2021 & 2022 Globus Guided Tours - Globus® Vacation Packages

Golden State of Mind: Northern California By Design (F8G)

9 days from San Francisco to San Francisco

2025 Tour Details

Head west for a 9-day adventure with the pioneer spirit of Northern California. How will you strike gold in the Golden State? Traipsing through coastal canopies of Redwood trees or touring foodie fun in Frisco? Trekking the trails in Yosemite or treading lightly on the timeless lanes of an old west town? Gliding to new heights or sailing scenic sights? With complimentary YourChoice Excursions, you choose to climb to new heights or dig deeper to find your California dream. What a rush!

Why This Tour is El Capitan:
•A journey to uncover Northern California’s historic sites and scenic sights from San Francisco to Yosemite.
•The Wild West and the Pony Express ... lake time and gold mines ... granite cliffs and wine sniffs!
•Included YourChoice Excursions in San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, and Yosemite National Park.
•Eureka!

We’ve packed everything you need for the perfect tour—from hand-selected hotels and dining to the friendly expertise of Globus Tour Directors and Local Guides, to seamless transportation between destinations and VIP access to the world’s most iconic sites! Touring by private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi. Enhance your free time with your GlobusGO mobile app!

Save up to $400 per couple on select 2025 Globus Tours Worldwide*
Multiple Vacation Discount: Save up to an additional $100 per person when you book more than one Globus, Cosmos or Avalon Vacation for the same travel year
Golden State of Mind: Northern California By Design map
National Park Tours – National Park Foundation

 Photo Highlights

 Meals

 Meals & Itinerary

Breakfast daily, 2 Dinners


Notes:

We encourage all guests to prebook their YourChoice Excursions to ensure your preference is available. YourChoice Excursions booked on-tour are subject to availability and vendor terms.

Visiting and participating in activities in this region may be subject to favorable weather conditions.

 Itinerary

Day 1 ARRIVE IN SAN FRANCISCO

Welcome to San Francisco! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome drink.

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Day 2 SAN FRANCISCO

Enjoy morning sightseeing in one of the world’s most beautiful cities. See Golden Gate National Recreation Area, including the Golden Gate Bridge and the Presidio.
YourChoice Excursions include one of the following activities of your choice:

TASTE: "Carbe" Diem!
TASTE: "Carbe" Diem!
Embark on a culinary journey through the vibrant streets of Little Italy in San Francisco, and savor some of the best Italian food the city has to offer.
DELVE: Rooted in Beauty
DELVE: Rooted in Beauty
A self guided tour through the California Academy of Sciences and Steinhart Aquarium immerses you in the stunning ecosystems of the California Coast.
TREK: Redwood ReTREEt!
TREK: Redwood ReTREEt!
Journey through the Redwood canopies of Muir Woods and take a scenic drive through the charming seaside town of Sausalito.



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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 3 SAN FRANCISCO–SONOMA–SACRAMENTO

SONOMA Orientation tour and free time for lunch on your own. Guided tour of the wine caves and a tasting at a historic family winery.
SACRAMENTO Sightseeing tour includes California’s state capitol building, Midtown, the famed Johnny Cash mural, and more. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant this evening.

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Breakfast Breakfast
DinnerDinner

Day 4 SACRAMENTO–LAKE TAHOE

Scenic ride along the “Most Beautiful Drive in America” en route to Lake Tahoe.
LAKE TAHOE Scenic drive continues and includes photo stops at famous viewpoints in the area.
Free time this evening.

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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 5 LAKE TAHOE

LAKE TAHOE YourChoice Excursions include one of the following activities of your choice:

DELVE: Historic Haunts
DELVE: Historic Haunts
Explore the American Wild West in Virginia City, Nevada, and follow the Pony Express route to the mining motherlode site at Comstock Lode.
SAIL: Yachts of Fun!
SAIL: Yachts of Fun!
Embark on a scenic cruise on Lake Tahoe and glacier-carved Emerald Bay.
GLIDE: Heavenly Hideaway
GLIDE: Heavenly Hideaway
Soar to the 9,150-foot-high observation deck above Heavenly in a glass-cabin gondola for stunning views over Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Free time this evening.

