GLOBUS 2025: California Classics with San Diego (AAE)
13 Day Tour from San Francisco to San Diego
From the City by the Bay to the City of Angels, this ten-day tour takes you to the top California sights that earned the Golden State its name. Yosemite's Cathedral Spires, Big Sur's rugged coastline, 17-Mile Drive's spectacular views, and San Simeon's Hearst Castle are just a few memorable Classic California experiences. Between the bright lights of Hollywood and the high style of Beverly Hills to the grapevines in wine country and farm-to-table cuisine in the Central Valley, this encompassing California vacation weaves in plenty of kickback time with visits to a Sonoma vineyard, the quiet Danish village of Solvang, and the tony resort zip codes of Monterey, Carmel, and Santa Barbara. Don't forget your shades! Surf's up at the 70 miles of beaches along Southern California's most laid-back city. Hang ten at the beach or hang out with wildlife at La Jolla Cove or Balboa Park, ferry to timeless Coronado Island, enjoy San Diego's museums then shop, stroll and dine in San Diego's historic Gaslamp Quarter or at the Liberty Public Market.
Call (608) 221-4791 for more information or to book today! Mention code 18853270
- Tour Operator
- Globus
- Offer
- Offer valid through 12/31/2024
- Duration
- 13 Days
- Escorted
- Escorted - Yes
Day | Destination | Description |
Day 1 | San Francisco | Welcome to San Francisco! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome drink. |
Day 2 | San Francisco | City by the Bay Enjoy morning sightseeing in one of the world's most beautiful cities. [LF] Visit the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, including the Golden Gate Bridge and the Presidio. Free time this afternoon to explore the city. Ride the world-famous cable cars, shop in Union Square, or visit the Museum of Modern Art. Dinner at a local restaurant this evening. (B,D) LOCAL FAVORITECULTURE & TRADITION As the song goes, you'll leave your heart in San Francisco with a stroll through the exquisite Japanese Tea Garden. Walk the beautiful landscapes in the oldest public Japanese garden in the United States. Learn about the history of the park and enjoy time to explore the five acres of native Japanese plants, serene koi ponds, pagodas, and more. |
Day 3 | San Francisco | Vineyards & Views Travel across the Golden Gate Bridge this morning to Sonoma for a local vineyard tour and tasting. Continue to the charming town of Sausalito for lunch on your own before returning to San Francisco. Consider a Gold and Ghost Tour optional excursion this evening to explore San Francisco after dark. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTTASTES & TRADITIONS Cross San Francisco Bay on the iconic Golden Gate Bridge to spend time in Northern California's wine country. Venture to Sonoma with its wealth of verdant vineyards for a wine tasting. Continue to Sausalito to enjoy waterfront views and breathtaking scenery in the charming village with a large variety of shops, restaurants, and art galleries. |
Day 4 | Yosemite National Park | The Mountains are Calling Travel eastward through the Sierra Nevada Mountains to Yosemite National Park. A guided tram tour provides an introduction to the history and highlights of Yosemite National Park. Free time this evening. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHT NATURAL WONDERS Yosemite has innumerable lakes, meadows, ice-sculpted domes, forests, waterfalls, and unspoiled alpine scenery. Descend into the 4,000-foot valley for an open-air Valley Floor Tram to explore the famous sites of El Capitan, Cathedral Spires, Yosemite Falls, and Half Dome. Here, John Muir realized, 'The mountains are calling, and I must go.' We think you'll agree. |
Day 5 | Monterey | Giants of the Land and Sea Before departing Yosemite National Park, visit [LF] Mariposa Grove, home to many old-growth sequoias. Stand in awe as you look skyward at these massive giants, one of the Earth's largest and longest living organisms. Then, on to the California coast to Monterey, home to the famed Cannery Row. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHT HISTORY & HERITAGE Immortalized by John Steinbeck in his novel of the same name, Cannery Row is filled with history and vibrant sights along the waterfront of Monterey Bay. Once a bustling district of sardine factories, the street is a brightly painted avenue of eateries and shops that harken back to a heritage of fishermen and rich stories. In the morning, stroll along the wharf for the chance to see whales, otters, and other sea creatures in the kelp forests of the Pacific Ocean shore. |
