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3-Day California Coast Tour: Santa Barbara, San Francisco and Yosemite
Los Angeles, United States
From US$590.00
Price varies by group size
Select Date and Travelers
Free cancellation
Up to 24 hours in advance.
Los Angeles Tours
Attractions
- 3 days
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Overview
See the best that California has to offer during this 3-day, 2-night West Coast tour, covering some of the Golden State’s top cities and outdoor areas. Start your trip in Los Angeles, snaking north by van or motor coach through California hotspots including Santa Barbara, Solvang, Yosemite National Park, Carmel, San Francisco and Hearst Castle. It’s a memorable opportunity to explore one postcard-worthy destination after the next. Your tour of the California coast also includes two nights of accommodations and a driver-guide.
- 3-day California coastal tour
- Visit the Spanish Mission in Santa Barbara and discover the Danish town of Solvang
- Walk along the beautiful boardwalk of Carmel
- Take a cruise around San Francisco Bay and visit Fisherman’s Wharf on a city tour
- See San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, Union Square and Chinatown
- Explore Yosemite National Park or Hearst Castle (depending on the season)
- Ride in an air-conditioned van or motorcoach
What's Included
- Professional tour guide
- Transportation by 15-passenger van or a full-sized bus
- Sightseeing in Santa Barbara, Carmel and San Francisco
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Meeting And Pickup
Meeting points
Select a meeting point
Type to search
Start time
06:30 AM
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
Don’t limit your California trip to just Los Angeles and San Francisco. Instead, take this 3-day, 2-night trip through some of the state’s most beautiful coastal towns and gorgeous outdoor scenery, offering a great chance to get a taste for the legendary beauty of the Golden State.
Begin your trip on the morning of your first day from either the Los Angeles Farmer’s Market or the Four Points by Sheraton in Culver City. Your drive will wind its way out of the urban grid of L.A. and snake its way along the Southern California coast to Santa Barbara, a one-time site of a colonial Spanish mission. Head next to Solvang, a charming community with a strong Danish heritage that is evident in its architecture, stores and bakeries. You’ll then continue your drive along the jaw-dropping California coast, passing through Carmel-by-the-Sea before ending your day in Santa Clara near the Bay Area’s Silicon Valley.
Spend day two exploring lovely San Francisco, including a cruise from Fisherman’s Wharf to visit the Golden Gate Bridge and circle the notorious prison on the island Alcatraz. Spend your afternoon on a sightseeing tour to explore the city’s numerous historical sights and diverse neighborhoods.
Your day three itinerary depends on the season, with those visitors joining in the summer months heading to Yosemite National Park, while those visitors who join in the winter continuing to Hearst Castle (for trips after November 1st). Both sites offer an incredible wealth of terrain and attractions to explore. Finish your California trip back in Los Angeles in the evening.
Help create a better planet for everyone to travel and explore. We have partnered with One Tree Planted to plant one tree for every passenger that travels with us along with an extra tree for anyone that books multiple trips.
Begin your trip on the morning of your first day from either the Los Angeles Farmer’s Market or the Four Points by Sheraton in Culver City. Your drive will wind its way out of the urban grid of L.A. and snake its way along the Southern California coast to Santa Barbara, a one-time site of a colonial Spanish mission. Head next to Solvang, a charming community with a strong Danish heritage that is evident in its architecture, stores and bakeries. You’ll then continue your drive along the jaw-dropping California coast, passing through Carmel-by-the-Sea before ending your day in Santa Clara near the Bay Area’s Silicon Valley.
Spend day two exploring lovely San Francisco, including a cruise from Fisherman’s Wharf to visit the Golden Gate Bridge and circle the notorious prison on the island Alcatraz. Spend your afternoon on a sightseeing tour to explore the city’s numerous historical sights and diverse neighborhoods.
Your day three itinerary depends on the season, with those visitors joining in the summer months heading to Yosemite National Park, while those visitors who join in the winter continuing to Hearst Castle (for trips after November 1st). Both sites offer an incredible wealth of terrain and attractions to explore. Finish your California trip back in Los Angeles in the evening.
Help create a better planet for everyone to travel and explore. We have partnered with One Tree Planted to plant one tree for every passenger that travels with us along with an extra tree for anyone that books multiple trips.
