Bixby Bridge on the Californian Coast
Bixby Bridge on the Californian Coast
Big Sur, Coastal Roads & Monterey, California
Big Sur, Coastal Roads & Monterey, California
Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara, California
Wildlife Cruise Sights, Southern California
Wildlife Cruise Sights, Southern California
Anaheim & Disneyland, California
Anaheim & Disneyland, California

Experience California - Family Self-Drive

10 nights from £1,359 per person Including Flights

Overview

This is a great road trip, designed with families in mind, which we can tailor-make to suit you and your family. Fly into San Francisco then begin your jaunt down the west coast, stopping off in various beautiful beach resorts. The second part of your holiday is spent in Anaheim, perfectly placed to enjoy Disneyland and all of the other fun attractions of the area.

This itinerary is for ten nights, but you can add or reduce nights if you want to spend more or less time anywhere along this itinerary. You might want to combine this with the “Western Jamboree” itinerary creating a three week experience also taking in National Parks and Las Vegas.

We base our family holiday prices on two adults and two children sharing a room, and the rental of an SUV vehicle is included. (TM)

Highlights

  • Explore the Monterey Peninsula, with it's beautiful beaches, charming towns and family-friendly attractions
  • Drive the iconic Highway 1 through the stunning scenery of Big Sur
  • Take your pick of the best of the Californian beaches, enjoying the sand and surf
  • Experience all the fun of attractions such as Disneyland, Legoland and Universal Studios Hollywood

Itinerary Overview

Fly into San Francisco and travel south with a return flight from Los Angeles

San Francisco 2 nights - Monterey 2 nights – Cambria 2 nights - Santa Barbara 1 night – Anaheim 3 nights

 

Our holidays include
  • Flights & taxes
  • Accommodation
  • Checked baggage
  • ATOL protection
  • In resort assistance & 24 hour contact centre
Why Book with American Sky?
  • Hassle-free - book direct quickly and easily
  • Choice of airlines and the option to switch
  • A friendly, family run business with a wealth of experience.
  • Great deals on offer for multiple destinations
  • Low deposits
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Day 1

Fly to San Francisco

Arrive in San Francisco and transfer independently to your hotel for a couple of nights stay.

Overnight: Holiday Inn Express Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco

Day 2

San Francisco

A full day to explore this exciting city – cycle over the Golden Gate Bridge, take a ride on a tram and enjoy the attractions of Fisherman’s Wharf.

Overnight: Holiday Inn Express Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco

Day 3

San Francisco – Monterey (111 miles)

Pick up your hire car, head out of the city and onto iconic Highway 1. We suggest a lunch stop in the quirky seaside resort of Santa Cruz – the birthplace of surfing and a real slice of Americana with its boardwalk and Giant Dipper. Continue around the wide sweep of Monterey Bay into Monterey itself.  Enjoy an evening in Cannery Row, where you’ll find fun shops and friendly restaurants.

Overnight: InterContinental The Clement Monterey

Day 4

Monterey

A full day to explore Monterey Bay, where you can relax on one of the lovely beaches, or perhaps visit the award winning Aquarium featuring 35,000 creatures in innovative surroundings. Later in the afternoon you might want to take the short drive over to Carmel-by-the-Sea, one of our favourite places with its eccentric architecture, charming cafes and quirky boutiques. Enjoy a glass of local wine whilst people watching. If you go to iconic Terry’s Bar you’ll also be able to dog watch during their “Yappy Hour”!

Overnight: InterContinental The Clement Monterey

Day 5

Monterey – Cambria (105 miles)

Today will be the highlight of your road trip, taking the world famous drive along scenic Highway 1 running along the coastal headlands through Big Sur. Pause at the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park where you can stroll to the beautiful waterfall, admire the magnificent redwood trees and take in the coastal views. Allow time to visit Hearst Castle, a unique mansion built in the 1920’s, filled with unique artefacts and interesting stories. We suggest you take the Grand Rooms tour which takes and hour – remember to keep your eyes open to spot one of the zebra which freely roam the park. It’s then just a short hop to Cambria for your overnight stay.

Overnight: Cambria Pines Lodge

Day 6

Cambria

A day to relax, so take the 5 minute drive to Moonstone Beach Park where you will find a lovely beach in a pretty setting. Either pick up some goodies en route for a picnic or visit one of the lovely inns and cafes in the area. For anyone with an excess of energy, there are walking trails in the nearby Fiscalini Ranch Preserve, which will lead you through pine forest to the rocky shoreline. There is an abundance of vineyards and wineries in this area, so you can spend the evenings sampling the local fayre.

Overnight: Cambria Pines Lodge

Day 7

Cambria – Santa Barbara (127 miles)

Your destination today is the charming Spanish-influenced seaside resort of Santa Barbara, but don’t be in such a rush to get there that you miss out on a visit to beautiful Morro Bay. Here sealions and sea otters live in the sheltered lagoon, and you can either watch them from the shore or take a boat trip to get up close and personal. It’s worth staying here until lunchtime, if you’re a fan of super fresh seafood and the harbour is lined with restaurants offering local scallops, shrimp, crab, oysters, cod and more. Continue to Santa Barbara, where the backdrop of the Santa Ynez mountains will take your breath away. After checking into your hotel, enjoy a late afternoon swim on East Beach.

