Travel Kuoni

California Highlights Road Trip

Buckle up – you’re headed south on the Pacific Coast Highway, with a detour to the Wine Country and Yosemite, on a road trip that ticks off everything unmissable in the Golden State

You’ll start in San Francisco and then hit the open road where the driving is part of this all-American experience. Weave through the wine country and check off Yosemite before the coast calls. Mooch around Monterey and get all the Cali-Med vibes in Santa Barbara before La La Land steps forward for the grand finale.

Self-drive
12 nights

From £2,275 per person

We’ve crafted this self-drive based on our own experiences and customers’ feedback. It’s fully flexible and there’s plenty of places that can be added for an even more epic California adventure. These are the minimum durations for this itinerary but we are happy to add extra stops and nights if you want a slower pace for your road trip.

Itinerary overview

Days 1 to 3 - San Francisco

Golden Gate City

Vibrant and bustling, with its iconic Golden Gate Bridge and hilly landscape, the city is instant...

Day 4 - Napa

Venture to Wine Country

The trip drive of your trip is comparatively short. Just an hour or so away (you can get there ov...

Day 5 - Yosemite

Monumental wonders

From Napa, drive 200 miles east to Yosemite National Park. Here, thundering waterfalls plummet fr...

Day 6 - Carmel & Monterey

Drive back to the coast

Leave the glory of Yosemite behind and drive 200 miles southwest to the Pacific coast. Some of th...

Day 7 - SLO Cal

Coastal scenic wonders

In SLO Cal, the journey is just as thrilling as the destination itself. Take the wheel along High...

Days 8 to 9 - Santa Barbara

Welcome to the American Riviera

Savour the drive through Big Sur as you head south to Santa Barbara, a town whose reputation exce...

Days 10 to 13 - Los Angeles

Prepare to be dazzled

The final leg of your trip brings you to Los Angeles. Sunset-loving, moviemaking, ocean-living LA...

Optional extensions

The Californian desert or Sin City

This holiday does not have to end in Los Angeles. If you don't want the fun to end, you could jum...

Days 1 to 3 - San Francisco

Golden Gate City

Vibrant and bustling, with its iconic Golden Gate Bridge and hilly landscape, the city is instantly recognisable. San Francisco's neighbourhoods come in many forms, from artsy nooks to stylish hubs. Stay a few days before collecting your hire car and starting your road trip. The Hop-On Hop-Off Official City Tour begins at Fisherman’s Wharf. Then, you’ll see the Barbary Coast, Embarcadero, and the Ferry Building before you arrive at Union Square. Pause for some shopping or stay on board to admire the Victorian Painted Ladies, then drive through the bohemian Haight Ashbury, where you can see the murals and art. Golden Gate Park (home of the de Young Museum and California Academy of Sciences) follows before crossing the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito. Your ticket includes a visit to Alcatraz – the infamous prison island.

San Francisco City Tour & Alcatraz

San Francisco

Hop on a luxury motor coach for a fun-filled wander around San Francisco’s winding city streets. Uncover a profusion of famous landmarks and hidden marvels as you flit between The Golden City’s colourful neighbourhoods and be sure to seize every photo opportunity that comes your way. The endless rows of Victorian homes are enriched with character, while buzzing Chinatown is peppered with top tier eateries to grab an authentic Asian bite. Cravings curbed, it’s time to swap the hustle and bustle of the city for the bay as  you cruise to the ghostly enclave of Alcatraz Island for a tour of the maximum-security prison. 

• Duration: Four hours
• Departs: Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays
• Operates year-round
• Group experience

Good to know
City tour stops with photo opportunities include: Golden Gate Bridge, Palace of Fine Arts, Twin Peaks, Land’s End Ocean Beach (Sutro Baths), Mission San Francisco de Asis (Mission district). Alcatraz audio guide included. Guests must be aged 5 years or older.

Big Bus San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off: 1- or 2-Day Ticket (Incl. walking tour)

San Francisco

Hop on board a Big Bus Sightseeing Tour of the City by the Bay and catch the best views of its distinctive landmarks and hear live commentary about its history as you go. There are 20 stops all around spectacular San Francisco. You'll see the beautiful parks, architecture you'll recognise from the big screen, and pretty views from an open-top bus. Hop on and off to create a customised journey around the city. Your ticket also includes a choice of four walking tours. Explore either Chinatown, North Beach, Barbary Coast, or Fisherman's Wharf on foot - don't forget to check what time they start. The fun doesn't stop at night - your ticket includes a Night Tour of the city, a panoramic bus tour that starts by climbing historic Nob Hill for a magnificent close up of Grace Cathedral. The bus then makes its way across the Bay Bridge to Treasure Island to view the skyline. Back in the city, the tour concludes along the Embarcadero.

Hop-on-hop-off bus See all of San Francisco's can't-miss landmarks Includes a neighbourhood walking tour Includes a panoramic night tour by bus

Day 4 - Napa

Venture to Wine Country

The trip drive of your trip is comparatively short. Just an hour or so away (you can get there over the Golden Gate Bridge or the Bay Bridge), Napa Valley produces the USA’s most famous wines. There are options for every palette, taste, and budget.Drive Highway 29’s 30 miles and absorb every heady detail of multisensory Napa Valley. There are stunning stops, door-to-door and back-to-back. The hard part is deciding where to stop. Sip fresh-from-the-vineyard wines in castle-like estates, stop at hillside boutiques with spectacular views and dive into high-tech subterranean tasting rooms.

