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California

 

As the largest of America’s fifty states, California has something to offer every traveller, no matter their tastes or preferences.

Travellers keen to explore natural wonders will be thrilled to discover magnificent redwood forests, world-class beaches, the Yosemite National Park, the striking Mojave Desert and the iconic Big Sur coast.

Those seeking man-made pleasures can indulge in award-winning wines in Napa and Sonoma, visit Disneyland, take a selfie in front of the iconic Hollywood sign, and marvel at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge.

With all of this and more on offer, it is little wonder that the ‘Golden State’ has long held an unbreakable grip on the world’s imagination.

 

Discover California

LA, San Francisco & Vegas

Combine San Francisco, Los Angeles and Las Vegas in a three-centre tailor made USA holiday.

Private Tailor Made Tour
Three Centre Holiday
11 Nights from
£1695pp
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Flight Inclusive Price from UK

West Coast Discovery

See the best of the West on a 15-day self-drive journey through the West Coast USA.

Luxury California Self-Drive
Self Drive Holiday
15 Nights from
£2875pp
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Flight Inclusive Price from UK

California Dreamin Self Drive

Journey from north to south through the Golden State, travelling through the Central Valley and along the coast to sun-kissed Southern California.

San Francisco to San Diego
Self Drive Holiday
13 Nights from
£2895pp
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Flight Inclusive Price from UK

Route 66 Journey

Embark on a classic self-drive journey through the USA from Chicago to the Californian coast, following Route 66.

Chicago to Los Angeles
Self Drive Holiday
18 Nights from
£3195pp
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Flight Inclusive Price from UK

Pacific North West Journey

Taking you from the Pacific Coast to the Cascade Mountains and back again, this Seattle-to-San Francisco road trip falls into the ‘epic journeys’ category.

Self Drive Journey
Seattle to San Francisco
15 Nights from
£3275pp
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Flight Inclusive Price from UK

City Stops, Island Hops

Visit the Hawaiian Islands of Oahu & Maui combined with stops in New York and San Francisco.

Plus New York & San Francisco
Twin Centre Hawaii
14 Nights from
£4475pp
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Flight Inclusive Price from UK

San Francisco

Leave your inhibitions behind, grab your walking shoes and your most outrageous outfit in preparation for the wild (and typically steep) ride that is the foggy and fabulous city of San Francisco.

It is crawling with outlandish locals, wacky street performers and eccentric artists who somehow manage to delight and charm their way into the hearts of even the most conservative travellers.

Your trip is likely to include some cardio-building jaunts up some dramatically steep inclines to hilltop viewpoints offering magnificent views of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Prison and Coit Tower.

With its dizzying array of restaurants and farmers markets, rows of rainbow-coloured Victorian houses, as well as countless vintage saloons and speakeasies, there really is never a dull moment in this rollicking city by the bay.

Los Angeles

As the second largest city in the United States and the nation’s entertainment capital, L.A. is a vast metropolis brimming with movie stars, musicians, surfers, and plenty of glamorous A-list action.

The city is comprised of a number of wildly disparate neighbourhoods including the legendary celebrity hotspot of Hollywood, the inviting beaches of Santa Monica and Malibu and the hidden gems of Koreatown and Little Tokyo.

The result of this unlikely combination is an intriguing melting pot of bold creatives, eclectic world cultures, exotic cuisine and a never-ending array of wonderfully eccentric characters.

Spot a movie star, sip a cocktail on a rooftop bar, slip on a pair of designer shoes in an ultra-luxurious boutique in Beverly Hills, or dance the night away in a starlet-filled club. Keep an open mind and embrace all Los Angeles has to offer and you won’t leave disappointed.

Santa Monica

Santa Monica’s pleasant Mediterranean-like climate and its dramatic setting on a cliffside overlooking its famed stretch of golden sand beach, make it the perfect place to experience a taste of the glamour of LA at its most relaxed.

This coastal paradise boasts some excellent shopping haunts, world-class restaurants, and, thanks to the amusement park on its historical Pier, a round-the-clock atmosphere of vibrant festivity.

The city bustles during the day and positively heaves at night. Visitors are spoiled for choice with a wide range of evening entertainment options on offer.

From the laid back outdoor cafes, cocktails on the beach, sophisticated hotel lounges, heaving dance clubs, and live music hotspots, there really is never a dull moment in this city by the sea.

Anaheim - Disney

Located between Los Angeles and San Diego, the Southern Californian city of Anaheim serves as a premier leisure and business destination, known for its excellent outdoor recreation opportunities.

This vibrant city is home to the famous Disneyland resort - a massive complex of family-friendly rides, restaurants, hotels and shops.

Visitors can also look forwarding to watching a variety of professional sports teams in the city's many indoor sports arenas or exploring the downtown area, which boasts an array of trendy little bars and eateries as well as a number of local craft-beer breweries.

Don’t miss the Colony Historic District, which features numerous Spanish colonial-style concerts and contemporary art galleries.

Pasadena

Northeast of downtown Los Angeles, California, lies the bustling little city of Pasadena.

