West Coast Encompassed

Arrive in San Francisco and make your own way to the hotel. This evening, meet your tour leader and the rest of the group.

Please note: This tour may have travellers joining or departing at various points along the route, meaning group composition can change during the tour. Please also be aware that depending on group composition, guiding may be in additional languages as well as English.

This morning, we enjoy a city tour of San Francisco, taking in some of the city’s best-known sights, including Chinatown, Union Square and Fisherman’s Wharf. We also ride one of San Francisco’s historic cable cars - a classic way to experience the city.

In the afternoon, we collect our bikes at Fisherman’s Wharf and cycle across the Golden Gate Bridge before boarding a ferry back across the Bay. Along the way, we pass the famous sea lions at Pier 39 and cruise along the historic waterfront, with excellent views of San Francisco’s skyline. There are plenty of great photo opportunities, including clear views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island.

This evening, you may choose to join your Tour Director for an optional San Francisco evening tour.

Today is at leisure, and your tour director is available to help you plan your day. You may wish to take another cable car ride to Fisherman’s Wharf, where you can enjoy a ‘Taste of San Francisco’ - from fresh local seafood to the city’s famous sourdough bread or Ghirardelli chocolate.

Alternatively, you could stroll along the marina to watch the sea lions, a well-known feature of the waterfront. From here, you can also look out across the bay towards Alcatraz Island, once home to some of America’s most notorious criminals, including Al Capone and ‘Machine Gun’ Kelly.

For shopping, you may prefer to visit Union Square, home to well-known department stores such as Macy’s.

If you would like to explore beyond the city, you can join an optional wine tasting tour to Napa Valley, renowned for its vineyards and scenic landscapes. Alternatively, you may choose to visit nearby Muir Woods, where walking trails take you through towering redwood trees in a peaceful natural setting.

San Francisco - Yosemite National Park. This morning, we travel east towards the High Sierra and Yosemite National Park, a vast landscape covering nearly 1,200 square miles of mountains, forests and valleys.

Once inside the park, we take in some of Yosemite’s most iconic sights, including Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, El Capitan, Tunnel View and Bridalveil Fall. Known for its dramatic granite cliffs and natural beauty, Yosemite is one of the most celebrated national parks in the United States.

There will be plenty of opportunities to stop and take photos, so be sure to have your camera ready.

Yosemite National Park - Las Vegas. Today, we travel through the Mojave Desert on our way to Las Vegas, passing through vast desert landscapes that highlight the scale and contrasts of the American West.

We arrive in the late afternoon in Las Vegas, known as the ‘Entertainment Capital of the World’, with time to begin exploring straight away. This evening, we join an included tour of the city, taking in the famous casinos and hotels along the Las Vegas Strip, followed by a visit to Downtown Las Vegas to experience the bright lights and lively atmosphere of the Fremont Street Experience.

Las Vegas - Grand Canyon - Las Vegas. This morning, we stop at the iconic ‘Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas’ sign, where you may wish to take a photo to mark your time in the city.

We then set out on an included excursion to the Grand Canyon’s West Rim. En route, we pass Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the United States, created by the Hoover Dam. On arrival, you will have free time to take in the views and explore at your own pace. There is also the option to enhance your visit with a helicopter flight over the canyon, a boat ride on the Colorado River, or a walk on the Skywalk - a glass platform extending over the canyon edge.

This evening is at leisure back in Vegas. Your Tour Director will be available to offer recommendations, whether you are interested in shopping, dining, or experiencing more of Las Vegas’ nightlife.

Las Vegas - Palm Springs - San Diego. Today, we travel from Las Vegas towards the Californian coast, passing through Palm Springs - once a popular winter retreat for Hollywood stars such as Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley. Set at the foot of the San Jacinto Mountains, the city is known for its desert setting, golf courses and relaxed atmosphere. As we approach, a vast field of wind turbines marks the gateway to this desert oasis.

We then continue south to San Diego, a coastal city known for its beaches, parks and year-round mild climate. This evening is at leisure, giving you the chance to explore some of San Diego’s vibrant neighbourhoods or enjoy the city’s dining scene.

