California – also known as the Golden State – is a jewel in America’s crown. With its diverse and stunning landscape, global cities and popular coastline, it has long been a favourite destination for travellers across the world. On the California Explorer you’ll get to sample some of the best this state has to offer. Starting in beautiful San Francisco, you’ll travel down the coast, hitting the likes of Yosemite National Park and Los Angeles, before finishing your trip in San Diego.
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Road Trip Itinerary
3 Nights – San Francisco
1 Nights – Napa Valley
1 Night – Lake Tahoe
2 Nights – Yosemite National Park
1 Nights – Pismo Beach
1 Night – Santa Barbara
2 Nights – Los Angeles
3 Nights – San Diego
✈ UK – San Francisco (3 nights): You’ll touch down, pick up your car and then have three nights in San Francisco to kick off your trip. Also known as ‘Shaky Town’, this city is famous for its painted ladies – Victorian and Edwardian homes painted in three or more colours – cable cars and, of course, the Golden Gate Bridge. As you walk the hilly streets of San Fran, you’ll sense a quaint nostalgia, which contrasts wonderfully with the newer parts of the city. The overall ambience is a quirky, eclectic one that makes it a perfect introduction to California. While you’re there, be sure to visit famous sites like Alcatraz Island and Golden Gate Park, as well as allowing some time to chill out in the funky restaurants and bars.
🚗 San Francisco – Napa Valley (1 night): From San Francisco you’ll head out to California’s famous wine region, Napa Valley. With its undulating hills of green and rustic-style villas, it can feel like you’re in a different world compared to the rest of the Golden State. Be sure to sample the local wares and tour one of the beautiful vineyards.
🚗 Napa Valley – Lake Tahoe (1 night): Your next stop is often referred to as ‘America’s best lake’, Lake Tahoe is one of the most picturesque areas of California. It’s also the perfect place to get active, with lots of hikes and watersports available, from swimming to windsurfing. During the winter, the mountains surrounding the lake are covered in snow, transforming the area into a popular skiing spot. There’s also plenty of nightlife to enjoy.
🚗 Lake Tahoe – Yosemite National Park (2 nights): Next on to Yosemite, set in the Sierra Nevada mountains, a striking mix of rocky mountains, green pastures and lakes. It’s famous for its sequoias – large, ancient trees that dominate the landscape. There is also the Tunnel View – a famous viewpoint over Yosemite Valley – and the 188-metre high Bridalveil Fall. When you’re not traversing the landscape, there are plenty of shops and restaurants in Yosemite Village to occupy yourself with. There’s also a museum for you to learn more about the area.
🚗 Yosemite – Pismo Beach (1 night): After your active time at Yosemite and Lake Tahoe, you’ll drive on to the picturesque coastal town of Pismo. This traditional beach community has plenty of sand dunes for relaxing strolls, restaurants for great food and miles of beach for sunbathing.
🚗 Pismo Beach – Santa Barbara (1 night): Driving down the stunning Pacific Highway, you’ll come to your next stop of Santa Barbara. This city is sure to give you a great taste of the Spanish colonial heritage of California. With red-tiled roofs on white stucco buildings, you can be forgiven for feeling like you’re in the Mediterranean. There’s also a range of great places to visit to learn about the local culture and history, including the Santa Barbara Presidio and the Mission Santa Barbara.
🚗 Santa Barbara – Los Angeles (2 nights): Your penultimate stop will be the iconic city of Los Angeles, where you can spend your time exploring Hollywood, the strip and the Walk of Fame. Griffith Park is also a must if you fancy a bit of a hike. As you’d expect of LA, there are plenty of restaurants and a great nightlife scene, meaning you can let your hair down for a few days. There’s also a huge healthy-living culture in the city, so be sure to sample some of the great things they have on offer.
🚗 Los Angeles – San Diego (3 nights): After LA you’ll travel on to your final stop and what a way to end your trip than in San Diego. This city has something for everyone, from famous landmarks to beaches and parks. If you love history, spend time in the Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, which is a state-protected area with Mexican and American heritage. You have to spend some time in Balboa Park, which houses San Diego Zoo, as well as large open spaces and gardens. For some down-time on the beach, take a trip to La Jolla Cove or the Torrey Pines State Beach.
✈ San Diego – UK: Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, so all that’s left is to drive to the airport, drop off your car and fly back to the UK.
Why choose eShores?
One to One Service
Our experienced personal travel consultants will ensure you find the most suitable holiday, whilst taking care of every last detail. Everything from start to finish will be effortless.
100% Tailor Made
We can use any hotel, in any destination, so we will craft an itinerary to suit your exact needs. Also, as we can provide any itinerary, the only holiday we'll offer, is the one that's right for you.
Fully Protected
Our ATOL bonding provides you with the financial protection you need and as a member of the Travel Trust Association, you'll have 100% financial protection. Covering you for any eventuality.
Competitive Pricing
As a tour operator & travel agent, we'll search the market to ensure that we find you the best price. Also as an online business, we can ensure our prices are as competitive as possible.
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Mark
I have just booked three destination Greek holiday through E shores( Rachael) and can’t fault their approach and helpfulness . I amended my plans half way through but by the end we had successfully booked the three hotels I requested and organised ferry transfers . My input was minimal and all the work was carried out by Rachael Very satisfied with everything from start to finish Mark
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Rashid
Excellent service from Emily, she handled my enquiry from start to finish. Once i had made payment, she still kept in touch which shows great customer service.
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Judith
I have used this form a couple of times and they are excellent. Helpful staff and cost effective prices. Recommended
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Jeanette
Fantastic service once again from Dave Felton and the team at e-shores. All flights, transfers and hotels booked. Looking forward to Bali and Lombok Excellent knowledge, advice and customer care from the team, I would definitely recommend booking any holiday with e-shores✈️😎🌴
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Sandra
Fantastic service, another trip organised through eShores. Nothing was too much trouble.
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Lance
as always Eshores come up trumps, fantastic customer service with fantastic prices. Matthew our travel guru always sorts our trips,nothing is too much trouble .I have used E-Shores for 6 of our long haul trips ,manages to sort all connections,hotels and car hire to a sensible budget and always communicates . 5 star plus,give them a try you will not be dissapointed.
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NicholasDavid
Just booked our 3rd holiday with e-shores, yet again a full professional service and insight to the destinations we wanted to visit- no pressurised selling, and if we kept wanting our itinerary changed - Nick Chadwick didn’t mind at all. Easy to deal nothing to much trouble, also arrange everything to the last detail, no way would we contemplate a holiday to Chile, Argentina and Dominion Republic without eShores - thank u
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Wendy
We have recently been on an amazing 3 week holiday to Kuala Lumpur, Borneo and Singapore arranged by Hannah at eshores. Everything went smoothly and we had the perfect holiday. We loved our multi centre trip so much we have booked with Hannah to go to South America. Again the service and support is great and so easy to make tweaks to our itinerary. Looking forward to what I'm sure will be another great holiday. I would definitely recommend eshores.
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Deborah
We just booked our first trip with Nick from eshores and will be heading to Vietnam next April. Nick was very patient and professional. He listened to what we wanted and made changes to package where requested. Nick was very knowledgeable and made the process very easy.
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SusanMary
During the booking process, Dave has been brilliant, always very quick to respond and answered all of my very many questions. Our travel is not till next year but, if our tour goes as well as our experience to date, it will be fantastic.
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