery. Descend into the 4,000-foot valley, where you’ll board an open-air TRAM to explore the famous sites of EL Capitan, Cathedral Spires, Yosemite Falls, and Half Dome. The scenery is nothing short of spectacular! (B,D)
Overnight Yosemite View Lodge

Day 5

Yosemite – Carmel – Monterey. (Wed.)
A high point on today’s journey is the beautiful 17-MILE DRIVE, with views of famous Pebble Beach Golf Course and the tenacious Lone Cypress. Enjoy a visit to the resort town of Carmel, a popular haven for writers, artists, and celebrities. Then, on to Monterey and Cannery Row, immortalized by John Steinbeck. This evening, enjoy free time for dinner in Monterey on your own. (B)
Overnight Hyatt Regency

Day 6

Monterey – San Simeon – Solvang. (Thu.)
This morning, journey south 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, to your resort hotel near Solvang. (B,D)
Overnight Santa Ynez Marriott

Day 7

Solvang – Santa Barbara – Los Angeles. (Fri.)
Visit downtown Solvang, where Denmark has been recreated with picturesque buildings and windmills. Free time to browse through the charming shops featuring Danish imports and rich pastries. Through the Santa Ynez Mountains to beautiful Santa Barbara, where the Spanish influence is apparent in quaint whitewashed and tile-roofed buildings. Visit the impressive 200-year-old MISSION with its world-famous twin bell towers. Afterward, enjoy a leisurely stroll along the wharf. Hollywood celebrities’ homes dot the shoreline from Malibu to Santa Monica on your way to metropolitan Los Angeles, the motion picture capital of the world. (B)
Overnight Los Angeles Marriott

Day 8

Los Angeles. (Sat.)
Morning sightseeing of this gigantic metropolis takes you from Olvera Street—the oldest thoroughfare in the city—to Hollywood. Step into the shoeprints of famous movie stars at Grauman’s Chinese Theater, and see Sunset Strip and Rodeo Drive. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure or take advantage of an optional excursion to Universal Studios. This evening your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner. Wonderful conversation and cuisine make the perfect finale for your holiday. (B,D)
Overnight Los Angeles Marriott

Day 9

Los Angeles. (Sun.)
The holiday ends this morning after breakfast. Transfer back to the airport for your return flight.(B)

Day 10

Arrival back to Dublin

What's Included

• Return transatlantic scheduled flights
• Professional Tour Director throughout the tour
• Airport transfers
• Superior hotel accommodation in hotels listed or of a similar standard
• Meals as detailed in itinerary

Activities & Sights included in the price

• San Francisco: Cruise across the bay; sightseeing
• Sonoma: Sonoma winery tasting and luncheon; tour of Sebastiani Vineyards
• Yosemite National Park: Sightseeing
• Carmel: Visit the resort town
• Monterey: 17-Mile Drive
• San Simeon: Visit Hearst Castle
• Solvang: Visit the quaint Denmark-inspired village
• Santa Barbara: Visit the mission
• Los Angeles: Sightseeing tour; farewell dinner