Breakfast Breakfast

Day 6 LAKE TAHOE–YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK Explore Yosemite on a scenic drive through the park, including photo stops and free time to visit the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center. Free time this evening for the first of three nights at the luxury Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite resort.

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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 7 YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK YourChoice Excursions include one of the following activities of your choice:

TREK: Yosemite, Naturally
TREK: Yosemite, Naturally
Feel your senses awaken with a nature walk in the place where John Muir discovered "Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine into trees." Your Naturalist Guide will show you the breathtaking views of the Yosemite region, while encountering the fantastic flora and fauna of this magical wilderness.
GAZE: Westward, Ho!
GAZE: Westward, Ho!
Get up close to the wonders and wildlife of Yosemite on a guided 2-hour tram tour. Return to the park this morning and join a Park Ranger to discover the natural history and the stories of Native Peoples and new settlers who moved west to a wilderness like no other.
STROLL: A Kaleidoscope in Black and White
STROLL: A Kaleidoscope in Black and White
Join a private guided photography tour courtesy of the Ansel Adams Gallery with instruction by expert photography guides.

Free time late afternoon and evening to enjoy the resort.

Breakfast Breakfast

Day 8 YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK Free time this morning and afternoon to enjoy Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite. Consider hiking, electric-assist mountain biking, or a visit to the Ascent Spa and Fitness Center. A farewell dinner this evening followed by a private stargazing excursion with a local expert.

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Breakfast Breakfast
DinnerDinner

Day 9 YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK–SAN FRANCISCO

This morning, return to San Francisco International Airport or Marriott Marquis hotel. Please schedule departing flights after 4pm.


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Breakfast Breakfast

 Tour Director

With GLOBUS, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of a Tour Director. We’d like you to meet one of our Tour Directors, who average over a decade of experience and are representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

JOHN PLOSZAJ

Escorting tours for more than 20 years

My favorite things to do include travel and meeting wonderfully interesting people from around the world. Luckily, I get to do both as a Tour Director! What I love most about my job is the chance to be an ambassador for the United States. To see the smiles on my travelers' faces at the end of a tour and to know they had a great time and learned a little something about our country is priceless.

Tour Director - JOHN PLOSZAJ

 Accommodations

San Francisco
Sacramento
Yosemite National Park

San Francisco

San Francisco Marriott Marquis
San Francisco Marriott Marquis

San Francisco Marriott Marquis

Superior First-Class

San Francisco Marriott Marquis 780 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA United States

780 Mission Street
San Francisco, United States

San Francisco Marriott Marquis welcomes travelers to Northern California with exceptional service, spacious guestrooms, and a prime downtown location. The hotel features a spa, fitness center, and an on-site restaurant and lounge. Guestrooms offer plush bedding, Smart TVs, mini-refrigerators, and Wi-Fi access.

Hotel Amenities

  • Shoe Shine
  • Concierge desk
  • Laundry Available
  • Ice Machine
  • ATM
  • Gift Shop
  • Restaurant On-Site
  • Parking/Valet
  • Currency Exchange
  • Spa Services
  • Luggage Storage
  • Elevator
  • Fitness Room
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Business Center

Room Amenities

  • In-Room Safe
  • Climate Control
  • Iron/Ironing Board
  • Complimentary Newspaper
  • Pay Movies
  • Internet Access
  • Air Conditioning
  • Coffee Maker
  • Wake-Up Calls
  • Complimentary Toiletries
  • Daily Housekeeping
  • Television
  • Window Opens
  • Phone
  • Alarm Clock
  • Desk
  • Cable/Satellite
  • Voicemail
  • Hair Dryer


The “Starting at” or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per person based on twin occupancy and any applicable port charges, non-commissionable taxes and fees and intra-vacation flight are included in the price shown. Any included overnight stay in Canada, applicable GST/HST is also included in the price shown. International airfare, however, is not included. If price is crossed out, the new price shown includes a limited time promotional offer(s). Please review current promotions or deals for additional information.