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Yosemite & Coastal California
San Francisco
Dramatic Vistas
Whale-Watching Cruise
Gold Panning
Castle Air Museum
Enjoy a dreamy West Coast vacation with iconic attractions and time at leisure for personal pursuits or relaxation. Begin with a city tour of San Francisco as we ride the famous cable cars, see Golden Gate Park, and spend time at Fisherman’s Wharf. Travel into the heart of Napa Valley, one of the most celebrated wine regions in the world, for an included tasting before continuing on to Sacramento for a farm-to-fork tour of locally sourced, gourmet dishes. Try your luck panning at Kennedy Gold Mine and then view Yosemite National Park’s natural wonders, including the amazing sequoia trees in Mariposa Grove. Discover fascinating marine life during a privately chartered whale-watching cruise in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and a visit to Monterey Bay Aquarium, then climb aboard a 19th-century train for a wonderful ride through redwoods. Our journey concludes in the San Francisco area with a celebratory Farewell Dinner.
Trip overview may vary by departure.
Highlights
Roaring Camp Railroads
All aboard! Travel over trestles through towering redwood trees within the Santa Cruz Mountains, winding up a narrow-gauge track to the summit of Bear Mountain. Enjoy tranquil scenery as conductors narrate the history of Roaring Camp, the railroad, and the forest. We also learn how narrow-gauge steam locomotives were used to haul giant redwood logs out of the mountains in this recreated 19th-century logging town.
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Discover fast-swimming sharks, pulsating jellyfish, waddling penguins, and various other incredible marine life. With over 200 exhibits boasting 80,000 plants and animals, this aquarium is a window into the wonders of the ocean. Must-see exhibits include Open Sea, Life on the Bay, Into the Deep, and Splash Zone. Be sure to watch playful sea otters romp, tumble, and wrestle in the two-story underwater/surface exhibit!
Yosemite National Park
Established as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, this park is famed for its giant sequoia trees, Yosemite Falls, and massive rock formations. Stroll Mariposa Grove, where you can wander through towering ancient sequoias and grab a photo with the iconic Fallen Monarch. Then, join a park guide on a tour of Yosemite Valley for sightseeing of the falls, Half Dome, El Capitan, Tunnel View, Bridalveil Fall, and more. Made famous by photographer Ansel Adams, Tunnel View is one of Yosemite Valley’s most awe-inspiring sights showcasing El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall with Half Dome soaring in the background. Enjoy leisure time to capture more photo keepsakes of the stunning scenery, walk along a beautiful trail, or shop for a souvenir in the park store.
Castello di Amorosa Winery and Tasting Tour
Step back in time at this authentically styled 14th-century Tuscan castle winery nestled within Napa Valley. Built by a 4th-generation winemaker to honor his Italian heritage and love for medieval architecture, it spans over 120,000 square feet and eight levels. It took 15 years to finish using 8,000 tons of hand-chiseled stone, as well as antique bricks and furnishings from Europe. Join an expert wine educator for a tour through the castle’s upper levels, the production area, torture chamber, and armory. Afterwards, be transported to the exquisite world of fine wines during a tasting.
Sacramento Farm-to-Fork Food Tour
Tantalize your taste buds in America’s Farm-to-Fork Capital, the country’s largest agricultural producer. Learn about the various food cultivated here and their journey from the fields to your plate as we savor the freshest seasonal produce, artisanal cheeses, and locally sourced gourmet dishes.
- Day 1: Fly to CaliforniaUpon arriving in the “City by the Bay,” we settle into our deluxe accommodations for two nights.
- Day 2: San FranciscoThis morning, we board San Francisco’s iconic cable cars for a quintessential ride downtown. Afterwards, a local guide joins us for a driving tour of the city’s top highlights, including Twin Peaks, Market Street, Golden Gate Park, and more. We then enjoy leisure time at Fisherman’s Wharf, the historic bayside district with restaurants, shops, and sea lions sunbathing. Tonight, we cross the famous Golden Gate Bridge to nearby Sausalito and get to know fellow travelers during a Welcome Dinner.
