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Captivating California holidays
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Slip on your sunglasses and get ready for an incredible journey in the Golden State. Our California holidays promise a series of unforgettable experiences, whether you're embarking on a classic loop from LA (taking in San Fran, San Diego, Yosemite and the Grand Canyon), travelling cross-country as part of a Route 66 road trip, or perhaps exploring the lesser-visited northern parts of the state on a journey through America's Pacific Northwest.
Embrace the state’s wild side in its national and state parks. Stand in the shadow of giant redwood trees taller than Nelson’s Column and hike in the pristine surroundings of Yosemite National Park, where ribbon-like waterfalls cascade down granite cliff faces. The Pacific coast is just as beautiful – think craggy coves, crashing waves and a backdrop of thickly forested slopes.
Then there are the cities – we’ll always include time in at least one on our California tour holidays. Snap photos beneath the iconic Hollywood sign in Los Angeles, walk across San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, or discover San Diego’s laid-back beach scene. There are lovely smaller cities, too, like Santa Rosa in the heart of wine country, where you can sip some of California’s finest labels, as well as Gold Rush history for a taste of the old West.
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Rob Stapley
Senior Product Manager
What our experts love about California
You can't visit Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco without trying a bowl of the famous Fisherman's Wharf clam chowder! The 'bowl' is usually a hollowed out sourdough bread filled to the brim with chowder and I love enjoying this at sunset while people watching on the pier.
What are the best places to visit in California?
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San Francisco
The City by the Bay is one of America’s most laid-back big cities, whose iconic sights are so well-known, you’ll feel right at home. Spot the Golden Gate bridge and weave down winding Lombard Street, often called the ‘crookedest street in the world’. Head down to the waterfront to Fisherman’s Wharf to spot the sunbathing sealions and taste some clam chowder, or take a cruise out into the bay to see notorious island prison, Alcatraz. You’ll find museums galore, many tucked away in the green expanse of Golden Gate Park, or discover the vibe of San Francisco’s different neighbourhoods.
The City by the Bay is one of America’s most laid-back big cities, whose iconic sights are so well-known, you’ll feel right at home. Spot the Golden Gate bridge and weave down winding Lombard Street, often called the ‘crookedest street in the world’. Head down to the waterfront to Fisherman’s Wharf to spot the sunbathing sealions and taste some clam chowder, or take a cruise out into the bay to see notorious island prison, Alcatraz. You’ll find museums galore, many tucked away in the green expanse of Golden Gate Park, or discover the vibe of San Francisco’s different neighbourhoods.
Los Angeles
Hooray for Hollywood! While there’s more to Los Angeles than the silver screen, a visit will be a highlight of your California tour. See the handprints at the TCL Chinese Theatre, spy the iconic Hollywood sign in the hills, soak up the views from the Griffith Observatory, cruise along Sunset Boulevard and practise your own Oscar acceptance speech at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Or join the beautiful people at the beach in Santa Monica with its historic pier, plus art galleries good enough to tempt you away from the sand.
Hooray for Hollywood! While there’s more to Los Angeles than the silver screen, a visit will be a highlight of your California tour. See the handprints at the TCL Chinese Theatre, spy the iconic Hollywood sign in the hills, soak up the views from the Griffith Observatory, cruise along Sunset Boulevard and practise your own Oscar acceptance speech at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Or join the beautiful people at the beach in Santa Monica with its historic pier, plus art galleries good enough to tempt you away from the sand.
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San Diego
California’s second biggest city can be overshadowed by its more famous neighbours, but there’s plenty to discover here. You could spend all day in the immense Balboa Park, home to San Diego Zoo as well as a string of art galleries and museums scattered across its 1,200 acres. Or explore US history at the harbour, where the USS Midway aircraft carrier has been transformed into a museum, housing a collection of aircraft. Discover some of San Diego’s natural treasures too, from the beach and marine reserve at La Jolla to Torrey Pines State natural reserve on a California tour.
California’s second biggest city can be overshadowed by its more famous neighbours, but there’s plenty to discover here. You could spend all day in the immense Balboa Park, home to San Diego Zoo as well as a string of art galleries and museums scattered across its 1,200 acres. Or explore US history at the harbour, where the USS Midway aircraft carrier has been transformed into a museum, housing a collection of aircraft. Discover some of San Diego’s natural treasures too, from the beach and marine reserve at La Jolla to Torrey Pines State natural reserve on a California tour.
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Yosemite National Park
Among the oldest national parks in the whole US, Yosemite is one of the country’s great wildernesses. Stretching for almost 760,000 acres in the Sierra Nevada mountains, it’s famous for its groves of giant sequoias, dramatic waterfalls, granite cliffs and rock formations and for the breath-taking views as you discover them. Carved out by glaciers, the park’s most famous sights are Bridalveil Fall and the cliffs of El Capitan and Half Dome, which glow at sunset, as well as the 3,000-year-old giant sequoia trees and the astonishing Yosemite Falls, which cascade 2,425 feet in a torrent of white water.
Among the oldest national parks in the whole US, Yosemite is one of the country’s great wildernesses. Stretching for almost 760,000 acres in the Sierra Nevada mountains, it’s famous for its groves of giant sequoias, dramatic waterfalls, granite cliffs and rock formations and for the breath-taking views as you discover them. Carved out by glaciers, the park’s most famous sights are Bridalveil Fall and the cliffs of El Capitan and Half Dome, which glow at sunset, as well as the 3,000-year-old giant sequoia trees and the astonishing Yosemite Falls, which cascade 2,425 feet in a torrent of white water.
