California Honeymoons

Days 1 : San Francisco

Welcome to wonderful San Francisco, a popular international tourist destination, renowned for its steep rolling hills, eclectic mix of Victorian and modern architecture and famous landmarks.

Day 2 : San Francisco

You've an entire day to enjoy the many sights. Visit Fisherman’s Wharf and enjoy local fare. Take a trip to Alcatraz Island; see the world-famous sea lions at Pier 39, and the Aquarium. Perhaps take a cruise on San Francisco Bay with magnificent views of Golden Gate Bridge. Spend time in Golden Gate Park and ride the famous cable cars.

Bon Voyage would be delighted to suggest and pre-book excursions for you today.

Day 3 : San Francisco

Enjoy a sightseeing tour to Monterey and Carmel from San Francisco. This is a fully narrated 11-hour bus tour that shows California’s rugged Central Coast, a view that will both humble and inspire you. Starting with the Monterey portion of the tour, you will travel south via Highway 1 through Santa Cruz offering a spectacular view of the Central Coastal area. The tour includes scheduled stops at Steinbeck’s Cannery Row in Monterey - known for the characters in John Steinbeck’s novel Cannery Row. Find seaside exploration, shopping and activities for everyone on Monterey’s beautiful shoreline. There are vista points along 17 Mile Drive including stores, art galleries and the restaurant district of Carmel that are perfect for lunch and shopping.

You will visit the one-square mile city of Carmel, located on the Bay of Carmel above the white-sand beach which offers a picturesque and beautiful memory for the last portion of your tour. The trip back to San Francisco will take you through the Silicon Valley in the San Jose and Santa Clara counties.

Day 4 : San Francisco

This morning join a half-day bus tour to John Muir Woods National Park, just 17 miles northwest of San Francisco across the Golden Gate Bridge. You’ll marvel at the size of the giant redwoods at John Muir Woods. And you will enjoy the bay views, shopping, art galleries and fabulous mansions in Sausalito, home to some of  the country’s wealthiest citizens. This afternoon is at leisure for personal sightseeing and shopping. Call Bon Voyage for suggestions for further pre-bookable tours today.

Day 5 : Santa Barbara

This morning you join Amtrak’s Coast Starlight at Emeryville (from San Francisco to Emeryville is 15 minutes by bus and is part of the Amtrak service). From Emeryville to Los Angeles, the tracks follow the same route as the old Spanish mission road, El Camino Real. From 1769 to 1823, Franciscan Friar Junipero Serra founded a chain of 21 missions and four mission chapels along this road from San Diego to Sonoma. Each was built to be one day’s horseback journey from the next. Serra himself has become known as the Apostle of California. You travel through, San Jose, known as the capital of  Silicon Valley for its location within the booming technology industry. Then through the Santa Clara Valley, with the Santa Cruz mountain range on the right, and Mt. Hamilton (4,430 ft.) on the left as we leave San Jose.  As you pass behind Pismo State Beach and Dunes, you get a glimpse of the massives and dunes through tall Eucalyptus trees. We now get a full view of the Pacific Ocean and follow the coastline for the next 104 miles to Ventura. Our train passes the Santa Ynez Mountains on the left, and arrives at Santa Barbara, referred to as The American Rivera due to its Mediterranean-like climate, spectacular beaches, culinary delights and 130 nearby wineries.

Day 6 : Santa Barbara

Today it's all aboard the Santa Barbara Trolley. Enjoy a fully-narrated tour packed with anecdotes, and well-researched historical information that will delight and entertain you. Board the trolley anytime, stop off for hours, then catch the next one that comes along. Travel and explore at your own pace. The tour includes the beautiful harbour, views of spectacular beaches and the 18th century Santa Barbara Mission.

Day 7 : Santa Barbara

Today enjoy a Jeep Limo wine country tour with breathtaking views in the Santa Ynez Mountains you travel to 3 vineyards, along the movie Sideways route. All tasting fees, wineglass, and organic picnic lunch (of your choice) are included.  Organic olive oil / vinegar tasting in Los Olivos; a stop in Solvang, the Danish community; and a drive by the 125 year-old Cold Spring Tavern hidden away on Old Stage Coach Road, complete this  memorable experience. Vineyards and tasting rooms include  Sanford, Lafond, Alma Rosa, Shoestring, Kalyra, Dascomb Cellars, Lucas and Lewellen, and Taste of the Valley.

Day 8 : Los Angeles

This morning you join the Pacific Surfliner train for the three hour ride to Los Angeles. Turning east, we leave the coastal plain and climb the narrow Simi Valley. The Santa Susanna Mountains are on the right and the Simi Hills are on our left. Then comes the broad, flat San Fernando Valley between the Santa Monica Mountains and the San Gabriel Mountains before we finally arrive into the City of Angels, Los Angeles.

Day 9 : Los Angeles

Two days in Los Angeles. Get ready to be a part of Entertainment Capital of the world. There are few cities that offer as much entertainment, excitement and diversity as do the attractions in Los Angeles.

A 5 hour tour includes many of Los Angeles most appealing sights, with visits to Hollywood Blvd, Mann Chinese Theater, Kodak Theatre, World Famous Farmers’ Market and The Grove, Sunset Strip, Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, Santa Monica Pier and 3rd Street Promenade. The tour includes 5 stops at various points of interest, including the Hollywood Walk of Fame and is fully guided with sightseeing commentary- a fun and exciting way to get an overview of the city so that you can decide later where you’d like to focus your time.

Day 10 : Los Angeles

Today it's time to head home. However, your adventure doesn't have to end here. Perhaps you may want to extend your stay and take the train further down the coast to the lively seaside town of San Diego. Or maybe you may decide to fly over to one of the Hawaiian Islands for some relaxtion before heading back home.

Call the USA travel specialists at Bon Voyage to discuss your ideal California Magic - Independent Rail Tour.