Compare California Panorama by Omega Tours vs Road Trip: San Fran, Sonoma, Lake Tahoe & Yosemite by Great Value Vacations
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
|
4 | Great
|
| Duration | 8 days | 10 days |
| Price From | $ 2,127 | $ 1,278 |
| Price Per Day | $ 266 | $ 128 |
| Highlights |
N/A
|
N/A
|
| Trip Style | Group tour | Self-guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Standard |
| Physical Level |
|
|
| Travel Themes |
|
|
| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
|
N/A |
| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | NA |
| Activities | N/A |
|
| Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
| Description | Tick off all the Californian must-sees on this fantastic escorted tour as you experience Las Vegas in all its glittering glory, see the spectacular Yosemite National Park in awe and embrace San Francisco with its diverse and incredible surroundings including the Golden Gate Bridge, Union Square, and Fisherman’s Wharf. Discover all the glamour Los Angeles has to offer with stops at some of its most famous spots and much more |
This unforgettable road trip through Northern California is so good, you won't want to waste a moment. Start your adventure in the City by the Bay - San Francisco! From the Golden Gate to Alcatraz Island to the hustle and bustle of the Castro, this historic city has something exciting around every corner. After your time in SF, you'll set your course for the Sonoma Valley. Sonoma Valley's scenic backroads and expansive array of excellent wines are every wine lover's dream. Be your own sommelier for a day and treat yourself to a winery tour or two before moving on to the crisp air of the Sierra Nevadas. Your next stop will be in South Lake Tahoe for all your favorite outdoor activities. Lake Tahoe is the perfect place to play all day and party all night. After an invigorating stay, you'll head for one of the world's most famous national parks: Yosemite. Two nights in Yosemite will stir up your hunger for outdoor adventure. Take on the excellent hiking and irresistible views of the area. Picturesque year-round, Yosemite is impossible not to love. Your road trip will come full-circle upon your return to San Francisco. Use your final night to dive into any last-minute sightseeing or souvenir shopping that piques your interest. |
DAY 1: LOS ANGELES ARRIVAL
Arrive at Los Angeles International Airport and transfer independently to the hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Accommodation at the Hilton Los Angeles Airport, Los Angeles, or similar
DAY 2: LOS ANGELES > MOJAVE DESERT > LAS VEGAS
Meet your Tour Director and depart for Las Vegas, the glittering “Entertainment Capital of the World,” for non-stop fun, gambling, and world-class entertainment. Your tour stops at the iconic Las Vegas Welcome Sign where you may wish to capture your photo memory of Las Vegas.
Accommodation at the Luxor Las Vegas, Las Vegas, or similar
DAY 3: LAS VEGAS > DEATH VALLEY > MAMMOTH LAKES/FRESNO
Having enjoyed glamorous Las Vegas, it will be a sharp contrast this afternoon to enter the quiet and extreme environment of Death Valley. Stop at Zabriskie Point and Furnace Creek Ranch/Visitors Center before continuing across the valley and ascending the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the alpine resort town of Mammoth Lakes. The area gained prominence as a gold mining town in the 19th century and today is renowned for its superior skiing terrain and staggeringly beautiful mountain vistas.
Important note: Winter Routing The Tioga Pass may be closed due to weather or road conditions, in which case you will overnight in Fresno or Visalia and a visit to Mammoth Lakes will not be possible (winter routing applies to all departures between October and May under normal snow conditions).
Accommodation at the Mammoth Mountain Inn, Mammoth Lakes, or Piccadilly Inn, Fresno
DAY 4: MAMMOTH/FRESNO > YOSEMITE > MODESTO
Your journey today brings you to the Tioga Pass (please see important note on day 3) into the scenic wonderland of Yosemite National Park. Here, you will experience the valley floor and its splendors including the glacial-shaped granite formations of El Capitan, Half Dome, the magnificent Bridal Falls, and Yosemite Falls. Overnight in Modesto.
Accommodation at the Doubletree by Hilton Modesto, Modesto, or similar
DAY 5: MODESTO > SAN FRANCISCO
Depart early this morning to arrive in San Francisco, one of the most beloved cities in America. Enjoy a comprehensive sightseeing tour before arriving at your hotel. This evening take a memorable City by Night Tour (optional).
Accommodation at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square, San Francisco, or similar
DAY 6: SAN FRANCISCO (NAPA VALLEY OPTIONAL)
Day at leisure! Your Tour Director is on hand to assist with making your plans for the day: perhaps a cable car ride to Fisherman’s Wharf where one may enjoy a “Taste of San Francisco”: local seafood, famous sourdough bread, or decadent Ghiradelli’s Chocolate. Or take a stroll by Sea Lions’ Marina to watch them frolic.
Be sure to gaze across the bay to Alcatraz Island where “America’s Most Wanted” such as Al Capone and ”Machine Gun” Kelly were incarcerated. Or visit Union Square for a shopping stop at Macy’s Department Store. You also may choose to embark on a wine-tasting tour to Napa Valley, world-renowned for its fine wineries and beautiful scenery (optional).
Accommodation at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square, San Francisco, or similar
DAY 7: SAN FRANCISCO > MONTEREY/ CARMEL > CENTRAL COAST
Depart San Francisco this morning for the drive to the Monterey Peninsula, known for its magnificent homes and lovely beaches. In Monterey, visit Fisherman’s Wharf and famous Cannery Row Then tour charming Carmel-by-the-Sea, noted for its quaint houses, upscale art galleries, and unique stores. In the afternoon your tour continues through Paso Robles, home of fine wineries. Overnight in a quaint Central California Coast town.
