Overview
California Classics with 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.
Highlights of California Classics with San Diego
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Related Tours
AA|California ClassicsAAE|With San Diego
Vacation Type
y
Related Option Title
With San Diego
Price Details US
Gratuities for Tour Director and driver are available for pre-purchase.
Small Group
Globus offers Small-Group Discoveries on select North America dates. A Small-Group Discovery is limited to an average of just 24 guests per departure. There’s always room to roam with extra space between you and other travelers—while still getting up close and personal to the experiences you’ve been dreaming of. Small-Group Discoveries include all the features of a traditional Globus escorted tour, complete with expert Tour Director, Driver, and Local Guides who ensure that your health and safety is our top priority. A Small-Group Discovery trip is the perfectly sized tour—without the crowds.
Product Group
California Classics
UNESCO Sites
Yosemite National Park
Inclusions
We’ve packed everything you need for the perfect vacation—from hand-selected hotels and dining to the friendly expertise of Globus Tour Directors and Local Guides, to seamless transportation between destinations and VIP access to the world’s most iconic sites! Touring by private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi. PLUS, your tour includes your choice of excursions in Los Angeles so you can plan your day your way.
Notes
Travelers Notes
We’ve packed everything you need for the perfect tour—from hand-selected hotels and dining to the friendly expertise of Globus Tour Directors and Local Guides, to seamless transportation between destinations and VIP access to the world’s most iconic sites! Touring by private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi. Enhance your free time with your GlobusGO mobile app! PLUS, your tour includes your choice of excursions in Los Angeles so you can plan your day your way.
Meals
Breakfast daily, 3 Dinners
Itineraries
Day 1
ARRIVE IN SAN FRANCISCO Welcome to San Francisco! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome drink.SAN-FRANCISCO-ALAMO-SQUARE.jpg
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.SAN-FRANCISCO-GOLDEN-GATE.jpg
Day 3
SAN FRANCISCO–EXCURSION TO SAUSALITO & SONOMA 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.SONOMA.jpg
Day 4
SAN FRANCISCO–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. YOSEMITE-NATIONAL-PARK-VIEW.jpg
Day 5
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK–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. MONTEREY.jpg
Day 6
MONTEREY. EXCURSION TO CARMEL 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.CARMEL-17-MILE-DRIVE.jpg
Day 7
MONTEREY–BIG SUR–SAN SIMEON–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. SOLVANG.jpg
Day 8
SOLVANG–SANTA BARBARA–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.SANTA-BARBARA-MISSION.jpg
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 more of Los Angeles with your choice of included excursions. This evening, your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)TAKE YOUR PICK Explore your way today with your choice of excursions: ART HISTORY After 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: 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. LOS-ANGELES-BEVERLY-HILLS.jpg
Day 10
LOS ANGELES–AMTRAK’S PACIFIC SURFLINER–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.SAN-DIEGO-TRAIN.jpg
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.SAN-DIEGO-BALBOA-PARK.jpg
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. SAN-DIEGO-BEACH.jpg
Day 13
SAN DIEGO Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)LA-JOLLA-SAN-DIEGO.jpg
Departures
| # | Air Start Date | Land Start Date | Land End Date | Land Only Price | Discount | Final | Departure Code | Status |
| 1 | 2025-05-09 | 2025-05-09 | 2025-05-21 | $4869 | $0 | $4869 | AAE50509 | Available |
| 2 | 2025-05-16 | 2025-05-16 | 2025-05-28 | $5009 | $0 | $5009 | AAE50516 | Not Available |
| 3 | 2025-05-30 | 2025-05-30 | 2025-06-11 | $4909 | $0 | $4909 | AAE50530 | Not Available |
| 4 | 2025-06-20 | 2025-06-20 | 2025-07-02 | $5439 | $0 | $5439 | AAE50620K | Not Available |
| 5 | 2025-06-27 | 2025-06-27 | 2025-07-09 | $4969 | $0 | $4969 | AAE50627 | Available |
| 6 | 2025-07-25 | 2025-07-25 | 2025-08-06 | $5509 | $0 | $5509 | AAE50725K | Available |
| 7 | 2025-08-29 | 2025-08-29 | 2025-09-10 | $4909 | $0 | $4909 | AAE50829 | Not Available |
| 8 | 2025-09-12 | 2025-09-12 | 2025-09-24 | $4909 | $0 | $4909 | AAE50912 | Available |
| 9 | 2025-10-03 | 2025-10-03 | 2025-10-15 | $5439 | $0 | $5439 | AAE51003K | Available |
| 10 | 2025-10-10 | 2025-10-10 | 2025-10-22 | $4909 | $0 | $4909 | AAE51010 | Available |
Hotels
| # | Name | Description | City | Address | Rating |
| 1 | San Francisco Marriott Marquis | San Francisco Marriott Marquis welcomes travelers to Northern California with exceptional service, spacious guestrooms, and a prime downtown location. The hotel features a spa, fitness center, and an on-site restaurant and lounge. Guestrooms offer plush bedding, Smart TVs, mini-refrigerators, and Wi-Fi access. | San Francisco | 780 Mission Street | Superior First-Class |
| 2 | Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite | An elegant resort in the California High Sierra, Tenaya Lodge is the perfect gateway to four seasons of Yosemite adventure. The hotel features complimentary Wi-Fi, fitness room, indoor pool, three outdoor pool, and five hot tubs. | Yosemite National Park | 1122 Highway 41 | First-Class |
| 3 | Hyatt Regency Monterey | This luxury resort is ideally situated near an acclaimed golf course, which provides ample views of gardens and landscapes. Renovations have transformed the interior into a modern, contemporary oasis with a fireplace lounge, fitness center, spa, outdoor pool, tennis courts, restaurant, lounge, and room service. Guestrooms feature cable TV, high-speed Internet access, mini-refrigerator, in-room safe, coffeemaker, bath robe, and bath amenities. | Monterey | 1 Old Golf Course Rd | Superior First-Class |
| 4 | Hotel Corque | Hotel Corque (pronounced Cork) is a boutique hotel located in downtown Solvang. The hotel offers spacious guestrooms and décor specially designed to complement the regions peaceful surrounding wine country. | Solvang | 400 Alisal Road | Superior First-Class |
| 5 | Westin Bonaventure | Stunning downtown hotel comprising 5 glass towers and a 6 story atrium lobby with fountains. Facilities include an outdoor pool, health club, spa and on site shopping mall. Dining faciilities include a lobby bar and bistro restaurant - The Lakeview Bistro - and a famous steakhouse on the 35th floor - LA Prime - which offers spectacular views of the downtown area. On the 34th floor is a revolving lounge and restaurant - the Bona Vista Lounge | Los Angeles | 404 S. Figueroa Street | Superior First-Class |
| 6 | Embassy Suites San Diego Bay | This hotel is located directly across the street from Seaport Village and is walking distance from the San Diego Convention Center. The hotel is also just minutes from the San Diego attractions such as SeaWorld, San Diego Zoo, Old Town and more. The hotel has an indoor pool, hot tub, fitness center, game room, business center, concierge service, hair salon, gift shop, restaurant, room service, and complimentary evening manager's reception. | San Diego | 601 Pacific Highway | First-Class |
