Northern California

From the iconic to the unexpected, the city of San Francisco never ceases to surprise. Kick-start your effortlessly delivered Northern California holiday in the cosmopolitan hills of 'The City'. Join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception at your hotel.

Admire the eclectic mix of architecture, culture and cuisines of one of the world's most livable cities. Embark on a morning exploration that takes you from the lively tourist hotspot of Fisherman's Wharf to Union Square, a historical landmark linked to the American Civil War. This afternoon, spend some time at leisure as you explore what else this wonderful city has to offer.

Start off your day with breakfast in San Francisco before we head out to Napa Valley. Today, we'll visit a local winery and enjoy a unique experience and exploration of wine with a tasting. Enjoy an included lunch this afternoon with fellow travellers.

Travel through the scenic fertile Sacramento River Valley to find yourself in the alpine splendour of Lake Tahoe. Its clear blue waters surrounded by evergreen pines and rocky outcrops provides you with a picturesque scenery to behold. This evening, enjoy a your Regional Dinner as you cruise on the beautiful Lake Tahoe.

Touch the sky and embark on a scenic road-trip into the Sierra Nevada, winding along the Tioga Pass to California's UNESCO-listed Yosemite National Park. (Weather conditions may cause the Tioga Pass to be closed to traffic, typically from mid October to the end of May. In this case, an alternate entry point to Yosemite will be used.) Marvel at the incredible natural beauty that inspired naturalist John Muir to dub Yosemite Valley the "Incomparable Valley", passing the colossal granite faces of El Capitan and the misty splendour of Bridalveil Fall. Tonight, our 'Stay with a Story' sees us overnight in the park, just a short stroll from Yosemite Falls.

Tempt your taste-buds today with a visit to the Salinas Valley where you'll join a Local Specialist for an agricultural education tour to learn about fruit and vegetable production and advanced farming techniques of the region that is known as the "Salad Bowl of the World". Continue to Monterey where we'll 'Connect with Locals' for a farm-to-table 'Be My Guest' dinner including the freshest local ingredients.

The pinch me moments continue as we follow the sun-kissed California coast, cruising scenic 17-Mile Drive. We return to Monterey for a visit of Cannery Row, immortalised in the John Steinbeck novel. The rest of the evening is yours to explore Monterey's vibrant street life or guests can visit on their own the world-reowned Monterey Bay Aquarium. Tonight, we join our Travel Director and fellow travellers for a festive Farewell Dinner.

California's towering redwoods provide an imposing backdrop for this morning as we journey back in time to the era of lumberjacks and sawmills in a re-created 1890s logging camp, complete with general store and railroad depot. We continue to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park where we'll have an opportunity to walk amongst these giants that have stood for hundreds of years. We return to the golden city of San Francisco. Take a transfer to San Francisco International Airport or consider extending your stay.