Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks featuring San Diego and California’s Central Coast
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through California's iconic landscapes with the Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks tour, featuring San Diego and the Central Coast. Begin in the vibrant city of San Diego, exploring its historic old town and enjoying a scenic harbor cruise. Discover the culinary delights of Carlsbad on a walking food tour before heading to the bustling city of Los Angeles, where you'll experience Hollywood's glitz and the multicultural fabric of the city. Marvel at the architectural beauty of Old Mission Santa Barbara and savor local wines in Paso Robles. The tour culminates with awe-inspiring visits to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, where you'll learn about the world's largest trees. Enjoy a seamless blend of guided tours, scenic drives, and leisure time, all while staying in comfortable accommodations. This tour promises a rich tapestry of cultural, culinary, and natural wonders. ...more ...less
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : San Diego, California - Tour Begins
Location: San Diego
Accommodation Name: Embassy Suites by Hilton San Diego Bay Downtown
From the cosmopolitan, cultural cities of San Diego and Los Angeles to the laid-back, beachy vibes of California’s Central Coast and the awe-inspiring scenery of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, this journey has it all. Your tour opens in San Diego, known for its seaside location and idyllic climate.
Day 2 : San Diego
Location: San Diego
Meals Included: Dinner
This morning, join a local guide for a tour through the city’s diverse neighborhoods, including downtown, Balboa Park, Coronado Island, and Old Town San Diego. The afternoon is yours to experience San Diego at your leisure. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner.
Day 3 : San Diego - Carlsbad - Los Angeles
Location: San Diego, Carlsbad, Los Angeles
Accommodation Name: Omni Los Angeles Hotel at California Plaza
Meals Included: Lunch
Start the day on a harbor cruise of San Diego Bay. Cruise beside playful sea lions, Navy ships, and beautiful architecture while hearing fascinating stories that link the city’s past and present. Later, head north to the coastal town of Carlsbad, where you’ll explore the town center on a walking food tour for lunch. This afternoon, arrive in Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the world. Tonight, join your Tour Manager and walk to the bustling Grand Central Market – a favorite with locals looking for a casual meal.
Day 4 : Los Angeles
Location: Los Angeles
Today, explore the City of Angels on a combination bus/walking tour. Stop for photos at the Frank Gehry’s Walt Disney Concert Hall and the famed Bradbury Building, an ornate architectural landmark featured in several films. Then admire the mansions on our way to the Griffith Observatory to take in panoramic views of the city and the famed Hollywood sign. Stroll along the Walk of Fame to Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and the Dolby, home of the Academy Awards. Get a close-up look at the iconic Beverly Hills sign and soak in the glitz and glamour of Rodeo Drive. After lunch on your own at the Original Farmers Market, we’ll pass by other landmarks as we make our way back to the hotel.
Day 5 : Los Angeles - Santa Barbara - Pismo Beach
Location: Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Pismo Beach
Accommodation Name: Vespera Resort on Pismo Beach
Today, head to California’s Central Coast. Enjoy free time in this beautiful city, admiring its Spanish colonial architecture and small-town atmosphere. Stop for a self-guided tour of the Old Mission of Santa Barbara, the tenth of 21 Spanish Missions founded by the Franciscans and the only one the friars still occupy. Enjoy the gorgeous grounds of the “Queen of the Missions,” the gardens, cemetery, and chapel. Arrive this afternoon in Pismo Beach, another Central Coast gem, and your home for two nights.
Day 6 : Pismo Beach
Location: Pismo Beach, Hearst Castle
Enjoy a day at leisure at your seaside hotel. Or, continue your exploration of the central coast by joining an optional excursion to Hearst Castle, the historic estate built by publishing tycoon William Randall Hearst and his architect, Julia Morgan. Enjoy a tour of the opulent Grand Rooms, imagining what it must have been like to be a guest here during the Roaring Twenties. Before lunch, visit an elephant seal rookery and see a colony of seals at the beach. Don’t miss the spectacular sunset back in Pismo Beach this evening!
Day 7 : Pismo Beach - Paso Robles - Visalia
Location: Paso Robles, Visalia
Accommodation Name: Visalia Marriott
Meals Included: Lunch
Today, travel inland to the Paso Robles wine region, home to more than 200 family-run wineries. This Central Coast wine region is less known than Napa, but no less beautiful. Stop for lunch here and later, arrive in the charming town of Visalia, gateway to Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks.
Day 8 : Visalia
Location: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Visalia
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
Today, head to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in the southern Sierra Nevada, where a local guide will join you. See the General Grant tree on a guided walking tour. On the way to your picnic lunch spot, learn about the park’s ecology, flora, fauna, and history, including Native American history. This afternoon, visit the largest tree in the world, the General Sherman tree, on a half-mile walking tour. Then, it’s your choice! Continue with your local guide -OR- take a brisk hike with your Tour Manager along the Congress Trail. Back in Visalia, join your travel companions for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. This day is sure to be the highlight of your California adventure!
