From CAD 2,834 Was CAD 3,149
Guarantee
Small Group
Average
Rating
(14 reviews)
Experience Overview
California is the land of dreamers and schemers and we schemed up quite the adventure for you. Start in LA and travel north to San Francisco along the Pacific coast on this short nine-day trip. Then, head inland to see mighty Yosemite National Park and all of the beautiful hikes and views that landscape has to offer before driving back to southern California for an included surf lesson. Sounds like a win in our book!
Highlights
- Drive up the coast from Los Angeles to Santa Margarita with stops in Santa Monica and San Luis Obispo
- Enjoy the dramatic views of the Pacific Coast along the 17-Mile and Half Moon Bay Drives with unforgettable scenery
- Set off on an orientation tour of San Francisco
- Enjoy the many wonders of Yosemite National Park
- Catch a few waves with a surf lesson in southern California
- Enjoy stargazing and nights sitting around the campfire as a group.
Trip Details
Product Code: 2525
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Basic
Transport: Air-conditioned private vehicle, hiking, walking.
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
18 - 35 Year Olds Only
Supplier Code: NULH
Starts: Los Angeles, United States
Finishes: Venice Beach, United States
Duration: 9 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical rating:
Average
Includes
Activities
- Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
- Stops in Santa Monica and San Luis Obispo
- A ride along the scenic 17-Mile drive past Cypress forests
- San Francisco orientation tour
- Yosemite National Park visit
- Surf lesson in southern California
- Entrance fees to all national parks and monuments with hiking and walking excursions
- Self-inflating mattresses and dome tents
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodation
- Hotel (3 nt), participation camping (5 nts).
- 5 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 5 dinners
Transport
- Air-conditioned private vehicle, hiking, walking.
Group Leader
- 1 CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD 2834 (CAD 315 /day)
Itinerary
Day 1: Los Angeles/Santa Margarita
Group will depart Los Angeles in the morning and drive to Santa Monica. Walk the iconic Santa Monica pier this morning or spend some time cruising the shoreline. Not in the mood for the beach? That's cool, maybe consider visiting the Santa Monica farmers market to stock up on all sorts of local goodies. Grab a quick bite to eat for lunch in Santa Monica and travel northwest to San Luis Obispo for a quick detour to see the chewing gum alley and to grab any last minute provisions before heading to our campsite for the night.
Day 2: Santa Margarita/Santa Cruz
Drive up towards Santa Cruze and make a slight detour for the 17-Mile Drive along the Monterey Peninsula for some unforgettable coastal scenery of the Pacific Ocean. Later in the day set up camp in Santa Cruz.
Day 3: Santa Cruz/San Francisco
Head out from camp in the morning and continue up Highway 1 towards Half Moon Bay. Your CEO will take you on a brief orientation of the city. The rest of the day is at your leisure.
Join your CEO for a driving tour through some of San Francisco's most iconic highlights then hit the town on your own or join a sunset sail under the Golden Gate Bridge.
Day 4: San Francisco/Yosemite National Park
Leave San Francisco behind this morning as you drive to Yosemite National Park. Along the way stop for some fresh produce at a farmer's market in the central valley. Once in the park hike to Tuolumne Grove to see massive Giant Sequoias. Finish the day with a stop to see El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall en route to your camp for the night.
Day 5: Yosemite National Park
Enjoy free time to navigate the majestic Yosemite Valley at your own pace. Walk the Lower Yosemite Fall Trail or Swinging Bridge Loop Trail. Relax under the towering granite monoliths of Half Dome or El Capitan. Up for more of a challenge? Test your endurance on a more challenging hike like Upper Yosemite Falls or Four Mile. On the way back to camp, search for climbers on the sheer rock face of El Capitan.
Yosemite Village is a great starting point for launching into your adventure. Your CEO will help you get oriented to visit the Ansel Adams gallery, Ahwahnee Museum and the Yosemite Visitor Center. Here you can start a valley hike or catch a free shuttle around the park.
Day 6: Yosemite National Park
Today is all about getting active and exploring the landscapes of Yosemite. Head out on a hike to Vernal or Nevada Falls or opt to rent bikes and cruise around the valley.
This park is a hiker's paradise filled with different options for every skill level. From miles of trekking to short walks featuring amazing views, you won't have a hard time finding a trail to set out on and enjoy. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife and make sure to take plenty of pictures. In the evening relax around the fire and swap stories with your group.
Day 7: Yosemite National Park/Venice Beach
Bid farewell to Yosemite this morning and get ready for some ocean waves and sand between your toes as the group heads south to Venice Beach. Travel through the rolling hills and vastness of the Central Valley and arrive at the Pacific coast just in time to walk the beach during golden hour and grab some delicious dinner by the sea.
After the forests of Yosemite the beaches of southern California will be a welcome change for some time to relax and recharge. So suit up, grab a towel, find a volleyball, and live out those California beach fantasies with your friends.
Day 8: Venice Beach
Live the California dream as you wake up to the distant sound of waves crashing against the sand. Then, suit up and get ready for your surf lesson where you'll learn a thing or two about what it takes to make riding those waves look so easy.
Afterwards, enjoy free time on Venice Beach to lounge in the sun, walk out to the pier, or find a beachfront cafe with a table outside for some people watching. Or choose to rent bikes or surf boards and continue the adventure. Your only dilemma today should be deciding which burrito place you want to eat at.
Day 9: Venice Beach
Depart at any time.
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Tour Operator
G Adventures
G Adventures is an operator of small-group escorted tours. It is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with 28 offices worldwide. It offers more than 700 itineraries in more than 100 countries, and carries 200,000 travelers from 160 countries each year.
In Business Since 1990
Reviews
Sophie M. - Traveled, July 2024
Good organisation, great CEO
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/03/2024
Catherine T. - Traveled, June 2024
I really enjoyed this style of travelling and feel extremely lucky that everyone in our group got along well and made it an amazing experience. However, the CEO on my trip was very friendly but was often late amongst a few other things.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/29/2024
Daniel B. - Traveled, June 2024
G Adventures are perfect for this way of travelling
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/22/2024
Emerald T. - Traveled, June 2024
Saw much more than if I'd travelled alone and very good value.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/22/2024
Brendan J. - Traveled, May 2024
Great places visited, great CEO, group size is perfect, travel format was really enjoyable
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/08/2024
David J. - Traveled, September 2024
most incredible holiday i have ever been on, would in an instant recommend to anybody
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/15/2024
Christopher G. - Traveled, September 2023
Great fun tour guide and great to do things as a group
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/15/2023
Anya B. - Traveled, August 2023
Great value for money and very well organised and safe for solo travellers
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/18/2023
Laura U. - Traveled, July 2023
It was a really great time!! Just a lot of driving-hours ,-)
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/04/2023
Tracey M. - Traveled, June 2023
I've used G Adventures multiple times and never had a bad experience.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/07/2023
Lauren R. - Traveled, June 2023
I found the overall expert quite stressful though the fellow travellers were fun.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/30/2023
Aleksander T. - Traveled, June 2023
Because I feel that the guide did not do a so good job. Driving fast, people felt unsafe and not taken that good care of .
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/30/2023
Megan B. - Traveled, June 2023
Felt like I could of had longer in certain places but overall enjoyed the places we visited.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/23/2023
Marta P. - Traveled, June 2023
I have been on three G Adventures trips so far and every time the experience has exceeded my expectations. It is safe, affordable and the best way to meet interesting people from all over the world in an organic way.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/09/2023
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