3-Day California Coast Tour: Santa Barbara, San Francisco and Yosemite

Take this 3-day tour from Los Angeles to see some of the top attractions in central and northern California! Travel in a comfortable van or motorcoach, and enjoy the spectacular coastline as you make stops in Santa Barbara, Solvang and Carmel. You'll then head to San Francisco for an overnight stay and a comprehensive tour of the beautiful City by the Bay.

In San Francisco, take a bay cruise past Alcatraz Island and under the Golden Gate Bridge, and the enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city’s top attractions, including Union square, Chinatown and Nob Hill!

Your next stop depends on the season. In the summer, you’ll head to Yosemite National Park; in the winter, when mountain roads are closed, you’ll visit Hearst Castle (beginning November 1). Both places offer plenty to see — in Yosemite, gaze in awe at the 1,200 square miles (3,100 sq km) of forests, lakes and waterfalls protected in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, or at Hearst Castle, be amazed by the majestic former residence of William Randolph Hearst.

See the Itinerary field below for details on each day of the tour.

Day 1: Monday – Los Angeles – Santa Barbara – 17 Mile Drive - Carmel

Depart north up the spectacular California Coast to the first stop in Santa Barbara. Visit a Spanish Mission and learn how these religious outposts were key in the development of the entire region. Continue to Solvang, a quaint Danish community to browse in the local shops. The tour then heads north to world famous 17-mile drive (part of route 1) where you will see the spectacular California coast line up close.

Next, visit the town of Carmel home to the actor Clint Eastwood. Enjoy some free time to stroll through town before heading on to Silicon Valley for overnight. Overnight: Santa Clara – La Quinta Inn & Suites or similar.

Day 2: Tuesday – San Francisco – Bay Cruise – Golden Gate Bridge - Chinatown

See why San Francisco is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The tour starts at Fisherman’s Wharf with a cruise in the world famous bay, under the Golden Gate Bridge and around the notorious Alcatraz Island. Return to Pier 39 for a leisurely lunch (on your own) before an afternoon tour that takes in all the city’s famous landmarks, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Union Square, Chinatown and Nob Hill. Your tour concludes for the day with a night view ofthe city from the Bay Bridge. Overnight: Modesto – Park Inn Hotel (In Winter Monterey/Holiday Inn hotel) or similar.

Day 3: Wednesday – San Francisco – Yosemite – Los Angeles

During the summer the tour heads east through the farmlands of the Joaquin Valley to Yosemite National Park. This 1,200 square mile wonderland of forests, lakes and waterfalls is located in the Sierra Nevada. Stop at El Capitan, Bridal-Veil Falls, and Half Dome to continue for a walk from the Yosemite Visitor Center to reach one of the highest waterfalls in North America (730 meters) Yosemite Falls.

During the winter the tour starts the day with a tour of Monterrey to include the wharf and Cannery Row. Then the tour will depart south to visit the world famous Hearst Castle. Built by the newspaper baron William Randolph Hearst, tours the famous house filled with antiques and see why the castle served as a playground for the rich and famous for the first half of the 20th century.

In the evening, drive back to return to Los Angeles.