Best of California

From its stunning beaches and outstanding natural beauty to its vibrant, bustling cities, California has a lot to offer. Appreciate the glamour of Hollywood or world-renowned museums and aquaria or just indulge in award-winning wines and superb cuisine.

Tour Itinerary

DAY 1 - ARRIVE SAN FRANCISCO.

Use your complimentary transfer from San Francisco International Airport to your hotel, where you will meet your Tour Director. Then join us at 6 p.m. for a Welcome Reception at the Omni San Francisco hotel.

DAY 2 - SAN FRANCISCO SIGHTSEEING.

We spend the morning taking in sights, riding the famous cable cars, and touring the beautiful Golden Gate Park. After a free afternoon, join your Tour Director for a walking tour through Chinatown followed by a lavish Chinese banquet at a local restaurant.

DAY 3 - SAN FRANCISCO - NAPA & SONOMA.

Exploring California’s wine country, visiting the winery towns of Glen Ellen and Kenwood, and then on to Napa taking the beautifully restored Napa Valley Wine Train and indulging in fine dining and wine tasting. There’s time to enjoy a tour and tasting at a local winery followed by some quality shopping time at Sonoma’s historic plaza. In the evening, you can relax and recover in the Lodge at Sonoma, a Renaissance Resort & Spa.

DAY 4 - SONOMA - YOSEMITE.

Journey through California’s Gold Country and the Sierra Nevada Mountains on our way to Yosemite National Park. Yosemite features wondrous waterfalls, imposing rock formations and amazing wildlife. We spend the night inside Yosemite National Park, close to the highest waterfall in North America at the impressive Yosemite Lodge at the Falls. (B)

DAY 5 - YOSEMITE - MONTEREY.

Early risers have time to enjoy Yosemite Valley or take a short walk to the magnificent Yosemite Falls before we drive down the Sierras to the picturesque town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Browse the art galleries and shops on Ocean Avenue, before we take a leisurely drive to Monterey. We end the day in this charming town with a lecture and private dinner at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. There’s still time to view some of the outstanding aquarium exhibits before we check into the Monterey Marriott hotel for the evening.

DAY 6 - MONTEREY - SANTA BARBARA.

San Simeon is our destination for a guided tour of Hearst Castle, the estate of William Randolph Hearst who was the original “Citizen Kane”. Motoring through the vineyards of the Central Coast, we reach Santa Barbara, where you can enjoy an orientation tour of this seaside paradise before checking into your beachfront resort. For dinner, choose from a selection of excellent Santa Barbara restaurants before retiring to the Hotel Mar Monte.

DAY 7 - SANTA BARBARA - LOS ANGELES.

Passing through glamorous Malibu we head for Santa Monica. There, you can take time to stroll along the popular Third Street Promenade, visit the JP Getty Center with its outstanding art collection, or simply explore the town. We drive through Brentwood and West Hollywood en route to the Intercontinental Century City (B) –one of the most elegant hotels in Los Angeles.

DAY 8 - L.A. & HOLLYWOOD SIGHTSEEING.

Tour Beverly Hills and Bel Air in custom built minicoaches, past movie stars’ mansions, while your guide tells entertaining, informative and often downright scandalous tales about past Hollywood celebrities. See the Hollywood Sign, view Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, stroll along the Hollywood Walk of Fame and take a private tour of the Kodak Theatre, home of the Academy Awards ceremony. Or if you prefer, take the optional Universal Studios Hollywood Tram Tour.

DAY 9 - DEPART LOS ANGELES.

Use your complimentary transfer to Los Angeles International Airport to get back home to Ireland with a little stardust still sparkling in your dreams.

Inclusive Tour Highlights

Travel through the Napa Valley’s picturesque landscape aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train. Wine tasting and tour in California’s premier wine growing district. Guided tour of Hearst Castle - the palatial estate of William Randolph Hearst. Visit the beautiful Mission Santa Barbara and learn about the chain of 21 California Missions and view the JP Getty Center with its world-class collection of Western art in Los Angeles. Cruise through Beverly Hills past the homes and mansions of celebrities past and present and venture behind the velvet rope on a private guided tour of the Kodak Theatre. Enjoy an intimate walk with your Tour Director through San Francisco’s Chinatown. Enjoy a fascinating presentation about the amazing array of fish, animal and plant exhibits from an experienced lecturer at Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Additional Excursions & Sightseeing

See Union Square, the cable cars, Alamo Square and Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and explore the shops of the beautiful Spanish Sonoma Plaza. Experience the natural beauty and wildlife of Yosemite National Park and visit picturesque Carmel-by-the-Sea. Stroll along the popular Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica and Drive along Sunset Boulevard and see the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Insight's First Class Service

We offer the best levels of service as an inclusive part of your tour, including airport arrival and departure transfers on the first and last day, tours escorted by a professional Tour Director - maximum group size of 40 people, luxury air-conditioned coach with extra legroom and restroom facilities on board, first-class hotels and accommodation with all service charges, taxes and porterage included and quality dining with 8 Full Breakfasts, 1 lunch on the Napa Valley Wine Train, 2 highlight Dinners in San Francisco and Monterey and 1 “Dine-Around Eat Out” restaurant option in Santa Barbara.

Departure Dates & Prices

Starts San Francisco	Ends Los Angeles	Tour + Air
Jan 02 2009	Jan 10 2009	€1919
Mar 20 2009	Mar 28 2009	€2003
May 22 2009	May 30 2009	€2123
Jun 05 2009	Jun 13 2009	€2123
Jun 26 2009	Jul 04 2009	€2123
Jul 03 2009	Jul 11 2009	€2351
Jul 24 2009	Aug 01 2009	€2351
Aug 14 2009	Aug 22 2009	€2351
Aug 28 2009	Sep 05 2009	€2351
Sep 11 2009	Sep 19 2009	€2159
Sep 25 2009	Oct 03 2009	€2159
Oct 09 2009	Oct 17 2009	€2099
Oct 16 2009	Oct 24 2009	€2099

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.