Wild California Explorer - 8 Days

Welcome to San Francisco. On arrival, make your own way to the hotel, which is located near the airport, or use the complimentary hotel shuttle (detail in Trip Notes). The rest of your first day is free for you to relax or make your way into the city to explore.

Please note: This tour involves extensive hiking on uneven terrain, covering an average of 5 to 8 kilometres at a time, but sometimes more. Elevation changes range from 50 to 1,000 feet, and both touring and overnight locations are situated at altitudes between 5,000 and 8,000 feet above sea level. Due to the physical demands of this itinerary, participants should be prepared for significant activity. Please note: This tour includes visits to national parks where entry fees for non-U.S. residents are not included. On Day 1, your guide will collect payment in USD. Travellers can either purchase an America the Beautiful Pass (USD $250 per pass, valid for up to 4 travellers) or pay per park (USD $100 per person, per park). Please see Trip Notes for further information.

San Francisco - Yosemite National Park. We're heading out of the city across the Central Valley and onto the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada on our way to Yosemite National Park. We'll make a stop for lunch and to enjoy a hike along the John Muir Trail or up to one of the many high alpine lakes and granite peaks found in this area.

Later in the day, we arrive at our accommodation in the Yosemite Valley. We'll watch the sunset on El Capitan, can see some of the cascading waterfalls in the area, and enjoy an included welcome dinner at our lodge.

Today is spent exploring the incredible landscapes of Yosemite National Park. We'll also take in the Visitor Centre and the Ansel Adams Gallery before heading off to visit the Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls. Stroll along the Merced River to see Vernal Falls, Emerald Pool and the Silver Apron (a waterfall that throws up mist into the air). We'll also hike up to the Glacier Point for majestic views over the area. After a day of exploring, we can rest our tired legs back at the lodge.

Please note: Lunch is included today if travelling in 2026.

Yosemite National Park - Sequoia National Park - Kings Canyon National Park. It's time to leave Yosemite as we climb out of the Central Valley and arrive at Sequoia National Park. Here we'll have some time to wander through Grant Grove, home to numerous towering sequoia trees. The world's second largest tree (by volume) is also located here - the General Grant tree is 81 metres tall and more than 1,500 years old!

We then head into Kings Canyon, located in the national park of the same name. This rugged, glacier carved valley is more than a mile deep, and the park is also home to crystal clear waterfalls and more sequoia trees. We'll take in Grizzly Falls, Roaring River Falls, and Zumwalt Meadows, exploring some of the hiking trails in the area.

Kings Canyon National Park - Sequoia National Park - Cambria. We head back into Sequoia National Park to explore the other side of the reserve, including the General Sherman tree, the world's largest by volume (83m). After some more time to marvel at these natural giants, we leave the sequoias and the Sierra Nevada behind. We make our way along the Pacific Coast Highway and through the rolling hills of Paso Robles to our accommodation in the seaside town of Cambria.

2026 Itinerary Cambria - Ragged Point - Cambria - Monterey. This morning, we enjoy a scenic coastal drive along Pacific Highway 1, travelling as far as Ragged Point. This headland is home to the "Million Dollar View", which is well worth the drive.

We head back to Cambria and then make our way inland, joining Highway 101 to Monterey. On arrival in this coastal city, we'll visit Cypress Cove and Point Lobos State Park, a protected marine reserve.

2027 Itinerary Cambria - Ragged Point - Cambria - Monterey. We depart Cambria and travel north along the Pacific Coast Highway, pausing at scenic viewpoints where we may see elephant seals gathered along the shoreline. We continue to Limekiln State Park, known for its redwood groves and peaceful creekside setting.

From here, we head to McWay Falls, one of Big Sur’s most photographed spots, where a short walk leads us to views of the waterfall dropping onto the beach below. We enjoy a picnic lunch after our visit.

Further along the coast, we explore Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park with a walk beneath its towering trees, offering a sense of the region’s scale and natural beauty. After reaching the northern end of this coastal drive, we continue on to Monterey.

This evening is free for you to enjoy Monterey’s lively downtown, with its historic waterfront and wide choice of restaurants.

2026 Itinerary Monterey - Pfeiffer-Big Sur State Park - San Francisco. Today we complete our journey back to San Francisco, but not before we've explored Pfeiffer-Big Sur State Park. Nicknamed a "mini Yosemite", Pfeiffer-Big Sur State Park is home to impressive redwood trees and the Big Sur River. We'll explore the park, including the famous Bixby Bridge, before completing our journey back to San Francisco.

It's the final night of the tour, and to say farewell, we've got an included dinner cruise in the San Francisco Bay to enjoy at 19:00.

Please note: Lunch is included today if travelling in 2026.

2027 Itinerary We begin the day with coastal views from Point Pinos Lighthouse, the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the US West Coast, overlooking Monterey and Pacific Grove. We then follow one of California’s most celebrated scenic routes - the iconic 17-Mile Drive. The road winds through cypress-lined stretches, including Cyprus Cove, and along the famous Pebble Beach, known for its rugged shoreline, coastal trails and sweeping Pacific views.

After completing the drive, we continue north to San Francisco. The afternoon is free for you to explore at your own pace - perhaps browsing waterfront shops, visiting local attractions or simply enjoying classic views across the bay.

This evening, we come together for a farewell dinner cruise on San Francisco Bay. Boarding begins at 19:00, and we sail past the city skyline and under the Golden Gate Bridge before returning at approximately 22:30.

There's time this morning for an included tour out to Alcatraz Island, where we discover this historic prison. After our visit, we head back to the hotel for check out. You are free to continue your travels or make your way to the airport. Safe travels!