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Captivating California holidays
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.