Highlights of Northern California

10 days
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Self-Guided / Independent Tour
You might not always stand up as soon as your plane lands, but you will on this trip! This unforgettable road trip through Northern California is so good, you won't want to waste a moment. Start your adventure in the City by the Bay - San Francisco! From the Golden Gate to Alcatraz Island to the hustle and bustle of the Castro, this historic city has somethi...
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Overview

Trip type
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

What's this trip about?

    You might not always stand up as soon as your plane lands, but you will on this trip! This unforgettable road trip through Northern California is so good, you won't want to waste a moment. Start your adventure in the City by the Bay - San Francisco! From the Golden Gate to Alcatraz Island to the hustle and bustle of the Castro, this historic city has something exciting around every corner. After your time in SF, you'll set your course for the Sonoma Valley. Sonoma Valley's scenic backroads and expansive array of excellent wines are every wine-lover's dream. Be your own sommelier for a day and treat yourself to a winery tour or two before moving on to the crisp air of the Sierra Nevadas. Your next stop will be in South Lake Tahoe for all your favorite outdoor activities. Lake Tahoe is the perfect place to play all day and party all night. After an invigorating stay, you'll head for one of the world's most famous national parks: Yosemite.  Two nights in Yosemite will stir up your hunger for outdoor adventure. Take on the excellent hiking and irresistible views of the area. Picturesque year-round, Yosemite is impossible not to love. Your road trip will come full-circle upon your return to San Francisco. Use your final night to dive into any last-minute sightseeing or souvenir shopping that piques your interest. 

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIndependent
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transport
Start CitySan Francisco
End CityCalifornia

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Culinary & Wine

Destinations

Activities

  • Culture
  • Independent

Trip includes

    • Round-trip economy class airfare to San Francisco (SFO)
    • Automatic rental car for the duration of your trip Pick up and drop off at SFO 2 nights in San Francisco at The Park Central, or similar
    • 2 nights in Sonoma (Rohnert Park) at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Sonoma Wine Country, or similar
    • 2 nights in South Lake Tahoe at the Tahoe Lakeshore Lodge & Spa, or similar
    • 2 nights in the Yosemite National Park area at the Yosemite View Lodge, or similar
    • 1 night in San Francisco at The Park Central, or similar
    • Detailed day-by-day itinerary with trip highlights, hotel information, local guides, maps and driving directions

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Itinerary

Day 1 Welcome to San Francisco!

Congratulations! You've officially made it to the coolest place on Earth! Slide on your sunglasses and buckle up: this is going to be the road trip of a lifetime.

The Bay Area has a legendary culinary scene, so show up hungry! Dig into your adventure with...

Day 2 San Francisco

Wake up early so you can fill your day with sightseeing! The City by the Bay is packed with things to enchant every traveler - the Painted Ladies on Steiner Street, the vintage clothing boutiques in Haight-Ashbury, the sea lions at Pier 39, cable cars, Alcatraz...

Day 3 San Francisco - Sonoma

Only about 30 miles from San Francisco, Sonoma County never fails to impress. Boasting 50 miles of Pacific coastline, 40+ spas and wellness centers, and over 425 beautiful wineries, the Sonoma Valley abounds in relaxation and rejuvenation. For a scenic drive fr...

Day 4 Sonoma

Welcome to wine country! If you're looking for gourmet farm-to-table dining, state parks, and wine tastings galore, you're in the right place.

Sonoma County is speckled with farming towns and vineyards which belong to 5th generation growers. Here, 47 idyl...

Day 5 Sonoma - South Lake Tahoe

The Sierra Nevadas are calling! The trip from Sonoma to Lake Tahoe is about 3 hours, so make the most of your drive with a stop at the Jelly Belly Factory in Fairfield. Treat yourself to a self-guided factory tour to see how the candy is made and snack on a few...

Day 6 South Lake Tahoe

This mountain town is the perfect place to unwind outside. Spend your day in the sun on the lake, biking mountain trails, or hopping from boutique to boutique. When the sun goes down, move the party inside! Tahoe has a great live music scene, world-class casinos, and restaurants that will blow you away.

Day 7 South Lake Tahoe - Yosemite National Park

What can be said about Yosemite (pronounced yoh-sem-it-ee) except "wow?" This UNESCO-listed national park sits in a glacier-carved valley in the Sierra Nevadas. You'll find soaring sequoia trees, America's tallest waterfall, and dreamy hiking trails through thi...

Day 8 Yosemite National Park

Start your day nice and early so you can pack adventure into every hour of daylight! 

There are five entrances to the park, so it's a great idea to plan your day before you arrive. There are trails for every hiker, so check out the features of each trail ...

Day 9 Yosemite National Park - San Francisco

It's time to embark on the 3-hour trip back to San Francisco. If you want to do a little more SF sightseeing, Highway 120 is often the quickest route. 

Upon your return, consider treating yourself to an evening in the theatre district or a dinner cruise on the Bay!

Day 10 Depart California

It had to happen eventually: today, your Nothern California dreamin' comes to an end. Drop your rental car at the airport, board your flight home, and say "see ya next time!" to the Golden State.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $2,351
Price per day$235
Last Updated: 4/18/2024

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Great Value Vacations.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Trip ID
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