Accommodation at the Radisson Santa Maria, Central Coast, or similar
DAY 8: CENTRAL COAST > SANTA BARBARA > SANTA MONICA > LOS ANGELES DEPARTURE
Journey south through the Santa Ynez Valley into Santa Barbara where palm-lined walkways border white sandy beaches. Upon arrival in Los Angeles, an orientation tour commences to include Hollywood, portions of Beverly Hills, and Century City before arriving in Santa Monica, home to the finish line of Historic Route 66, where you may enjoy an optional lunch on the pier before departure or arriving at your hotel.
Day 1 Welcome to San Francisco!
Congratulations! You've officially made it to the coolest place on Earth! Slide on your sunglasses and buckle up: this is going to be the road trip of a lifetime. The Bay Area has a legendary culinary scene, so show up hungry! Dig into your adventure with an obligatory visit to In-N-Out for an Animal Style burger (a hot tip from the locals - don't waste time on the rest of the "secret menu." Animal Style or nothin'). While you're here, don't miss any other emblematic San Franciscan favorites: clam chowder in a sourdough bowl on Fisherman's Wharf, a Ghiradelli hot fudge sundae from N. Point Street's Ghirardelli Square, Dungeness crab from Swan Oyster Depot on Polk Street, or an IT'S-IT ice cream sandwich from just about anywhere equipped with a freezer! Be sure to make your way to Coit Tower in time to enjoy 360-degree views of the city while the sun sets!
Day 2 San Francisco
Wake up early so you can fill your day with sightseeing! The City by the Bay is packed with things to enchant every traveler - the Painted Ladies on Steiner Street, the vintage clothing boutiques in Haight-Ashbury, the sea lions at Pier 39, cable cars, Alcatraz Island...the list goes on (and on and on and...). For a true Northern California experience, set off across the Golden Gate for a scenic drive to Muir Woods. This 560-acre park is home to ancient groves of redwoods that can grow as tall as 380 feet! On your way back, be sure to stop at the Muir Beach Overlook for gorgeous views of the Pacific Coast and, if you travel at the right time of year, whales!
Day 3 San Francisco - Sonoma
Only about 30 miles from San Francisco, Sonoma County never fails to impress. Boasting 50 miles of Pacific coastline, 40+ spas and wellness centers, and over 425 beautiful wineries, the Sonoma Valley abounds in relaxation and rejuvenation. For a scenic drive from SF, take the Pacific Coast Highway! Highway 1 (also known as CA State Route 1, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway) is one of the most stunning road trip experiences in the country. You'll get breathtaking ocean views as you wind your way along the coast. The drive north will keep the sun at your back and the Pacific to your left as you take in the marvelous scenery.
Day 4 Sonoma
Welcome to wine country! If you're looking for gourmet farm-to-table dining, state parks, and wine tastings galore, you're in the right place. Sonoma County is speckled with farming towns and vineyards which belong to 5th generation growers. Here, 47 idyllic miles are packed with 16 wine regions, all growing a variety of grapes such as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet, and Zinfandel.
Day 5 Sonoma - South Lake Tahoe
The Sierra Nevadas are calling! The trip from Sonoma to Lake Tahoe is about 3 hours, so make the most of your drive with a stop at the Jelly Belly Factory in Fairfield. Treat yourself to a self-guided factory tour to see how the candy is made and snack on a few free samples. Once you arrive in Tahoe, get ready for some fun! Whether you travel in the summer, spring, winter, or fall, there's plenty to do. Skiing, hiking, water sports, and more are yours to enjoy in this alpine wonderland.
Day 6 South Lake Tahoe
This mountain town is the perfect place to unwind outside. Spend your day in the sun on the lake, biking mountain trails, or hopping from boutique to boutique. When the sun goes down, move the party inside! Tahoe has a great live music scene, world-class casinos, and restaurants that will blow you away.
Day 7 South Lake Tahoe - Yosemite National Park
What can be said about Yosemite (pronounced yoh-sem-it-ee) except "wow?" This UNESCO-listed national park sits in a glacier-carved valley in the Sierra Nevadas. You'll find soaring sequoia trees, America's tallest waterfall, and dreamy hiking trails through thick forests. Before you dash into the park, be sure you have a plan of attack. Hiking trails intersect and overlap, so be sure to bring a paper map. In the mountains, cell phone reception can be unreliable so make sure you know where you're going, how to get there, and most importantly, how to get back.
Day 8 Yosemite National Park
Start your day nice and early so you can pack adventure into every hour of daylight! There are five entrances to the park, so it's a great idea to plan your day before you arrive. There are trails for every hiker, so check out the features of each trail you're interested in and make sure it's the right one for you! The loop to Lower Yosemite Falls offers an easy, 30-minute hike from shuttle stop 6. Those looking for a more moderate hike may enjoy a 3-hour trek on the Mirror Lake loop. Advanced hikers may enjoy the challenge of the 5ish-hour hike on the Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall Trails via shuttle stop 16's Mist Trail. Remember to bring plenty of water along as some trails do not have drinking water available. Be sure to carry out all of your trash and food waste (including fruit peels and shells), stay on the trails, and leave the wildlife alone - they're trying to enjoy the park, too!
Day 9 Yosemite National Park - San Francisco
It's time to embark on the 3-hour trip back to San Francisco. If you want to do a little more SF sightseeing, Highway 120 is often the quickest route. Upon your return, consider treating yourself to an evening in the theatre district or a dinner cruise on the Bay!
Day 10 Depart San Francisco
It had to happen eventually: today, your Nothern California dreamin' comes to an end. Say "see ya next time!" to San Francisco and head home.
