Northern California's Finest (AL)

9 Day Tour from San Francisco to San Francisco

2027 Tour Details

Discover the natural beauty, iconic landmarks, and coastal charm of Northern California on a journey through some of the Golden State's most celebrated landscapes. Explore San Francisco's famous hills, waterfront districts, and landmark sights before venturing into the scenic wine country of Sonoma Valley for a tasting at a family-owned winery.

Experience the breathtaking beauty of Yosemite National Park, where granite cliffs, towering waterfalls, and ancient forests create one of America's most spectacular natural settings. Continue to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks to stand among some of the world's largest trees, including the awe-inspiring General Sherman Tree.

Along California's rugged coastline, visit Monterey and charming Carmel-by-the-Sea before enjoying the spectacular views along the famed 17-Mile Drive. As night falls, experience stargazing beneath some of California's darkest skies and enjoy special stays in national park lodges surrounded by extraordinary natural beauty. PLUS, this tour includes your choice of excursions in Yosemite so you can plan your day your way.

Small-Group Discovery Dates Available

Select Globus 2021 North America tours are limited to an average of just 24 guests per tour. There’s always room to roam with extra space between you and other travelers—while still getting up close and personal to the experiences you’ve been dreaming of. Small-Group Discoveries include all the features of a traditional Globus North America tour, complete with expert Tour Director, Driver, and Local Guides who ensure that your health and safety is our top priority. A Small-Group Discovery Europe vacation is the perfectly sized tour—without the crowds.

Special features included in this tour:
•Explore San Francisco with a Local Guide, featuring iconic landmarks and neighborhoods that define the City by the Bay
•Tour and taste at a [LF] family-owned Sonoma winery and discover the traditions behind one of California's premier wine regions
•Discover the spectacular landscapes of Yosemite National Park on guided sightseeing through one of America's most celebrated national parks
•Personalize your experience with a Globus Choice excursion in Yosemite: choose a Yosemite Valley Floor Tram Tour or a Naturalist-guided walk through the park
•Explore Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and enjoy a [LF] stargazing experience beneath some of California's darkest night skies, recognized by DarkSky International
•Stand in awe before the General Sherman Tree, the world's largest tree by volume, in Sequoia National Park's Giant Forest
•Discover Monterey's maritime heritage on guided sightseeing featuring historic Cannery Row and Fisherman's Wharf
•Visit charming Carmel-by-the-Sea and enjoy a scenic drive along the famed 17-Mile Drive to Pebble Beach
•Enjoy special overnight stays at Tenaya Lodge in the Sierra National Forest and Wuksachi Lodge in the heart of Sequoia National Park

Dates & Prices Book Online

800.268.3636

Photo Highlights

Meals

Meals & Itinerary

Breakfast daily, 4 dinners

Notes:

Maximum elevation on tour is 9,145 ft (2,787 m) for daytime excursions and 7,200 ft (2,200 m) for overnight stays.

For maximum enjoyment, guests should be able to walk ¼ - ½ mile with ease and over uneven pathways. Guests should be prepared for sustained walking and standing.

Visiting and participating in activities in this region may be subject to favorable weather conditions. The order of sightseeing is subject to change.

Itinerary

Day 1 ARRIVE IN SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

Welcome to San Francisco! At 6:00p.m., meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome drink.

ENHANCED FREE TIME
Explore more in San Francisco with a walk on Fisherman’s Wharf, a bowl of clam chowder with famous sourdough bread, or a Ghirardelli chocolate or two in the stunning city by the bay. Your Tour Director has suggestions for your night.

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Day 2 SAN FRANCISCO

Golden Gates & Gardens This morning, enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of San Francisco to take in its famous sights. Enjoy free time to explore the Golden City before dinner at a local restaurant.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
From the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and the stunning Japanese Tea Gardens to the iconic and incredible Golden Gate Bridge to the historic Presidio, you’ll also soak in the sea air with sights including Fisherman’s Wharf, Union Square, and more.

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Breakfast

Dinner

Day 3 SAN FRANCISCO–SONOMA–NAPA-SACRAMENTO

Bridge to Bountiful Travel across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sonoma for a city tour and tasting at a family-owned winery. Beyond the scenic landscapes and superior wine, Sonoma Valley features a legacy of Native communities, preserved adobe buildings, and the historic downtown, where pivotal moments in California's history unfolded. Enjoy lunch on your own and free time at the Oxbow Public Market in Napa. Artisan cafes, organic produce stands, and local food vendors provide a variety of delightful lunch options. Continue to the capital of California, Sacramento, for a sightseeing tour and free evening. Tonight, venture out to explore one of the many restaurants, craft breweries, and wine-tasting rooms.

LOCAL FAVORITE
Visit a beautiful winery, where estate-grown, sustainably farmed wines have flowed for over a century. Taste the California vintages that thrive here with a tradition of generations while enjoying panoramic hillside vistas for an authentic Sonoma Valley experience.

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Breakfast

Day 4 SACRAMENTO–YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

Treasures of the High Sierras Travel south through the Sierra Nevada Mountains to Yosemite National Park. Best known for its waterfalls, Yosemite also offers nearly 1,200 square miles of grand meadows, ancient sequoias, and much more. Continue to Tenaya at Yosemite for a memorable two-night stay.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Tenaya at Yosemite is nestled among towering sugar pines in the Sierra National Forest offering an elegant mountain retreat with access to multiple eateries, a world-class spa, three swimming pools, and refined guestrooms with deluxe amenities. Enjoy the night sky and sweet snack at the fire pit with a s’mores kit. Widely regarded as the premier lodging experience near Yosemite National Park, Tenaya at Yosemite combines modern comforts with rustic Sierra charm and exceptional access to the park's natural wonders.