This charming city is most famous for hosting the annual ‘Tournament of Roses’ featuring a New Year’s parade followed by the Rose Bowl Game, a college football game hosted in the Rose Bowl sports stadium. In the centre of the city is Old Pasadena, an area boasting beautiful Victorian and art deco buildings occupied by a number of upmarket boutiques and fine restaurants.

Don’t miss the strikingly modern Norton Simon Museum, which features a number of notable European and Asian artworks, as well as a serene sculpture garden where the chattering of Red-crowned Amazon parrots can be heard.

San Diego

With its pleasant temperatures and endless days of sunshine, the city of San Diego is a summer vacationer’s dream destination.

Commonly considered to be one of America’s most family-friendly cities, San Diego is home to LEGOLAND, the New Children’s Museum, and the famed San Diego Zoo.

But you don’t have to be a child to enjoy this young-at-heart city. Sunbathers and surfers are sure to find that ideal beach; culture enthusiasts will be thrilled by the hip art galleries, artist studios, and museums; and food lovers will find numerous culinary delights in artisanal breweries and charming local bistros.

A vibrant downtown area and beaches ranging from ritzy to raucous make this enchanting portside city a popular spot for travellers of all ages and interests.

Yosemite National Park

Deep in the spectacular Sierra Nevada mountains in east-central California, lies the magnificent Yosemite National Park.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site attracts almost four million visitors each year, who flock here to witness the breathtaking natural wonders of this vast unspoiled wilderness.

Marvel at the towering granite cliffs and domes, the jaw-dropping waterfalls, the beautiful Tuolumne and Merced rivers, forests of massive sequoia trees and picturesque mountain meadows.

While the park as whole has plenty to offer, most visitors focus their attention on the famed Yosemite Valley due to its unrivaled natural beauty and spectacular wildlife.

A visit to Yosemite National Park is a true delight for outdoorsy traveller, especially wildlife-enthusiasts and anyone with an adventurous spirit.

Monterey

Resting on the rugged central coast of California, Monterey boasts a gorgeous beach, a phenomenal coastal route, and a thriving restaurant scene.

Go bar hopping and shopping along the Cannery Row, immortalised by novelist John Steinbeck, or taste the area’s excellent seafood and hand-crafted wines at an array of dining options.

Enjoy some brilliant waves, whale watching and an idyllic sunbathing opportunities at Carmel Beach, or play a few rounds of golf at some of the pristine, sprawling 18-hole golf courses among the professionals.

Discover the heritage of the area by visiting the iconic Carmel Mission, one of the most renowned missions in the county, and the Fort Ord National Monument.

Take Highway One and the 17-Mile-Drive to see exquisite cypress forests, artichoke fields, rocky shoreline and sandy beaches.

Humboldt Redwoods State Park

The Humboldt Redwoods State Park, set northeast of the King Range National Conservation Area in Northern California, and 48 km south of Eureka, is most famous for containing the largest remaining contiguous old-growth forest of coast redwoods in the world - spreading across 51,651 acres of land, 17,000 of which is made up of ancient, enormous, sky-scraping Redwood trees.

Nature enthusiasts can enjoy hikes along various hiking trails, as well as horse riding, fishing, and swimming.

Visitors seeking a more leisurely natural experience can drive the renowned Avenue of the Giants - a 51 km) drive through the park.

Mammoth Lakes

Mammoth Lakes is a charming little tourist town set in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California.

The surrounding valleys, mountains and crystal-clear lakes are known for their spectacular scenic beauty and provide endless opportunities for a variety of outdoor sports such as skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

Visitors typically base themselves at the Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort, a popular ski area which has been designated as the top ski destination in California, attracting famous winter-sports athletes who come to compete on the slopes of Mammoth Mountain.

Other popular activities include fishing and biking during the warmer months or enjoying the many festivals and entertainment events hosted by the Mammoth Lakes Adventure park.

Lake Tahoe

As the largest alpine lake in North America, Lake Tahoe amazes all who visit with its breathtaking beauty.

Characterised by glorious crystal-clear, cobalt-blue waters and surrounded by dramatic snowcapped peaks, this magnificent natural attraction is split into distinct areas by the California-Nevada state line.

While on the California side you will find low-key sightseeing, hiking, camping, and boating, the other side of the border features big-name entertainment and the chance to strike it lucky in the glitzy Nevada Casinos.

The lake itself is the area’s main attraction, but the diverse communities that surround it, the state parks, top-tier ski resorts, national forests, and protected tracts of pristine wilderness only add to the allure of this premier tourist region which unsurprisingly draws in nearly three million visitors a year.

Sausalito

Situated near the northern end of the Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito is a city in Marin County in California, located only seven kilometres north of San Francisco.

Visitors can take a ferry from San Francisco or take a scenic drive over the Golden Gate Bridge to this Mediterranean-feeling town which abounds with sweeping views, fantastic waterfront restaurants, quaint shops and ice cream vendors.

Enjoy taking a stroll along the historic waterfront, rent bikes, or even kayak around the bay.

Other highlights include: picnicking at Gabrielson Park, exploring the houseboat communities or admiring this beautiful, serene city from above by booking a seaplane tour.

Sonoma Valley

In the heart of the Sonoma Valley winemaking region in northern California, lies the historic city of Sonoma.

With more than 400 wineries, kilometres of Pacific Ocean coastline, towering redwood trees, an abundance of nature parks, and some of the most fertile earth in California, Sonoma is a perfect destination for both nature lovers and food and wine enthusiasts alike.

Visitors can look forward to exploring the The Mission San Francisco Solano and the Sonoma Barracks, both of which are significant 19th-century buildings that can be seen in the city’s famous colonial-era Sonoma Plaza.

Other popular activities on offer in the area include sampling delicious food at the weekly farmers’ market, as well as hiking, paddling, cycling, theatre and tasting cider made from locally harvested apples.

Napa Valley

With over 400 excellent wineries dotted around this 50-kilometre-long stretch of land, Napa Valley is the ultimate destination for food and wine enthusiasts.

Its top-rated chefs serve mind-blowing cuisine, its luxurious guest houses are welcoming and characterful and its scenery is truly breathtaking.

Aside from winery hopping, the area offers a wealth of activities. Spend your days: exploring the beautiful hiking trails of the American Canyon Wetlands; enjoying gastronomic delights with an ever-changing view on the Napa Valley Wine Train; browsing the glamorous clothing boutiques, jewellery stores, and art galleries at St. Helena; or simply unwinding in the mineral pools and mud baths of the exclusive spas in Calistoga.

However you choose to spend your time, you are bound to find endless opportunities for glorious self-indulgence in the wine country paradise of Napa Valley.

Big Sur

The Big Sur region is home to what is arguably California’s most beautiful stretch of coast.

This rugged coastline and its unspoiled surrounding wilderness area extends 90 miles from San Simeon to Carmel.

The area boasts a rich and diverse history which has resulted in a number of remarkable manmade and natural landmarks.

Enjoy the golden sands of Carmel River State Beach, the rocky expanse of Point Lobos State Reserve, the architectural authenticity of Point Sur Light Station, the impressive Hearst Castle and a number of state parks.

Popular activities include hiking, cycling, boating and horseback riding. Big Sur makes an ideal getaway for those looking to escape the frenetic energy of the city and unwind in some truly unforgettable natural surroundings.

Santa Barbara

With its year round Mediterranean-like climate, its extraordinary stretch of rugged coastline and its idyllic setting between the steeply rising Santa Ynez Mountains and the magnificent Pacific Ocean, it’s not hard to understand why Santa Barbara is widely considered to be the ‘The American Riviera’.

While the city lies less that 100 miles from the vast metropolis of Los Angeles, it differs greatly from its massive neighbour to the south.

Its broad pristine beaches, renowned wineries, and its relaxed atmosphere afford residents and visitors the kind laidback lifestyle one would expect from a small coastal town combined with the shopping experiences, dining opportunities and all the amenities of a large city.

Don’t miss the Spanish Mission Church, El Presidio State Historic Park, Butterfly Beach and Santa Ynez wine tasting.

Palm Springs

Situated in the magnificent Coachella Valley, the famed resort city of Palm Springs offers an oasis of glitz and glamour in the California Desert.

Visitors and part-time residents, among them celebrities and the usual A-list crowd, come each year to enjoy the impressive golf courses and to browse the upscale galleries and exclusive boutiques.

Though many flock to Palm Springs to relax in a pool-side lounger with a cocktail in hand, the city has much more on offer.

Spend your days: marvelling at the gorgeous mid-century modern architecture; checking out some urban-chic contemporary artwork in the Palm Springs’ Backstreet Arts District; or exploring the numerous trails of the remarkable Indian Canyons.

With its natural beauty, sparkling pools, and the ideal combination of outdoor adventure and laid-back relaxation it's no wonder that Hollywood A-listers and weekend warriors have long made Palm Springs their weekend getaway of choice.

Santa Cruz

Resting on the coast of central California, the bustling seaside city of Santa Cruz is a well-known surfing hub, boasting the famous Steamer Lane surf site, as well as the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum.

The sun-drenched beaches provide perfect opportunities for a variety of other outdoor activities from stand-up paddleboarding to sunbathing and volleyball.

Along the wharf, visitors can find many eateries and shops as well as the Seymour Marine Discovery Centre, where you will find a blue whale skeleton on display.

Visitors can also look forward to exploring the many parks, wineries, farmers’ markets and hiking trails in the area.

Not-to-be-missed are the giant redwoods in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, where visitors can experience the impressive landscape while enjoying mountain biking or canopy tours.

Carmel

Carmel offers an escape into the charms of a lovely seaside village.

This perfectly manicured town features fairy-tale cottages, hidden passageways, and enticing one-of-a-kind boutiques.

Carmel has all the draws of a top resort destination: fancy fine-dining restaurants, luxurious hotels, and a picturesque sandy beach.