Coastal California Self-Drive

Day 1: San Francisco

Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to San Francisco. Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to San Francisco. On arrival in San Francisco make your own way to your downtown hotel. The remainder of the day is free to relax after your flight. You could begin to explore the city, perhaps taking a stroll in Golden Gate Park or exploring the brightly decorated streets of Chinatown.

Day 2: San Francisco

Today you are booked on a tour of the legendary Alcatraz prison. The ferry to Alcatraz Island leaves from Fisherman's Wharf. After you arrive you will walk around the prison with your own personal headsets (with voice overs from real ex-inmates) that tell you all about the history.

Day 3: San Francisco

Another day to enjoy The City by the Bay. I would recommend cycling from Fisherman's Wharf across the Golden Gate Bridge today. Cycle across the bridge to the beautiful small town of Sausalito, have lunch there and catch the ferry across the bay back to Fisherman's Wharf.

Day 4: Monterey

This morning, pick up your rental car. Your first drive of the trip is a simple two hour journey out of the city suburbs along the Pacific Coast Highway, through the undulating Santa Cruz Mountains and along the coastal highway to Monterey. The remainder of the day is free to explore the town at leisure; we can particularly recommend the scenic coastal drive around 17 Mile Drive, which passes through the pretty town of Carmel with its gated mansions and boutique shops.

Day 5: Monterey

Today you'll make your own way to the marina where you'll embark on an exciting three hour small group whale watching expedition. The area becomes a feeding ground for blue whales, Risso’s dolphins, humpback whales, northern right whale dolphins and orcas. The rest of the day is yours to explore Monterey - you could visit the aquarium, which has a big focus on marine conservation and features interactive exhibits about the area's marine life, or you could browse the shops, galleries and restaurants of historic Cannery Row.

Day 6: Pismo Beach

Departing Monterey, drive around three hours south along the beautiful Pacific Coast Highway, past small villages and along cliff edges to Pismo Beach. Spend the afternoon at leisure strolling the beach area or relaxing by the pool.

Day 7: Los Angeles

Complete your journey with a three hour drive south to Los Angeles. En route, visit the beautiful Spanish mission town of Santa Barbara and sample wines at one of the vineyards that dot the area. Continue to Los Angeles, where you'll drop your car off at the depot, before making your own way to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to start exploring the city - you could pay a visit to the Griffith Observatory in the Hollywood Hills for views over the city and its famous Hollywood sign.

Day 8 Los Angeles

Today you can explore Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Santa Monica. Enjoy exploring the star's names on the Walk of Fame, do some shopping on Rodeo Drive or relax on the beautiful Santa Monica beach.

Day 9: Los Angeles

Tickets to go to Warner Brother Studios are included for today! Enjoy seeing where the magic of Hollywood is created at the world's busiest movie studio!

Day 10: International return flight

There's time this morning for some last-minute shopping and sightseeing before making your own way to the airport in time for your onward flight.

Day 11: International return flight

Arrive home today to complete your journey.