Day 5 - Yosemite

Monumental wonders

From Napa, drive 200 miles east to Yosemite National Park. Here, thundering waterfalls plummet from granite cliffs, soaking too-curious sightseers with misty plumes. Hikers are giddy from witnessing the most extraordinary vistas. Fearless types tackle El Capitan – a sheer monolith of vertiginous granite. And surreally giant trees have you wondering: is it all a dream? There are hundreds of miles of marked hiking trails. Stop at the visitor centre for maps and advice, or ask at your hotel for the best routes on the doorstep. Once you’ve exhausted your legs, take the scenic drive to Glacier Point for the ultimate views of America's most iconic valley.

Day 6 - Carmel & Monterey

Drive back to the coast

Leave the glory of Yosemite behind and drive 200 miles southwest to the Pacific coast. Some of the best chances to spot California’s whales are off the coast of Monterey, with sightseeing trips aplenty depart from Old Fisherman’s Wharf. When you’ve returned with a camera full of shots of breaching whales and frolicking seals, stay for clam chowder at one of the wharf’s restaurants overlooking Monterey Bay and get a second glimpse of the seals playing on the rocks. Dreamy Carmel is the type of place you leisurely drift around, perusing Ocean Avenue's quaint galleries and boutiques and meandering through bamboo-lined passageways. Its restaurant scene includes some authentic Italian trattorias, so feast on pasta before heading to one of the wine-tasting rooms or walk the scenic bluff path above Carmel Beach before making your way down the stairs to the sand in time for sunset.

Day 7 - SLO Cal

Coastal scenic wonders

In SLO Cal, the journey is just as thrilling as the destination itself. Take the wheel along Highway 1, where adventure awaits around every turn. It’s one of the most breathtaking driving routes and offers incredible views punctuated by captivating road stops. Once you reach Pismo Beach, you're officially halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. Take a leisurely stroll along the white sandy beach and stick around for golden hour to witness a spectacular sunset. Spend the night here to ensure you're well-rested before navigating the detours around the road closures en-route to your next stop, Santa Barbara. Alternatively you can stop over in Morro Bay, Cambria, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo or San Simeon.

Days 8 to 9 - Santa Barbara

Welcome to the American Riviera

Savour the drive through Big Sur as you head south to Santa Barbara, a town whose reputation exceeds its geographic size. It’s a pretty small town 90 miles north of Los Angeles – close enough for its celebrity citizens to catch their agent in the melee of LA but just far enough away for escapism. You’ll pay a premium to sample the American Riviera lifestyle here, but some may say it’s more than worth it to experience the essence of Californian cool. The heart of Santa Barbara is a palm-lined boulevard where you can admire the Spanish-style buildings that give Santa Barbara its Mediterranean vibe. State Street, the main avenue, is surrounded by stores, bars, and restaurants, eventually leading to the coast. Save the walk for a sunset stroll and try the electric Santa Barbara Trolley that goes along the entire length of State Street.

Days 10 to 13 - Los Angeles

Prepare to be dazzled

The final leg of your trip brings you to Los Angeles. Sunset-loving, moviemaking, ocean-living LA brings the gloss, the grunge, and the glam. Come for Hollywood, but stay for every other irresistible horizon. Ferrari-flashing, diamond-dripping Beverly Hills is L.A. at its most lavish. Come here for Rodeo Dive’s constellation of luxury shops and Beverly Wilshire’s gold-flaked drinks. Craving Michelin star dining? You’ve got it. Want to ogle the A-lister’s extravagant pads? A Hollywood Celebrities Homes tour will show you how the other half live.

Go City L.A. All Inclusive Pass (Incl. Universal Studios & Knott's Berry Farm)

Los Angeles

With the All-Inclusive Pass from Go City, the more you see, the more you save. You have two, three, five or seven days to cram in as much as you can from a huge list of options, including Universal Studios, LEGOLAND, and Knott's Berry Farm. Head to Malibu for a Celebrity Homes Tour, hike up to Griffith Park to gaze at Los Angeles from the above or join the Californians on the Santa Monica boardwalk with a full-day rental of a bike or rollerblades. And you don't just have to look at the water, as a whale watching trip is yours if you want it. The complete list of over 40 tours and attractions is included with your Digital Pass. We endeavour to keep our descriptions up to date, however inclusions on sightseeing passes can change without our knowledge. Please check closer to your departure date for the most up to date list of included activities.

Sightseeing pass As many LA highlights as you can handle Over 40 tours and attractions to choose from

Optional extensions

The Californian desert or Sin City

This holiday does not have to end in Los Angeles. If you don't want the fun to end, you could jump on a flight to Las Vegas, where the streets are bedecked with neon lights and around-the-clock entertainment is the norm. If you prefer to have some desert adventures, head inland to Palm Springs, a perfectly manicured city surrounded by the landscapes the Sororan Desert. Another option is to continue southwards along the Pacific Highway to the beachfront city of San Diego.

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