Tour northern California

Destinations	Western USA
Activity	Nature & Wildlife, Culture
Physical Level	Mild
Season	January - December

Destinations

Western USA

Activity

Nature & Wildlife, Culture

Physical Level

Mild

Season

January - December

Suggested itinerary

Explore San Francisco and Alcatraz island

Day 1–3 in San Francisco

Crammed into less than 50 square miles and with a population of less than a million, small San Francisco packs a mighty punch. Its patchwork of different neighbourhoods -- Mission District, Haight-Ashbury, Chinatown and many more -- all offer a different side to the city, while the big attractions -- Alcatraz, Golden Gate Bridge and Fisherman's Wharf -- are all worth the visit.

This is also a city of culture. There are Michelin-starred restaurants. There are pop-up diners and incredible food trucks. There is a world-class music scene and plenty of outdoor adventures, from whale-watching at Land's End to hiking in Mount Diablo. Just watch out for the earth tremors -- San Francisco's proximity to the San Andreas faultline means it experiences several hundred tremors a year.

Don't miss

Enjoy the coastline of San Fran

Take a stroll along Fisherman’s Wharf, explore the Marina District before experiencing the lively city at night. Stop at the spectacular Golden Gate bridge that connects San Francisco Bay with the Pacific Ocean to enjoy a classic view of the skyline. Perhaps even take a boat to the infamous Alcatraz.

Admire the wildlife and waterfalls of Yosemite

Day 4–6 in Yosemite National Park

There are 800 miles of trails through the mountains and woodlands of Yosemite, where you can spot black bears, coyotes, bobcats and mule deer among other wildlife. Get up close to the famous El Captan, Half Dome, Bridal Falls and Yosemite Falls which plunges a dramatic 739m.

Kayak, cycle and cruise at Lake Tahoe

Day 7–9 in Lake Tahoe

Explore the surroundings of this clear mountain lake by bike, kayak or cruise, or relax on one of its beaches to enjoy the unique views of the Sierra Nevada mountains and the Carson Range. Secret Cove is the ideal secluded spot to relax in.

Learn about the gold rush at Sacramento

Day 10 in Sacramento

You can easily spend a few hours at the 28-acre Old Sacramento State Historic Park learning about The California Gold Rush, which took place in 1848–1855. Perhaps even try panning for gold in the river! You can even step back to those historic days by taking a ride in a horse-drawn carriage.