Itinerary

Arrive in one of the world’s most famous cities, San Francisco, and be taken by luxury private transfer to the Hotel Caza in the bustling Fisherman’s Wharf neighbourhood. A modern hotel where you’ll have great views of either the bay or the city, it’s an ideal spot from which to get around. Get settled in and take a leisurely stroll around the local area – you’ll find you are just steps from the waterfront, Pier 39 and the iconic 3-mile long Lombard Street. Downtown, with its incredible museums and diverse neighbourhoods is just a few blocks further.

Start your first full day properly exploring this world-renowned city. There are many ways to see San Francsico, and one way we’d heartily recommend is from the iconic Golden Gate Bridge on a scenic bike tour. You’ll get to see the innate beauty of the Bay Area with a 3-hour guided tour, cycling from San Francisco across to Sausalito and back, stopping for multiple photo opportunities along the way.

Whether or not you go cycling, chances are you’ll be hungry. So spend your afternoon or lunchtime taking a food tour around San Francisco. Food is a huge part of any culture, and the city has multiple districts that are known for their culinary delights. Choose between Italian-focused North Beach, historic and hip Mission District or San Francisco’s renowned Chinatown, and taste the local history.

Start the morning with a half-day guided tour of some of the Bay Area’s greatest landmarks. San Francisco is ideally located for visiting a wide variety of well-known places, and on this tour you’ll get to explore the giant redwood trees at Muir Woods, the famous prison island of Alcatraz and the charming enclave of Sausalito just across the Golden Gate Bridge.

Spend the rest of your last day in San Francisco leisurely exploring the city by streetcar or on foot. There’s so much to see you can easily make this time your own.

Make the 3-hour drive over to Yosemite National Park first thing after breakfast – you’ll be driving (at least partially) along the scenic Highway 120, making for a pleasant ride. Situated in California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range, Yosemite is a designated World Heritage Site, internationally-renowned for its deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient sequoia trees, freshwater lakes, breathtaking waterfalls, and staggering granite cliffs, like the famous El Capitan.

You’ll be arriving at the beautiful Rush Creek Lodge & Spa just minutes from the entrance to the park nestled into the hillside woodland. Get settled into your stunning surroundings and take your pick of activities – your hotel has fantastic amenities, and Yosemite National Park abounds with outdoor pursuit. Start with a visit to the park at your leisure – you’ll enter by car and then explore on your own by foot. Yosemite is a haven for hiking and there are so many iconic locations you’ll want to make sure you see – El Capitan, Glacier Point, Half Dome, Cathedral Peak, Vernal Fall, Bridalveil Fall and, for the culturally-minded, the Ansel Adams Gallery in nearby Yosemite Valley.

Since you spent yesterday exploring Yosemite by yourself, why not see what you might have missed on a private guided hike? On this 5-6 hour excursion that combines short easy hikes with insightful outdoor education, you’ll travel along less-visited trails with an expert guide, getting an incredible experience of the forest, waterfalls and meadows in the park while simultaneously gaining a deeper understanding of the Yosemite wilderness. Plus, your tour will be tailored to your hiking experience so you can have a great time without overstretching yourself.

After a solid day in the park, spend the late afternoon or evening at your hotel relaxing in the pool and tucking in to a delicious meal come dinner.

Leave first thing in the morning for the 4-hour drive to the jewel of the Sierra Nevada mountains: Lake Tahoe. A year-round destination and widely considered a vacation staple in the United States, this majestic mountain location offers endless opportunities for outdoor adventure and a wild, breathtaking beauty that can only be found in this part of California.

Arrive at your tranquil lakeside location and get settled in. Your hotel is just three blocks from the nightlife of the South Lake Tahoe downtown area and Heavenly Village with its wonderful shopping, restaurants and galleries. Stroll around to get acquainted with the area or head out on a leisurely hike in the surrounding forests after all that driving – there’s plenty to see and do.

If you haven’t been in the water yet, today is your opportunity to get in. Lake Tahoe is the USA’s largest alpine lake, and its turquoise waters are warm enough to jump in. Swim in the pristine waters or relax on the shore – there’s a water sports rental at the Lakeside Marina should you want to go kayaking, boating, paddleboarding or jet skiing. Other activities you can take part in include fishing, horse riding and mountain biking, and can be arranged with your hotel.

Make sure to have a meal at Jimmy’s during your stay. The views of Lake Tahoe from the restaurant are incredible and there’s even an outdoor terrace on which you can dine or have a drink.

Drive first thing in the morning up to Lassen Volcanic National Park. You’ll be arriving at picturesque Highlands Ranch Resort on Childs Meadow in Lassen National Forest just 10 minutes from the entrance of Lassen Volcanic National Park, so you’ll want to make the 3-hour drive sooner rather than later. The park offers a breathtaking mix of volcanic alpine beauty with turquoise crystalline lakes, wildflower-filled meadows and lush forests, and is the only place on Earth that features all four types of volcanoes. It’s main peak, Mount Lassen, last erupted in 1915 and still hisses to this day.

