California and National Parks

Arrive in San Francisco

Welcome to San Francisco! Guests who have purchased airline tickets from YMT Vacations will be welcomed in the baggage claim area by a friendly YMT representative who will arrange your transfer to the hotel.

Spend the day at your leisure in one of California’s most beautiful and culturally rich cities. Enjoy diverse cuisine, incredible museums, parks, and dazzling architecture. The city is also home to historical landmarks including the colorful Victorian Painted Ladies, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the island prison of Alcatraz.

San Francisco and Sausalito

Discover the bustling “City by the Bay” during a morning panoramic tour. Look out at Alcatraz, see Nob Hill, and catch a glimpse of Lombard Street along with many more exciting sights!

Cross the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito, San Francisco’s idyllic and much smaller neighbor. Enjoy lunch on your own and an included tour of this artistic enclave. Many of Sausalito’s residents live in house boats in the bay. Spend the evening relaxing in San Francisco, or join us for an optional sunset bay cruise and lively dinner at Pier 39. (B)

San Francisco to Monterey via 17-Mile Drive

This morning, head down the breathtaking 17-Mile Drive. Enjoy views of Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove, taking the opportunity to snap a picture of the Lone Cypress on a quick stop before arriving in Monterey. Enjoy a city tour of the once-gritty waterfront town immortalized by John Steinbeck’s classic novel, Cannery Row. (B)

Yosemite National Park

Visit the awe-inspiring Yosemite National Park. This magnificent and diverse land with elevations ranging from 2,000 to over 13,000 feet abounds with spectacular granite cliffs, thundering waterfalls, lush meadows, and towering trees. Discover Yosemite Valley, where you will find Half Dome, the park’s most recognizable feature. The iconic granite formation rises more than 4,700 feet above the valley floor. Half Dome’s sheer cliff face is nearly vertical, making it irresistible to the world’s best rock climbers. (B)

Kings Canyon National Park

Continue to Kings Canyon, where you will find ancient giant sequoias and redwoods in Grant Grove. At the center of Grant Grove is the General Grant Tree, the second largest tree in the world. This 3,000-year-old wonder stands almost 270 feet tall with a base circumference of 107 feet. Look out for animals including gray foxes, bobcats, marmots, eagles, and bears. (B)

Sequoia National Park

Take a pleasant drive to the thick forests of Sequoia National Park, which is adjacent to Kings Canyon and just as magnificent. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and administered by the National Park Service along with Kings Canyon National Park, Sequoia is home to the largest living single-stem tree in the world. General Sherman stands 275 feet tall with a diameter of 25 feet and is a centuries old display of the power of nature. The Giant Forest, where you’ll find General Sherman, contains five of the ten largest trees on Earth. (B)

Pismo Beach & Santa Maria

Head west to the coast, stopping in Pismo Beach for lunch on your own. Spend the afternoon in Santa Maria, a city famous for its distinctive redoak smoked barbecue! (B)

Los Angeles via Santa Barbara

Visit Santa Barbara—the American Riviera—and enjoy its Spanish mission style architecture, mild Mediterranean climate, and stunning ocean views.

Take a self-guided tour of the lovely Santa Barbara Mission, where you can enjoy some of the best views in town. The “Queen of the Missions” is known for its magnificent twin bell towers, sprawling gardens, and the ocean views it enjoys from its position on a hill overlooking downtown Santa Barbara.

Continue to Los Angeles, where you will stop at the Getty Center. Enjoy amazing city views from this architecturally stunning art museum before a late afternoon arrival at your hotel. (B)

Los Angeles

Today we take a guided tour of Los Angeles and Hollywood, seeing many of the highlights of the City of Angels. See Beverly Hills, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the ornate TCL Chinese Theatre, and more. Enjoy an included farewell lunch on the Santa Monica Pier, which has endless views and its very own amusement park. (B, L)

Depart for Home

Arrive in San Francisco

Welcome to San Francisco! Guests who have purchased airline tickets from YMT Vacations will be welcomed in the baggage claim area by a friendly YMT representative who will arrange your transfer to the hotel.

Spend the day at your leisure in one of California’s most beautiful and culturally rich cities. Enjoy diverse cuisine, incredible museums, parks, and dazzling architecture. The city is also home to historical landmarks including the colorful Victorian Painted Ladies, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the island prison of Alcatraz.

San Francisco and Sausalito

Discover the bustling “City by the Bay” during a morning panoramic tour. Look out at Alcatraz, see Nob Hill, and catch a glimpse of Lombard Street along with many more exciting sights!

