California Classics

San Francisco, Sonoma, Yosemite, and Monterey Bay

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Overview

This brilliant Golden State trip takes you on a loop from San Francisco, to Sonoma, to Yosemite, to Carmel-by-the-Sea, and back up to the beautiful City by the Bay. You will definitely leave your heart somewhere — maybe in San Francisco, the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, or with a sea otter in Monterey Bay.

Every day of this journey is special. Sip California’s best at world-class wineries, and sample exquisite fresh fare among the rolling hills of Sonoma Valley. As you explore Yosemite’s trails, feel the deep connection to history and the enduring efforts of generations of conservationists. Get a special look behind-the-scenes at the outstanding Monterey Bay Aquarium and get to know the area’s diverse aquatic life. Breathe in the salty air as you cruise California’s Highway 1, winding through the rugged beauty of the Pacific Coast. After a guided bike tour, take in panoramic views from your historic hotel in San Francisco’s upscale Pacific Heights neighborhood.

We invite you to take this classic customized California road trip that connects the very special dots from towering ancient trees to swaying kelp forests to the iconic cable cars in San Francisco. There’s so much to see in quirky, lovely California, and so many ways to go, off the beaten path.

Price From*

$5,325 USD
Trip Type

Custom-Made Travel
Best Months for Travel

April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Duration

10 days / 9 nights
Trip begins/ends
San Francisco, California / San Francisco, California

*Price per person based on sample itinerary detailed. Pricing will vary depending upon number of travelers, rooming configuration, and other planning details specific to your trip.

Call Toll-Free 800-445-2995

How Can We Customize This Sample Itinerary For You?

If this sample itinerary looks intriguing, let us know and we can begin the process of tailoring it for you and yours! Call or email us today: [email protected].

Trip Details

Trip Highlights

What’s Included? Everything you need, plus everything you want.

Guided Hiking in Yosemite: Spend the day with a guide in Yosemite National Park, hiking and learning the history of this important place - a treasure trove of giant sequoia trees, waterfalls, towering rock faces, and sheer beauty.
Bike the Bridge: Cruise the National Park Bike Path from the Presidio – across the Golden Gate Bridge – to Sausalito, on a private, guided half-day bike tour.
Stay Happy: Spend each night of the journey in distinctive, perfectly located lodgings for delightful evenings after those special California days.

The Essentials

California Classics

Trip Type: Custom-Made Travel

Territory:

Region: Pacific Northwest

Trip Price: $5,325

Duration: 10 days/9 nights

Trip Begins/Ends: San Francisco, California / San Francisco, California

National Parklands: Yosemite NP

Select Terms & Conditions

All custom travel is tailored to the desires and interests of our traveling clients (see How Custom Travel Works tab). Trip pricing detailed is an estimate of the per person pricing for the sample itinerary detailed and includes all of the lodging, activities, and guided experiences described. Actual pricing for the trip designed expressly for you and others traveling with you will depend on the features and elements developed during the trip planning process. Travel with Off the Beaten Path requires agreement to our standard Terms & Conditions.

Energy Index

Energy Index Key

EASY GOING
1 to 2 miles of walking or hiking on select days, plus other leisurely activities

NICE AND ACTIVE
3 to 5 miles of hiking or walking on select days, plus physically active exploration

ACTIVE TO AMBITIOUS
6 to 8 miles of hiking on select days, plus possible elevation gain or other action-oriented fun

California Classics

Exploring a destination more deeply through active exploration is a part of every Off the Beaten Path journey. During the custom planning process, we will recommend experiences – from hiking and kayaking to snorkeling and snowshoeing – that will elevate your adventure. The Energy Index for your Private Custom Journey will be thoughtfully tailored to your interests, abilities, and preferred activity level.

Make It Private

How custom-made travel works at Off the Beaten Path

We’ve been tailoring custom journeys for clients since our very inception in the mid-1980s! The process is all about connecting the interests of the travelers with the best that a given destination has to offer. To achieve this, we rely upon good ol’ fashioned conversation! Our geographically focused travel designer love to meet new people and learn about their interests for travel. Understanding your goals informs the process immensely and serves as the foundation for the development of a bespoke travel experience for you and yours.

The trip detailed on this web page is a sample of something we’ve done for other clients over the years. In order to start the process of designing your own custom travel experience, just call us at (800) 445-2995 and ask to speak with one of our Travel Advisors. After a bit of time on the phone, you will then have the opportunity to connect with one of our travel designers.

The entire planning process is very personalized and works in an iterative fashion until a final, perfect trip has been created. We then secure all of the lodging, activities, and guided experiences associated with your trip and send along abundant trip materials capturing these details – and much more about your travels!

Trip Highlights
The Essentials
Energy Index
How Custom Travel Works

What’s Included? Everything you need, plus everything you want.

Guided Hiking in Yosemite: Spend the day with a guide in Yosemite National Park, hiking and learning the history of this important place - a treasure trove of giant sequoia trees, waterfalls, towering rock faces, and sheer beauty.
Bike the Bridge: Cruise the National Park Bike Path from the Presidio – across the Golden Gate Bridge – to Sausalito, on a private, guided half-day bike tour.
Stay Happy: Spend each night of the journey in distinctive, perfectly located lodgings for delightful evenings after those special California days.

California Classics

Trip Type: Custom-Made Travel

Territory:

Region: Pacific Northwest

Trip Price: $5,325

Duration: 10 days/9 nights

Trip Begins/Ends: San Francisco, California / San Francisco, California

National Parklands: Yosemite NP

Select Terms & Conditions

All custom travel is tailored to the desires and interests of our traveling clients (see How Custom Travel Works tab). Trip pricing detailed is an estimate of the per person pricing for the sample itinerary detailed and includes all of the lodging, activities, and guided experiences described. Actual pricing for the trip designed expressly for you and others traveling with you will depend on the features and elements developed during the trip planning process. Travel with Off the Beaten Path requires agreement to our standard Terms & Conditions.

