9 days Northern California's Finest (AL)
9 Day Tour from San Francisco to San Francisco -- Southern California may be known for its movie stars, but Northern California is the home of true legends that stand the test of time. The real larger-than-life superstars you’ll encounter here are found in the stunning landscapes of Yosemite National Park and the rocky coast along Monterey’s famous 17-Mile Drive. From the dramatic hills of the streets of San Francisco to the towering giants of Sequoia and King Canyon National Parks, you’ll be a fan for life on this nine-day tour through Northern California. Visit a family-owned winery in the serene Sonoma Valley to taste their award-winning wines. Other stellar experiences to toast on this Northern California vacation? Stargazing under the sequoias and saying goodnight from the comfort of classic stone-and-cedar national park lodges.
| Day | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ARRIVE IN SAN FRANCISCO | Welcome to San Francisco! -- At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome drink. EXPLORE MORE in San Francisco with a walk on Fisherman’s Wharf, a bowl of clam chowder with famous sourdough bread, or a Ghirardelli chocolate or two in the stunning city by the bay. Your Tour Director has suggestions for your night, and your GlobusGO mobile app puts all the possibilities right at your fingertips. |
| 2 | SAN FRANCISCO | The City by the Bay -- This morning, enjoy a sightseeing tour of San Francisco to take in its famous sights. Enjoy free time to explore the Golden City before dinner at a local restaurant. CITY SIGHTS San Francisco is a city to be loved. Maybe that’s why so many visitors really do leave their hearts here. From Golden Gate National Recreation area and the stunning Japanese Tea Gardens to the iconic and incredible Golden Gate Bridge to the historic Presidio, you’ll also soak in the sea air with sights of Fisherman’s Wharf, Union Square, and more. Breakfast, Dinner |
| 3 | SAN FRANCISCO - SONOMA - SACREMENTO | Bridge to Bountiful -- Travel across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sonoma for a city tour and free time for lunch on your own. Delight in a tasting at a Globus Local Favorite family-owned winery. Continue to the capital of California, Sacramento, for a sightseeing tour and a free evening. Tonight, venture out to explore one of the many restaurants, craft breweries, and wine-tasting rooms. LOCAL TASTES Visit a beautiful winery, where estate-grown, sustainably farmed wines have flowed for over a century. Taste the California vintages that thrive here with a tradition of generations. Breakfast |
| 4 | SACREMENTO - YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK | Treasures of the High Sierras -- Travel south through the Sierra Nevada Mountains to Yosemite National Park. Best known for its waterfalls, but with nearly 1,200 square miles, you can also find grand meadows, ancient sequoias, and much more. Continue to the Tenaya Lodge for a memorable 2-night stay. ACCOMMODATION SPOTLIGHT Tenaya Lodge is nestled among towering Sugar Pines in the Sierra National Forest offering an elegant stay with access to multiple eateries, a world-class spa, three swimming pools, and refined guestrooms with deluxe amenities. Enjoy the night sky and sweet snack at the fire pit with a s’mores kit. The pinnacle of Yosemite-area lodging, Tenaya Lodge offers Globus travellers something special. Breakfast, Dinner |
| 5 | YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK | Nature’s Cathedral -- Today, 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. Enjoy free time for the balance of the day in Yosemite National Park. EXPLORE MORE in Yosemite National Park. The place which Theodore Roosevelt described as a “great solemn cathedral, far vaster and more beautiful than any built by the hand of man.” After camping with naturalist John Muir, the president was so moved by the natural and sacred beauty of this pristine land that he established the National Forest Service, followed by hundreds of national monuments, protected parks, and wildlife sanctuaries—preserving more than 200 million acres of wilderness for generations to come. Your Tour Director can offer recommendations on how to fill your day. Breakfast |
| 6 | YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK - SEQUOIA & KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS | Forest Giants & Heavenly Objects -- Travel to Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks. Tonight, enjoy dinner followed by a Globus Local Favorite stargazing experience. NATURAL WONDERS Explore the “Land of Giants” in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks to discover a land of stunning diversity and beauty with soaring mountains, deep canyons, vast caverns, and the world’s largest trees! This natural region is also blessed with some of the darkest night skies (free from city lights) that offer an amazing opportunity for spectacular stargazing. As you look skyward to the glittering heavens, hear ancient and cultural legends about the constellations you’ll witness in the night sky. ACCOMODATION SPOTLIGHT Feel like you're dreaming with a stay at the wonderful Wuksachi Lodge in the heart of Sequoia National Park. The beautifully crafted cedar and stone architecture offer panoramic views of the surrounding forest and High Sierra peaks from its spectacular alpine setting in the Sequoias. Breakfast, Dinner |
| 7 | SEQUOIA & KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS - MONTEREY | Old-Growth Trees & Ocean Tides -- Spend more time this morning exploring these magnificent parks, which now protect nearly half the remaining sequoia groves in the world. See the General Sherman Tree, spend time at the Visitors’ Center, or simply relax in the tranquil settings. Continue across the farmlands of California to the coastal town of Monterey, home to the world-famous Cannery Row, for a 2-night stay. 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. Tomorrow 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. Breakfast |
| 8 | MONTEREY - EXCURSION TO CARMEL | The Rocky Shores of Pebble Beach -- This morning, spend your free time visiting historic Cannery Row and the pier at Fisherman’s Wharf. Other highlights today include a journey along scenic 17-Mile Drive and the seaside town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Return to Monterey, where your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner at a local restaurant. CULTURAL 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. Breakfast, Dinner |
| 9 | MONTEREY - SAN FRANCISCO | Safe travels until we meet again! This morning, travel back to San Francisco for your homebound flight. Please schedule flights after 1 pm. Breakfast |