Day 9 : Visalia - Los Angeles
Location: Los Angeles
Accommodation Name: Hyatt Regency Los Angeles International Airport
This morning, bid farewell to the foothills of the Sierra Nevada range and head south to Los Angeles for a final night. But first, visit the Getty Center, nestled on a hilltop in the Santa Monica Mountains. This world-famous museum is known for its private collection, with something here for everyone: fine art, impressive architecture, lush gardens, and spectacular city views.
Day 10 : Los Angeles - Tour Ends
Location: Los Angeles
Your tour ends today.
What's Included
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San Diego Harbor Cruise
Enjoy a harbor cruise of San Diego Bay, cruising beside playful sea lions, Navy ships, and beautiful architecture.
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Carlsbad Walking Food Tour
Explore seaside Carlsbad on a walking food tour for lunch.
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Paso Robles Wine Country Lunch
Try some locally produced wine during lunch at a Paso Robles vineyard and winery.
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Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Learn about the largest trees on the planet from a local guide at Sequoia and Kings National Parks.
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Getty Center Visit
Celebrate the boundless spirit of human creativity at the Getty Center in Los Angeles.
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Old Mission Santa Barbara Tour
Explore Old Mission Santa Barbara, often referred to as 'Queen of the Missions.'
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Guided Tours and Scenic Drives
Travel through California's iconic destinations with a combination of guided tours, walking excursions, and scenic drives, ensuring a seamless and enriching experience.
What's Not Included
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Optional Excursion to Hearst Castle
The optional excursion to Hearst Castle, including a tour of the Grand Rooms, is not included and must be purchased separately.
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Lunch on Your Own at Farmers Market
Lunch at the Farmers Market in Los Angeles is not included and is at your own expense.
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Transportation for Optional Excursions
Transportation for optional excursions, such as the Hearst Castle tour, is not included unless specified.
Experiences
- Learn about the "birthplace of California" during a tour of San Diego's old town.
- Enjoy the many facets of Los Angeles, including Hollywood and the multicultural fabric of this amazing city.
Options
San Simeon: Hearst Castle with lunch Hearst Castle is a historic mansion built by publishing tycoon William Randolph Hearst on his vast San Simeon estate. With architect Julia Morgan, he conceived an enormous structure inspired by the Church of Santa Maria la Mayor in Ronda, Spain. Your tour begins with a movie, Hearst Castle: Building the Dream, projected on a five-story screen and telling the story of the castle’s construction. Next is a guided tour of the Grand Rooms, the opulently decorated rooms, gardens, and pools where Hearst entertained his many guests, especially during the Roaring Twenties. Lunch is also included. Duration approximately 9 hour(s). Transportation is included. A minimum of 12 passenger(s) is required to operate this option.
This option needs to be purchased at time of booking and no later than 65 days prior to the start of the tour. Any requests to book onsite are based on availability only.
Best for first-time visitors, this overview of Hearst Castle offers an itinerary through the main building called Casa Grande: the Assembly Room, Refectory, Morning Room, Billiard Room and Theater. Tours begin outdoors with several stairs to negotiate on the terraces. The Grand Rooms Tour is 70 minutes long and includes approximately 140 steps, both up and down, and 2/3-mile walk. Wheelchairs and walkers are not allowed and canes must have a rubber tip.
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Culinaries
- Explore seaside Carlsbad on a walking food tour for lunch.
- Try some locally produced wine during lunch at a Paso Robles vineyard and winery.
Must See
- Explore Old Mission Santa Barbara, often referred to as "Queen of the Missions."
- Learn about the largest trees on the planet from a local guide at Sequoia and Kings National Parks.
- Celebrate the boundless spirit of human creativity at the Getty Center in Los Angeles.
Choice Highlights
San Diego Harbor Cruise
Carlsbad Walking Food Tour
Los Angeles City Tour
Old Mission Santa Barbara
Pismo Beach
Paso Robles Wine Country Lunch
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Explore Giant Forest with Local Guide or Brisk Hike with Your Tour Manager Explore the Giant Forest with a local guide where you'll see the General Sherman Tree, the largest tree by volume in the world Or view the General Sherman Tree and then hike the Congress Trail with your Tour Manager at a brisk pace.
Explore Giant Forest with Local Guide (slower pace)
Activity Level: 2
Expect to be walking a paved, graded area with a local guide in the Giant Forest, where the General Sherman Tree is located. There are plenty of benches to rest.
Brisk Hike with Tour Manager (faster pace)
Activity Level: 3
Walk at a faster pace along the Congress Trail with your Tour Manager. The trail is a paved loop, but the pace will be brisk.
Getty Center
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Mode of Transport
Travel through California's iconic destinations with a combination of guided tours, walking excursions, and scenic drives, ensuring a seamless and enriching experience.
Accommodation
Stay at the Embassy Suites by Hilton San Diego Bay Downtown, Omni Los Angeles Hotel at California Plaza, Vespera Resort on Pismo Beach, and Visalia Marriott, offering comfort and convenience throughout your journey.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of experiences can I expect during the San Diego Harbor Cruise?
