The Best of California

San Diego is the perfect destination to start your road-trip adventure. Located not far from the Mexico border, it is the oldest town in California offering an enchanting natural beauty and a pleasant climate. During your 2-night stay, explore some of the city's most popular attractions including the Spanish Colonial-style architecture found in Balboa Park; the world famous San Diego Zoo; and the Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum. For a little history and shopping, stroll the streets of Old Town San Diego State Historic Park or wander through the Gaslamp Quarter.

Palm Springs is a true desert oasis. This beautiful Californian city is located within an easy drive of Los Angeles, but it feels worlds apart. It’s the kind of place where you can relax on a different golf course every day, hike to secluded desert beauty spots, or fun-filled days at massive water parks. In other words, it’s got something for everyone.

Drive to the lowest elevation in North America, Death Valley National Park. Here, the Mojave is at its most magnificent with geological history on full display in this rugged, severe, sublime section of California. Enhance your desert experience with a stop at Zabriskie Point offering spectacular views of the wildly eroded and vibrantly coloured badlands. Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy some of the world’s best stargazing during your time here.

Sequoia National Park and adjacent Kings Canyon National Park are located in California's southern Sierra Nevada mountains. Drive your car through “Tunnel Log,” a fallen sequoia on Crescent Meadow Road. Stop for a quiet picnic amid colourful wildflowers and walk along the Big Trees Trail, an interpretive 0.6-mile paved loop through a sequoia grove. Look for General Sherman, the largest known sequoia in the United States.

In Kings Canyon you'll find deep valleys, skyscraping trees, and distinctive rock outcroppings, Located next to Sequoia National Park, Kings Canyon Park is composed of two distinct areas - Grant Grove (home to the General Grant tree, also known as "the Nation's Christmas Tree") and Cedar Grove. Kings Canyon is also home to Redwood Canyon, the largest remaining grove of sequoia trees in the world.

Drive into majestic Yosemite National Park where you'll stay for the next 2-nights. The Park enthrals visitors with its diverse terrain, abundant wildlife, and incomparable scenery. 750,000 acres of soaring cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and lush meadows make Yosemite one of the world’s natural wonders. Yosemite Falls, North America’s tallest waterfall, cascades 2,425 feet to the Valley floor far below. Light dances across the sheer granite faces of El Capitan and Half Dome, a natural performance unlike any in the world. A shuttle system, a web of paved walking paths and trails, and plentiful dining and accommodation options make a trip to the Valley effortlessly easy.

Welcome to California’s beautiful jewel in the mountains, Lake Tahoe. This year-round destination is a dream come true. There’s fresh mountain air, brisk turquoise water, scenic short hikes, and epic sunsets. It’s actually the largest alpine lake in all of North America. There’s nothing much better than a few days in the mountains of Lake Tahoe

Welcome to the land of world-class wines and agricultural abundance. Located just an hour north of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, Sonoma County is home to more than 300 wineries, a huge selection of excellent farm-to-table restaurants and a whole host of art galleries, shops and spas.

Continue your adventure in San Francisco, in northern California. Known for its year-round fog, iconic Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars and colourful Victorian houses, this city is also famed for its steep streets - the most famous being Lombard Street. Located in the upscale Russian Hill neighbourhood, Lombard Street is the famous crooked road that’s goes one way (down) past gorgeous Victorian mansions. During your time here, see major sights such as Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge and Fisherman’s Wharf.

Depart San Francisco and start your journey south along the Pacific Highway en route to the coastal city of Monterey for a 2-night stay. The coastal drive from San Francisco to Monterey is one of the top scenic drives in the US so take your time and enjoy the 2-hour journey. Monterey has a scenic location and offers a lot for visitors. Visit Cannery Row, visit the aquarium or take a boat tour to see marine species in their natural habitat.

Continue south to the 'American Riviera' city of Santa Barbara. This unforgettable destination offers sparkling beaches, majestic mountain ranges, 300 days of sunshine a year and signature Spanish Revival architecture. En-route visit Pismo Beach, where you can take in beautiful views, eat some delicious food, and explore a cute downtown.

Arrive in the sprawling city of Los Angeles. Here you’ll find all kinds of things to do and interesting neighbourhoods to explore. Recent upgrades to the public transportation network and the addition of a bike share program in downtown LA have made getting around and sightseeing easier than ever. For families, nearby Disneyland and Universal Studios are key destinations.

Your tour ends when you return your rental car to the agreed drop-off point. Alternatively, speak with your Discover North America Travel Specialist about possible trip extensions.