The Californian (2009/2010) on Trafalgar Tours

Day 1 - Arrive San Diego (2 nights) Welcome to San Diego! A complimentary transfer is provided to the tour hotel. Your Tour Director is available at the hotel this afternoon to greet you and answer your questions. Join us at 6:00pm for a Welcome Drink at the hotel.

Hotel: Westin San Diego

Day 2 - San Diego sightseeing This morning’s city tour highlights the historic Gaslamp Quarter, the bustling Embarcadero, Balboa Park and the historic Old Town. The afternoon is at leisure to pursue your own interests. This evening head to Seaport Village, a waterfront entertainment area recreating a harborside setting of a century ago with meandering cobblestone pathways, ponds, fountains and colorful, lush landscaping. Enjoy a Highlight Dinner at a local restaurant. (Full breakfast / Highlight dinner)

Day 3 - San Diego – San Juan Capistrano – Hollywood – Santa Monica Journey north and visit the beautiful Mission San Juan Capistrano, one of the original missions built by the Spanish. On to the palm-lined streets of Beverly Hills, including famous Rodeo Drive and then the fabled Sunset Strip. After a lunch stop at the historic Farmers Market, join a guided tour of the Kodak Theatre, home of the Academy Awards ceremonies. View the famous Oscar statuette, and gain an insider’s view of this glamorous production. See Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Hollywood Sign. This afternoon, as an option, perhaps join a Movie Stars’ Homes guided tour to view the amazing mansions of some of the world’s most famous celebrities, past and present. End the day at your hotel near the ocean in the beautiful seaside community of Santa Monica. This evening, why not stroll over to the Third Street Promenade, an open air pedestrian-only street of shops, restaurants and cafes, or to the iconic Santa Monica Pier? (Full breakfast)

Hotel: Sheraton Delfi na Santa Monica Hotel

Day 4 - Santa Monica – Santa Barbara – Cambria Visit the magnificent J. Paul Getty Museum and enjoy the fabulous art collections and spectacular grounds overlooking the city and the Pacific Ocean. Following the Pacific coast north, stop in Santa Barbara, one of California’s most beautiful cities with spectacular Mediterranean architecture. The day ends on arrival at the quaint seaside city of Cambria and your delightful hotel nestled amongst pine trees. (Full breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: Cambria Pines Lodge

Day 5 - Cambria – San Simeon – Carmel – Monterey A short drive along the coast brings you to San Simeon for a guided tour of Hearst Castle. Built on a hilltop overlooking the Pacific, the spectacular grounds and grandiose home feature the world-class art collection of newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst. Your Tour Director will reveal a Hidden Treasure before continuing north through the beautiful rolling hills of California’s Central Coast, dotted with vineyards. Stop at the artist colony of Carmel with time to stroll down the tree-lined Ocean Avenue, past quirky shops and art galleries. Travel along the scenic 17 Mile Drive, home to multi-million dollar mansions and the Pebble Beach Golf Links, to the historic seaside town of Monterey, where Cannery Row and Fisherman’s Wharf reflect the city’s long history with the sea. This evening is at leisure in Monterey. (Full breakfast)

Hotel: Marriott Monterey

Day 6 - Monterey – Sierra Joaquin Valley – Yosemite National Park Journey inland through the fertile San Joaquin Valley, known as the breadbasket of California. Stop at a historic fruit stand for a chance to buy fresh-off-the-farm fruit. Travel through the wooded Sierra Nevada Mountains and arrive at Yosemite National Park. Enter the spectacular Yosemite Valley and view the giant iconic formations of El Capitan and Half Dome and the breathtaking Yosemite Falls, the highest in North America. Enjoy a stroll along the Merced River and take in the immense beauty of this spectacular mountain setting. (Full breakfast)

Hotel: Yosemite View Lodge

Day 7 - Yosemite – Napa/Sonoma – San Francisco (2 nights) Travel down the Sierras through Gold Country and enter the famous California Wine Country. Journey along the scenic Carneros Highway and stop at a family-owned vineyard for an exclusive winery experience. Meet with the owners who take you on a private tour of their winery. Sample estate-produced wines and olive oil served with local artisan cheeses, and savor a delicious luncheon of fresh local produce, served alfresco with sweeping views over the vineyards of the Sonoma Valley. Heading south, we arrive in the city-by-the-bay, San Francisco. As an option this evening, why not join a walking tour of Chinatown, where an ancient culture from the other side of the world survives and flourishes with remarkable authenticity; visit a fortune cookie factory and enjoy a delicious Chinese banquet at a local restaurant. An illumination tour of San Francisco completes this unique optional experience. (Full breakfast / Be My Guest lunch)

Hotel: San Francisco Marriott

Day 8 - San Francisco sightseeing & at leisure Enjoy a morning tour of North America’s most romantic city. See the famous sights of this eclectic metropolis: Union Square, Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39, the Victorian mansions of Alamo Square, the rolling hills of the Presidio and Golden Gate Park. Spend the afternoon at your leisure. This evening join your fellow passengers for a Farewell Dinner at Fisherman’s Wharf and toast to your California adventure. (Full breakfast / Farewell dinner)

Day 9 - Depart San Francisco A complimentary transfer is provided to San Francisco International Airport. (Full breakfast)