During the San Diego Harbor Cruise, you will enjoy cruising beside playful sea lions, Navy ships, and beautiful architecture while hearing fascinating stories that link the city’s past and present.
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What activities are included in the visit to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks?
In Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, you will learn about the largest trees on the planet from a local guide, see the General Grant tree on a guided walking tour, and visit the largest tree in the world, the General Sherman tree. You can also choose to continue with your local guide or take a brisk hike along the Congress Trail. ...more ...less
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What can I expect from the Carlsbad Walking Food Tour?
The Carlsbad Walking Food Tour includes exploring the seaside town of Carlsbad and enjoying a variety of local foods for lunch.
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What is the optional excursion to Hearst Castle like?
The optional excursion to Hearst Castle includes a guided tour of the Grand Rooms, where you can see opulently decorated rooms, gardens, and pools. The tour begins with a movie about the castle's construction and includes lunch. It requires a minimum of 12 passengers to operate and must be purchased at the time of booking. ...more ...less
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What kind of accommodation can I expect during the tour?
You will stay at the Embassy Suites by Hilton San Diego Bay Downtown, Omni Los Angeles Hotel at California Plaza, Vespera Resort on Pismo Beach, and Visalia Marriott, offering comfort and convenience throughout your journey.
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What is included in the Paso Robles Wine Country Lunch?
During the Paso Robles Wine Country Lunch, you will have the opportunity to try some locally produced wine at a vineyard and winery in the Paso Robles region.
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Can I pre-purchase optional excursions/activities?
Yes, the majority of optional excursions and activities are available for advance purchase for applicable tours provided that you make your options purchase prior to 15 days of the tour departure. Collette makes it convenient to reserve presold options by visiting our website for a full listing of activities and excursions or when your reservation is made with our reservations staff. In addition, there are benefits to prepurchasing options including a price guarantee once your tour is paid in full. So, while the cost of an optional activity may change from the time you book your tour, once payment is received in full, your preselected options are guaranteed by Collette at their original price. Although you can still purchase options while on tour, reserving them ahead of time ensures you a spot in the event that the activity sells out. Collette will provide a refund if you cancel a presold option prior to tour departure. Any presold options canceled while on tour are nonrefundable.
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Can my children travel on tour?
Children over the age of 5 may travel on a Collette tour accompanied by an adult. Child land rates are valid for ages 5-12, sharing a room with two full-paying adults. Participation in any products that include Safari or Game Drive components, is limited to travelers aged 13 and up. This will include tours to Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa and India.
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What is the difference between a twin room and double room?
In certain countries, hotel rooms tend to be smaller than U.S. standard accommodations. A double room is designed to accommodate two people, but may not have two separate beds. A twin-bedded room has two separate beds of any size, and is the type most commonly utilized.
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Do you provide VISA processing for all applicable destinations?
Collette does not process VISAs. Every nation has its own specific requirements. Check the embassy or consulate website for the country you are visiting to find the forms and information you need. The process of getting a VISA can take two weeks to two months.
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Do I need a passport?
Government-issued ID is required for all air travel. A valid passport is required for all trips outside the USA. All passengers should check with the appropriate foreign consulate for entry and validity requirements. We recommend that your passport has six months validity, and at least 3 blank pages. Passports and visas are the responsibility of each client. International Borders. Any child under age 16 (traveling without a parent or legal guardian to Canada) must have written permission from a parent or legal guardian. Please be advised that if you have been convicted of an offense, or have committed a criminal act that is an offense under the laws where it occurred and would be an offense in Canada, you may be inadmissible into Canada. You will need to apply for a Minister's Permit of Approval of Rehabilitation at a Canadian Consulate. All other travelers should contact the appropriate consulate for entry requirements in other international destinations. In South Africa, children are required to have a passport as well as additional documentation to travel with you into and out of the country. Please consult the South African Embassy for the current specific requirements related to your travel dates. If travelling internationally with a child under the age of 18, please check directly with the airline for the legal documentation that is required. It is the sole responsibility of the guest to procure the proper documentation to travel and many requirements vary by airline and destination. Collette will not be responsible for costs incurred for missed flights or canceled tours where a guest fails to secure proper documentation.
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Is there a lot of walking on tour?
We pride ourselves on bringing travelers the very best experiences a destination offers. Our itineraries include many activities and may consist of walking on uneven terrain or significant walking at times. Some of the most unique sightseeing can mean accessing locations that restrict motorcoaches, especially in historic areas. Some hotels/lodges in remote locations may not have elevators. For your comfort, we recommend bringing walking shoes.
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Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Collette requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of collette charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 40% of booking price.
At 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks featuring San Diego and California’s Central Coast
10 Days Starting in San Diego, USA and ending in Los Angeles, USA
Visiting: San Diego, Carlsbad, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Pismo Beach, Hearst Castle, Paso Robles, Visalia, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks ...more ...less
Tour operator:
Tour code:
16016
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 44
Age range:
5-99
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Cultural, Foodie and Wine Tours, Gardens & Nature Tours, Wildlife Tours