Meals Included: Dinner
- Day 3: Napa Valley & SacramentoToday, we journey into the heart of one of the most celebrated wine regions in the world: Napa Valley. Indulge in a tasting of renowned vinos after our guided tour at Castello di Amorosa, a medieval castle winery that's reminiscent of Italy’s stunning Tuscany region. Following an included lunch, we depart the picturesque countryside and make our way to Sacramento. This evening, we partake in a tantalizing food tour with a variety of gourmet dishes at local restaurants. Meet the talented chefs behind the meals and learn about the area’s farm-to-fork culture while delighting your taste buds with the city’s incredible culinary scene.
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
- Day 4: Railroad Museum & Kennedy Gold MineOur day begins by discovering over 150 years of rail history at the California State Railroad Museum. See several steam locomotives dating as far back as 1862 and browse intricate exhibits that tell the story of how railroads changed life in the West. This afternoon, we’re immersed in California’s gold rush era of the mid-1800s during a tour of the Kennedy Gold Mine. Learn about mining from our expert guide, then receive a complimentary poke sack for collecting your own treasures while panning for gold! Later, we travel to Oakhurst and check in for our two-night stay.
Meals Included: Breakfast
- Day 5: Yosemite National ParkWe explore the scenic protected lands and natural wonders of Yosemite National Park today! In Mariposa Grove, take a leisurely hike through enormous sequoias and marvel at how they can live for more than 2,000 years and grow up to 300 feet tall. A park ranger then joins us as we view some of Yosemite Valley’s most famous landmarks, including Yosemite Falls, the Half Dome, and El Capitan. There is also time to explore Yosemite on your own, such as grabbing a bite at an eatery, going for a stroll along a beautiful trail, or visiting the park store.
Meals Included: Breakfast
- Day 6: Castle Air Museum & MontereyThis morning, we begin our drive back towards the coast and stop at Castle Air Museum in Atwater. This military aviation museum features historic military and presidential aircraft, plus exhibits that showcase technology from the past and provide a glimpse into the future of flight. We then visit Casa de Fruta, a family-owned orchard that offers nuts, wine, sweets, and other gifts. Later, we arrive at our Monterey hotel for a two-night stay and enjoy a leisurely evening.
Meals Included: Breakfast
- Day 7: Whale WatchingToday’s adventure is all about discovering California’s spectacular marine life! We embark on a whale-watching cruise in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, a gorgeous, protected region that’s highly studied for conservation efforts. While taking in the scenic views, enjoy insight from the onboard naturalist or marine biologist. After an included lunch, we visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium, commonly rated as one of the top aquariums in the United States and the first to exhibit a living kelp forest. The rest of the day is yours for individual exploration or relaxation.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
- Day 8: Roaring Camp RailroadsWe’re off to Roaring Camp Railroads this morning for a round-trip journey through the recreated 19th-century logging town. Take in stunning vistas as we roll among towering groves of redwood trees within the Santa Cruz Mountains to the summit of Bear Mountain. This afternoon, our journey concludes in the San Francisco area with time to unwind before a celebratory Farewell Dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 9: Fly HomeWe return home with fond memories of our dreamy coastal California getaway.
What's Included
All Accommodations
- 2 nights at Hyatt Regency San Francisco Downtown SOMA
- 1 night at Embassy Suites Sacramento Riverfront Promenade
- 2 nights at Hampton Inn Oakhurst-Yosemite
- 2 nights near Monterey
- 1 night at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel San Francisco Airport
Attractions & Highlights
- San Francisco guided city tour, historic cable car ride & Fisherman's Wharf
- Sacramento farm-to-fork food tour
- Castello di Amorosa winery tour with tasting
- Kennedy Gold Mine & gold panning
- California State Railroad Museum
- Yosemite National Park feat. Mariposa Grove hike & Yosemite Valley tour
- Casa de Fruta
- Castle Air Museum
- Monterey Bay Aquarium
- Time at leisure in Monterey
- Whale-watching cruise in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
- Roaring Camp Railroads
10 Excellent Meals
- Welcome Dinner in Sausalito
- Lunch in Napa Valley
- Farewell Dinner in Burlingame
Learn more about what's included with the Holiday Advantage.
Birmingham - Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport