Northern California

Northern California gives you a taste of the rolling wine country and all the excitement and culture of San Francisco together with the majesty of the Sierra Nevadas, Lake Tahoe, Yosemite National Park and the scenic splendour of the California coast through Monterey and Carmel.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1 - San Francisco

Arrive in San Francisco and transfer to your downtown hotel. Meet your Tour Director, and later your fellow travellers at a Welcome Reception.

Hotel: San Francisco Marriott

Day 2 - San Francisco

We spend a full day and night in San Francisco. In the morning, we tour some of its best-known spots like the Golden Gate Park, Union Square, Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown, the Financial District and Lombard Street. You spend the afternoon exploring independently. In the evening you'll dine at a local restaurant.

Hotel: San Francisco Marriott

Day 3 - San Francisco - Sonoma - Napa

We head out of the city into wine-growing country, stopping at a California vineyard to find out about the region's winemaking history and sample a few local labels. Take a look around Sonoma and later Napa, where you'll spend the night. Take a trip on the restored Napa Valley Wine Train and enjoy sweeping views of the Napa Valley with a gourmet meal and wine tasting evening.

Hotel: River Terrace Inn

Day 4 - Napa - Sacramento - Lake Tahoe

This morning there is the option to take a hot air balloon trip over the Napa wineries before making our way east to Old Sacramento, an old Gold Rush town. We head onwards to Lake Tahoe, where you can take an optional gondola ride (dependent on season) up into the mountains to witness incredible alpine views.

Hotel: MontBleu Resort Casino and Spa

Day 5 - Lake Tahoe - Mono Lake - Yosemite

Travelling along the east of the Sierra Nevadas, we stop on the way at Mono Lake Visitor Center to learn more about the local tufa towers and the millions of birds that congregate here. We cross the Tioga Pass (weather-permitting) to reach Yosemite National Park and the Yosemite Valley with beautiful waterfalls and the monolithic rock formations of El Capitan and Half Dome.

Hotel: Yosemite View Lodge

Day 6 - Yosemite - San Juan Bautista - Monterey

Drive back west to the Pacific Coast, travelling through the fertile San Joaquin Valley, we stop at a historical fruit stand and then visit the Old Mission at San Juan Bautista, one of the country's first Spanish missions. Then it's on to coastal Monterey to take a look at Fisherman's Wharf and Cannery Row.

Hotel: Portola Plaza

Day 7 - Monterey - Carmel - Big Sur - Monterey

We head out from Monterey on a day excursion, driving down 17 Mile Drive, passing the famous Lone Cypress and Pebble Beach Golf Clubs and enjoying the stunning coastal views on the way. We stop off at Carmel, a quaint village with many shops, specialist boutiques and fashionable cafes, and continue south towards the Big Sur via Highway 1, where rugged beaches are flanked by redwood forests. We return to Monterey in the evening and spend the last night of your tour with your fellow travellers at a Farewell Dinner.

Hotel: Portola Plaza

Day 8 - Monterey - Bear Mountain -San Francisco

From Monterey we head past Santa Cruz and inland to stop at Roaring Camp, where you will be transported to an 1880s logging camp. We'll also visit the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park to see the giant coastal redwood trees. Transfer to San Francisco Airport or to a city hotel for those opting to extend their stay in the States.

Departure Dates & Prices

All prices and tour information is correct at time of publication on our website, however is subject to change and availability – please check all details at time of booking.

Departs On	Returns On	Tour + Air
Friday, May 29, 2009	Friday, June 05, 2009	€1763
Friday, June 12, 2009	Friday, June 19, 2009	€1763
Friday, June 26, 2009	Friday, July 03, 2009	€1763
Friday, July 10, 2009	Friday, July 17, 2009	€2015
Friday, July 17, 2009	Friday, July 24, 2009	€2015
Friday, July 24, 2009	Friday, July 31, 2009	€2015
Friday, August 14, 2009	Friday, August 21, 2009	€2015
Friday, August 21, 2009	Friday, August 28, 2009	€2015
Friday, August 28, 2009	Friday, September 04, 2009	€2015
Friday, September 04, 2009	Friday, September 11, 2009	€1799
Friday, September 11, 2009	Friday, September 18, 2009	€1799
Friday, September 18, 2009	Friday, September 25, 2009	€1799
Friday, September 25, 2009	Friday, October 02, 2009	€1751
Friday, October 02, 2009	Friday, October 09, 2009	€1679

There is a no smoking policy in all rooms for all travellers.

The displayed prices are based on twin-share accommodation. A single supplement price is available on request.- These prices are correct at the time of the website going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking. All tour information is correct at time of tours going live, however is subject to change, please confirm all details at time of booking.

Included Highlights

• San Francisco - city tour
• Sonoma Valley - and tasting at a local winery, explore historic Sonoma
• Napa Valley - wine tasting and dinner on the Napa Valley Wine Train
• Sacramento - visit Old Sacramento
• Lake Tahoe
• Yosemite National Park - see Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, El Capitan and waterfalls
• San Juan Bautista - visit Old Mission San Juan Bautista
• Monterey - visit Cannery Row, Fisherman's Wharf and travel along 17-Mile Drive
• Carmel - visit this quaint seaside community
• California Coast - scenic drive along Highway 1 to Big Sur
• Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

Dining Highlights

• Welcome Reception in San Francisco
• Seven full breakfasts
• One three-course hotel dinner
• Farewell Dinner in Monterey

11 included meals in total.

First Class Travel Highlights

• Professional Tour Director throughout the trip
• Complimentary airport transfers
• Deluxe air-conditioned motorcoach transport, including restrooms and reclining seats
• En suite hotel accommodation
• Hotel service charges, local taxes and baggage handling fees are included (one suitcase each)

Prices are based on twin-share accommodation. Single supplement prices available on request. Single travellers choosing the twin-share option should note that there is a no-smoking policy in all shared rooms.