California Travelers Recommend

A full San Diego experience can be had in three days if you plan an itinerary with tours that combine the sights, culture, and adventures of Southern California’s Pacific coast. Here are our top ideas for how to spend your time, including a day trip to wine country or Mexico. Day 1: San Diego City TourConsider getting settled into your host city with a guided Hop-on, Hop-off Trolley Tour, or add the harbor to your itinerary by way of bus and harbor cruise, or orient yourself by sticking to simply the most famous San Diego sights. Day 2: San Diego AdventureStart your day off with a visit to Balboa Park, where you'll find the world-famous San Diego Zoo. Then head to SeaWorld for another dose of wildlife, or go further afield to Legoland in Carl

A lot is said about San Francisco, both by visitors and locals alike. Foreigners often dub it "the most European" city in America. W.H. Taft called it "the city that knows how," and Rudyard Kipling was known to have said "San Francisco has only one drawback: 'Tis hard to leave." Day 1: See the City Consider one of the many tours available to get your bearings and see some of the traditional “must-sees” like the Cable Car, Alcatraz, and Fisherman’s Wharf. Day 2: Local Flavor Today, take time to see the colorful neighborhoods while sampling some local fare. Many wonderful museums and parks are easily accessible as well. Day 3: Day Trips from the Bay Less than an hour from town awaits many a gorgeous vineyard, wine-tasting galore, culinary delights and fresh country air. Head to the Napa Valley and see where those famous California wines are grown.

Depart the urban jungle for a day trip to the awe-inspiring natural wonders of Yosemite National Park. Your adventure begins with an early departure from San Francisco so you can make the most of your day at the park. Just sit back and relax on the drive to the park. You’ll pass through the Central Valley and ascend into the Sierra foothills before being greeted at Yosemite by jaw-dropping views of the valley. Magnificent granite cliffs slope into the deep verdant valley, which was carved out by glaciers thousands of years ago. You’ll have several hours to explore the treasure of the valley, so be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes. Listen to your guide as he explains the natural forces that have formed and changed Yosemite over the years. Stroll the pedestrian paths or rent a bike for a refreshing way to see the base of the valley. Gaze up at Yosemite’s most iconic monument, Half Dome, and pose for postcard-perfect photos in front of multiple waterfalls.

No trip to southern California would be complete without spending some time soaking in the sun and lapping up the waves on the sand. While Long Beach has its own beaches, many enjoy driving about 30 minutes to Huntington Beach for a truly scenic experience. With almost nine miles (15 kilometers) of connected beach. While Long Beach is a coastal city with beaches and water activities, it’s also home to a number of interesting historical and cultural experiences. Spend the morning perusing museums like the Long Beach Museum of Art, Rancho Los Cerritos Historic Adobe, the Museum of Latin Art, Scorpion Submarine Museum and the Pacific Island Ethnic Art Museum. Having a meal, shopping on or touring the historic Queen Mary is also a treat, as the ship was once considered the most luxurious liner in the world and today is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. At night, take in a show at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center, home to the Center Theater.

Experience the finest wine in northern California on a tour to both the Napa and Sonoma regions. Once you reach the historic wine regions, you'll visit famous grape-growing centers such as Rutherford, Oakville, St. Helena, Yountville, Stags Leap, Los Carneros, Sonoma Valley, Kenwood, and Glen Ellen. Tours include visits to Nicholson Ranch Winery, Madonna Estate, Mount St. John and Sutter Home, with lunch in Yountville at V Marketplace. Take a day tour from San Francisco to wineries including Domaine Chandon, Andretti Winery, V. Sattui and Rutherford Ranch. Or take a two-day tour to these wineries combined, on the second day, with a visit to the famous prison island of Alcatraz. Combine your wineries visit with a stop at Muir Woods, home to some of northern California's famous redwood sequoia trees. This national monument is the site of a virgin forest of California Coast redwood trees, among the oldest and tallest on Earth.