Contact Info
- Toll-Free:
- 888-454-8828
- Phone 2:
- 801-487-7200
Basics
- Activity Type:
- Sightseeing
Description
Discover the many treasures that lie along the Gold Coast with Tauck on a California travel adventure. Experience the rugged natural beauty of Yosemite National Park and the spectacular coastal vistas along the incomparable Pacific Coast Highway. Enjoy the allure and glamour of city life in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where sightseeing includes Nob Hill, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the magnificent J. Paul Getty Museum. Unique Tauck experiences include a rail journey from Los Angeles to San Diego; a visit to the extraordinary wineries of the Sonoma Valley; and visits to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Hearst Castle, and the fascinating San Diego Zoo. California travel with Tauck also includes the very finest hotels each night, from award-winning city properties to luxurious coastal resorts.
Details
Departure Location:
Return Location:
Hotel Info:
Night 1 & 2: The Argent Hotel - San Francisco, California
Located in the increasingly chic ‘South of Market’ district of San Francisco and just two blocks from famed Union Square, The Argent Hotel is surrounded by some of the city’s most notable sites and is a convenient walk away from cable cars and trolleys. It is the blending of the design, art and craft that makes the interior of The Argent Hotel unique. When entering The Argent, the marble foyer leads you to the hotel's elegant lobby. Rich woodwork, gold leaf domes, and an amazing art collection can be found throughout the hotel. The Argent's own artwork includes more than 30 pieces of original art, including images and sculpture from well-known artists like David Hockney, and Roy Lichtenstein. Tauck guests enjoy rooms on the upper floors of the hotel with great views; guestrooms feature floor to ceiling windows, contemporary custom interiors, three telephones with voicemail, full-size desks, remote-controlled color cable television, reading lamps for nighttime needs, warm feather comforters, and luxurious Gilchrist & Soames Spa Line amenities including conditioning shampoo and body lotion.Night 3 & 4: The Ahwahnee - Yosemite National Park, California
Designated a National Historic Landmark, baronial The Ahwahnee enjoys a superb location in the heart of Yosemite National Park. Ahwahnee rooms feature comfortable furnishings including upholstered chairs, televisions, refrigerators, bathrobes, hair dryers and bath amenities. Each room is accented with original Native American designs. The Ahwahnee provides concierge service, bell service, turn-down service, room service, daily in-room ice service and afternoon tea served in the Great Lounge. The Ahwahnee Dining Room, Great Lounge and Solarium are just steps away from any guests' door. The hotel also features a unique gift shop, The Ahwahnee Lounge, swimming pool, and a vast lawn. Evening activities include enlightening interpretive slide presentations.Night 5 & 6: Hotel Pacific - Monterey, California
Situated in the heart of charming Monterey, this all-suite, AAA 4-diamond hotel is just a 10-minute walk away from John Steinbeck’s beloved Cannery Row and is close to other notable sites, such as the famed Monterey Aquarium and Fisherman’s Wharf. This atmospheric hotel captures the flavor of California in its architecture, art and imaginative decor. Modern interiors, fountains and gardens blend into a graceful Spanish-style motif, indulging the senses. Unique among luxury Monterey hotels, each suite is enhanced with separate living and dining areas, a fireplace, wet bar, French doors, goose down feather bed and hardwood floors. Guestroom amenities include Aveda products and custom made soaps, high-speed DSL Internet service, CD players, in-room coffee makers and robes. Each spacious suite is tastefully furnished with original works of art and custom furniture.Night 7: The Cliffs Resort - Shell Beach, California
Perched high on a cliff overlooking the blue Pacific midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, the Cliffs Resort is an undiscovered gem on the dramatic central California coast. It offers comfortable, over-sized guest rooms, attentive service and stunning ocean views from the heated terrace surrounding the pool. A multi-million dollar renovation is felt throughout the resort. Guestrooms include a genuine Italian marble bathroom, sitting area, concierge / activities desk, business center, coffee/tea maker, iron / ironing board, clock radio, voicemail, 27-inch television, premium cable, SpectraVision, and PlayStation. Leisure amenities include a heated pool with a stunning ocean view (with wireless Internet access, pool-side), Jacuzzis, a sauna. an ocean-view fitness center complete with cycles, elliptical trainers, rowing units, cardio machines, and locker rooms with showers. The resort has massage therapists on staff, so you can enjoy everything from a soothing Swedish Massage to an invigorating Sports Massage. Dining is complemented by the tasty creations at the Sea Cliffs Restaurant & Lounge. Winner of the “Best Of San Luis Obispo” and other coveted awards, the Sea Cliffs Restaurant features innovative chef's creations every evening.Night 8: Hyatt Regency Century Plaza and Spa - Los Angeles, California
The legendary Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel and Spa has been a preferred address for both movie stars and presidents for over 30 years. Located adjacent to the glamour and excitment of Beverly Hills on the Avenue of the Stars, it is in the midst of Century City, a hub for the entertainment industry. Seven beautifully landscaped acres surround this lovely hotel. Guestrooms include a private balcony that welcomes you with panoramic Los Angeles or Beverly Hills views, adjacent to a spacious room with contemporary decor, wireless Internet access, marble bath with full spa products, soft bathrobes, and two double Grand Beds with ultra-plush pillows, the softest of sheeting and thick down blankets, all piled upon irresistible pillow-top mattresses.Night 9 & 10: Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina - San Diego, California
The Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina enjoys a lovely location on Harbor Island overlooking San Diego Bay. All guestrooms feature the Sheraton SweetSleeper™ Bed, private balcony or patio, oversized writing desk with ergonomic desk chair, iron / ironning board, and hairdryer. Hotel leisure amenities include a spa, fitness center, four lighted tennis courts, health club, three year-round pools with great views of the marina, jogging trails and a basketball court. Enjoy a selection of four restaurants, a poolside snack bar, and a sports bar.Additional Details:
Day 1 - Arrive San Francisco
California travel, Tauck style begins at The Argent Hotel, San Francisco at 5:30 PM. San Francisco, the beautiful city-by-the-bay, wins awards year after year as the “world's favorite city” - from the cultural arts to intriguing architecture and diverse cuisine, discover what makes this city special. Join us tonight for a welcome reception and dinner.
