Grand Tour of California
15 DAYS Starting from $6,990 per person
From snowcapped peaks to sweltering deserts and pristine coastlines to glitzy marinas, you’ll taste the incredible diversity of the Golden State on this unforgettable 15-day California Grand Tour. Start with a sprinkling of stardust and beachsand in Los Angeles before following the Pacific Coast Highway north, taking in the charming Spanish mission town of Santa Barbara, the upscale Central Coast wine region, and pristine Big Sur. After ticking irresistible San Francisco off the bucket list, you’ll venture inland to experience both big name destinations like peerless Yosemite and otherworldly Death Valley and under-the-radar gems like Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest (home to the world’s oldest living trees) and the alien landscapes of Mono Lake.
Trip at a Glance
HIGHLIGHTS
- Enjoy a lazy-days cycle tour of two of LA’s hottest beaches and an insider’s guide to Hollywood and Koreatown.
- Really get to know charming Santa Barbara, whose Spanish colonial history, immaculate botanical gardens and laidback beach vibes melt into one irresistible package.
- Dust off the spittoon (or not!) on a sommelier-led tour of the Central Coast wine region, a magnet for global conoisseurs of Pinot Noir.
- Uncover the secrets of one of America’s most storied tycoons with a guided tour of dramatic Hearst Castle, the palatial clifftop residence built by William Randolph Hearst.
- Press ‘pause’ in pristine Big Sur, the forgotten-by-time oceanside paradise punctuated by “big elbows of Rock rising everywhere” (Kerouac’s words).
- Experience the best of San Francisco, touring Little Italy and Chinatown with a local guide and cycling across the iconic Golden Gate Bridge before returning to the city on a sunset cruise.
- Explore the fabled Yosemite Valley by car and on foot. Embark upon an epic guided trek through this spectacular Park, and enjoy a picnic surrounded by wildflowers.
- Experience the contrasting ecosystems of briny Mono Lake (a surreal way station for migratory birds) and picture-postcard June Lake on a drive down Highway 395, considered one of America’s best road trip routes.
- Get up close and personal with the oldest living trees on the planet at Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, an off-the-beaten-path gem of a State Park.
- Spend two full days exploring the otherworldly desert landscapes of Death Valley, getting to know the geology and history of the lowest point in North America and the hottest place on the planet.
- Have the freedom of your own rental car but also enjoy the benefits of being shown around each destination by genuine experts.
- Marvel at the stunning Monterey Bay, known the world over for its award-winning aquarium and iconic Cannery Row.
Related Tours
Mountains, Deserts and Moonscapes
8 days starting from $4,290 per person
Pacific Coast Highway Adventure
8 days starting from $3,490 per person
Yosemite & Trekking the John Muir Trail
8 days starting from $4,690 per person
“Excellent trip to Machu Picchu, highly recommended”
— Mitchell Hall
6 days ago
“Yes, SA is actually THAT good:)We just returned from a 2-week trip to South America and it was absolutely incredible in every way.Transitions were seamless and every person we met along our journey was far beyond gracious and kind. The guided...”
— Chris Nelson
9 days ago
“SA Expeditions was phenomenal to work and plan my trip to Patagonia. It was my first time traveling solo and I had no idea where to start. They handled everything from domestic flights, drivers, hotel bookings, etc. and were familiar with each...”
— Cindy Lou
10 days ago
“We had a trip to South America all planned out on our own, when the operator (not SA) cancelled at the last second. I reached out to Jackie at SA on Sunday, and we had a new itinerary figured out on Monday, and we departed on Wednesday. We did the...”
— Stan Turner
07 Nov, 2024
“My husband and I used SA Expeditions to book our honeymoon trip to Greece. It was a bucket list trip for us and the itinerary Jackie put together for us delivered! The entire trip went so smoothly, from airport transfers to hotel check-ins and...”
— Stephanie Brennan
01 Nov, 2024
“I traveled through SA Expeditions to Peru and Ecuador in October 2024.I worked with Mikey to make all of the arrangements and I could not have had a better experience both with the planning and the trip. The SA guides and drivers were so...”
— Mary Lou Nexsen
30 Oct, 2024
“Top notch experience from start to finish. We booked a Peru trip two weeks prior to departure and the team executed flawlessly with our tight deadline. From airport pickups to transfers to tours, every staff member was on time, friendly...”
— Lisa Farinetti
22 Oct, 2024
“SA Expeditions organized a seamless trip for me to patagonia and the W trek. It went off without a hitch. My coordinator, Mikey, was very knowledgeable and so patient with all my questions and concerns about traveling. I would highly recommend...”
— Stoneman
17 Oct, 2024
“Loved working with Jackie and the outstanding crew at SA plus all the great guided on the ground in India. Yes, we saw Riddhi the tigress also!”
— Randy Lewis
15 Oct, 2024
“A fantastic adventure from beginning to end! The beauty and spectacle of the trail and ruins was only matched by the coordination and execution of the trip. Hats off to our guide Evert Quispe who was as accommodating as he was knowledgeable. Our...”
— Charles Pugh
09 Oct, 2024