Itinerary Details
1 Arrive San Francisco, Usa
With its dizzying ocean views and constellation of Michelin-starred restaurants, free-spirited San Francisco is a feast for the senses. A famous bastion of counterculture, its neighborhoods, parks, bookshops and vintage boutiques each have a story to tell. Prepare to live the tale yourself as you relax in your downtown hotel.
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2 San Francisco – Street-Level ImmersionBike over Golden Gate Bridge, cruise the bay by catamaran or explore Alcatraz by night, all with an experienced A&K family guide. Stories of former prisoners including gangsters Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly come alive on a nighttime tour of San Francisco's former island prison.
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3 San Francisco – The City Up CloseExplore the city with your own guide this morning, a local expert who tailors the route to your interests. Greet the sunset this afternoon from your seat aboard a catamaran, the crisp sea air surrounding you.
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4 Yosemite National Park – America’s Natural WonderWhether it is the towering sequoias, the cooling mists of Bridal Veil Falls as it plunges from the heavens or the sight of El Capitan, on whose formidable faces the world’s hardiest climbers test their mettle, Yosemite outdoes itself at every turn.
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5 Yosemite National Park – Basking In The MajestyRevel in this majestic setting for another day, exploring more waterfalls and rock formations, like incredible Half Dome, and roaming up to the High Country landscape of meadows, lakes and unbeatable vantage points offering envy-inducing travel photo opportunities.
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6 Carmel – Private Aquarium VisitOriginally the site of California’s second Catholic mission, this diminutive beach city on the Monterey Peninsula has blossomed into a characterful community of storybook cottages, boutique art galleries and fine-dining restaurants. Tune into the village vibe on a private tour of Carmel’s restaurants and boutiques, then venture behind the scenes at the conservation mecca of Monterey Bay Aquarium, home to an astonishing 10,000 marine animals ranging from wolf eels, sharks and sardines to puffins, sea turtles and jellyfish.
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7 Monterey – Whale WatchingThe waters off Monterey are renowned for the variety of whale species they host, among them humpback, Minke, orca and gray. See how many of these — and other sea-dwelling stars like seals and dolphins — you can spot on a water safari.
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8 Santa Barbara – Fine Wines And Wildlife Rich IslandsBacked by the hazy Santa Ynez Mountains, this upmarket coastal city is the beating heart of Santa Barbara County, a sprawling, vine-laden region of farmers markets and wine estates. Wide streets of low-strung, Spanish-style villas flanked by spindly palms lead down to some of California’s best and most exclusive beaches — these powdery shores are beloved by surfers, jet skiers and fishermen alike.
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9 Channel Islands – Sunset Coastal CruiseVisit the Santa Barbara Botanical Garden and continue to the historic village of Solvang, where you set out on a walking food tour. Sample local fare and drink while learning about the area’s colorful history and get food-photo tips from a professional guide and local foodie. Then step aboard a boat for a cruise along the Santa Barbara coastline with the Santa Ynez Mountains and Channel Islands in the distance. Keep an eye out for dolphins, sea lions and coastal birds as you glide across the water, watching the sunset slowly paint the Pacific an unforgettable orange gold.
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10 Santa Monica – Beaches, Boardwalks And PalisadesFifteen miles west of downtown Los Angeles, beach-blessed Santa Monica is the ideal base for day trips into Hollywood as well as being a destination in its own right, the epitome of laid-back California coastal cool. Its three miles of golden sands host boardwalks, a retro amusement park and countless seafront restaurants, while the bluff-top Palisades Park is perfect for kicking off a freewheeling, three-mile cycle to Venice Beach, famous for its glistening bodybuilders.
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11 Santa Monica – Surfing And Universal StudiosPerfect your pop-up with private morning surf lessons and spend an afternoon in this palm-lined paradise as you see fit, relaxing on the beach, getting in some surfing or taking in a variety of attractions from the La Brea Tar Pits to the famed Chinese Theater.
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12 Santa Monica – Love La Your WayJoin a VIP tour of Universal Studios, visiting the legendary film studio’s busy backlot and jumping queues at the world-beating theme park.
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13 San Diego – Gorgeous Beaches And Artsy NeighborhoodsOne of the most underrated cities on the West Coast, San Diego’s star is rising with glitzy new hotels, eye-catching art galleries and a string of exciting new restaurants. Sample the buzz on guided tours and A&K insider access. San Diego may be best known for its beach life, balmy temperatures and proximity to the Mexican border, but it also has a wealth of under-the-radar heritage attractions, too: the Giant Dipper roller coaster and the Whaley House Museum, said to be one of the most haunted places in all America.
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14 San Diego – Behind The Scenes At The ZooMeet for a magical tour of the San Diego Zoo led by wildlife aficionados passionate about conservation, going deep into the legendary Safari Park, home to more than 12,000 rare and endangered animals, to help with feeding.
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15 Depart Santa MonicaMeals:
