USA | Any Date
California Road Trip
San Francisco to Los Angeles. Napa Valley, Yosemite, and the Pacific Coast Highway.
11 Nights · 6 Destinations · From £2,800pp
Eleven nights, one hire car, and a route that takes in the full breadth of California — from the hills of San Francisco and the vineyards of Napa to the granite walls of Yosemite, the Pacific Coast Highway, and the energy of Los Angeles.
The route starts in San Francisco — cable cars, the Golden Gate, Fisherman’s Wharf — before heading east to Napa Valley for world-class wine country, then south-east into Yosemite National Park where the scale of the granite cliffs and waterfalls stops you in your tracks. From the mountains you drop back to the coast at Monterey, where the bay is one of the richest marine environments on the planet.
The final stretch follows the Pacific Coast Highway south through Santa Barbara — all Mediterranean architecture and ocean views — before finishing three nights in Los Angeles. Hollywood, Santa Monica, Rodeo Drive: a cinematic end to a genuinely great road trip.
Self-Drive · Flights Included
From £2,800 per person
Twin share. Prices vary by date — see pricing guide below.
✓ Return flights from the UK
✓ 8 days car hire, fully insured
✓ 4-star hotels throughout
✓ All airport transfers
Why This Trip
The Full California Experience
The Pacific Coast Highway
One of the world’s great coastal drives, and it’s built into the heart of this itinerary. Ocean on one side, cliffs on the other, through Monterey and Carmel and down toward Santa Barbara.
Yosemite in the middle
Most California fly-drives skip Yosemite or treat it as an add-on. This itinerary puts it centre stage — a proper night in the park, with the granite cliffs and waterfalls getting the time they deserve.
Everything handled
Return flights from the UK, 8 days car hire with fully inclusive insurance, 4-star hotels throughout and all airport transfers are included. You focus on the driving.
Your pace, your schedule
No group to keep up with, no fixed departure times. Linger over a wine tasting in Napa, take the scenic route into Yosemite, stop when the view demands it. California at your own pace.
Transparent Pricing
How Pricing Works
This trip can be booked for dates throughout the year. Flight and hotel costs vary by season, so your final price depends on when you travel. Here’s exactly how it works.
Guide Price
From £2,800pp
Twin share, including return flights from the UK. Peak summer and school holiday dates carry a supplement. Shoulder season (April–May, September–October) is typically closest to this guide price.
Best Time to Go
Year-Round
California has good driving weather year-round. Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) are ideal — warm, quieter than summer, and Yosemite is at its most dramatic with waterfalls in full flow. Contact us with your preferred dates and we’ll confirm exact pricing.
Not Included
Good to Know
✗ Travel insurance (required)
✗ Meals (restaurant recommendations provided)
✗ Optional activities
✗ Fuel & National Park entry fees
The Package
What’s Included
✓ Return flights from the UK with British Airways
✓ 8 days car hire with fully inclusive insurance
✓ 4-star hotels throughout
✓ All airport transfers
✓ Detailed route notes and travel pack
✓ 24/7 support throughout
Day by Day
The Itinerary
Days 1–3
San Francisco
Arrive into San Francisco and spend three nights exploring one of the world’s great cities. The Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, cable cars up to Nob Hill, and the food scene of the Mission — with an included sightseeing tour to cover the highlights and a visit to Alcatraz Island.
Day 4
Napa Valley
An hour from the city, Napa Valley is a different world entirely. Spend the day on Highway 29, stopping at wineries from grand estates to family-run cellars. Stay at the Silverado Resort, surrounded by rolling vineyards.
Day 5 ★
Yosemite National Park
Drive east into Yosemite — towering granite cliffs, thundering waterfalls and ancient sequoia trees. Stay at The Pines Resort at Bass Lake, on the edge of the park. The scale of the landscape here stops people in their tracks every time.
Day 6
Monterey and Carmel
Leave the mountains behind and head to the coast. Portola Hotel & Spa in Monterey puts you right on the bay — one of the richest marine environments on the planet. Whale watching from Old Fisherman’s Wharf, or a walk through the galleries of neighbouring Carmel.
Days 7–8 ★
Pacific Coast Highway to Santa Barbara
The drive everyone talks about. South along the Pacific Coast Highway with ocean on one side and cliffs on the other. Two nights in Santa Barbara at the Hilton Beachfront Resort — Mediterranean architecture, palm-lined streets, and the kind of light that makes everything look like a film set.
Days 9–11
Los Angeles
Three nights in LA to finish — staying at The Garland Hotel. Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, Rodeo Drive, Santa Monica beach, and the Getty Museum. A cinematic end to a genuinely great road trip, before flying home from LAX.
Ready for California?
Choose your dates and we’ll confirm exact pricing. From £2,800pp including flights.
Overview
Embark on an 11-night California Highlights Road Trip, a journey that captures the essence of California’s diverse landscapes and iconic cities. Priced from £1,825 per person, this self-drive adventure includes four-star accommodation, flights with British Airways from London Heathrow, and an intermediate car rental for eight days. The trip takes you through the cultural heart of San Francisco, the vineyards of Napa Valley, the towering peaks of Yosemite National Park, the marine life-rich coast of Monterey, the charming streets of Santa Barbara, and the glamour of Los Angeles.
Highlights
- Golden Gate Bridge – Iconic views and picturesque photo opportunities in San Francisco.
- Alcatraz Island – Tour the infamous prison located in the San Francisco Bay.
- Napa Valley – Wine tasting and scenic drives through the USA’s premier wine region.
- Yosemite National Park – Awe-inspiring granite cliffs and towering waterfalls.
- Whale-watching in Monterey Bay – Catch sight of majestic whales and playful seals.
- Carmel-by-the-Sea – Stroll through charming streets filled with art galleries and boutiques.
- Pacific Coast Highway – Dramatic coastal views on the drive from Monterey to Santa Barbara.
