Alaska
Super-sized wilderness
Antarctica
Expeditions to the ultimate frontier
Argentina
A seductive mix of tango, treks and history
Armenia
Medieval monasteries and forest hikes
Australia
Iconic cities, awe-inspiring outback and everything in between
Azerbaijan
Land of fire
Borneo
Untamed nature
Brazil
Samba rhythms and wild landscapes
Caucasus
Where Asia meets Europe
Central Asia
Magical landscapes and Silk Road cities
Chile
The land of extremes
China
Beautiful chaos and ancient history
Costa Rica
The most biodiverse country on earth
Cuba
An old girl with a new heart
Ethiopia
Epic landscapes and divine history
Georgia
Rolling hills and centuries-old villages
Iceland
Dramatic landscapes and beautiful glaciers
India
A dazzling kaleidoscope of colour
Japan
Ancient culture and futuristic cities
Jordan
Forgotten cities and nomadic deserts
Kenya
More than just safaris
Kerala
Exploring God’s own country
Machu Picchu
Peru's archaeological rock star
Mexico
Fiestas, Frida and Maya mystery
Morocco
The hospitable gateway to Africa
Nepal
The country at the top of the world
New Zealand
Adventures at the end of the earth
Ontario
Embrace the Canadian wilderness
Patagonia
The wilderness at the end of the earth
Peru
Hidden treasures for those that look
Rajasthan
The Land of Kings
Rwanda
Everything in one perfect package
South Africa
Safari and beyond in the Rainbow Nation
Sri Lanka
Ancient civilisation and endless beaches
Tanzania
Mountains, safaris and spice islands
Thailand
Tropical beaches and beautiful temples
The Galapagos Islands
The islands that changed the world
Uganda
Unforgettable encounters
Uzbekistan
Mosques, mausoleums and madrasahs
Vietnam
Head-spinning contradictions and character
Western USA
Landscapes and legendsTour northern California
For the more active traveller
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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...Read more -
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...Read more -
Sacramento
...Read more
![Destinations]()
Destinations
San Francisco, Yosemite National Park, Lake Tahoe, Sacramento
Destinations![Activity]()
Activity
Nature & Wildlife, Culture & History
Activity![Physical Level]()
Physical Level
Mild
Physical Level![Season]()
Season
January - December
SeasonExperience the best of northern California in a short time, beginning in San Francisco, famous for the Golden Gate Bridge, a lively nightlife and, of course, Alcatraz island. Explore by bike, segway or on foot before continuing your journey to Yosemite National Park, where you can spend days hiking, cycling, nature watching or even climbing. Continue on to the snowy Sierra Nevada to enjoy spectacular mountain views and historic Gold Rush towns before stopping at Lake Tahoe for a few days of hiking or relaxation. Finally, your journey comes to an end back in San Francisco.
Suggested Itinerary
Recommended route & experiences
Day 1–3
The coastal city and Alcatraz island
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.
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.
Day 4–6
Hike and spot wildlife
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.
Day 7–9
Kayak, cycle and cruise
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.
Day 10
History from the gold rush days
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.
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