Itinerary
- Arrive in San Francisco, CA
- Day: 1
- 0 miles | 0 Km*
Arrive at the airport, pick-up rental car and proceed to the hotel. San Francisco is one of the most beautiful cities in the US. It’s a compact and approachable place, where downtown streets rise on impossible gradients to reveal stunning views of the city, the bay and beyond. San Francisco is culturally vibrant and ethnically diverse; as a result, it has evolved into the urban jewel of California’s coast. Very typical for this city are the cable cars and rows of elaborate redwood Victorian-Style houses. Curiously, it contains the biggest China Town outside China.
Accommodations:
(STD) Whitcomb Hotel or similar (3 nights).
(SUP) Pickwick Hotel or similar (3 nights).
- San Francisco, CA
- Day: 2
- 0 miles | 0 Km*
Today, you are free to enjoy the many sights and sounds of San Francisco. Take a cable car ride from Fisherman’s Wharf. Another major attraction is Alcatraz, a small island located in the middle of San Francisco Bay. It served as lighthouse, a military fortification, and finally as a federal prison until 1963. The rangers give excellent guided tours detailing the history and legends surrounding “The Rock.” Spend the day in Golden Gate Park. Golden Gate Park offers dozens of fun things to do. Top sights are the Conservatory of Flowers and the Japanese Tea Garden. Don’t miss the local resident buffalo herd. This evening dine in one of San Francisco’s many distinctive neighborhoods. From Chinatown to the very Italian flavored North Beach, each offers its own distinctive culture and cuisine. This evening, explore Chinatown, along its streets, exotic ingredients are sold, silks and jade are tendered, and wonderful native food can be found at the many restaurants.
- San Francisco, CA
- Day: 3
- 0 miles | 0 Km*
Visit the dramatic curves of Lombard Street, one of San Francisco’s most photographed sites. The beautifully landscaped, one-block descent from Hyde Street to Leavenworth Street, has given Lombard the title of “crookedest street in the world.” At the intersection of Hyde and Lombard, a cable car route provides spectacular views of Alcatraz, Angel Island, Coit Tower, Yerba Buena Island and the Bay Bridge. Stop by the Wharf which offers unobstructed views of infamous Alcatraz Island and consists of a long, coast-side row of seafood restaurants, street vendors and entertainers, souvenir stores, and beautiful ocean scenery. Spend some time in Golden Gate Park; it offers dozens of fun things to do. Top sights are the Conservatory of Flowers and the Japanese Tea Garden. Don’t miss the local resident buffalo herd. This evening dine in one of San Francisco’s many distinctive neighborhoods like the very Italian flavored North Beach, each offers its own distinctive culture and cuisine.
- San Francisco – Napa Valley, CA
- Day: 4
- 47 miles | 75.623 Km*
Leave the bustle of San Francisco behind and head north to one of the premier travel destinations in the world, Napa Valley. Breathtaking views abound at every turn, mustard in the late winter, picturesque rolling hills planted with vineyards year-round and wineries of every stature dot the landscape. Whether you are wine tasting, dining at a renowned restaurant, pampering yourself at a spa, or just enjoying your stay at a quaint bed & breakfast, Napa Valley is a spot of heaven on earth. A unique experience can be found on the Wine Train, which tours the Napa wine making region aboard elegant Pullman lounge and dining cars. Or, for unforgettable views of the valley treat yourself to a majestic hot air ballooning experience. Visit Historic Napa Mill in Downtown Napa. Here you can find a collection of award-winning restaurants, shops, and a fine arts gallery.
Accommodations:
(STD) Best Western Sonoma Valley Inn or similar (1 night).
(SUP) Marriott Napa Valley or similar (1 night).
- Napa – Sacramento – 49er Trail/Dutch Flat – Lake Tahoe, CA
- Day: 5
- 164 miles | 263.876 Km*
Depart Napa and continue your journey to Sacramento, the capital of the state of California. Originally established as a supply town for gold miners who were prospecting the nearby areas, modern-day Sacramento is the hub of commerce for the central valley area and holds center stage in politics for the state of California. Visit Old Sacramento. Stepping foot into Old Sacramento is like traveling back in time to California’s Gold Rush era. On any given day, you will see the dirt being kicked up from the hooves of a horse drawing a carriage down the cobblestone streets. Wide and creaky wooden walkways lead up to restored buildings that used to house hotels, saloons and bathhouses. Now these structures are home to a myriad of shops, restaurants and bars entertaining the more than five million visitors to this State Historical Park. Following the 49er Trail takes you to Dutch Flat, a community settled in 1851 by a group of German miners. Millions in gold were taken from here, with one nugget alone being worth $5000. With the price of gold in those days valued at about $17 to $20 per ounce, one has an idea of its enormity. All authentic features have been preserved and many artifacts can be viewed at the small museum. Continue to North Lake Tahoe. This freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada is situated on the border between the states of California and Nevada. Follow the picturesque drive along Lakeshore Drive to South Lake Tahoe for an overnight stay. Along the way you will discover intriguing shops, great restaurants, and various leisure activities.
Accommodations:
(STD & SUP) Horizon Casino Resort or similar (2 nights).
