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California Coast Road Trip

California Coast
Road Trip

PRICES
& DATES

8 DAYS, 7 NIGHTS customizable package
PRICES starting from $1339.00 per person based on double occupancy

The California Coast Road Trip self-driving vacation will take you from San Diego to San Francisco by way of some of the most beautiful towns and vistas in the world. Let California Tours arrange your accommodations and plan a special itinerary just for you. Your Road trip will begin in San Diego. Experience the relaxing atmosphere of a truly beautiful place.

Your adventure will the take you north to the beautiful Coastal city of Santa Barbara. Enjoy a lovely lunch, a walk on the beach and some shopping in a city that has attracted US Presidents and even Queen Elizabeth to take a much needed vacation. Then head north along the historic highway 101 to Solvang and then to the Paso Robles Wine Country. Your tour will then take you back to the coast where you will travel up Highway 1 to one of the most beautiful pieces of coastline in California – Big Sur. After stopping to take as many pictures as you would like of the famous Bixby Bridge and the sea lions in Los Lobos State Park, you will continue up highway 1 into Monterey and Carmel.

California Coast Road Trip Highlights

Newport Beach

Known for its maritime heritage, Orange County’s Newport Beach dazzles with Balboa Island, a quaint community considered the Nantucket of California. Accessible by ferry or car, the island itself is a must-see. Visit the boardwalk, the historic Balboa Pavilion, and the Balboa Fun Zone amusement park. At Newport Harbor, rent an electric boat to cruise and pull up to a restaurant to “dock and dine.” The city features several beaches with distinct attributes. Waves at the Wedge make it popular for body surfing. Crystal Cove State Beach is an excellent site for tide pools.

Venice Canal and Santa Monica Beach

In between zany Venice Boardwalk and the trendy Abbot Kinney Avenue, lies Dell Avenue, otherwise known as the Venice Canals. In 1906, tobacco baron Abbot Kinney developed the canals to bring European flair to California. It remains an otherworldly respite tucked within the urban jungle of Los Angeles County. This residential neighborhood with several pedestrian bridges, all different, span a little over three blocks. You can trod the quiet street walking over a mile, admiring the many dwellings, ranging from cutesy cottage to ultra-contemporary mansions.

At Santa Monica Beach, you’ll encounter the Santa Monica Pier, famous for its nine-story Ferris wheel. The lengthy pier is anchored by an aquarium, shops, and eateries. Don’t miss the Original Muscle Beach, founded in the 1930s, a hotspot for bodybuilders and acrobats. Cyclists can seize the day on the 22-mile, paved Marvin Braude Bike Trail a.k.a. The Strand, which spans four beaches.

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, original home of the Chumash Indians, is a multi-cultural beach city that offers something for everyone. Culture lovers get their fix at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, Mission Santa Barbara, Lotusland, and the 78-acre Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens. For outdoor aficionados, Sterns Wharf at the Santa Barbara Pier never disappoints. On a whale watching cruise, you will sail through the Santa Barbara Channel, known for sightings of humpbacks and blue whales from May through November. Walkable State Street beckons with shopping plazas and food halls of every ilk. At the edge of the downtown core lies the hip Funk Zone filled with public art, shops, and eateries.

Point Lobos and Big Sur

Take in the magnificence of Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, dubbed the “crown jewel” of California’s state park system where you can camp, hike, and picnic. This unforgettable coastal treasure is where you’ll be mesmerized by countless seabirds and sea creatures along sheltered coves and headlands.

Iconic Big Sur on Highway One continues to take your breath away. Restaurants, inns, and hotels of every price point capitalize on panoramas of the Pacific Ocean. At Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, McWay Falls is the reason why millions stop annually to photograph the 80-foot waterfall that flows from the center of a cliff and pours out onto a protected, uninhabited beach.

Andrew Molera State Park, at 4,800 acres, represents the largest in the region. The Big Sur River bisects the landscape amid redwood groves and rolling meadows. Among the 20-plus miles of hiking paths is the Bluffs trail which serves up ocean scenery on one side and grassland on the other.

Carmel

Charming at every turn, the touristy town of Carmel-by-the-sea brims with storybook cottages, flower boxes, and dog-friendly, gourmet restaurants. Stroll Ocean Avenue, the downtown artery, and explore boutiques and wine rooms. Sweet aromas emanate from a proliferation of European bakeries and coffee haunts. Ivy-covered passageways lead to stone fountains and art galleries. Witness sculptors working in their storefront studios as children build castles on the white sands of Carmel Beach. End your day watching the sheep graze in front of a pink sunset at Mission Ranch Hotel & Restaurant, owned by actor Clint Eastwood.

