Upon arrival in the much-loved city of San Francisco make your way to your hotel where you will spend three nights. Famous for the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco has beautiful bay views, famous parks and museums and the notorious prison Alcatraz. Travel by cable car to Union Square, elegant Nob Hill of find your fortune in Chinatown. Included in your stay on day three is a full day sightseeing tour visiting Monterey and Carmel which travels down California’s rugged coast travelling along Highway 1. In Monterey stroll around Cannery Row, perhaps visiting Monterey’s famous aquarium. The tour continues along 17 Mile Drive, past famous Pebble Beach Golf Course to the quaint and artistic town of Carmel which sits on a beautiful white sand beach, before returning to San Francisco via Silicon Valley.

Make your way to Emeryville Station early this morning to board Amtrak’s Coast Starlight train as it travels south from Oakland to Los Angeles following the same tracks as the old Spanish mission road ‘El Camino Real’. Sit back and relax as you travel through San Jose, known as the capital of Silicon Valley, Santa Clara Valley, Pismo State Beach and Dunes where you will get a glimpse of the massive sand dunes through tall eucalyptus trees. Get your camera at the ready as you will get full views of the Pacific Ocean coastline for the next 100 miles. The train then passes the Santa Ynez Mountains on the left, and arrives in Santa Barbara, often referred to as ‘The American Riviera’ due to its Mediterranean climate, spectacular beaches, culinary delights and over 100 nearby wineries. Enjoy three nights stay here, soaking up the ocean views and Spanish architecture and an included wine country tour visiting three wineries and a visit to the Danish community of Solvang.

Join the Pacific Surfliner train for the three-hour journey to Los Angeles, climbing the Simi Valley and passing the Santa Monica and Gabriel Mountains just before arriving at Los Angeles. Make your way from Union Station to your hotel where you will spend the next three nights. To help explore the city we have included a 48 hour hop on/off sightseeing bus ticket which takes you to Los Angeles’ iconic landmarks including the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Rodeo Drive and Santa Monica’s famous pier amongst many others.

After a relaxing final day, it is time to return to the airport for your homebound flight. Or choose to extend your stay in the relaxing city of San Diego or the bright lights of Las Vegas.