- Lake Tahoe, CA
- Day: 6
- 0 miles | 0 Km*
Lake Tahoe is one of the deepest, largest, and highest lakes in the United States. Lake Tahoe is a place to enjoy nature, go for a walk or fishing in the summer. In the winter, from November to May, this beautiful area is a skiing region. The lake provides an endless choice of water sports and activities. You can para-sail high above Lake Tahoe or Jet Ski into Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe’s most natural and untouched wonder and one of the most photographed places in the world; you can also scuba diving, kayaking, paddle boating, or just plain swimming. If yo want to stay away from the water, several local visitor bureaus offer a “passport” which takes you on a self-guided tour to museums and historic homes around the lake, providing an informed overview of Native American life and culture, early residents, settlers, and the growth of tourism in the area. For an unforgettable experience, take a ride on the Heavenly Tram. This state-of-the-art gondola will whisk you from the South Shore’s Downtown area up the mountain to Heavenly Resort’s 14, 000 square foot observation deck. The two and a half mile ride raises you up to an elevation of 9,123 feet offering the most spectacular shore-to-shore views of Lake Tahoe.
- Lake Tahoe – 49er Trail – Yosemite National Park, CA
- Day: 7
- 238 miles | 382.942 Km*
Leave the natural splendor of Lake Tahoe behind and resume your travels on the second portion of the 49er Trail to Yosemite National Park. Throughout this scenic road you will twists and climb past panoramic vistas. Rocky meadows, oaks, and piñon pines accent the hills, while tall firs and redwoods stud the higher slopes. Delicate, multi-hued wildflowers splash color across fields and hillsides in spring and summer. Dozens of lakes, rivers, and streams provide counterpoint to stunning geologic wonders. Peppered along the trail are the small towns of Pioneer, Jackson, Angels Camp, Sonora, and Coulterville which retain their early architecture and charm. They are living reminders of the rich history of the Mother Lode. Activities in these towns range from panning for gold to stagecoach ridding. Continue to Yosemite National Park for an overnight stay. The striking beauty of Yosemite is due in part to the Yosemite Valley, whose flat floor contrasts with nearly vertical granite walls. The granite cliffs, including the El Capitan monolith, Glacier Point, and Half Dome all tower as major waterfalls tumble over them. Stop by the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center and see its orientation film, publications, theater programs, and exhibits highlighting the natural and human history. Self-guiding trails are nearby. In addition to the Valley, Yosemite includes an extensive high-mountain wilderness of peaks, rivers, and meadows, and groves of giant sequoia trees. Extensive visitor activities, facilities, and services are available.
Accommodations:
(STD) Cedar Lodge or similar (1 night).
(SUP) Wawona Hotel or similar (1 night).
- Yosemite National Park – Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Park, CA
- Day: 8
- 227 miles | 365.243 Km*
This morning you can visit Mirror Lake/Meadow in the East Valley and the famous “Tunnel View” of Yosemite Valley at Wawona Tunnel. Continue to neighboring Sequoia/Kings and Canyon National Parks. These twin parks hold monuments to nature’s size, beauty, and diversity. Immense mountains, rugged foothills, deep canyons, vast caverns and the world’s largest trees all reside here making it a very unique place. Located in the foothills and mountains of the south central section of the Sierra Nevada range, Sequoia is famous for big things; some of the largest trees in the world and some of the highest mountains in the U.S., including Mt. Whitney, at 14,495 ft are found here. Spectacular views can be seen from Moro Rock. Guided cavern tours are available and the visitor center contains much information about the park history and seasonal activities.
Accommodations:
(STD) Holiday Inn Visalia Hotel or similar (1 night).
(SUP) Marriott Visalia or similar (1 night).
- Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Park – Monterey, CA
- Day: 9
- 238 miles | 382.942 Km*
This morning visit the tallest sequoia within the Park, 275-foot-tall General Sherman, which has a trunk that weighs 1,385 tons and a circumference of nearly 103 feet. Leave the large wonders of the twin Parks behind and continue on your journey via the coastal town of Cambria to Monterey. After being swept away by the stunning Pacific coast views, spend the afternoon enjoying this artisan city. Settled in 1770 as one of the first European outposts on the west coast, many of the early American Colonial buildings still stand. Monterey eventually became the sardine capital of the Western Hemisphere when the first packing plant was built in 1900. Today, the old sardine factories have been converted into quaint restaurants and boutique shops. This area called “Cannery Row” was made famous by the author John Steinbeck and still remains an amusing place to explore. Monterey Bay is a fantastic place to whale watch and tours are offered locally. Consider taking the famouly scenic 17-Mile drive up the coast. Stop at renowned Pebble Beach and enjoy the sights of lavish mansions along the coast. An overnoght stay has been arranged alog the California Coast.
Accommodations:
(STD) Comfort Inn Carmel Hill or similar (1 night).
(SUP) Casa Munras or similar (1 night).
* Mileage is approximate.
** Prices subject to change without notice. For up to date pricing, please submit a quote request.
Description
Relive this exciting chapter in American History as you travel through Gold Country. Begin your tour in the very cosmopolitan city of San Francisco and head north into Wine Country’s premier destination, Napa. Follow the first leg of the 49er Trail from Old Sacramento to Dutch Flat. Visit picturesque Lake Tahoe. Go panning for gold in the charming towns along the second leg of the 49er Trail on your way to the natural splendor of Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks. Enjoy the magnificent California Coast as you travel to Monterey before bringing your journey to a close.
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