California Highlights

California Highlights

See what the Golden State of California has to offer! From the City by the Bay known as San Francisco to the beachside city of Santa Barbara to the entertainment capital of the world Los Angeles, get the full experience of California. And if you're still beggin for more, be sure to check out the Western Highlights tour where you'll make a run for the border to Mexico, see one of the awe-inspiring natural world wonders (the Grand Canyon in Arizona), and indulge in your guilty pleasures in sin city Las Vegas.


Length: 7 days
Accommodations: Hotel
as per itinerary
Meals: Dinner, Breakfast
as per itinerary
Sightseeing: California, Nevada
Transportation: Modern Coach

Return to Tour

Itinerary

  1. Day Icon-day1 Las Vegas to Yosemite Gateway

    Meet up with your Contiki Crew and say goodbye to the party in the desert and hello to the adventures awaiting you in the wilds of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

  2. Day Icon-day2 Yosemite National Park

    Enjoy the diverse beauty of this treasured national park, from its mountains and meadows to its waterfalls, wildflowers, and world-famous rock formations, like El Capitan. Hike and bike around (weather permitting) to soak it all up.

  3. Day Icon-day3 Yosemite Gateway to San Francisco

    Head down out of the mountains and cross the Golden Gate bridge right into the rollicking ‘City by the Bay’.

  4. Day Icon-day4 Icon-day5 San Francisco

    Get exploring in this beautiful, exciting, and cosmopolitan city for two great days. Ride the famous cable cars, shop in trendy Union Square, feel the hippie vibe in Haight-Ashbury, tour Alcatraz Island, or stroll through Golden Gate Park.

  5. Day Icon-day6 San Francisco to Carpinteria via Santa Barbara

    Journey south to the lush, sun-drenched American Riviera. Kick back on gold-sand beaches and hit the shops and galleries in Santa Barbara before a night’s stay in the beautiful coastal town of Carpinteria.

  6. Day Icon-day7 Carpinteria to Los Angeles (Anaheim)

    Stop in showy Hollywood, the land of dreams, before the tour ends and it’s time to say farewell to your new friends.

Tour Map

Highlights

All these highlights along with city sightseeing are included in your tour price!

Included
  • Mojave Desert: See the famous Joshua Trees
  • Sierra Nevada Mountains: Relax in the beautiful mountain paradise of Bass Lake: swim, sunbathe and enjoy watersports! (seasonal)
  • Yosemite National Park: See the famous rock formations of El Capitan & Half Dome; See incredible Yosemite & Bridalveil Falls; Bike or hike around Yosemite Valley's Park trails (seasonal)
  • San Francisco: City sightseeing tour; City sightseeing tour including North Beach, Golden Gate Park, & Haight Ashbury; See the city's famous cable cars; See the famous row houses on Alamo Square; Cross the Oakland Bay & Golden Gate Bridges; Visit Fisherman's Wharf & Chinatown; Visit Fisherman's Wharf & Chinatown; Tour at AT&T Park - home to the Giants, San Francisco's baseball club
  • Santa Barbara / Carpinteria: Relax at the beach; See the Famous Wharf; Enjoy this vibrant beachside town
  • Los Angeles (Anaheim): View the Hollywood Sign; See Mann's Chinese Theatre & Hollywood's Walk of Fame
Accomodations
  • 6 nights in twin-share hotel accommodation
  • Breakfasts (B) and Dinners (D) – as per itinerary
Contiki Difference
  • Experienced Tour Manager and Driver
  • Modern air-conditioned coach
  • 2 States visited: California, Nevada

Optional Excursions

San Francisco

Chinatown Dinner (USD$19.00)
Explore Chinatown and enjoy an all you can eat meal at one of San Francisco's best restaurants in the heart of San Francisco's historic Chinatown.
San Francisco Note (n/a)
Alcatraz is not included in this tour. However you may book tickets in advance by going to www.alcatrazcruises.com. We highly recommend you do as soon as possible as space is limited and sells quickly. We suggest booking the earliest cruise with audio (9:30am) as it allows the rest of the day at leisure.
Sunset Sailing Adventure (USD$40.00)
Sail out on San Francisco's world-famous Bay on the Adventure Cat. Your tour will take you near Alcatraz Island, under the Golden Gate Bridge, and out to Kirby Cove. Enjoy the sunset, the included drinks and appetizers while you cruise around the Bay!
Wine Country Tour (USD$62.00)
Enjoy a wine tour through one of the famous wine-grape growing provinces of North America, the Napa Valley region. On this wine country tour, you'll see three premier Napa wineries and learn the art of wine. The tour includes complimentary wine tastings at all winery stops, lunch opportunities with a visit to either Sonoma's historic square or Yountville's rustic Vintage 1870 and a narrated tour through Northern California's beautiful wine country.

Los Angeles

Hollywood Behind-the-Scenes Tour (USD$17.50)
The Hollywood Behind-the-Scenes Tour visits all the famous (and infamous) landmarks in Hollywood and is a delight for anyone fascinated with Hollywood history, architecture and lore. Its Hollywood's most authentic tour with a bit of legendary gossip as well. If you really want to know Hollywood you must take this tour!
Movie Stars' Homes Tour (USD$36.00)
You've seen their movies, now see where the stars live! Sit back and relax as you are driven past famous celebrity homes like those featured in "The Osbournes" and "Speed." See over 40 breathtaking mansions, in a fully narrated two-hour tour. The tour also includes a cruise down the Sunset Strip and Rodeo Drive.