• 9 Days
  • From $5,999
  • Airfare Included

Yosemite & Coastal California - WDAY TV

Tour Style:
Land
Activity Level:
Moderate
Highest Elevation:
5,000 feet
10 Meals:
5 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 3 Dinners

First News Anchor

Scott Engen

First News Anchor

Scott Engen

Scott Engen is an Emmy award winning newscaster for WDAY News in Fargo, North Dakota.
He has been recognized with three Emmy nominations over his six year career, both as an anchor and a reporter.

.

Enjoy a dreamy West Coast vacation with iconic attractions and time at leisure for personal pursuits or relaxation. Begin with a city tour of San Francisco as we ride the famous cable cars, see Golden Gate Park, and spend time at Fisherman’s Wharf. Travel into the heart of Napa Valley, one of the most celebrated wine regions in the world, for an included tasting before continuing on to Sacramento for a farm-to-fork tour of locally sourced, gourmet dishes. Try your luck panning at Kennedy Gold Mine and then view Yosemite National Park’s natural wonders, including the amazing sequoia trees in Mariposa Grove. Discover fascinating marine life during a privately chartered whale-watching cruise in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and a visit to Monterey Bay Aquarium, then climb aboard a 19th-century train for a wonderful ride through redwoods. Our journey concludes in the San Francisco area with a celebratory Farewell Dinner.

Trip overview may vary by departure.

  • Day 1: Fly to California
    Upon arriving in the “City by the Bay,” we settle into our deluxe accommodations for two nights.
  • Day 2: San Francisco
    This morning, we board San Francisco’s iconic cable cars for a quintessential ride downtown. Afterwards, a local guide joins us for a driving tour of the city’s top highlights, including Twin Peaks, Market Street, Golden Gate Park, and more. We then enjoy leisure time at Fisherman’s Wharf, the historic bayside district with restaurants, shops, and sea lions sunbathing. Tonight, we cross the famous Golden Gate Bridge to nearby Sausalito and get to know fellow travelers during a Welcome Dinner.

    Meals Included: Dinner

  • Day 3: Napa Valley & Sacramento
    Today, we journey into the heart of one of the most celebrated wine regions in the world: Napa Valley. Indulge in a tasting of renowned vinos after our guided tour at Castello di Amorosa, a medieval castle winery that's reminiscent of Italy’s stunning Tuscany region. Following an included lunch, we depart the picturesque countryside and make our way to Sacramento. This evening, we partake in a tantalizing food tour with a variety of gourmet dishes at local restaurants. Meet the talented chefs behind the meals and learn about the area’s farm-to-fork culture while delighting your taste buds with the city’s incredible culinary scene.

    Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

  • Day 4: Railroad Museum & Kennedy Gold Mine
    Our day begins by discovering over 150 years of rail history at the California State Railroad Museum. See several steam locomotives dating as far back as 1862 and browse intricate exhibits that tell the story of how railroads changed life in the West. This afternoon, we’re immersed in California’s gold rush era of the mid-1800s during a tour of the Kennedy Gold Mine. Learn about mining from our expert guide, then receive a complimentary poke sack for collecting your own treasures while panning for gold! Later, we travel to Oakhurst and check in for our two-night stay.

    Meals Included: Breakfast

  • Day 5: Yosemite National Park
    We explore the scenic protected lands and natural wonders of Yosemite National Park today! In Mariposa Grove, take a leisurely hike through enormous sequoias and marvel at how they can live for more than 2,000 years and grow up to 300 feet tall. A park ranger then joins us as we view some of Yosemite Valley’s most famous landmarks, including Yosemite Falls, the Half Dome, and El Capitan. There is also time to explore Yosemite on your own, such as grabbing a bite at an eatery, going for a stroll along a beautiful trail, or visiting the park store.

    Meals Included: Breakfast

  • Day 6: Castle Air Museum & Monterey
    This morning, we begin our drive back towards the coast and stop at Castle Air Museum in Atwater. This military aviation museum features historic military and presidential aircraft, plus exhibits that showcase technology from the past and provide a glimpse into the future of flight. We then visit Casa de Fruta, a family-owned orchard that offers nuts, wine, sweets, and other gifts. Later, we arrive at our Monterey hotel for a two-night stay and enjoy a leisurely evening.

    Meals Included: Breakfast

  • Day 7: Whale Watching
    Today’s adventure is all about discovering California’s spectacular marine life! We embark on a whale-watching cruise in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, a gorgeous, protected region that’s highly studied for conservation efforts. While taking in the scenic views, enjoy insight from the onboard naturalist or marine biologist. After an included lunch, we visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium, commonly rated as one of the top aquariums in the United States and the first to exhibit a living kelp forest. The rest of the day is yours for individual exploration or relaxation.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

  • Day 8: Roaring Camp Railroads
    We’re off to Roaring Camp Railroads this morning for a round-trip journey through the recreated 19th-century logging town. Take in stunning vistas as we roll among towering groves of redwood trees within the Santa Cruz Mountains to the summit of Bear Mountain. This afternoon, our journey concludes in the San Francisco area with time to unwind before a celebratory Farewell Dinner.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

  • Day 9: Fly Home
    We return home with fond memories of our dreamy coastal California getaway.

What's Included

All Accommodations

  • 2 nights at Hyatt Regency San Francisco Downtown SOMA
  • 1 night at Embassy Suites Sacramento Riverfront Promenade
  • 2 nights at Hampton Inn Oakhurst-Yosemite
  • 2 nights near Monterey
  • 1 night at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel San Francisco Airport

Attractions & Highlights

  • San Francisco guided city tour, historic cable car ride & Fisherman's Wharf
  • Castello di Amorosa winery tour with tasting
  • Sacramento farm-to-fork food tour
  • Kennedy Gold Mine & gold panning
  • California State Railroad Museum
  • Yosemite National Park feat. Mariposa Grove hike & Yosemite Valley tour
  • Castle Air Museum
  • Casa de Fruta
  • Time at leisure in Monterey
  • Monterey Bay Aquarium
  • Whale-watching cruise in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
  • Roaring Camp Railroads

10 Excellent Meals

  • Welcome Dinner in Sausalito
  • Lunch in Napa Valley
  • Farewell Dinner in Burlingame

Learn more about what's included with the Holiday Advantage.