Overnight: Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort

Day 8

Santa Barbara – Anaheim / Disneyland (129 miles)

Today you can choose to spend the day on the beach before heading south to Anaheim, or depending on peer pressure, drive straight there to get your dose of Disneyland. But because this is a tailormade itinerary, you may decide to change this itinerary by spending another couple of nights to enjoy the beautiful beaches of Santa Barbara.

Overnight: Wyndham Garden Anaheim

Days 9 & 10

Anaheim / Disneyland

You have two full days to enjoy the attractions of the area, which include the original Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park where Pixar and Disney stories are brought to life, and Knott’s Berry Farm 160 acre thrill-seekers haven home to the world’s first looping coaster. There is also LEGOLAND California and Universal Studios Hollywood – where you can enjoy the ultimate movie experience.

Overnight: Wyndham Garden Anaheim

Day 11

Anaheim - Los Angeles Airport (34 miles)

You’ll have a few more hours to enjoy the fun and sun of California before you leave for LAX for your flight home
 

  • Flights into San Francisco and return from Los Angeles
  • SUV vehicle rental with fully inclusive insurance
  • 10 nights accommodation as described above or similar
  • Electronic roadbook


What’s not included

  • Car parking fees
  • Entrance fees, activities and attractions

Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf

San Francisco

The Riu Plaza Fisherman’s Wharf is set in the heart of one of San Francisco's most popular regions. Known for its historic waterfront, delicious seafood and spectacular sights, this is a must for any visitor.

Hotel Zephyr San Francisco

San Francisco

The Hotel Zephyr is a fun, quirky hotel set just a short stroll to Pier 39 and is close to the surrounding attractions, from the Fisherman’s Wharf area to Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge.

InterContinental The Clement Monterey

Monterey

Located on beautiful Monterey Bay, InterContinental The Clement Monterey is a contemporary, luxury hotel and spa resort with magnificent ocean views, stylish ambiance and cutting-edge facilities.

Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa On Del Monte Golf Course

Monterey

The Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel is set in 22 acres of Monterey Pines on the Central California Coast. There is a championship golf course, swimming pool & hot tubs, restaurant & bar, plus great selection of guestrooms and suites.

Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay

Monterey

A nautically inspired hotel in Monterey Bay, closeto shops and restaurants, this waterfront hotel boasts an ideal location near Carmel, Big Sur and the world-class Pebble Beach Golf Links.

Monterey Plaza Hotel and Spa

Monterey

Blending European elegance with friendly and attentive service to create a world-class experience, this hotel dramatically overlooks the Monterey Bay with wide-sweeping coastal views from a perfect vantage point

Carmel Valley Ranch

Carmel

Immerse yourself in the verdant woodlands, magnificent cuisine, and championship golf of captivating Carmel Valley Ranch – a place of idyllic beauty and peace, embodying the rich blend of culture, hospitality, and nature of the region.

Harbor View Inn of Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara

This family-friendly beach hotel is very centrally located in Santa Barbara, across from the white sands of West Beach and the historic Stearn's Wharf. Whether you are planning a romantic retreat or family holiday, the Harbour View Inn is a great place to stay.

Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort

Santa Barbara

Set in a beautiful ocean front location, 20 minutes from Santa Barbara airport and a half-mile from downtown. Every room has a patio and balcony offering views of the resort gardens, Santa Ynez Mountains or Pacific Ocean.

Kimpton Canary Hotel

Santa Barbara

Located in a charming neighbourhood of Santa Barbara, the Kimpton Canary Hotel is surrounded by red-tiled roofs, palm trees and lanes brimming with boutiques and cafes. There are beautiful views from the pretty pool deck, decorated with hand-painted tiles and elegant wrought iron.

Wyndham Garden Anaheim

Anaheim

The Wyndham Garden Anaheim is conveniently located one block south of the Disneyland Park, making it an ideal choice for families looking for a comfortable and convenient hotel.

Disneyland Hotel

Anaheim

This original Disney affiliated 60-acre complex has a sprinkling of pixie dust in every element, extending the magic, nostalgia and fantasy of the Disneyland Park with its unique theme.

Embassy Suites by Hilton Anaheim North

Anaheim

A recently renovated all-suite hotel in an ideal location for Disneyland and California Adventure.

Hilton Anaheim

Anaheim

This resort-style hotel is located in Anaheim in the heart of southern California. Various shopping and entertainment facilities can be found in the vicinity and Disneyland can also be reached within a number of minutes.

Sheraton Park Hotel at the Anaheim Resort

Anaheim

The Sheraton Park Hotel at the Anaheim Resort is ideally located within walking distance to the DISNEYLAND® Resort and the Anaheim GardenWalk, so a great choice for families. There's also a good range of facilities at the hotel, so if you're too tired after a day in the park, you can simply relax in one of the on-site cafes.

Holly Reid
Book today

Talk to our travel experts for more information and to book or tailor-make your holiday

01342 331798 Call us 9am-7pm Mon-Fri / 9am-5pm Sat-Sun

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