Travel with your private party on this Luxury Tailor Made Journey, departing when you choose and with expert local guides leading the way; you can even customize the itinerary to your interests.
Northern California combines natural beauty, storied history and refined urban living like few other places in the United States, and this journey introduces you to the region’s alluring wilderness and its cultural attractions, led by experts who know every highlight and hidden gem.
DAY 1
DAY 2
DAYS 3–4
DAY 5
DAY 6
DAY 7
DAY 8
Luxury Tailor Made Journeys depart on the dates that work for you and feature expert local guides throughout your journey. The itinerary below can be customized to your interests.
DAY 1
Arrive in San Francisco where you are met and privately transferred to your hotel.
The St. Regis San Francisco
The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco
DAY 2
Join your private guide this morning for a tour of the sights that have made San Francisco everyone’s favorite city: Union Square, North Beach, Chinatown, Golden Gate Park, the Crookedest Street in the World (Lombard Street), Fisherman's Wharf, the Presidio, Haight-Ashbury and the Victorian homes at Alamo Square. Your local guide is ready and able to customize your itinerary to cater to any interest. This evening, sail in San Francisco Bay on a sunset catamaran shared cruise. See some of the bay’s most popular attractions up close and personal as you sail around Alcatraz Island and underneath the Golden Gate Bridge, admiring the city’s famed skyline and perhaps catching a glimpse of marine wildlife, including pelicans and sea lions.
The St. Regis San Francisco
The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco
Meals: Breakfast
DAYS 3–4
Encompassing a deep valley set into the massive granite peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range in Northern California, Yosemite National Park has a majesty that few other places on earth can rival. Cascading waterfalls, ancient giant redwoods and towering rock outcroppings are just a few of the natural features on display. Fresh mountain air, soaring forests, flowering meadows, flowing rivers, melting glaciers and a diversity of flora and fauna all help to make Yosemite an unforgettable experience. Drive to Yosemite National Park and check into your hotel, near the park’s south entrance. Start the next day with a drive through the valley floor, taking in stunning views, hearing the calls of the wildlife and seeing points of interest such as El Capitan, Yosemite Falls and Half Dome Village. In addition to private guided walks (tailored to your interests and desired activity level) and a packed lunch, your afternoon includes a drive through the high country along Tioga Pass or Glacier Point Road, with plenty of time to take in open views and explore the alpine meadows and lakes. As you breathe in the deep air, your guide shares fascinating insights into the park’s flora, fauna, and history.
Tenaya Lodge
Chateau du Sureau
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 5
After a leisurely breakfast, set out on a private horseback ride along Buena Vista Pass, a venerated mountain trail surrounding by towering pines and lush alpine meadows. The winding path traverses Rainier Creek several times before reaching a thrilling panorama of Yosemite. Your afternoon is free to enjoy at leisure.
Tenaya Lodge
Chateau du Sureau
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 6
Depart Yosemite and drive to Moss Landing on Monterey Bay, where you meet your guide for a private guided kayak excursion. The Elkhorn Slough is abundant with life including harbor seals, otters and an array of shorebirds. Sheltered from the large swells of the Monterey Bay, this is a perfect environment to experience both sea kayaking and marine wildlife. Following your excursion, check into your hotel.
Carmel Valley Ranch
Bernardus Lodge & Spa
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7
This morning, visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium, a world-famous facility with displays including the 28-foot tall Kelp Forest, one of the tallest aquarium exhibits in the world. Experience a private, behind-the-scenes (and diver's-eye) view of sardines, leopard sharks, wolf-eels, and a host of other fish as they weave through swaying fronds of kelp, just like they do in the wild. Explore the rest of the Aquarium and then enjoy the remainder of your afternoon at leisure.
Carmel Valley Ranch
Bernardus Lodge & Spa
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8
Transfer to San Francisco for your flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
The St. Regis San Francisco
The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco
Tenaya Lodge
Chateau du Sureau
Carmel Valley Ranch
Bernardus Lodge & Spa