Day 1
LOS ANGELES – SANTA BARBARA – 17 MILE DRIVE – CARMEL
8 Stops
Old Mission Santa Barbara
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Solvang Visitor Center
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Cannery Row
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
17-Mile Drive
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
Stearns Wharf
2 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Old Mission Santa Barbara
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
Solvang
2 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Silicon Valley
Admission Ticket Free
Accommodation: San Francisco – Springhill Suites by Marriot
Meals: Not included
Day 2
SAN FRANCISCO – BAY CRUISE – GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE – CHINATOWN
4 Stops
San Francisco City Hall
3 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Downtown Sausalito
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Twin Peaks
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Chinatown
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Accommodation: Modesto – Best Western Palm Court Inn (In Winter Monterey/Holiday Inn hotel)
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3
SAN FRANCISCO – YOSEMITE – LOS ANGELES
5 Stops
Yosemite Valley
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
Yosemite Falls
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
Cannery Row
2 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Carmel
2 hours • Admission Ticket Free
17-Mile Drive
2 hours • Admission Ticket Included
Accommodation: Not included
Meals: Breakfast
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Maximum of three people per room. If traveling with a party of 4 or more, or desire to have separate rooms please make separate bookings.
- Children under the age of 2 are free, please advise at time of booking if infant is traveling
- Infant seats available
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
Frequently Asked Questions
The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Filter by:
Q:Is hotel pickup included for the 3-Day California Coast Tour?
A:Hotel pickup is not available for this tour. You will have to make your own way to one of the meeting locations listed in the 'Departure & Return" section above.
Feb 2022
Q:How do I know which departure point to use for the 3-Day California Coast Tour?
A:The tour picks up at both pick up points for every departure. You can contact the local operator at the phone number on your ticket to coordinate pickup details.
Feb 2022
Q:Is parking available at either of the pickup points for the 3-Day California Coast Tour?
A:Parking is available at both departure locations. Parking rates apply and may vary. You may also take a ride-share such as Uber or Lyft or use public transportation to either location.
Feb 2022
Q:What type of vehicle is used for the 3-Day California Coast Tour?
A:Depending on the group size, you will travel in either a comfortable air-conditioned bus or van.
Feb 2022
Q:Is Wifi available during the tour?
A:Wifi services are available on full-size coaches only. Mobile wifi is not designed to support streaming services.
Feb 2022
Q:Can I bring an infant with me on the 3-Day California Coast Tour?
A:Children under 2 years old travel free as lap children with a paid adult who will be responsible for the behavior and wellbeing of any passengers on their reservation
Feb 2022
Q:Do I have to advise that I will be bringing an infant ahead of time?
A:Yes - Please specify that you will be bringing an infant (along with infant age) in the "Special Requirements" box at checkout.
Feb 2022
Q:Are car seats available for use during the 3-Day California Coast Tour?
A:Yes - If you require a car seat, please notate the request in the "Special Requirements" box at checkout. The local operator provides car seats but requires at least 24 hours notice.
Feb 2022
Q:Can I bring a stroller for my child?
A:Yes - Please notate that you will be bringing a stroller with approximate folded dimensions in the "Special Requirements" box at checkout if you plan to bring one.
Feb 2022
Q:Can I bring luggage with me on the 3-Day California Coast Tour?
A:Yes - Luggage is limited to one piece and a small carry-on per person - there are no restrictions on size/weight.
Feb 2022
Traveler Photos
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Reviews
4.0
74 reviews
Reviews by Viator travelers.
Showing 1-10 of 74 reviews
Suitability
Ajay_S, Sept 2023
Availing the trip made us possible to explore coastal and central California in a minimum possible time
Rushed trip.
Anonymous, Sept 2023
Your was quite rushed with not much time at each stop for sightseeing. Would have been better with smaller groups. No time to go to gift shops only short time to return to buses. Would have liked extra time at stops.
Loved the tour in San...
Barbara_S, Jun 2023
Loved the tour in San Francisco. Saw all the highlights. We were kept busy from early morning to evening. Lots of stops to keep us moving. Enjoyed seeing Pebble Beach and Yosemite.
Response from Host, Jun 2023
Hi Barbara
Thank you for your review
We are glad that you enjoyed your tour to Santa Barbara, San Francisco and Yosemite.
