California's National Parks
Highlights
Some of the highlights included are:
- Tour the infamous island prison of Alcatraz in San Francisco
- Admire the enormous California Redwood Sequoia trees
- Explore the dramatic landscapes of Yosemite National Park
- Soak up the scenery from the oceanfront boardwalk in San Diego
Holiday Type
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What's included
- Direct international flights
- 11 nights in 4-5* hotels & hand-picked local gems
- 10 days' car hire
- San Francisco Explorer Pass Choose 3
Need to know
- Arrives: San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
- Time difference: GMT-8
- Visa requirements: British passport holders require an electronic travel authorisation (ESTA), available online
- Language: English
- Currency: US dollar (USD)
- Flying time from UK: around 11 hours direct
- Plug type: 2 flat pins
- Voltage: 120V
Your route
Itinerary
Fly from UK to
San Francisco
Walk or cycle across Golden Gate Bridge, 2.7km of art deco construction and one of the wonders of the modern world, or take a cruise to see it from afar. Back in town, head for union square – stop for cocktails, dine in style, hit the shops or just watch the world go by over a coffee. For something more distinctive watch the sea lions frolic on Pier 39, or take a ferry over to legendary Alcatraz, home to the now-abandoned maximum-security prison where Al Capone was once incarcerated.
4* The Marker San Francisco
San Francisco Explorer Pass Choose 3
Winter brings action-packed cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and ice-skating, while summer is reserved for fishing, golf, hiking, mountain biking and swimming. All year round the lake’s south side hosts festivals and boasts a thriving casino and nightlife scene, while the north side offers a more laid-back ambience for families.
5* The Landing Resort & Spa
Yosemite
Yosemite offers year-round adventures, with hikes among the wildflowers and waterfalls popular in spring and summer, drives to view the changing foliage colours in autumn and skiing the valleys in winter. This national park is truly spectacular, so get your camera ready for beautiful views at every turn.
4* Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite
Sequoia Canyon National Park
The landscape here still resembles the southern Sierra Nevada before Spanish settlement, and the park protects many Native American archaeological sites. The dense forests are home to a diverse range of wildlife including black bears, big horn sheep and yellow-bellied marmots.
2.5* Wuksachi Village
Palm Springs
Streets lined with palm trees, surrounding snowcapped mountains and warm temperatures even in winter make it an outdoor activity haven - hiking, horse riding and golf are top of the list, after relaxing by the pool with a martini of course. Don’t miss the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, whisking you from the desert floor to the mountain tops in just 15 minutes.
5* Hyatt Regency Indian Wells
San Diego
The weather here is great, so grab an ice cream and go people watching on the ocean front boardwalk, soak up the scenery, or browse the surfing and swimwear shops. Head down to leafy Balboa park full to the brim with museums, arts centres, gardens, restaurants and walking trails and of course the truly excellent San Diego zoo, home to 800 different species and 3000 individual animals in a landscaped setting that tries to be as true to their natural habitat as possible.
4* Catamaran Resort Hotel & Spa