The Big Sur, Yosemite & San Diego Adventure

Fly Direct from London Heathrow to San Francisco with Virgin or the airline of your choice.
Arrive San Francisco early afternoon and take a taxi from the airport to your hotel (approx. 40 mins) where you will be spending the next three nights.

The ‘City by the Bay’ as it’s known is arguably the most friendly and beautiful in America, with so much to see and do for the whole family – and you have two whole days to do it all! Start by taking a tour of the city, or hire bikes and cycle over the famous Golden Gate Bridge. Take one of the city’s iconic cable cars down to Fisherman’s Wharf, a buzzing coastal area packed with markets, shops and restaurants and home to the city’s playful resident sealions at Pier 39! You won’t want to miss visiting Alcatraz – the infamous island prison once home to the notorious Al Capone, a short boat ride across the bay.

After breakfast, collect your hire car and head east to Yosemite National Park. As you drive through the stunning Yosemite Valley, you will marvel at one of the world’s most amazing geological spectacles complete with 3000ft cliffs, incredible waterfalls, and tree lined grassy meadows. There’s plenty to keep the younger members of the family mesmerised along the way, with a game of eye spy deer, coyotes and even black bears!

With three nights and two full days to explore the jewel of the Californian wilderness take a leisurely drive, shuttle bus or hike through the park to view the seemingly endless awe inspiring scenery, including the famous El Capitan – an impressive vertical rock formation, Bridalveil Falls and Half Dome. Take the family off of the beaten track on a ranger led hike, or hire bikes to take you around one of the bicycle paths on the valley floor. For the more adventurous you could join a horseback trip through the park, or learn to scale the cliffs on one of the supervised rock climbing experiences.

Leaving Yosemite, you will today be heading further south to Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park. Your journey down the San Joaquin Valley will take you through several towns, home to many an ice cream parlour, and a perfect place to break your journey en route.

Sequoia and kings Canyon National Parks are home to the largest groves of giant sequoias in the Sierra Nevada. The gargantuan size of these trees is truly mind blowing, and an experience that even the youngest of travellers will never forget. Keep your eyed peeled for bears and deer who reside in parks’ miles of wild habitat.

Along the way, The Giant Forest Museum offers visitors the opportunity to learn about the lifecycle of the Sequoias. Leave plenty of time to see Kings Canyon, with its maze-like canyons and lakes. Keep the whole family entertained with many ‘outdoorsy’ activities, including fishing, canoeing and kayaking.

You’ll need to make an early start today as you have a longer journey towards the bright lights and excitement of Los Angeles. Take the opportunity to break your journey in the town of Bakersfield, the unlikely home to one of the liveliest country music scenes in the USA! Arrive Los Angeles late afternoon, in time to check into your hotel which will be the base for your action packed 4 night stay in this amazing city.

Otherwise known as the ‘City of Angels’, Los Angeles is the undisputed entertainment capital of the world and is home to countless exciting attractions including: Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, Universal Studios Hollywood – now home to the unmissable Wizarding World of Harry Potter, City Walk, Dodger Stadium, Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, Disney Studios, Knotts Berry Farm, Warner Brothers Studios, and of course the home to the stars – Beverly Hills (to name a few!). It truly is a playground for both the kids, and the kids at heart!

Depart Los Angeles this morning after breakfast, and get ready for sun, sand and SeaWorld! As you arrive in the beautiful city of San Diego, just 30 minutes north of the Mexican border, you’ll be immersed in a hub of Mexican-American culture. The Old Town preserves the areas rich Spanish-American heritage, while downtown supports theatres, great shopping and exciting nightlife.

Don’t miss the world famous San Diego Zoo situated in the true oasis of Balboa Park, which along with Mission Park’s SeaWorld, and Legoland, and not to mention the endless white sandy beaches, make San Diego the perfect paradise for the whole family.

After two action packed weeks, it’s time to relax on the stunning Californian coastline. Enjoy some good food, drink some popular Santa Ynez Valley wine, and unwind on the palm tree lined beaches of Santa Barbara.

Think Monterey, think family picnics on gorgeous, uncrowded beaches and jaw-dropping views of beautiful coastline. The town is full of seafood restaurants; make sure to try the famous clam chowder at Fisherman’s Wharf! Nature buffs can explore the bay by kayak for a close-up look at sea lions, seals and otters. Monterey is an ideal destination to go whale-watching and the Monterey Bay Aquarium is a must for children of all ages.

After breakfast and time for some last minute souvenir shopping in Monterey, you will head a little further north to San Francisco airport to drop off your car and board your overnight flight home.