Cross the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito, San Francisco’s idyllic and much smaller neighbor. Enjoy lunch on your own and an included tour of this artistic enclave. Many of Sausalito’s residents live in house boats in the bay. Spend the evening relaxing in San Francisco, or join us for an optional sunset bay cruise and lively dinner at Pier 39. (B)

San Francisco to Monterey via 17-Mile Drive

This morning, head down the breathtaking 17-Mile Drive. Enjoy views of Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove, taking the opportunity to snap a picture of the Lone Cypress on a quick stop before arriving in Monterey. Enjoy a city tour of the once-gritty waterfront town immortalized by John Steinbeck’s classic novel, Cannery Row. (B)

Yosemite National Park

Visit the awe-inspiring Yosemite National Park. This magnificent and diverse land with elevations ranging from 2,000 to over 13,000 feet abounds with spectacular granite cliffs, thundering waterfalls, lush meadows, and towering trees. Discover Yosemite Valley, where you will find Half Dome, the park’s most recognizable feature. The iconic granite formation rises more than 4,700 feet above the valley floor. Half Dome’s sheer cliff face is nearly vertical, making it irresistible to the world’s best rock climbers. (B)

Yosemite National Park

Visit the awe-inspiring Yosemite National Park. This magnificent and diverse land with elevations ranging from 2,000 to over 13,000 feet abounds with spectacular granite cliffs, thundering waterfalls, lush meadows, and towering trees. Discover Yosemite Valley, where you will find Half Dome, the park’s most recognizable feature. The iconic granite formation rises more than 4,700 feet above the valley floor. Half Dome’s sheer cliff face is nearly vertical, making it irresistible to the world’s best rock climbers. (B)

Kings Canyon National Park

Continue to Kings Canyon, where you will find ancient giant sequoias and redwoods in Grant Grove. At the center of Grant Grove is the General Giant Tree, the second largest tree in the world. This 3,000-year-old wonder stands almost 270 feet tall with a base circumference of 107 feet! With terrain ranging from sun-soaked foothills to alpine forests, a huge variety of wildlife calls this national park home. Look out for animals including gray foxes, bobcats, marmots, eagles, and bears. (B)

Sequoia National Park

Take a pleasant drive to the thick forests of Sequoia National Park, which is adjacent to Kings Canyon and just as magnificent. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and administered by the National Park Service along with Kings Canyon National Park, Sequoia is home to the largest living single-stem tree in the world. General Sherman stands 275 feet tall with a diameter of 25 feet and is a centuries old display of the power of nature. The Giant Forest, where you’ll find General Sherman, contains five of the ten largest trees on Earth. (B)

Pismo Beach & Santa Maria

Head west to the coast, stopping in Pismo Beach for lunch on your own. Spend the afternoon in Santa Maria, a city famous for its distinctive redoak smoked barbecue! (B)

Los Angeles via Santa Barbara

Visit Santa Barbara—the American Riviera—and enjoy its Spanish mission style architecture, mild Mediterranean climate, and stunning ocean views.

Take a self-guided tour of the lovely Santa Barbara Mission, where you can enjoy some of the best views in town. The “Queen of the Missions” is known for its magnificent twin bell towers, sprawling gardens, and the ocean views it enjoys from its position on a hill overlooking downtown Santa Barbara.
Continue to Los Angeles, where you will stop at the Getty Center. Enjoy amazing city views from this architecturally stunning art museum before a late afternoon arrival at your hotel. (B)

Los Angeles

Today we take a guided tour of Los Angeles and Hollywood, seeing many of the highlights of the City of Angels. See Beverly Hills, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the ornate TCL Chinese Theatre, and more. Enjoy an included farewell lunch on the Santa Monica Pier, which has endless views and its very own amusement park. (B, L)

Scenic Pacific Surfliner Train Ride to San Diego

Your San Diego extension begins with a memorable train ride down the coast. From Los Angeles’ famed Union Station, travel on the Pacific Surfliner to San Diego. Your non-escorted extension to California’s southernmost city is the perfect opportunity to soak up the sun and beachy vibes at your own pace. (B)

San Diego

Explore San Diego at your leisure. San Diego is the quintessential California beach town, with amazing sightseeing, food, and activities available year-round. Enjoy the beach, the historical Gaslamp district, or some of the numerous museums and zoos in and around San Diego. (B)

Depart for Home (B)