A perfect Family vacation comprising Los Angeles , San Diego and San Francisco
Golden Moments in the Golden State (10 Nts/11 Days)
Day 1: Arrive in LA and check in your hotel conveniently located in the happening Downtown Area of LA. After some rest head out to the Grand Central market , an indoor public market for a European style food experience much like the Central Mercados in Europe where you will find vegetable and fruit vendors , fresh meat and ready to eat stuff .The market has been in place for over 100 years now and offers fresh and local food
After an early dinner head out to the iconic Fashion District for some designer clothes .If you fit into the sample clothing theres a great bargain to find !!.An early night recommended to drive the jet lag away
What better way to start the day !!
Day 2 : Skip the Line Express ticket at Universal studios : With a maximum of 15 minutes wait time at all attractions and a few behind the scenes tours , make the most of the Universal Studio with this pass which will give you one fast pass access to each ride. Take the studio tour to see how famous Hollywood movies were shot. Visit the famous Harry Potter studio and experience the magical spells or treat yourself to some wonderful 3d experience
The full day pass will enable you to experience some adrenaline pumping rides , some death defying action and some state of the art shows
Day 3 : Grand City Tour LA : After breakfast get a hotel pick up to embark on a Grand City tour of LA lasting almost 5 hours and see the famous landmarks of the city
This tour starts in Downtown Los Angeles, see the towering skyscrapers, the famous Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, and the modern architecture of the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Then on to Southern California's gateway to the cosmos, the Griffith Park Observatory, where you will get to see the panoramic view of the City of the Angels, and the famous Hollywood Sign. No trip to Hollywood would be complete without a stop at the famed Grumman’s Chinese Theater, where you can walk among the cemented hand-prints and footprints of movie stars from the past and present. Take time to stroll along Hollywood Blvd. and find the star of your favorite entertainer on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. See the Dolby Theater, home to the Academy Awards (The Oscars). Next, your tour will cruise along the storied Sunset Strip, where you will see the recognizable bars, restaurants and nightclubs that today's young and hot in Hollywood frequent all day and all night long. The tour continues West into the gorgeous neighborhoods of Beverly Hills , where you will be guided through Movie Stars Homes and the famous Beverly Hills Sign. You can see where the rich and famous spend their money at the world’s most exclusive boutique shops along Rodeo Drive. Next, enjoy your lunch stop and souvenir shopping at the dazzling Grove Shopping Mall and charming Original Farmer's Market, a must-stop lunch destination loved by tourists and locals alike. Evening free at Leisure
Day 4 : Whale watching at Newport beach
Today after breakfast reach the LA Union station to have an Amtrak experience .Board the Pacific Surfliner which operates every two hours to reach Santa Ana regional transportation centre.Take a taxi from the station to reach Newport Beach for a whale watching experience which lasts for 2.5 hours . Watch the rugged, beautiful scenery of the Pacific Coast glide by as you listen to interesting commentary from your crew about the native California marine life. Watch for blows and tail slaps; these signal that humpback, Minke, Grey, Finback or Giant blue whales are near. Dolphins and other marine life are also in abundance during this family-friendly, year-round whale watching tour.
After the cruise explore the Newport Beach which offers the finest sea food in the area.Afterwards , head to the Balboa Fun Zone which offers family fun for all ages. Embark on a Ferris wheel for a million dollar view of the sea .A walk to the pier is also recommended
Take a taxi back to Santa Ana station and board the Amtrak to LA union station .Overnight at the hotel
Day 5 : SAN DIEGO : After breakfast check out and board a comfortable Grey hound bus from the Los Angeles bus station to San Diego.This is a 3 hour drive most of which is along the scenic coastline. On arrival , check in at your hotel and relax. In the evening treat yourself to a luxury dinner cruise on a deluxe Yacht. Your luxury yacht is waiting for you at the San Diego Grape Street Pier. Start the celebration immediately with a glass of Champagne or sparkling cider. Settle into the open deck to admire views of the San Diego skyline, where you may be able to spot Coronado Bay Bridge, the USS Midway aircraft carrier and the Maritime Museum of San Diego.Overnight at the hotel
Day 6 : Full day trip to Sea World : Explore the fascinating world beneath the waves as you spend the day with this admission to SeaWorld San Diego. Go nose-to-nose with a joyful dolphin, belly up with a gentle beluga whale or waddle along near the sociable penguins. It’s a park that’s both fun and educational, making every encounter a new journey of discovery. Choose to upgrade your ticket with access to Aquatica San Diego, SeaWorld’s brand new waterpark or an all-day dining package!
Day 7 : SFO : After breakfast , check out and fly to San Fransisco , a city which doesn’t cease to amaze you. On arrival check into your downtown hotel and after relaxing for a while walk down to Pier 39 for the amazing views of the Bay.Try the famous Clam Chowder at one of the famous sea food restaurants served in a sourdough bowl
Day 8 : Escape to California’s famous wine country on this full-day tour from San Francisco(Hotel Pick up ) Taste regional varietals at three different wineries in Napa and Sonoma, including both big-name and family-run estates. This is your chance to get as close to Oscars as you possibly can.Visit the Francis Coppola Vineyard and have a look at his Oscars up close and personal besides tasting aromatic wines !!
Learn about the winemaking process during guided tours of vineyards and barrel rooms, and savor the area’s gourmet culture with a stop for lunch in charming Sonoma Square Plaza.
Also take a tour of the Jacuzzi family vineyards for the olive oil tasting. Did you know that the Jacuzzi was invented by Candido Jacuzzi , an Italian migrant to the US and a imminent member of the Jacuzzi family.
Return to San Francisco in the evening. Overnight at the hotel
Day 9 : Muir Woods, Giant Redwoods, and Sausalito Half-Day Tour (Hotel pick up ) : Wander through an ancient coastal redwood forest and explore the artistic bayside enclave of Sausalito on this half-day tour from San Francisco. Travel across the Golden Gate Bridge to visit Muir Woods, home to some of the oldest and tallest trees on Earth. Then, soak up stellar views of the San Francisco skyline and browse art galleries along the Sausalito waterfront. At the end of your tour choose between getting dropped off at Union Square in San Francisco or taking the Sausalito ferry back to San Francisco.
Choose from a morning or afternoon departure. Stop at a vista point for a fantastic perspective of the Golden Gate and Alcatraz, and wind through the rolling emerald hills of the Marin Headlands to arrive at Muir Woods. Stroll along forest paths surrounded by the gigantic redwood trees, some of which stretch as high as 250 feet (76 meters) and date back nearly 800 years. After 75 minutes at Muir Woods, take a short drive to the artistic bayside village of Sausalito. Capture wonderful photos of the San Francisco skyline during a stroll along the waterfront, pop in to one of the many art galleries and grab a cappuccino or ice cream at a local café (own expense).
Day 10 : Local Sight seeing San Fransisco : Explore San Francisco’s most iconic attractions the fun and easy way on a hop-on hop-off bus tour. Ride aboard a comfortable, double-decker coach while listening to live commentary on passing highlights and city history. Hop on or off at any of 24 different stops, including Chinatown, Fisherman’s Wharf, Ghirardelli Square, Haight-Ashbury and North Beach. You can hop on and off the double-decker bus as many times as you like, departing from any stop at 15- to 20-minute intervals throughout the day. In the summer, the top deck is open, and during winter, clear screens shelter you from the cold and offer unobstructed views of the city.Overnight in Sanfransisco hotel
DAY 11: After breakfast , check out and head to the Airport for your flight back home.Carry a piece of California in your heart