Rest and restore your energy with the spectacular views and comfortable amenities on the 175-acre ranch, or head out to explore over 150 miles of scenic hiking trails. From peaceful mountain forests to dramatic bubbling volcanic mud pots, you’ll get to traverse incredible terrain on trails ranging from easy to strenuous.

Take one of America’s most scenic drives first thing in the morning to Mount Shasta. You’ll travel through dense, mountainous forests, diverse wetlands, clear streams, pastoral ranches and stunning volcanic landscapes ultimately stopping in the city at the foot of one of the five volcanoes in the region. Dominating the landscape at 4,322 metres high, Mount Shasta is an ice-topped volcano at the southern end of the Cascade Mountain Range nestled in the Shasta Trinity National Forest.

You’ll be arriving at the Best Western Plus Tree House, right in the heart of town and close to many excellent hiking spots. Mount Shasta is a popular destination for outdoor adventure with world-class hiking, mountain biking, river rafting, fishing, rock climbing, golfing and skiing come winter. Drop off your bags and get outside in this breathtaking destination for a full day of outdoor recreation.

After breakfast drive 4 hours to the port city of Eureka, which is an ideal base just 40 minutes away from the world-famous Redwood National Park. You’ll be staying the next two nights in the city’s Old Town with its elaborate and well-preserved Victorian houses at the cosy Carter House Inn.

One of the most idyllic forests in the United States, Redwood National Park in Northern California is a designated World Heritage Site home to 45% of the world’s remaining coastal redwood trees, considered to be some of the tallest trees in the world.

Get checked in and head up at your leisure to explore. This beautiful preserve is also home to indigenous flora, fauna and 60 km of pristine coastline where you’ll find the stunning secluded shores of Gold Bluffs Beach.

Wake up to a delicious breakfast at your hotel – you’ll be needing it ahead of a day of exploration in Redwood National Park. Not only does this beautiful preserve astound with its imposing forest of redwood trees, but it also accommodates visitors of all ages with its easy walking trails. Start with the Fern Canyon Loop Trail, the Lady Bird Johnson Grove Loop Trail, the Revelation Trail and the Trillium Falls Trail – all offer spectacular nature and take 1-2 hours each.

For longer more challenging hikes try the Tall Trees Grove Trail or the James Irvine Loop Trail, which also features different types of environments as you cross the 10.4 mile hike.

Start early to make the nearly 4-hour drive down to Mendocino. A convivial coastal community in northern California, Mendocino is known for its spectacular scenery, distinctive wineries, seaside Victorian villages and the cliffside trails and beautiful beaches of Mendocino Headlands State Park. It also offers plentiful opportunities for outdoor pursuits as well as wining and dining.

You’ll be arriving at the charming Agate Cove Inn, set overlooking the rugged shores of the Pacific Ocean, and an ideal place for both rest and relaxation. Start the afternoon with a stroll around the town and lunch overlooking the sea before spending the rest of the day exploring the incredible natural beauty of either Russian Gulch State Park or Mendocino Headlands.

Start your day soaking in the seaside views with breakfast overlooking the ocean. Then head 50km inland from the coast to Mendocino’s delightful winelands in Anderson Valley for multiple wine tastings. This northerly cool-climate wine region produces distinctive wines, specialising in complex Pinots and aromatic whites, like Riesling and Chardonnay. Some of the must-visit wineries in the area include Navarro Vineyards, Goldeneye Winery, Roederer Estate, Toulouse Vineyards, Pennyroyal Farms, Husch Vineyards, Handley Cellars and Parducci Wine Cellars. With so many excellent wineries to choose from you’ll have no problem being out the whole day.

After breakfast make the 2.5-hour drive down to the historic city of Sonoma in the heart of California’s internationally renowned winemaking region. Feted for its world-class wineries, award-wining dining and delightful art galleries, Sonoma has a quaint, old-world feel boasting 19th -century architecture and the Mexican colonial-era Sonoma Plaza.

Spend the afternoon stretching your legs with a 3-mile hike through flower-filled meadows and verdant grasslands on the Sonoma Overlook Trail. You’ll get excellent views of Sonoma Valley and the city itself to get your bearings. Or, if you’d like to get straight into some wine tasting, grab a map from your hotel – you’ll be staying at the centrally-located Inn at Sonoma – and visit one of over 75 family-owned and operated vineyards. From small establishments to large, historic estates, you’ll be spoiled for choice with generous opening hours all week long.

Start your day with breakfast or brunch at one of the city’s fine establishments. Sonoma is known for its excellent dining, and you won’t have trouble finding somewhere worthwhile to eat. Spend the rest of the day vineyard hopping and wine tasting. You can rent a bike and easily cycle from winery to winery or, if you prefer, take a guided tour – you’ll find the natural scenery and the quality of the wines outstanding.

Come evening, dine at one of Sonoma’s award-winning restaurants. The city is renowned for its culinary prowess so don’t miss out on a memorable dining experience.

Drive an hour down to San Francisco to drop off your rental car and fly home from San Francisco International Airport.