Itinerary
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Day 1 Arrive San Francisco (2 Nights) |
Welcome to the City by the Bay! Take your complimentary transfer to the tour hotel, perfectly situated right on the Embarcadero waterfront. Gather at the hotel with your fellow adventure-seekers for a Kick-off Party at 6 p.m.
Meal(s): (Kick-off Party)
Hotel: Hyatt Regency San Francisco (MD)
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Day 2 San Francisco Sightseeing & Free Time
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Let’s see if you'll leave your heart in this great city! See the many city sights, including Lombard Street, “The Crookedest Street in the World,” Pier 39’s sea lions, known as the “Sea Lebrities,” the “Painted Ladies” of Alamo Square and so much more! One of the hottest spots in town is the California Academy of Sciences – an aquarium, a planetarium and a natural history museum all rolled into one. You’ll be among the 40,000 creatures that creep, crawl, fly, slither, waddle and swim in this one-of-a-kind museum. Dinner this evening is a delicious Chinese Banquet Highlight Dinner in Chinatown. But first, explore the many alleys and stop by the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory. You’re in luck – these famous fortune cookies are as fresh as they come!
Meal(s): (Full Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)
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Day 3 San Francisco - Gold Country - Lake Tahoe |
Head toward Sacramento and the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park. This is where gold was found in 1848, spurring the legendary Gold Rush. Learn golden nuggets of knowledge as you visit a replica of the mill and see if you can strike it rich panning for gold! Later, continue to Lake Tahoe, where you’ll be treated to heavenly views from the Lake Tahoe Gondola. Save some pixels on that camera, because coming up is the 9,123-foot-high observation platform on The Deck.
Meal(s): (Full Breakfast)
Hotel: Embassy Suites Lake Tahoe Resort (SF)
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Day 4
Lake Tahoe - Mono Lake - Yosemite National Park (2 Nights) |
Now it’s time to venture to another planet – or at least a place that looks like another planet. Between one and three million years old, Mono Lake seems to come from another place, thanks to its odd-looking limestone formations called tufa towers. Learn about the lake’s history at the Mono Lake Visitor Centre and get interesting accounts about its history, geology and rich birdlife from an Expert Naturalist. Next, travel over the Tioga Pass (weather permitting) to Yosemite National Park. Gather ‘round a local expert and learn about the park's famous black bears and why you better not leave out any 'pic-a-nic' baskets.
Meal(s): (Full Breakfast)
Hotel: Yosemite View Lodge (MF)
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Day 5
Yosemite National Park Sightseeing & Free Time |
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Yosemite National Park is awesome! You and your wide-eyed compadres will be introduced to Yosemite Valley’s most famous icons as you ride aboard a private open-air tram while a Park Ranger gives you the scoop on the park’s history, geology, and the plant and animal life. Be sure to take the easy hike to the Yosemite Falls, the tallest waterfall in the United States. This afternoon is free to pursue your own interests! You might want to take a bike ride on 12 miles of paved trail, rent a raft for a float down the Merced River or attend one of the many ranger presentations offered daily. Your Tour Director will be on hand to help you plan your day! This evening, after a yummy Barbecue Highlight Dinner, enjoy gooey s’mores around the campfire.
Meal(s): (Full Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)
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Day 6
Yosemite - San Juan Bautista - Carmel - Monterey (2 Nights) |
Today you’ll go from the mountains to the sea, heading west through the fertile San Joaquin Valley. Stop at a historic fruit stand to sample fruit fresh from the fields; then visit the historic Old Mission San Juan Bautista and learn about the original 21 missions built by the Spanish. Arriving at the breathtaking California coast, look out for the Lone Cypress along 17 Mile Drive, a stunning coastline rich in marine life and beautiful mansions. Drive along the top-ranked Pebble Beach Golf Links and wonder how anyone can focus on their swing with such amazing views to distract them! Spend some free time exploring the village of Carmel, where quaint cottages look like they’ve been plucked from the pages of a storybook. Travel on to Monterey, where John Steinbeck’s life and work come to life at Cannery Row and Fisherman’s Wharf.
Meal(s): (Full Breakfast)
Hotel: The Portola Hotel & Spa (SF)
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Day 7 Monterey Sightseeing |
There's something special in store for you today – a private behind-the-scenes look at the Monterey Bay Aquarium! Before the aquarium even opens, this exciting tour gives you a chance to interact with staff and see the marine life in a whole new way. Afterward, enjoy free time to take in the aquarium’s various exhibits at your own pace. Discover the Giant Octopus which can grow up to 30 feet long and weigh nearly 100 pounds; the Kelp Forest, one of the tallest aquarium exhibits in the world; the stunning one-million gallon Outer Bay, home to giant tunas, sharks and turtles; or maybe explore the ocean at Splash Zone, where you can dive into a kelp forest and see sharks and penguins. Later, you have a choice of included activities – you might take a kayak for a paddle on Monterey Bay or hop on a bicycle and pedal from Cannery Row to the Pacific Grove Lighthouse! Tonight, gather up the gang and head to the beach for a classic Beach Party Farewell Dinner complete with grass huts, tiki torches and a roaring bonfire. Enjoy a scrumptious barbecue and ice cream sundae bar, followed by delectable s’mores and games of beach volleyball and bocce!
Meal(s): (Full Breakfast / Farewell Dinner)
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Day 8 Monterey - Roaring Camp - Depart San Francisco |
Heading inland towards the Santa Cruz mountains, arrive at Roaring Camp, the coolest train depot this side of the Mississippi. Here you’ll ride into the past aboard an authentic narrow-gauge steam train that’ll take you over trestles and through towering California Redwood groves. Along the way, conductors narrate the history of the railroad and surrounding giants of the forest. As the train hisses to a stop, it’ll be time to disembark into the 21st century and conclude your amazing California adventure. A complimentary transfer will take you to San Francisco International Airport and, for guests extending their stay, back to the tour hotel in San Francisco.
Meal(s): (Full Breakfast)
Please do not schedule any flights before 4:30 p.m.
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