Itinerary

Our California Coast Road Trip vacation package includes 7 nights accommodations and it can be personalized to any length and based on traveler’s desired itinerary. Travelers are responsible for rental cars.

Classic Package

Hotels
San Diego : Wyndham San Diego Bayside, Hotel Indigo or equivalent
Los Angeles: Hampton Inn El Segundo, Residence Inn Manhattan Beach or equivalent
Westlake: Residence Inn Westlake, Hyatt Westlake or equivalent
Pismo Beach: Cliff Hotel and Spa, Sandcastle or equivalent
Carmel/Monterey: Plaza Hotel, Marriott or equivalent
San Francisco: Hilton Union Square, Executive Hotel Vintage Court or equivalent
Day 1
Arrive San Diego. Airport – hotel transfer on own.
Hotel check-in on own. Selected hotels are located walking distance to Seaport Village and Gaslamp District.
Dinner on own in Seaport Village or Gaslamp District
Optional Extensions in San Diego: San Diego Zoo and USS Midway
Day 2
OC and Pacific Coast
Rent car on own and depart San Diego via I-5
Suggested optional Stops: La Jolla, Laguna Beach, Mission San Juan Bautista and Newport Beach
Overnight near Manhattan Beach. Selected hotels are located 10 minute drive from Manhattan Beach Downtown.
Dinner on own in Manhattan Beach
Day 3
Los Angeles
Suggested optional stops: Venice Canal, Abbott Kinney Boulevard, Venice Beach, Santa Monica Beach and Getty Center or Getty Villa.
Dinner on own in Santa Monica Beach
Overnight in Westlake
Day 4
Santa Barbara and Central Coast
Suggested optional stops: Santa Barbara Mission, Sterns Wharf, State Street, the Courthouse, Solvang and Pismo.
Dinner on own in Pismo Beach
Overnight in Pismo Beach
Day 5
Hearst Castle, Big Sur and Carmel
Depart Pismo Beach for Hearst Castle via HWY 101 – HWY 1
Mid morning Hearst Castle tour – admission included
Suggested optional stops: Elephant Seal Vista Point, Julia Pfeiffer Burn State Park, Rocky Point and Carmel.
Dinner on own in Carmel
Overnight in Carmel or Monterey
Day 6
Point Lobos and Monterey
Mid morning Point Lobos guided walking tour with a naturalist.
Optional Suggested stops: 17 Mile Drive, Monterey and Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Overnight in Carmel or Monterey
Day 7
San Francisco via HWY 1
Suggested optional stops: Santa Cruz, Half Moon Bay, Ocean Beach, Cliff House and Golden Gate Park.
Return rental car
Overnight in San Francisco
Day 8
SFO transfer on own
Optional Extension
Muir Woods, Sausalito, Napa Valley and Yosemite National Park