Day 6 | Monterey | Cottages & Cypress Trees This morning, spend your free time visiting historic Cannery Row. Other highlights today include a visit to the resort town of [LF] Carmel with a scenic drive along the famed 17-Mile Drive. Return to Monterey for free time before dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHTCULTURAL GEMS Feel the windswept spirit of the Pacific Ocean with a spectacular drive along 17-Mile Drive to the charming haven of Carmel-by-the-Sea. See its crooked cottages and twisted trees in the popular haunt of writers, artists, and celebrities. You'll pass by sweeping sea views and rocky shores, visit the world-famous Pebble Beach Golf Course for a walk on the fairway, and see the iconic Lone Cypress clinging to its rocky perch. |
Day 7 | Solvang | California Gold Journey south through Big Sur to San Simeon and visit Hearst Castle. Continue to Solvang for a free evening. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHT LEGENDARY LIVES Visit the opulent mansion of legendary newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst, which houses splendid antiques, art treasures, and exotic possessions purchased at an estimated $50 million. Your guided tour shows off the highlights of the impressive 123-acre estate. |
Day 8 | Los Angeles | Treasures & Traditions Explore the Danish town of Solvang and enjoy a [LF] Danish specialty at a local bakery. Then, travel through the Santa Ynez Mountains to beautiful Santa Barbara to visit the Old Mission Santa Barbara. Continue to metropolitan Los Angeles, the motion picture capital of the world. (B)LOCAL FAVORITECULTURAL GEM Stroll the streets of Solvang and feel as though you've entered a charming Danish town with picturesque buildings and shops, restaurants and windmills that create a taste of Denmark in California's Santa Ynez Valley. Enjoy a traditional Danish pastry at Mortensen's famous bakery. TOUR HIGLIGHTHISTORY & HERITAGE Experience the beauty and history of California's mission trail with a visit to Old Mission Santa Barbara. Soak in the stunning Spanish influence of the 1786 'Queen of the Missions' with its wrought iron, terra cotta, and carved wood. Feel the serenity amid its whitewashed walls and tile-roofed buildings below its chiming twin bell towers ringing out on the Camino Real above the beautiful Pacific Ocean. |
Day 9 | Los Angeles | Spend Your Day Your Way in L.A. Morning sightseeing of this gigantic metropolis takes you from Olvera Street-the oldest thoroughfare in the city-to Hollywood. See the Sunset Strip and Beverly Hills. This afternoon, explore Los Angeles on an included YourChoice Excursion. This evening, your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHTTAKE YOUR PICK OF INCLUDED EXCURSIONS: GAZE: Modern Ancient ArtAfter lunch, visit the Getty Center & Museum to see a vast collection of art housed within its modern hilltop complex above Los Angeles. Here, a treasure trove of masterpieces is displayed with art from the Middle Ages to the present. OR: STROLL: Beachy Keen Take a self-guided walk along the Santa Monica Pier; ride the Pacific Park Ferris Wheel for spectacular panoramic views of the Southern California coastline. |
Day 10 | San Diego | Riding the Rails Take Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner scenic train service along the coast to San Diego. Meet your Globus Local Host upon arrival before transferring to the Embassy Suites San Diego Bay Downtown Hotel. Free time this evening. Your Globus Local Host will be available to provide suggestions on how to spend your free time. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTEPIC RIDE Board the Amtrak train at Los Angeles' historic Union Station for a scenic ride along the California Coast from LA to San Diego. During your train ride, enjoy spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, sandy beaches, and quaint coastal towns. |
Day 11 | San Diego | Southern California Dreaming A full free day to explore San Diego, California's second-largest city. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHT CULTURE & TRADITION California's southernmost city of San Diego shares the border with Mexico, as well as the blue expanse of the Pacific Ocean and the sun washed shores of the Southern California coastline. Considered the birthplace of California, San Diego is rich in culture as a true melting pot of cultures to be found in Old Town, Balboa Park, Mission Beach, Embarcadero, and the Gas Light District. |
Day 12 | San Diego | Pacific Pleasures A full free day to explore San Diego on your own. (B)FREE-TIME TIPSEXPLORE MORE in San Diego with a day on the beach or a visit to any of its exciting attractions. Your Local Host can point you in the right direction, and your GlobusGO mobile app is always at your fingertips with maps and suggestions for the best day in Cali. |
Day 13 | San Diego | Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B) |
- Dates/Pricing
- Disclaimer
- US$ Price Details
Gratuities for Tour Director and driver are available for pre-purchase.
