LOS ANGELES, CAMBRIA, MONTEREY, YOSEMITE & SAN FRANCISCO
From the glitz and glamour of Hollywood to the beauty and serenity of Yosemite, you’ll find it all on this California adventure. Experience the magic of Disneyland or go behind the scenes at Universal Studios Hollywood before you head to the beautiful waterfront vistas of Southern California’s most stunning seaside towns. You’ll experience the splendor of Highway 1 as you head north to Yosemite en route to San Francisco. Once in San Francisco, you’ll have the chance to explore the mysteries of Alcatraz, admire the Golden Gate Bridge, or savor the food and wine in Sonoma.
On this smarTours American Road Tour, enjoy the convenience of a thoughtfully planned itinerary and carefully selected accommodations combined with the freedom and flexibility to travel from the comfort of your own car (or rental car)! We’ll have scheduled guided tours along the way to tell you about the rich history and culture of each destination and you’ll share this experience with other like-minded smarTours travelers!
Itinerary at a Glance
1 night Los Angeles
2 nights Cambria
1 night Monterey
2 nights Yosemite
2 nights San Francisco
Tour Highlights
Enjoy the 17-mile Scenic Drive to Monterey
Guided visit of Yosemite National Park with lecture by a Park Ranger
Comprehensive city tour of San Francisco
Scenic cruise on San Francisco Bay (optional)
Welcome reception on the rooftop of the Cova Hotel in San Francisco
Activity Level: Discoverer
Your Tour Includes
Carefully selected accommodations
10 meals: 8 breakfasts & 2 dinners
Thoughtfully planned meet-ups, group meals & excursions
Sightseeing tours & entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary
Local welcome guide
Parking at hotels
All applicable taxes
smarTours® Activity Levels
We believe world travel is for everyone! That’s why nearly all
of our tours are designed to accommodate any fitness level. If you
are wondering if a tour’s activity level is suited for you,
please contact a member of our team at
1.800.337.7773.
Discoverer
Comfortable pace. Involves minimal physical activity, such as
climbing some stairs, walking for up to two hours at a time on
primarily level ground and periods of standing.
Explorer
A step up. Calls for moderate physical activity, including climbing
stairs, walking up to two miles (possibly on uneven surfaces and/or
hills) and standing for an hour or longer.
Adventurer
Moderately active. Requires walking longer distances and standing
for longer periods of time. You may encounter hills and uneven
surfaces on several days, as well as longer days in general.
Of our three tours ranked in this category, two include Machu
Picchu.
Click the Day by Day itinerary above (or swipe on mobile devices) to see the experiences that await on each day of your tour.
ADDITIONAL TOUR DETAILS:
Before you depart, we’ll send you detailed tour information including directions, meeting times, routes, places of interest, recommendations, and more. We look forward to being your trusted guide on this remarkable journey.
We’re also monitoring the situation in these states very closely and will provide additional details about our hygiene and safety guidelines before you depart. These include social distancing practices, optional meet-ups and/or meals, and more.
Arrive in Los Angeles
Today you’ll arrive in beautiful Los Angeles where you will have plenty of time to explore the city. There’s so much to see from the beautiful beaches of Santa Monica and Venice, to the legendary Walk of Fame in Hollywood, not to mention the numerous world-class museums. When you arrive at the hotel, you’ll find a Welcome Desk with a “smarTours” sign and your local Tour Guide will be there to answer any questions you may have.
Crowne Plaza Los Angeles Airport or similar | Dinner
Los Angeles/Pacific Coast Highway/Malibu/Santa Barbara/Central Coast
You’ll start the day with a drive through stunning Santa Monica and the famous beaches of Malibu. You’ll then continue up the coast to Santa Barbara, a beautiful seaside community with its famous mission and palm-lined walkways. The harbor and wharf areas are great to explore on foot or rent a bike. Further north, the classic beach towns of California’s Central Coast beg to be explored. You’ll spend the night in the heart of California’s Central Coast.
Cambria Pines Lodge Hotel or similar | Breakfast
Central Coast
Today, you’ll enjoy a free day in the beautiful Central Coast. You may choose to enjoy a visit to the historic Hearst Castle, which is about 30 minutes from Cambria. Or you may wish to back track a little and enjoy Pismo Beach, known for its picturesque wineries and many breathtaking beaches.
| Breakfast
Central Coast Highway/Highway 1/Monterey
Today you’ll continue your journey north on Highway 1 which is renowned as one of the most scenic roadways in the U.S. You’ll experience stunning views of the rugged coastline and the Pacific on this 17-Mile Scenic Drive, which passes through the famous Pebble Beach Golf Course. On this journey, you’ll visit the quaint village of Carmel and enjoy the charming seaside town of Monterey.
Hilton Garden Inn Monterey Hotel or similar | Breakfast
Monterey/Carmel/Yosemite National Park
Today you’ll continue across California’s agricultural Central Valley before ascending into the mountains of the Sierra Nevada. You’ll take Highway 49 and travel south through California Gold country following in the footsteps of the thousands of gold seekers during the gold rush of 1849. Today this area’s streams and creeks are still considered some of the best for gold panning enthusiasts. Today’s journey will end when you arrive at Yosemite National Park.
