Coastal California & Yosemite

Welcome to San Francisco! Your Tour Director is on hand from 3-6:00 p.m. to answer any questions. Once settled, perhaps venture out and start exploring this vibrant city. Walk to Union Square or to Chinatown, the largest Chinatown outside of Asia, where you’ll find lots of interesting shops and restaurants.

Today we tour the “City by the Bay.” Sightseeing includes the spectacular Golden Gate Bridge, Nob Hill, Chinatown, and Fisherman’s Wharf. This afternoon is yours to explore. Perhaps take an iconic cable-car ride, visit Golden Gate Park or tour infamous Alcatraz Island Prison. Or take the optional guided Bike the Bridge excursion and bike across the Golden Gate Bridge and down into the lovely village of Sausalito before taking the ferry back to Fisherman’s Wharf. NOTE: If going to Alcatraz Island, consider purchasing tickets in advance with the National Park Service.

This morning, travel east through California’s Central Valley and enter Yosemite, one of the country’s most popular national parks. Yosemite is a wonderland of soaring granite peaks, towering pinnacles, cascading waterfalls, and lush forests. See famous El Capitan, the world’s largest granite monolith, Yosemite Falls, the highest waterfall in North America, and mighty Half Dome. Overnight in nearby Oakhurst.

Today revisit Yosemite to marvel at the magnificent giant Sequoias, the largest living trees on earth. Then head west for a late afternoon arrival in picturesque Monterey. Visit Monterey Harbor’s historic Old Fisherman’s Wharf where you can look for sea lions and otters, then visit Cannery Row, made famous by John Steinbeck’s novel of the same name. (B)