Travel Terms & Conditions
The purchase of any travel services offered by Globus, constitutes a contractual arrangement between you (the Participant) and Globus, and represents your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions. Please ensure that you read carefully and understand the Terms & Conditions prior to booking. These Terms & Conditions cover Deposit Amounts (Air & Land), Final Payment Dates, Confirmations, Invoicing, Cancellation Fee Schedules, Revisions & Revision Fees, Air Arrangements, Participation Eligibility & Reductions, Force Majeure, Special Needs and Participation Requirements, Information required for Reservations and Travel, On Trip Experience Information, Safety & Medical Care, River Cruising, Trip Documents, Service Inquires After Your Trip, and Responsibility.
Important Notes- Vacation departures, itineraries and prices are subject to change.
- A non-refundable, non-transferable deposit is required for Globus to reserve space for you. View Terms & Conditions for limited exceptions and items not included in the price.
- The hotels and accommodations listed are provisional and subject to change and may be substituted with properties of similar standard. Hotels are confirmed approximately 30 days prior to departure and can be found in your travel documents, but are not guaranteed until check-in.
- Additional airline-imposed fees for seat assignments may apply and are not included in your total package cost. Please refer to carrier websites for seat assignment policies and applicable pricing.
Booking your Vacation with Air
Our volume buying power saves you money. We may be able to provide you with flight arrangements from your gateway city. Globus offers 2 air options: Flex Air and Instant Purchase Air. Early Airfare Price Guarantee locks in a price that is guaranteed not to increase. Air pricing and schedules are available approximately 330 days prior to last travel date in the itinerary. At that time the best air price will be utilized and a new invoice with the air cost and confirmed schedule will be sent. The identity of the carrier, which may include the carrier's codeshare partner, will be assigned and disclosed at this time. If the guaranteed price is the lowest, the schedule with the lowest fare per contracted classes of service will be booked. Any voluntary change to the confirmed flights negates the guaranteed price and is subject to air pricing at the time of the change.
Guaranteed air-inclusive prices - air is only available to passengers traveling from the United States and only available when booked in conjunction with a land vacation. Additional per person, non-refundable, non-transferable deposits and payments are required for your international flights and/or for intra-trip air. These are in addition to the land deposits and payments. Air-inclusive trip pricing is guaranteed upon receipt of deposit or payment in full for the entire reservation as advised during the booking process. Deposit amounts for air range from $300 per person up to the full ticket price. Instant Purchase Air requires air payment in full at time of booking (i.e. air-inclusive vacation) plus a non-refundable per person service fee of $30 (North/Central America), $50 (Europe/Middle East) or $80 (all other international destinations). Once booked, Instant Purchase Air is non-refundable, and non-changeable. Once your airfare is confirmed and Globus has received your full air and land deposit, your air-inclusive vacation price is guaranteed.
Air-Inclusive Vacations - Applicable Taxes & Fees
Air-inclusive vacations include government-imposed taxes and fees applicable at the time of booking and will be shown as a Total Amount. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply. At the time of booking your air-inclusive vacation online, carrier Websites will be provided to check baggage fees, or you can visit www.iflybags.com for up-to-date baggage pricing/restrictions. For return travel from some countries, international travelers are required to pay entry and/or exit fees at the airport. These fees will be collected by the local government and are payable by the participant at time of travel. Your confirmation booking information will contain information about these fees.
'Starting at' Disclaimer
The 'Starting at' or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per passenger based on double occupancy and does not include International airfare. If a price is crossed out, the new price shown includes a limited time promotional offer(s) - please review current promotions or deals for additional information. Some tours require intra-vacation flights (and in some cases intra-vacation segments must be purchased from Globus).