Coastal California Self-Drive

11 days
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Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Over the years, countless films, photographs and guide books have attempted to capture the size, beauty and diversity of California. But nothing lives up to the reality of driving along the state’s winding coastline, gazing out over Yosemite Valley from Glacier Point, cycling across the Golden Gate Bridge or spotting your favourite celebrity’s star on the Hol...
From$3,460
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Overview

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

What's this trip about?

    Over the years, countless films, photographs and guide books have attempted to capture the size, beauty and diversity of California. But nothing lives up to the reality of driving along the state’s winding coastline, gazing out over Yosemite Valley from Glacier Point, cycling across the Golden Gate Bridge or spotting your favourite celebrity’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. From the towering redwoods and fruitful vineyards of the north to the golden beaches and relaxed surfer lifestyle of the south, our specialists will help you plan your trip to California so you can uncover the state’s many sides. We visit the region regularly – particularly behind the wheel of a car – and will plan your ideal trip to California around your personal tastes and interests.

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIntimate group - 12 max
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CitySan Francisco
End CityLos Angeles

Travel Themes

  • High Adventure
  • National Parks
  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Relaxing Retreats

Destinations

Attractions

  • California
  • Golden Gate Bridge
  • Los Angeles
  • San Francisco
  • Santa Barbara
  • Santa Cruz Island

Activities

  • Culture
  • History
  • Mountaineering
  • Nature
  • Relaxing Retreat
  • Whale watching

View Similar Trips

Itinerary

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 remain...

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...

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...

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, be...

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.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,460
Price per day$315
Last Updated: 0/12/2022

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Audley Travel.

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.

Audley Travel Reviews & Ratings

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Audley Travel

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Our trips don’t come off the shelf. There’s no set recipe. Each itinerary is tailor-made down to the finest detail, built around your tastes and interests. Quite simply, we listen to what you want and then carefully design an individual trip to match, working to your budget and with an absolute commitment to quality.

We have experts for each and every one of our destinations, with the knowledge that comes from having visited many times or even lived there. Our specialists will design a trip around you, show you the highlights from a different angle, and introduce you to places and experiences that others might miss.

Our flexibility promise

As the world adjusts to travel in times of uncertainty, we want you to be able to look ahead to your next trip knowing you can change your plans if needed. And, with specialists who are experts in their destinations and remain your single point of contact before and while you travel, we promise you can book with us in absolute confidence.

Our flexibility promise

Change your plans free of charge up to 30 days before departure

We’ll move your travel dates or switch the value of your booked trip to another destination at no expense to you up to 30 days before you’re due to depart. You’ll receive a 100% travel credit equivalent to the amount you paid toward your original booking.

Valid for new bookings made on or before October 31, 2020, for travel by Dec. 31, 2021. Travel dates may be moved to departures up to December 31, 2022. Excludes select cruises and airfare. Additional charges may be incurred based on changes to your trip such as accommodation and/or seasonality.

Full-refund guarantee on trips close to home

14-day cancellation policy for trips to the US, Canada or Caribbean

We want to help you navigate the uncertainty that remains around travel by giving you the flexibility to book a trip to any of our destinations in the United States, Canada or the Caribbean this year in complete confidence. With our 14-day cancellation policy, you can cancel your trip up to two weeks before you’re due to depart for any reason and receive a full refund, when you book your trip on or before October 31, 2020 for travel before December 14, 2021**.

Valid on new bookings within the US, Canada or Caribbean made on or before October 31, 2020 for travel by December 14, 2021. Certain policy variations may apply dependent on property selection and dates. Specific details will be provided by your specialist. Any portion of a new booking paid with an existing travel credit will be refunded in the form of a travel credit. Excludes flights and select properties.

 

Set your travel plans in motion with a video appointment

 

Talking face to face with your specialist can be an invaluable starting point for sharing thoughts and ideas as you begin to imagine your next trip. You can take as much time as you need to speak to your specialist and discuss all your plans with one of our video appointments. Just think of it as your own personal webinar — your specialist will share a wealth of insight, aided by images, maps and other visuals, to inspire you and provide advice for your trip, based on what you want to experience.

It's easy to arrange

  • Book a video appointment (we’ll ask you for a few details about your travel plans).
  • One of our specialists, who’s an expert in your chosen destination, will get in touch to arrange a time and date to suit you. If your travel companions are in different households, we’ll invite them to join, too, so you can all chat together.
  • Your specialist will send you a link to your video appointment by email. We suggest using a computer or laptop, which means there’s no software to download.
  • Settle down with a drink, click on the link to join the appointment and your specialist will be there to welcome you.
 

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Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
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Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
Trip ID
audley-audley-travel-40010

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