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Gold Rush country
After gold was discovered in California, around 300,000 prospectors flocked to the state in the mid 19th century to make their fortune. But after the Gold Rush boom, many left the settlements which had sprung up around the mines, with these ‘ghost towns’ preserved today. Some of the best known include Bodie in the east of the state, as well as Calico in southern California, famous for its own silver rush. Near the Mojave Desert, its old buildings have been restored and you can visit on our California escorted tour to transport yourself back to Frontier country.
After gold was discovered in California, around 300,000 prospectors flocked to the state in the mid 19th century to make their fortune. But after the Gold Rush boom, many left the settlements which had sprung up around the mines, with these ‘ghost towns’ preserved today. Some of the best known include Bodie in the east of the state, as well as Calico in southern California, famous for its own silver rush. Near the Mojave Desert, its old buildings have been restored and you can visit on our California escorted tour to transport yourself back to Frontier country.
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Wine country
Name the most famous wine-producing region in the US, and most people will think instantly of California. While Napa Valley is perhaps the best-known area in California wine country there are 150 grape-growing areas in the state, and more vineyards and wineries than you can shake a corkscrew at. On our California holidays travelling up the west coast to Alaska, you can explore Santa Rosa in Sonoma County, to learn more about the region’s top wines and enjoy a tasting, as well as finding out about its impressive craft beer scene.
Name the most famous wine-producing region in the US, and most people will think instantly of California. While Napa Valley is perhaps the best-known area in California wine country there are 150 grape-growing areas in the state, and more vineyards and wineries than you can shake a corkscrew at. On our California holidays travelling up the west coast to Alaska, you can explore Santa Rosa in Sonoma County, to learn more about the region’s top wines and enjoy a tasting, as well as finding out about its impressive craft beer scene.
More information about California
We’ve designed our holidays to California to give you the chance to experience the best of the Golden State. Our original tour here, California and the Golden West has been running for more than 30 years now, and is still one of our best-loved itineraries. You can also combine a few days in California with time elsewhere in the States, on a road trip along Route 66 or an adventure in the Pacific Northwest.
When it comes to experiences, there’s a huge variety of things to do in California. Escorted tours help you to hone in on the key ones, saving you the time and trouble of organising everything yourself. We’ll plan the route, book the tickets, arrange guided tours and suggest optional extras where we think you might like them.
Flight time from London to California is approx. 11 hours and 15 mins.
San Diego is considered one of the safest cities in the US, and while the state’s other urban areas do have some of the problems you might expect from a major city, the vast majority of tourists are entirely unaffected. It makes sense to take the usual precautions against petty crime and to stick to busy and well-lit areas after dark though. Outside the cities, Yosemite is also safe as long as you follow the park rules and don’t stray from the main routes, as well as guidelines for any encounters with local wildlife. Joining one of our California escorted tours is a good option if you’re nervous about exploring independently.
March to May is considered the best time to visit California, with pleasant temperatures across most of the state, although it can be cool at higher elevations. You’ll see some of Yosemite’s waterfalls at their best with the snowmelt filling the cascades, as well as seeing the spring flowers and new plant life across the state. Spring also avoids San Francisco’s famous fog which rolls in during late May. Autumn is another good alternative, with the grape harvest taking place in the wine regions, spectacular colours on the trees and sunny days after the fog has begun to drift away on the northern coast. The peak summer months are the warmest but it’s also the busiest season in the most popular tourist destinations, as well as the foggiest time of year around San Francisco.
While California is home to some dangerous wildlife, the chances of being harmed during your trip are very small. Both mountain lions (also known as cougars and pumas) and black bears live in Yosemite, among other areas, although both will avoid humans where possible. The state is also home to rattlesnakes, so do be wary walking through undergrowth or long grass in wilder areas, but again, most will be aware of your presence long before you spot them and avoid you. Great White sharks live off the coast of California too, although again these rarely come close to shore, and one study found you have only a 1-in-17 million chance of being attacked by a shark in California. Some other insects can be potentially dangerous but by being aware of your surroundings and taking common sense measures, you’re unlikely to encounter any problems. Travelling with an expert guide, such as on a Titan California escorted tour, will also help minimise risks even further.
For more information about a California touring holiday, check out our other FAQs for USA tours including tips on food and drink, tipping and visas.
Other popular destinations
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Why choose a Titan tour?
Titan Travel have always been about seeing more and doing more – which is why we meticulously plan our award-winning escorted tours so that our expertly crafted itineraries make sure that so much is included. Once you book your holiday, you can relax knowing that every element has been taken care of. Choose the tour that gives you more.
Nationwide return chauffeur service
Getting to the airport is easy, thanks to our nationwide return shared chauffeur service, which is included on every tour.
More value
From excursions to hotels, entry tickets and dining packages, we include more than any other tour.
More knowledgeable
Be guided by some of the most passionate and knowledgeable tour managers in the world, on hand to help every step of the way.
More flexible
Feel free to amend or extend your travel plans, up until final payment, and enjoy free time on your tour with us too.
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