Travel Dates
Departing 26th Oct 2020
Package Provider: Back-Roads Touring Co
Package Type: Package
Region: North America
Duration: 15 Nights
Filled with awe-inspiring nature, delicious flavours and layers of fascinating history, the sunkissed West Coast is an adventure just waiting to happen.
Your Tour Package includes:
Based on 26 October 2020 other departures available between April - October 2020
Classic California Itinerary
Day 1 - Los Angeles - Santa Barbara
Welcome to Los Angeles – a city known for bright lights, year-round sunshine and of course, Hollywood. After meeting the group, we’ll make our way to Santa Barbara – but not before a visit to Malibu en route. Rugged beaches are Malibu’s main attractions (keep an eye out for surfers in the waves as we pass through). Once in Santa Barbara, we’ll settle in for dinner with the group.
Meals Dinner
Day 2 - Santa Barbara
After breakfast, it’s time to explore Santa Barbara. Our highlight of the day will be a visit to the Old Mission, one of Santa Barbara’s major landmarks, which was established in 1786. Here you’ll find a grand church, a museum, a gift shop, a cemetery and twelve acres of surrounding gardens. After immersing yourself in the Mission’s history, you’ll be free to explore the Old Town at your leisure this afternoon.
Meals Breakfast
Day 3 - Santa Barbara - Cambria
After a wine tasting and lunch in the heart of the Santa Rita hills, we’ll move on to Cambria – swinging by San Luis Obispo County along the way. Much more than just a pit stop on the legendary Highway 1, this area has plenty of beautiful beaches and old world charm – and there’s even the chance to spot humpback whales here from May to October.
Meals Breakfast Lunch
Day 4 - Cambria - Monterey
Today we’ll visit Hearst Castle, which was designed by California’s first female architect: Julia Morgan. Finished in 1947, the castle was built as the home of William Randolph Hearst (known for developing the famous Hearst Communications). Don’t forget your camera – this private residence is truly impressive! This afternoon, a classic Californian coastal drive is on the agenda as we make our way to Big Sur State Park. Beautiful and unspoiled, this famous park is high on many travellers’ must-see lists – and we’ll see why at McWay Falls and Ragged Point. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for the skunks, deer and raccoons that call the area home!
Meals Breakfast Dinner
Day 5 - Monterey
Wake up to Monterey, a city that’s best known for historic Cannery Row and its old sardine-canning factories (immortalised in a John Steinbeck novel of the same name). We’ll pay a visit to Point Lobos State Natural Reserve today. With its dramatic rocky coastline, it’s the perfect place to enjoy wilderness walks both short and long. If you’re lucky, you may see some of the resident sea lions frolicking in the sea below!
Meals Breakfast Dinner
Day 6 - Monterey - San Francisco
The last leg of our journey takes us upwards to San Francisco. After a morning stop at Santa Cruz, we’ll drop by the Harley Farms goat dairy in Pescadero for a farm visit and cheese tasting session. Half Moon Bay will be our final stop. This small city is known for its vast beaches, great surf and views of the Rancho Corral de Tierra area. Once in San Francisco, we’ll say farewell to the group.
Meals Breakfast
A Taste of Northern California Itinerary
Day 1 - San Francisco - Bodega Bay
Welcome to San Francisco! After meeting the group, we’ll begin our Northern Californian road trip along the Point Reyes National Seashore. Our first stop will be Bodega Bay, where we’ll get to know each other a little better over a welcome dinner.
Meals Dinner
Day 2 - Bodega Bay - Mendocino Coast
After a leisurely breakfast in Bodega Bay, it’s onwards to our next scenic destination: Mendocino. With its abundance of white picket fences and well-kept gardens, this charming cliffside community is like a slice of New England on the West Coast.
Meals Breakfast
Day 3 - Mendocino Coast - Eureka
You can rest assured that today’s journey will be just as much fun as the destination! Our route to Eureka will take in the spectacular Avenue of the Giants highway, so called as it is flanked by towering giant redwoods. When we reach our stop for the night, there’s an included dinner to look forward to.
Meals Breakfast Dinner
Day 4 - Eureka
There’s more natural majesty on the agenda today, with a visit to Redwood National Park all lined up for us. Here, we’ll wander the area’s many hiking trails and experience the ‘cathedral hush’ as we stand in the shadow of some of the world’s tallest (and most ancient) trees. Be sure to keep an eye out for Roosevelt elk, mountain lions and black bears while you’re here.
Meals Breakfast
Day 5 - Eureka - Mount Shasta
Prepare for a soul-stirring sight this morning - the magnificent Mt Shasta is our next stop. A lone peak rising from the horizon, this natural icon's forested slopes are a place of pilgrimage for hikers, bikers and rafters alike. Tonight we'll regroup to share a sumptuous three-course meal at our mountainside accommodation.
Meals Breakfast Dinner
Day 6 - Mount Shasta - Chico
A labyrinthine series of natural limestone caves, the subterranean wonderland of the Lake Shasta Caverns is only accessible by boat – and today we’ll have the opportunity to see its fascinating rock formations up close. After emerging back into the daylight, we’ll hit the Sierra Oro Farm Trail – where we’ll have the opportunity to taste some local produce – and take a tour of the Sierra Nevada Brewery.
Meals Breakfast Dinner
Day 7 - Chico - Napa Valley
Today our road will take us through the lush green hills and tiered vineyards of the Napa Valley. Later on, the evening will be yours to immerse yourself in the area’s stellar scenery, sample some more of its finest produce, or simply unwind back at the hotel.
Meals Breakfast
Day 8 - Napa Valley
We’ve one more day to enjoy the verdant Napa Valley before we return to San Francisco tomorrow – and what better way to spend it than by clinking glasses and enjoying lunch at a local winery? Tonight, we’ll reminisce about the times we’ve shared over one last spectacular dinner.
Meals Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 9 - Napa Valley- San Francisco
On the final leg of our journey, we’ll stop off in lovely Sausalito – where postcard-perfect houseboats, a famous boardwalk and excellent views of the Golden Gate Bridge are sure to provide endless photo opportunities. This afternoon, our trip will come to a close as we say goodbye to the group back in San Francisco.
Meals Breakfast
Conditions apply. Subject to availability and change without notice. Full supplier conditions apply. Valid for new bookings only. Prices valid at the time of publication. Prices are per person based on twin share occupancy unless otherwise stated and displayed in AU$. Member savings are calculated using the original advertised price.