Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

From the cosmopolitan, cultural cities of San Diego and Los Angeles to the laid-back, beachy vibes of California’s Central Coast and the awe-inspiring scenery of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, this journey has it all. Your tour opens in San Diego, known for its seaside location and idyllic climate.

This morning, join a local guide for a tour through the city’s diverse neighborhoods, including downtown, the Gaslamp Quarter, Balboa Park, Coronado Island, and Old Town San Diego. The afternoon is yours to experience San Diego at your leisure. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner.

Start the day on a harbor cruise of San Diego Bay. Cruise beside playful sea lions, Navy ships, and beautiful architecture while hearing fascinating stories that link the city’s past and present. Later, head north to the coastal town of Carlsbad, where you’ll explore the town center on a walking food tour for lunch. This afternoon, arrive in Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the world.

Today, explore the City of Angels on a combination bus/walking tour. Walk through the bustling Grand Central Market – a favorite with locals – and see the famed Bradbury Building, an ornate architectural landmark featured in several films. Take in the Hollywood Bowl and stroll along the Walk of Fame to Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. Get a close-up look at the iconic Beverly Hills sign and soak in the glitz and glamour of Rodeo Drive. After lunch on your own at the Farmers Market, explore more sights, including the La Brea Tar Pits, the world’s only actively excavated Ice Age fossil site found in the middle of a city.

Today, head to California’s Central Coast. Stop for a tour of the Old Mission of Santa Barbara, the 10th of 21 Spanish Missions founded by the Franciscans and the only one the friars still occupy. Enjoy the gorgeous grounds of the “Queen of the Missions,” the gardens, cemetery, and chapel. Later, enjoy free time in this beautiful city, admiring its Spanish colonial architecture and small-town atmosphere. Arrive this afternoon in Pismo Beach, another Central Coast gem, and your home for two nights.

Enjoy a day at leisure at your seaside hotel. Or, continue your exploration of the central coast by joining an optional excursion to Hearst Castle, the historic estate built by publishing tycoon William Randall Hearst and his architect, Julia Morgan. Enjoy a tour of the opulent Grand Rooms, imagining what it must have been like to be a guest here during the Roaring Twenties. After lunch, visit an elephant seal rookery and see a colony of seals at the beach. Don’t miss the spectacular sunset back in Pismo Beach this evening!

Today, travel inland to the Paso Robles wine region, home to more than 200 family-run wineries. This Central Coast wine region is less known than Napa, but no less beautiful. Stop for lunch here and later, arrive in the charming town of Visalia, gateway to Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks.

Today, head to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in the southern Sierra Nevada, where a local guide will join you. See the General Grant tree on a guided walking tour. On the way to your picnic lunch spot, learn about the park’s ecology, flora, fauna, and history, including Native American history. This afternoon, visit the largest tree in the world, the General Sherman tree, on a half-mile walking tour. Then, it’s your choice! Continue with your local guide -OR- take a brisk hike with your Tour Manager along the Congress Trail. Back in Visalia, join your travel companions for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. This day is sure to be the highlight of your California adventure!

This morning, bid farewell to the foothills of the Sierra Nevada range and head south to Los Angeles for a final night. But first, visit the Getty Center, nestled on a hilltop in the Santa Monica Mountains. This world-famous museum is known for its private collection, with something here for everyone: fine art, impressive architecture, lush gardens, and spectacular city views.

Your tour ends today.