Deluxe Package

Hotels
San Diego : Hyatt Manchester, Hotel Republic San Diego or equivalent
Los Angeles: Westdrift Manhattan Beach or equivalent
Westlake: Hyatt Westlake or equivalent
Pismo Beach: Vespera on Ocean or equivalent
Carmel/Monterey: Plaza Hotel, Marriott or equivalent
San Francisco: Westin St. Francis, Hyatt Centric Fisherman’s Wharf or equivalent
Day 1
Private San Diego airport transfer with meet & greet
Transfer to hotel or rental car agency
Hotel check-in on own. Selected hotels are located walking distance to Seaport Village and Gaslamp District.
Dinner on own in Seaport Village or Gaslamp District
Optional Extensions in San Diego: San Diego Zoo and USS Midway
Day 2
OC and Pacific Coast
Rent car on own and depart San Diego via I-5
Suggested optional Stops: La Jolla, Laguna Beach, Mission San Juan Bautista and Newport Beach
Overnight near Manhattan Beach. Selected hotels are located 10 minute drive from Manhattan Beach Downtown.
Dinner on own in Manhattan Beach
Day 3
Los Angeles
Suggested optional stops: Venice Canal, Abbott Kinney Boulevard, Venice Beach, Santa Monica Beach and Getty Center or Getty Villa.
Dinner on own in Santa Monica Beach
Overnight in Westlake
Day 4
Santa Barbara and Central Coast
Suggested optional stops: Santa Barbara Mission, Sterns Wharf, State Street, the Courthouse, Solvang and Pismo.
Dinner on own in Pismo Beach
Overnight in Pismo Beach, based on ocean view room
Day 5
Hearst Castle, Big Sur and Carmel
Depart Pismo Beach for Hearst Castle via HWY 101 – HWY 1
Mid morning Hearst Castle tour – admission included
Suggested optional stops: Elephant Seal Vista Point, Julia Pfeiffer Burn State Park, Rocky Point and Carmel
Dinner on own in Carmel
Overnight in Carmel or Monterey, based on ocean view room
Day 6
Point Lobos and Monterey
Mid morning Point Lobos guided walking tour with a naturalist
Optional Suggested stops: 17 Mile Drive, Monterey and Monterey Bay Aquarium
Overnight in Carmel or Monterey
Day 7
San Francisco via HWY 1
Suggested optional stops: Santa Cruz, Half Moon Bay, Ocean Beach, Cliff House and Golden Gate Park.
Return rental car
Overnight in San Francisco
Day 8
Private SFO transfer
Optional Extension
Muir Woods, Sausalito, Napa Valley and Yosemite National Park

Luxury Travel Packages at Reasonable Prices

Every client receives hands-on personal attention from our professional staff with over 25 years of experience in tour operations and destination management services. Prices are based on Thursday, Friday and Saturday departures.

Classic Package Prices

PER PERSON STARTING FROM: [USD]

Triple Occupancy

  • $959 – June – Sep
  • $939 – Oct – Mar
  • $989 – Apr – May

Double Occupancy

  • $1459 – June – Sep
  • $1429 – Oct – Mar
  • $1489 – Apr – May

Single Occupancy

  • $2689 – June – Sep
  • $2589 – Oct – Mar
  • $2789 – Apr – May

Prices Include:

  • 7 night accommodations
  • Admissions to Hearst Castle and Monterey Bay Aquarium
  • Getty Villa or Getty Center reservation
  • Point Lobos guided walking tour with a naturalist
  • On site support during travel
  • All taxes

Prices Do Not Include:

  • Meals and beverages
  • Airport transfers
  • Rental car
  • Travel insurance
  • Park admissions and parking
  • Anything not mentioned above

Deluxe Package Prices

PER PERSON STARTING FROM: [USD]

Triple Occupancy

  • $1425 – June
  • $1535 – Jul – Aug
  • $1485 – Sep – Oct
  • $1445 – Nov

Double Occupancy

  • $2055 – June
  • $2285 – Jul – Aug
  • $2225 – Sep – Oct
  • $2175 – Nov

Single Occupancy

  • $3895 – June
  • $4355 – Jul – Aug
  • $4245 – Sep – Oct
  • $4125 – Nov

Prices Include:

  • 7 night accommodations
  • Admissions to Hearst Castle and Monterey Bay Aquarium
  • Getty Villa or Getty Center reservation
  • Point Lobos guided walking tour with a naturalist
  • On site support during travel
  • Hotel resort fees
  • Private airport transfers in San Diego and San Francisco with meet & greet on arrival
  • All taxes

Prices Do Not Include:

  • Meals and beverages
  • Airport transfers
  • Rental car
  • Travel insurance
  • Park admissions and parking
  • Anything not mentioned above

Accommodations

Classic Package

San Diego : Wyndham San Diego BaysideHotel Indigo or equivalent
Los Angeles: Hampton Inn El SegundoResidence Inn Manhattan Beach or equivalent
Westlake: Residence Inn WestlakeHyatt Westlake or equivalent
Pismo Beach: Cliff Hotel and SpaSandcastle or equivalent
Carmel/Monterey: Plaza HotelMarriott or equivalent
San Francisco: Hilton Union SquareExecutive Hotel Vintage Court or equivalent

Deluxe Package

San Diego : Hyatt ManchesterHotel Republic San Diego or equivalent
Los Angeles: Westdrift Manhattan Beach or equivalent
Westlake: Hyatt Westlake or equivalent
Pismo Beach: Vespera on Ocean or equivalent
Carmel/Monterey: Plaza HotelMarriott or equivalent
San Francisco: Westin St. FrancisHyatt Centric Fisherman’s Wharf or equivalent

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