We look forward to hosting you again
Stephanie
Empire Vacations
Everything was perfect in...
Cheryl_d, Feb 2022
Everything was perfect in this tour. Especially when we drove along Pacific Coast Highway, very stunning.
We had an amazing tour guides Jacob and Brenda, they did an excellent job.
Best tour that I ever had so far.
Response from Host, Feb 2022
Thank you for your wonderful review!
We are happy to hear you enjoyed the tour so much especially the Pacific Coast Highway along with our guides.
We hope to host you on another tour in the future.
Roie
Empire Vacations
Good Time
Sandra_M, Sept 2021
Had a great time our tour guide Jacob was very knowledgeable. The hotel accommodations were very good. The weather was not on our side when we stopped in Twin Peaks, but otherwise it was a good time.
Great tour guide and views
Joon, Jul 2021
We had a great wonderful tour guide, Brenda. She is knowledgeable, patient, apologetic and friendly. The tour is great. We would have added another star but… The downfall was the driver, Jenner. He drove aggressive and erratic. At one point the tour guide had to drive. Towards the end of the tour we had to switch buses and driver. Our drive home was scary and horrible.
Response from Host, Jul 2021
Hi Joon,
Thank you for your review and feedback. This was our first tour post Covid and after looking into this matter we discovered the following:
During the tour, we identified that the driving provided was unsatisfactory
The tour escort that replaced him, started with our company as a professional driver 6 years ago.
We no longer use that specific driver for any of our tours.
Please know that the health and safety of all of our passengers is a top priority for our company.
We hope that you give us the opportunity to host you on another of our tours in the future.
Thanks again for your review.
Empire Vacations Team
A Great Three Day Tour of California
PETE_K, Mar 2019
We visited areas and locations from LA to and including SF. A well organized, pleasant and informative itinerary. . The weather was just right. It was sunny and not cold at all. Very nice indeed. Our tour guide (Dorit), a very knowledgeable and always courteous individual, did outstanding work throughout. Both, Dorit and Leo (our driver) were fantastic
This tour would have been amazing...
Elizabeth S, Feb 2018
This tour would have been amazing but for the fact that the tour director, Dorit, refused to stop at any of the scenic viewpoints along the Carmel "17 mile" drive along the seashore or in the mountains where scenic views of the sea were located. Dorit failed to read the interests of her clients.
The iternary of the trip was good...
Sanjeev W, Oct 2017
The iternary of the trip was good but the condition of the bus was terrible.
The 3 day trip when you think that you have booked the best tours , right on the 1st day bus broke down and we had to wait for 1 and half hr. The 1st afternoon after 4.30 pm schedule was gone as there was no time and again the bus broke before in middle of nowhere reaching the hotel. So in total on the first day 3 hours was gone. It was scary.
At around 7.30pm finally we started and slowly driver drove us down the hotel.
We came from India to visit US west coast and it was lifetime experience for us.
It is request the faluty bus to be discotinued and people are not discomforted.
On the final day when the bus was to drop them to LA , it again broke down.
Worst was the driver and guide were laughing and it looked like this happened quite a lot and was very common.
It was worst experience by us and even after booking through what seemed like best tours and paying so much experience was below par and do not want to travel again with viator.
We couldn't have had a better time...
THERESALYNN_B, Sept 2017
We couldn't have had a better time. Giovanni and Gary looked after us very well. There were a few issues with the buses but calls were made and replacements came as soon as possible. Gary was a very good and patient driver and was able to assess the bus issues fairly quickly. Anne has mobility issues and was accommodated very calmly and professionally and made to feel very comfortable by both Gary and our tour guide Giovanni. We had to miss a couple of the walking tours but Gary was good about letting us hang around the bus while the others were gone. We really appreciated his attention for us. Giovanni is quite a character - lots of fun, lots of laughs, very knowledgeable, patient and obviously cares about his groups. He is multilingual and had to communicate in three languages, which he did with ease and humour. He made everyone welcome and he was very approachable when it came to asking questions, taking pictures different groups, etc. Anne and I agree that he is very good at what he does and hope many others are lucky enough to travel with him one day. If we ever do a tour in the L.A. area again, we would love to be on one of his tours. Thank you for a very memorable holiday. Anne and Terry
...
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3-Day California Coast Tour: Santa Barbara, San Francisco and Yosemite
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