Energy Index Key

EASY GOING
1 to 2 miles of walking or hiking on select days, plus other leisurely activities

NICE AND ACTIVE
3 to 5 miles of hiking or walking on select days, plus physically active exploration

ACTIVE TO AMBITIOUS
6 to 8 miles of hiking on select days, plus possible elevation gain or other action-oriented fun

California Classics

Exploring a destination more deeply through active exploration is a part of every Off the Beaten Path journey. During the custom planning process, we will recommend experiences – from hiking and kayaking to snorkeling and snowshoeing – that will elevate your adventure. The Energy Index for your Private Custom Journey will be thoughtfully tailored to your interests, abilities, and preferred activity level.

How custom-made travel works at Off the Beaten Path

We’ve been tailoring custom journeys for clients since our very inception in the mid-1980s! The process is all about connecting the interests of the travelers with the best that a given destination has to offer. To achieve this, we rely upon good ol’ fashioned conversation! Our geographically focused travel designer love to meet new people and learn about their interests for travel. Understanding your goals informs the process immensely and serves as the foundation for the development of a bespoke travel experience for you and yours.

The trip detailed on this web page is a sample of something we’ve done for other clients over the years. In order to start the process of designing your own custom travel experience, just call us at (800) 445-2995 and ask to speak with one of our Travel Advisors. After a bit of time on the phone, you will then have the opportunity to connect with one of our travel designers.

The entire planning process is very personalized and works in an iterative fashion until a final, perfect trip has been created. We then secure all of the lodging, activities, and guided experiences associated with your trip and send along abundant trip materials capturing these details – and much more about your travels!

Itinerary

Days 1-2: Sonoma Wine Country

Arrive into San Francisco International Airport and drive the 65 miles to Sonoma. Spend two nights in Sonoma, steps from the historic Sonoma Plaza. Take advantage of delicious eateries and tasting rooms, plus you’ll set out on a wine-tasting tour to experience some of the area’s 17 appellations and over 400 wineries. After a delicious day, get some rest because tomorrow you drive to Yosemite!

Days 3-4: Yosemite National Park

Today, you’ll head inland to the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and photographer Ansel Adams’ favorite, Yosemite National Park. Get off on the right foot with a privately guided hike. Your naturalist guide will bring the surrounding landscape alive as they teach you about the park’s geology, history, and wildlife.

Days 5-6: Yosemite National Park

Now it's time to migrate from the western part of the park down to your lodge for the next two nights, near Yosemite's southern entrance. On the drive through the park, spend time exploring the waterfalls, forests, granite cliffs, and iconic vistas. You'll cap off your Yosemite visit with an immersive guided hike among ancient giant sequoias.

Days 7-8: Carmel-by-the-Sea

Your next stop is Carmel-by-the-Sea, a picturesque town overlooking the sparkling Pacific Ocean. This charming town on the beach has it all: scenery, trails, historic sites, galleries, and restaurants. After your first night in your charming boutique hotel, it’s time for a unique adventure. Spend the morning tide-pooling with a marine biologist followed by a behind-the-scenes Monterey Bay Aquarium visit.

Days 9-10: Departures Home from San Francisco

It’s time to return to where we started – the City by the Bay – along iconic California Highway 1. Once there, you'll head out on a half-day guided bole tour to hit some of the city's beautiful highlights. After a comfortable night's rest, make your way to San Francisco International for departures home.

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Lodging

Sonoma Bungalows

Experience the quintessential feel of Sonoma at this private, luxurious property just steps off the historical Sonoma Plaza with unparalleled access to the town’s most dynamic restaurants, tasting rooms, shops and historical sights. Sonoma Bungalows is unique and intimate with 8 Luxury Bungalows & Suites, each thoughtfully appointed with gourmet kitchens, large open living spaces and grand master bedrooms that effortlessly blend sophistication and an understated elegance.

Rush Creek Lodge at Yosemite

Opened during the summer of 2016, Rush Creek Lodge at Yosemite is the first newly opened hotel near Yosemite in over 25 years. Boasting a number of great rooming options that accommodate most any group and full-service amenities, Rush Creek immediately established itself as a client favorite.

Tenaya at Yosemite

Tenaya at Yosemite is a lovely full service resort, located just a half mile south of Yosemite's southern entrance. This is a great base as it is a full service resort with several dining options, outdoor pool and lounge area, on-resort activities, a spa and also provides close and easy access to all the parks highlights. You're just a 30 minute drive to the main valley floor.

Hotel Carmel

The Hotel Carmel is conveniently located in the heart of Carmel-By-The-Sea, California. This charming boutique hotel is within walking distance of all the best eating, tasting and shopping that Carmel has to offer, not to mention that it is only blocks away from the ocean! Chock-full of amenities - from the thoughtful decor to a free happy hour, to firepits and a lovely continental breakfast - this property is the ideal place to stay in Carmel-By-The-Sea.

Hotel Drisco

Located in the gorgeous neighborhood along the crest of Pacific Heights, this wonderful hotel is a real treat for our clients who want to be well-located while avoiding the hustle and bustle of the run-of-the-mill tourist locations in the city. The Drisco has been around for years and offers wonderful rooms and the quiet tranquility of a local neighborhood. Everyone loves wondering the amazing hills of Pacific Heights and this hotel keeps you right in the middle of it all.