Today, we explore San Diego with our Tour Director, discovering California’s second-largest city and its laid-back coastal character. Neighbourhoods such as Sunset Cliffs offer classic Pacific views, with sandy beaches and surf culture that define the Southern California lifestyle.

During our insider city tour, we also see the important role of the United States Navy in this historic port city, home to one of the largest naval fleets in the world.

You will then have free time to explore further. You may choose to visit one of San Diego’s well-known attractions, such as SeaWorld or the renowned San Diego Zoo. This evening is at leisure. You might like to explore one of the city’s lively neighbourhoods or opt for a dinner cruise on the bay.

San Diego - Los Angeles. This morning, we travel north along the Southern California coast towards Orange County - known locally as ‘the OC’. We stop at Laguna Beach, where you can enjoy its cliffside setting, local art galleries and laid-back surf culture.

We then continue to Los Angeles, the second-largest city in the United States and the centre of the country’s entertainment industry. Sprawling and diverse, LA is home to film studios, iconic landmarks and distinct neighbourhoods.

This evening is at leisure. Your Tour Director may suggest a visit to nearby Long Beach, home to one of the largest ports in the United States and the historic Queen Mary ocean liner, which you may choose to explore (optional).

Today, we enjoy an in-depth tour of Los Angeles, taking in some of Southern California’s most well-known neighbourhoods. We visit the coastal communities of Venice and Santa Monica - Venice is known for its lively boardwalk and Muscle Beach, while Santa Monica is home to one of California’s oldest pleasure piers.

We continue to Beverly Hills, where we catch a glimpse of the area’s luxury lifestyle along Rodeo Drive. There may even be the chance to spot a celebrity or two.

We also stop at the Original Farmers Market, a long-standing LA favourite, before heading to Hollywood. Here, we see the Walk of Fame, the handprints at the TCL Chinese Theatre and views of the famous Hollywood Sign.

In the afternoon, you may choose to visit Universal Studios for a behind-the-scenes look at film production and enjoy its rides and attractions (optional).

Los Angeles - Santa Barbara - Central Coast. This morning, we depart Los Angeles and travel along the Pacific Coast Highway, passing through Malibu - an exclusive coastal enclave known for its scenic beaches and celebrity homes.

We continue north to Santa Barbara, often referred to as the ‘American Riviera’ for its Mediterranean-style setting. Here, palm-lined promenades meet white sandy beaches, and the town’s Spanish colonial architecture reflects its early history. We stop for lunch, with the opportunity to enjoy local food and wine, and take time to see landmarks such as the city’s distinctive City Hall.

Later, we continue along the Central Coast to our overnight stop in a town such as Buellton.

Central Coast - Big Sur - Monterey. Today, we travel north along Highway 1 to visit Hearst Castle, one of California’s most distinctive landmarks. Built by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, this grand estate features a mix of historic architectural styles, extensive gardens and an impressive art collection, all set against a dramatic coastal backdrop.

We then continue along the scenic Big Sur coastline - a rugged stretch known for its steep cliffs and sweeping ocean views. Along the way, we cross the iconic Bixby Bridge, one of the most photographed bridges on the Pacific Coast Highway.

Later, we arrive in Monterey, California’s first capital city, where this evening is at leisure. Your Tour Director will be on hand to offer recommendations on how best to enjoy your time here.

Monterey - Carmel - Monterey - San Francisco. This morning, we explore the Monterey Peninsula, beginning with a drive along the famous 17-Mile Drive - widely regarded as one of the most scenic coastal routes in the world. We continue to the charming village of Carmel, known for its coastal setting, art galleries and relaxed atmosphere.

We then return to Monterey, where we visit Old Fisherman’s Wharf and the historic Cannery Row waterfront. Once the centre of the city’s sardine-packing industry, Cannery Row was immortalised by author John Steinbeck in his novel of the same name.

You will have free time to explore further. You may choose to visit the renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium, where exhibits showcase the rich marine life of the Pacific, including the much-loved sea otters.

In the afternoon, we travel back to San Francisco, passing through the agricultural regions of Castroville and the Santa Clara Valley, bringing our journey to an end.

Your tour comes to an end after hotel check-out. Make your own way to the airport or your next destination.