Meals: Dinner
Lodging: The Argent Hotel, San Francisco, CA
Day 2 - Head to the wineries of the Sonoma Valley
This morning get a taste of what this exciting city has to offer with a brief sightseeing tour that includes Nob Hill, Chinatown and Fisherman's Wharf. Head over the Golden Gate Bridge to the Sonoma Valley and a day exploring some of the world’s finest vineyards. Enjoy a winery tour and a wine tasting before returning to San Francisco mid-afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Lodging: The Argent Hotel, San Francisco, CA
Day 3 - Gold!
Today in the Gold Country of California travel through the communities created during the boom years of the 1840s and 50s. Enjoy lunch in the historic town of Columbia before traveling into the Sierra Nevada Mountains to Yosemite National Park.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: The Ahwahnee, Yosemite National Park, CA
Day 4 - A national treasure - Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park's unequaled splendors range from magnificent waterfalls to spectacular glacier-hewn gorges, and represent five of the seven life zones found in North America, all in an area about the size of Rhode Island. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is yours to explore as you please for the day.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: The Ahwahnee, Yosemite National Park, CA
Day 5 - Monterey and the 17-Mile Drive
En route to the California coast travel through the farmland of the San Joaquin Valley to the beautiful and historic coastal city of Monterey. Travel the 17-Mile Drive through Del Monte Forest to Cypress Point. Your exquisite hotel is situated within walking distance of Monterey’s famed Cannery Row and Fisherman’s Wharf.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Hotel Pacific, Monterey, CA
Day 6 - What's under the Pacific - Monterey Bay Aquarium
View the underwater world at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, home to 200 award-winning galleries and exhibits. Following your visit, the rest of the day is spent exploring as you please.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Hotel Pacific, Monterey, CA
Day 7 - A day of drama - Big Sur and Hearst Castle
Tauck's California travel expertise takes you on one of the most scenic drives in North America along Pacific Coast Highway 1. View the rugged coastline of Big Sur as the dramatic road weaves its way southward along the Pacific Ocean. Stop along the way to marvel at the elaborate adornments of Hearst Castle, the grandiose, 'study in excess' estate of publisher William Randolph Hearst.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: The Cliffs Resort, Shell Beach, CA
Day 8 - Get ready for your close-up in Los Angeles
From Santa Barbara, California travel to Los Angeles, one of the world's great entertainment capitals. Visit the magnificent J. Paul Getty Museum, featuring an extensive collection of pre-20th century European art and sculpture, before arriving at your hotel, adjacent to Beverly Hills in L.A.’s chic Westside.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Hyatt Regency Century Plaza, Los Angeles, CA
Day 9 - California travel dreamin' - a Scenic Rail Journey
After some free time in San Juan Capistrano, board the Pacific Surfliner for a scenic rail journey along the Pacific Coast; before arriving in southern California through Del Mar, Encinitas, and Cardiff-by-the-Sea to San Diego. A brief tour introduces you to this vibrant city, which grew from Spanish California’s first mission
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina, San Diego, CA
Day 10 - Private Visit, San Diego Zoo
Enjoy a private insider’s tour of the world’s largest zoo, the San Diego Zoo, featuring more than 4,000 animals. The afternoon is free for you to spend in San Diego as you please. Reminisce about your California travel adventure over a farewell reception and dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina, San Diego, CA
Day 11 - Journey Home
California travel with Tauck ends in San Diego. Fly home anytime. A transfer to the airport is included; checkout time is 12:00 PM. Allow a minimum of two hours for flight check-in.
Meals: Breakfast