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Breakfast

Dinner

Day 5 YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

Spend your day your way in Yosemite Explore more of Yosemite National Park with your choice of included Globus Choice excursions.

ALL ABOARD

Descend into the 4,000-foot valley for an open-air Valley Floor Tram Tour to explore the famous sites of El Capitan, Cathedral Spires, Yosemite Falls, and Half Dome. Get up close to the wonders and wildlife of Yosemite on a guided 2-hour tram tour with a Park Ranger.

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.

Enjoy free time for the balance of the day in Yosemite National Park. As part of the Globus family of brands Lighthouse Project, this historic national park is one example of our commitment to supporting the people and places we share with you.

ENHANCED FREE TIME
Explore more in Yosemite National Park, a place Theodore Roosevelt described as a “great solemn cathedral, far vaster and more beautiful than any built by the hand of man.” After camping here with naturalist John Muir in 1903, Roosevelt became an even stronger advocate for conservation, helping to expand protections for America’s natural treasures. During his presidency, more than 230 million acres of public land were placed under federal protection, including national forests, monuments, wildlife refuges, and parks. Your Tour Director can offer recommendations on how to fill your afternoon.

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Breakfast

Day 6 YOSEMITE–SEQUOIA & KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS

Forest Giants & Heavenly Objects Travel to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks to explore the “Land of Giants,” where soaring mountains, deep canyons, vast caverns, and the world’s largest trees create a landscape of remarkable beauty and diversity. Tonight, enjoy dinner followed by a stargazing experience.

LOCAL FAVORITE
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks are both certified as International Dark Sky Parks and offer an amazing opportunity for spectacular stargazing. As you look skyward to the glittering heavens, hear ancient and cultural legends about the constellations you’ll witness in the night sky.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Feel like you're dreaming during the stay at the wonderful Wuksachi Lodge in the heart of Sequoia National Park. The beautifully crafted cedar and stone architecture offer panoramic views of the surrounding forest and High Sierra peaks from its spectacular alpine setting in the Sequoias.

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Breakfast

Dinner

Day 7 SEQUOIA & KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS–MONTEREY

Old-Growth Trees & Ocean Tides Spend more time this morning exploring these magnificent parks, which now protect nearly half the remaining sequoia groves in the world. See the General Sherman Tree, spend time at the Visitor Center, or simply relax in the tranquil surroundings. Continue across the farmlands of California to the coastal town of Monterey for a two-night stay.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Immortalized by John Steinbeck in his novel of the same name, Cannery Row is filled with history and vibrant sights along the waterfront of Monterey Bay. Once a bustling area of sardine factories, the street is a brightly painted avenue of eateries and shops that harken back to a heritage of fishermen and rich stories.

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Breakfast

Lunch

Day 8 MONTEREY. EXCURSION TO CARMEL

The Rocky Shores of Pebble Beach This morning, stroll along Fisherman’s Wharf for the chance to see shore and sea creatures in the Pacific Ocean or visit historic Cannery Row. Other highlights today include a journey along scenic 17-Mile Drive and the seaside town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Return to Monterey, where your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Feel the windswept spirit of the Pacific Ocean with a spectacular drive along 17-Mile Drive to the charming haven of Carmel-by-the-Sea. See its crooked cottages and twisted trees in the popular haunt of writers, artists, and celebrities. You’ll pass by sweeping sea views and rocky shores, visit the world-famous Pebble Beach Golf Course for a walk on the fairway, and see the iconic Lone Cypress clinging to its rocky perch.

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Breakfast

Dinner

Day 9 MONTEREY–SAN FRANCISCO

Safe travels until we meet again! After breakfast, depart Monterey for San Francisco. Travel north through the scenic Santa Clara Valley toward Silicon Valley and San Francisco Bay for your transfer to the airport. Please schedule your departure flight from San Francisco International Airport for 1:00 pm or later. Want to explore more of San Francisco on your own? Additional nights are available for purchase.

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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.

KEN HARTFORD

Escorting tours for more than 15 years

“The West has been my home since I was born, and its incredible diversity has kept me engaged since my earliest memories. It is a world of iconic places and undiscovered gems waiting to be explored. Experience the bustle of its cities and the serenity of its open spaces, hear the stories of its people, and embrace the wonder of its beauty. No matter who you are or where you come from, there is something about the West that will never leave you.”

Accommodations

Optional Excursions

No matter what you’re into: food, wine, history, art, music or anything else, we give you the freedom to personalize your vacation with optional excursions that speak to your interests.

When you book your excursions with us, you can be assured that every optional excursion that we offer coordinates with the free time that you'll have in your destination, so you'll never have conflicts between included and optional activities. Our team of travel experts carefully selects each optional excursion that we offer to ensure that you receive the highest quality at a great value. Our tried-and-true partners have a finger on the pulse of the city in which they operate so they deliver the very best experiences. We offer experiences you cannot create on your own and because you’re booking with us, we coordinate all your transportation and timing needs.

The following optional excursions are examples only for this vacation. These may or may not be offered, and availability is subject to days of operation and seasonality. Please select a departure date to view optional excursions and pricing for a specific date (due to currency fluctuation, pricing shown is subject to change until purchased). Optional excursions are available for purchase on our MyGlobus site 90 days prior to the tour start date.

Price Ranges

$ ($50 CAD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 CAD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 CAD)
$$$$ (Over $150)

Yosemite National Park

ALL ABOARD

Price Range: $$

YOSEMITE NATURALLY

Price Range: $

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.

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