California Coastal Drive

Day 1 Arrival in Los Angeles
Arrive into Los Angeles where you’ll collect your car and head to your accommodation located in the famous Hollywood area.

Day 2 Los Angeles
You have a full day at leisure to enjoy the sights of Los Angeles. You might like to take an open top bus tour to the Avenue of the Stars, visit upmarket Beverly Hills to see the many iconic sights, head to the beaches of Santa Monica or Venice or visit the superb Universal Studios theme park.

Day 3 Los Angeles to Santa Barbara
Today you’ll drive the fabled Pacific Highway 1, past Malibu on a wonderful coastal drive along the Californian Riviera. Stop in Santa Barbara for a look around, take lunch in one of its quaint cafes and restaurants, visit the waterfront and have a wander down to the pier? The town here has many Spanish style buildings and an interesting colonial style courthouse where you can go up the clock tower for views along the coast. You might also like to see some of Santa Barbara’s wine country.

Travel: 180 Miles / 290 Km

Day 4 Santa Barbara to Big Sur to Monterey
Drive one of the most famous roads in the world; the stunning and rugged highway up along the Big Sur, set between mountains and the crashing waves of the ocean. The road twists along the hillsides, across huge bridges and past small towns, great places to stop for a coffee and lunch. In the morning, before arriving on the Big Sur coast, you might like to visit Hearst Castle, the publishing giant William Randolph Hearst’s opulent old mansion in the hills above the coast. You’ll arrive in Monterey this afternoon, and you might want to continue the iconic journey on the 17 mile drive to Carmel, home to Pebble Beach golf club, and take your time looking around the attractive town.

Travel: 150 Miles / 240 Km

Day 5 Monterey to Yosemite
Today you’ll have a truly memorable and spectacular drive south through the tropical Florida peninsula to Key Largo, the largest island and the first of the famous Florida Keys. Key Largo is home to two state parks, a national park and a national marine sanctuary. It’s rich history, tropical hardwoods, winding creeks and stunning coral formations inspired a vibrant community of artists who show their work in local galleries. We recommend a trip to John Pennekamp Coral State Park, America’s first under sea park.

Travel: 270 Miles / 435 Km

Day 6 Yosemite
Spend a full day in Yosemite National Park. There are several excellent walking and hiking trails you can explore as well as visiting the National Park Center and the Ansel Adams galley. You’ll enjoy a day amongst wonderful scenery with huge canyons, waterfalls, lakes and forests.

Day 7 Yosemite to San Francisco
Today you’ll drive back to the coast, zigzagging across California. You might want to stop in Sacramento, the state capital or head on the more direct route through Oakland and across the Bay Bridge, or even detour through Marin County to travel over the famous Golden Gate Bridge. You’ll stay for 2 nights in San Francisco.

Travel: 195 Miles / 315 Km

Day 8 San Francisco
You have a full day at leisure to enjoy the sights and sounds of San Francisco – see the famous bay, explore Fisherman’s Wharf, home of the famous Pier 39 or jump on a cable car and traverse the city’s celebrated hills. For the ultimate shopping experience, head to Union Square where designer boutiques line the streets and of course no trip to San Francisco would be complete without taking the ferry over to Alcatraz, a former prison located on an island in the middle of the bay.

Day 9 Departure from San Francisco
This afternoon drive you’ll to the airport and drop your car off in time for your return flight.

Tour includes:

Rental cars from small compact automatics to convertible sport cars and minivans
Accommodation as detailed
Sat-nav to help you along the way

On a Journey of Distinction, you are not merely a bystander. They believe that the wonders, customs and cultures you experience will live on in the core of your being. They even go so far as to say that one of their holidays will change your life forever.

Their combination of Tour Managers and Local Guides is what makes Journey of Distinction so distinctive. When you’re embarking on a voyage of discovery, it’s reassuring to know that a seasoned traveller is with you every step of the way; planning, organising, checking details and offering their advice and support. Their groups all depart from the UK, and no one joins us along the way, so you have the reassuring constancy of always knowing your travelling companions.

Our Opinion
“Limited to just 25 travellers per departure, every Journeys of Distinction escorted tour has an intimate, personal feel that makes for a more enjoyable experience.”