Multi-day trip

California Highlights Express: 3-Day Tour from Los Angeles

4.6 / 5

27 reviews

Activity provider: Empire Vacations Inc
Multi-day trip

California Highlights Express: 3-Day Tour from Los Angeles

Activity provider: Empire Vacations Inc

From US$ 513.30 per person

Make the most of your time in California with a 3-day tour of the highlights of the Golden State, such as Santa Barbara, the Pacific Coast Highway, Carmel, San Francisco, and Yosemite National Park.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later
Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
Covid-19 precautions
Special health and safety measures are in place. Check your activity voucher once you book for full details.
Duration 3 days
Check availability to see starting times.
Skip the ticket line
Live tour guide
Spanish, Chinese, English, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese

Experience

Highlights
  • View the sights of Santa Barbara and Carmel
  • Cruise under the famous Golden Gate Bridge and around the notorious Alcatraz Island
  • Explore Yosemite Park (summer) or full tour of Scenic Monterrey (Winter)
Full description

Discover the most iconic highlights of California, as well as some lesser-known gems, on this 3-day tour from Los Angeles. Drive the renowned 17 Mile Drive, explore Santa Barbara, and visit Yosemite Valley National Park or Hearst Castle. Enjoy 2 nights of accommodation and a bay cruise in San Fransisco included.

Day 1: Los Angeles – Santa Barbara – 17 Mile Drive – Carmel Summer Route

Depart north up the spectacular California Coast to the first stop in Santa Barbara. Visit a Spanish Mission and learn how these religious outposts were key in the development of the entire region.

Continue to Solvang, a quaint Danish community to browse in the local shops. See the spectacular California coastline up close (small vehicles will travel the southern portion of route 1 while full-size coaches will travel the 17-mile drive exclusively).

Visit the town of Carmel, home to the actor Clint Eastwood. Enjoy some free time to stroll in town before departing to reach your hotel at the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Oakland Airport. Winter Route

Depart north up the spectacular California Coast to the first stop in Santa Barbara. Stop at the heart of downtown at the “state street promenade” and stroll through the exclusive shops and restaurants.

Continue to Santa Barbara beaches and Stearns wharf to “walk on the water” and enjoy the beautiful view of the ocean. Finish your visit at the Spanish Mission Santa Barbara and continue to Solvang, “the Danish capital of America” a quaint Danish community at the heart of California.

After your lunch break, head north through Silicon Valley before departing to reach your hotel at the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Oakland Airport. Day 2: San Fransisco – Bay Cruise – Golden Gate Bridge – Chinatown

Summer Route

Start your tour at the Fisherman’s Wharf with a cruise in the world-famous bay. Enjoy great views of both the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island.

Next, return to Pier 39 for a leisurely lunch before an afternoon tour that takes in all the city’s famous landmarks, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Union square, Chinatown, and Nob Hill. Stay overnight in Modesto. Winter Route

Start your tour at the Fisherman’s Wharf with a cruise in the world-famous bay. Enjoy great views of both the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz island.

Then return to Pier 39 for a leisurely lunch before an afternoon tour that takes in all the city’s famous landmarks, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Union square, Chinatown, and Nob Hill. Stay overnight at the Springhill Suites Oakland Airport. Day 3: San Fransisco – Yosemite – Los Angeles Summer Route

Head east through the farmlands of the Joaquin Valley to Yosemite National Park. Stop at El Capitan, Bridal-Veil Falls, and Half Dome. See the highest waterfalls in North America, Yosemite Falls. Then head back to Los Angeles in the evening. Winter Route

Start the day with a visit to Monterey including the wharf and Cannery Row. Continue your tour of the beautiful California Coast with a visit to the town of Carmel-by-the-sea.

Then head south to the world-famous Route #1 where you'll see the spectacular California coastline up close (small vehicles will travel the southern portion of route 1 while full-size coaches will travel the 17-mile drive exclusively). Then drive back to return to Los Angeles.

Includes
  • Round-trip transportation
  • 2-night hotel accommodation
  • Bay cruise in San Francisco
  • Tour guide
  • Admission to Yosemite Park (summer) or Hearst Castle (winter)
  • Gratuities
  • Food and drinks

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Meeting point

Meeting point may vary depending on the option booked.

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.6 /5

based on 27 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.6/5
  • Transportation
    4.3/5
  • Service
    4.7/5
  • Organization
    4.7/5

Sort by:

Traveler type:

Star rating:

Overall it was a good experience would like to stay a bit longer at Pebble Beach & Carmel. The San Francisco day was excellent. I would skip the City Hall and would prefer more a stop at Golden Gate Park or at Muir Woods. The Yosemite day was great the only problem we had was an Austrian couple was late by 25 minutes from our first El Capitan stop. This made coming back to Los Angeles very late.

Read more

March 25, 2023

This tour was all around fantastic... the sights, staff, and fellow passengers. Dorit, our tour guide, was funny, friendly, and made our time together all the more enjoyable with her exceptional photography skills. My friends found it hard to believe that we did so much in three days. I don't know any other tour that includes visits to all the major landmarks in Santa Barbara, Carmel, Solvang, San Francisco, and Yosemite. The visit to Yosemite was what I was looking forward to the most and it did not disappoint. We saw Bridal Veil, Tunnel View, Half Dome, El Capitan and had time to do a hike and have lunch. The group of people were super chill, very respectful and friendly towards each other. Even when unexpected situations occurred (e.g. no translator for the Italian couple, 'dry breakfast' at the Clarion), Dorit handled it quickly and professionally. Sam was an excellent, safe driver and such a gentleman. I'd take this tour again.

Read more

March 25, 2023

El autobús, los hoteles y los guías geniales. El título de lo que compras define muy bien lo que vas a hacer 'Tour exprés de 3 días por California'. Está muy bien porque vas a muchos sitios pero no estás mucho tiempo. Hay sitios en los que te gustaría quedarte más tiempo pero tienes que subir al autobús para llegar al siguiente destino.

Read more

March 25, 2023

Product ID: 9143