San Francisco and Yosemite Tour from Los Angeles: 3-Day, Stay, Transport

For your entire 3-day tour you will be transported in a deluxe air-conditioned vehicle and accompanied by a professional guide. At the start of the tour, you will depart north up the spectacular California Coast to Santa Barbara, one of the earliest Spanish settlements in this part of the Americas.

Sometimes known as ‘the American Riviera’, Santa Barbara is a beautiful spot with glorious beaches, majestic mountains, colorful culture and a Mediterranean climate.

From Santa Barbara, the tour continues north and stops at Solvang, founded in 1911 by a Danish community. Here you will find bakeries, restaurants, and shops offering a taste of Denmark in California. Much of the architecture follows the traditional Danish style.

After Solvang, you will head north to world-famous 17-mile drive (part of route# 1) where you will get to see the spectacular California coastline up close.

You will stop at charming Carmel, a small town on the Monterey Peninsula known for its natural beauty and a large number of artists, poets and writers who have chosen to live there. The town has had several mayors who were poets or actors, including actor-director Clint Eastwood, who was mayor from 1986 to 1988.

You will have the chance to stroll through Carmel before heading on towards San Francisco. Overnight in San Francisco will be at SpringHill Suites by Marriott Oakland Airport

After breakfast, you will set out with your tour guide to explore San Francisco. Your day starts with a delightful narrated 45-minute cruise in the world-famous Bay. Have your camera ready to capture the city’s famous skyline with its amazing mix of buildings. Pass under the renowned Golden Gate Bridge and marvel at its colossal span. Return past notorious Alcatraz Island, site of the former federal prison that once housed Al Capone.

Return to Pier 39 for a leisurely lunch (payable direct) before an afternoon tour that takes in all the city’s famous landmarks. There will be a number of stops during the tour so that you can get a closer look at some of the key sights. Highlights include:

• Golden Gate Bridge

• Union Square

• Chinatown

• Nob Hill

End the day with a stunning evening view of the twinkling lights of the city from the Bay Bridge.

You will spend the night at the Modesto – Park Inn Hotel (In Winter Monterey - Holiday Inn hotel)

Leaving San Francisco after breakfast, your route for the day goes through farmlands of the Joaquin Valley to the magnificent Yosemite National Park. This 1,200 square mile wonderland of forests, lakes and waterfalls is located in the Sierra Nevada.

You will spend about 5 hours in Yosemite. During this time you will make stops to see the following famous features:

• El Capitan

• Bridalveil Fall

• Half Dome

From 1 November to 30 April, the visit to Yosemite will be replaced by a visit to the world-famous Hearst Castle. This incredible edifice was built by newspaper baron William Randolph Hearst early in the 20th century as a playground for himself and his guests, many of whom were Hollywood celebrities. Hearst devoted nearly 30 years and about US $10 million to the creation of his opulent estate. The Castle architecture is a mix of Italian, Spanish, Moorish and French styles.

Inside the buildings, you will find a phenomenal collection of antiques and priceless treasures, including Greek vases dating from 800 BC, rare oriental carpets, and countless works of art.

In the evening, you will drive back to Los Angeles and will be dropped off at approximately 7pm.