Cedar Lodge or similar | Breakfast
Yosemite National Park
Today you will have a full day to explore the wonders of Yosemite National Park. Before you start, you’ll be greeted by a Park ranger who will provide important and fascinating information about the park to help you plan your adventure. Yosemite National Park embraces some of the world’s most spectacular scenery and affords a wonderful collection of waterfalls, meadows and forests, including groves of giant sequoias. You’ll marvel at the sheer granite domes and cliffs that soar thousands of feet up from the valley floor. The massive glacial-shaped rock formations of El Capitan…
Today you will have a full day to explore the wonders of Yosemite National Park. Before you start, you’ll be greeted by a Park ranger who will provide important and fascinating information about the park to help you plan your adventure. Yosemite National Park embraces some of the world’s most spectacular scenery and affords a wonderful collection of waterfalls, meadows and forests, including groves of giant sequoias. You’ll marvel at the sheer granite domes and cliffs that soar thousands of feet up from the valley floor. The massive glacial-shaped rock formations of El Capitan and Half Dome are the most famous landmarks of the park and keep a majestic watch over the valley.(Yosemite National Park entrance fee, not included.)
| Breakfast
Yosemite/San Francisco
Today you’ll say good-bye to Yosemite and head for the City on the Bay. This scenic drive will take you into the heart of San Francisco. This afternoon, a city tour provides a fun and exciting way to get an overview of the city and enables you to truly appreciate many of San Francisco’s most famous sights, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, Union Square, and Fisherman’s Wharf. After your city tour, you may wish to take an optional cruise along the historic waterfront which reveals the city’s spectacular skyline. The remainder of the day is yours to explore the city’s…
Today you’ll say good-bye to Yosemite and head for the City on the Bay. This scenic drive will take you into the heart of San Francisco. This afternoon, a city tour provides a fun and exciting way to get an overview of the city and enables you to truly appreciate many of San Francisco’s most famous sights, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, Union Square, and Fisherman’s Wharf. After your city tour, you may wish to take an optional cruise along the historic waterfront which reveals the city’s spectacular skyline. The remainder of the day is yours to explore the city’s amazing sights, scenes, and neighborhoods at your leisure. This evening you’re invited to share your stories with fellow travelers with a welcome drink at the rooftop of the hotel. One glass of wine or beer is included. This evening dinner will be on your own.
Cova Hotel or similar | Breakfast
San Francisco
Today you have a full day to explore the City by the Bay at your leisure. We recommend you spend time in Fisherman’s Wharf or take a ferry to Sausalito for a unique perspective on the skyline. Also, if you would like to spend time in Wine Country, we suggest a half day in Napa Valley and Sonoma. You may wish to take the Napa Valley Train and enjoy a Gourmet Lunch with 2 visits to local wineries. Tonight, enjoy a Farewell dinner including (1) Glass of Wine at a local restaurant (Transportation on your own).
| Breakfast,…
Today you have a full day to explore the City by the Bay at your leisure. We recommend you spend time in Fisherman’s Wharf or take a ferry to Sausalito for a unique perspective on the skyline. Also, if you would like to spend time in Wine Country, we suggest a half day in Napa Valley and Sonoma. You may wish to take the Napa Valley Train and enjoy a Gourmet Lunch with 2 visits to local wineries. Tonight, enjoy a Farewell dinner including (1) Glass of Wine at a local restaurant (Transportation on your own).
| Breakfast, Dinner
Depart San Francisco
Time to say good-bye to California and head home relaxed, refreshed and filled with lasting memories.
Rates are per person based on double occupancy. Oct – Nov 2020 Departures: Single room supplement is $749 Mar – May 2021 Departures: Single room supplement is $829
Reservations and Payments
Reservations can be made by phone (1-800-337-7773) and will be confirmed upon receipt of $300 per person non-refundable, non-transferable deposit which must be received at the time of reservation*. A second non-refundable, non-transferable deposit of $300 is due 60 days after the date of your reservation. Full payment is due 90 days prior to departure. *If the reservation date is within 70 days of the final payment due date, both first and second deposits are due at the time of reservation. Baggage fees may apply. Space and prices subject to availability. For complete booking information and terms & conditions click here.
The Crowne Plaza Los Angeles Airport hotel is 12 miles from the city center, which is a convenient spot for easy access to the entire city. On-site amenities include free WiFi, outdoor pool and fitness center.
Encompassing a breathtaking 25 acres of stunning gardens and Monterey pine forest, this boutique hotel features spacious, rooms and suites, beautifully appointed in a rustic style.
Conveniently located within 3 miles of Del Monte Beach, Monterey Regional Airport, and Monterey Bay Aquarium. On-site amenities include a heated outdoor pool and free WiFi.
This boutique hotel is a comfortable escape in the heart of downtown San Francisco conveniently located near Union Square, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Pier 39. Offering comfortable, contemporary rooms and generous amenities like free WiFi and a fitness center.
WHAT ARE AMERICAN ROAD TOURS?
smarTours American Road Tours is a hybrid of a self-drive road trip with guided tour elements that we are known for. Travelers have the freedom to drive at their own convenience with scheduled meet-ups with other smarTours travelers. smarTours has done all the planning by booking exciting, iconic routes, carefully selected accommodations, and guided tours & admissions.
TRANSPORTATION
Airfare and ground transportation are not included on this tour. Travelers may choose to drive their own car from city to city or to rent a car independently. Friends and families may choose to drive together or separately and can book separate accommodations with smarTours.
Need to rent a car? As a smarTours traveler, you can save up to 25% with Avis Car Rental when traveling on one of our American Road Tours. For more information, please visit avis.com/smartours.
NATIONAL PARK FEES
National Park Fees are not included. For some parks entry is per vehicle and/or per person. For Park Entrance fees, click here. Some travelers may wish to purchase an annual or lifetime pass. For more information about the America the Beautiful – National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass or Lifetime Pass, please click here.
FINAL DOCUMENTS
Before you depart, we’ll send you detailed tour information including directions, meeting times, routes, places of interest, recommendations, and more. We look forward to being your trusted guide on this remarkable journey.