Golden State of Mind: Northern California By Design ( F8G)

9 days from San Francisco to San Francisco

 2025 Tour Details »2024 Tour Details

Head west for a 9-day adventure with the pioneer spirit of Northern California. How will you strike gold in the Golden State? Traipsing through coastal canopies of Redwood trees or touring foodie fun in Frisco? Trekking the trails in Yosemite or treading lightly on the timeless lanes of an old west town? Gliding to new heights or sailing scenic sights? With complimentary YourChoice Excursions, you choose to climb to new heights or dig deeper to find your California dream. What a rush! (P)

Why This Tour is El Capitan:
•A journey to uncover Northern California’s historic sites and scenic sights from San Francisco to Yosemite.
•The Wild West and the Pony Express ... lake time and gold mines ... granite cliffs and wine sniffs!
•Included YourChoice Excursions in San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, and Yosemite National Park.
•Eureka!

To know more about the visas for this vacation, click here

GET A QUOTE

 DESTINATIONS & SIGHTSEEING

Sightseeing:

Breakfast daily, 2 Dinners

Notes:

We encourage all guests to prebook their YourChoice Excursions to ensure your preference is available. YourChoice Excursions booked on-tour are subject to availability and vendor terms.

Transportation:

Head west for a 9-day adventure with the pioneer spirit of Northern California. How will you strike gold in the Golden State? Traipsing through coastal canopies of Redwood trees or touring foodie fun in Frisco? Trekking the trails in Yosemite or treading lightly on the timeless lanes of an old west town? Gliding to new heights or sailing scenic sights? With complimentary YourChoice Excursions, you choose to climb to new heights or dig deeper to find your California dream. What a rush! (P)

Why This Tour is El Capitan:
•A journey to uncover Northern California’s historic sites and scenic sights from San Francisco to Yosemite.
•The Wild West and the Pony Express ... lake time and gold mines ... granite cliffs and wine sniffs!
•Included YourChoice Excursions in San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, and Yosemite National Park.
•Eureka!

 Meals & Itinerary

 Meals

Breakfast daily, 2 Dinners

 Itinerary

Day 1

ARRIVE IN SAN FRANCISCO Welcome to San Francisco! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome drink.

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Day 2

SAN FRANCISCO Enjoy morning sightseeing in one of the world’s most beautiful cities. See Golden Gate National Recreation Area, including the Golden Gate Bridge and the Presidio.
YourChoice Excursions include one of the following activities of your choice:

TASTE: "Carbe" Diem!
Embark on a culinary journey through the vibrant streets of Little Italy in San Francisco, and savor some of the best Italian food the city has to offer.
DELVE: Rooted in Beauty
A self guided tour through the California Academy of Sciences and Steinhart Aquarium immerses you in the stunning ecosystems of the California Coast.
TREK: Redwood ReTREEt!
Journey through the Redwood canopies of Muir Woods and take a scenic drive through the charming seaside town of Sausalito.



Breakfast Breakfast

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Day 3

SAN FRANCISCO–SONOMA–SACRAMENTO SONOMA Orientation tour and free time for lunch on your own. Guided tour of the wine caves and a tasting of the historic Kunde Family Winery.
SACRAMENTO Sightseeing tour includes California’s State Capitol building, Midtown with its boutique shops and restaurants, the famed Johnny Cash mural and more. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant this evening.
Breakfast Breakfast Dinner Dinner

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Day 4

SACRAMENTO–LAKE TAHOE Scenic ride along the “Most Beautiful Drive in America” en route to Lake Tahoe.
LAKE TAHOE Scenic drive continues and includes photo stops at famous viewpoints in the area.
Free time this evening.
Breakfast Breakfast

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Day 5

LAKE TAHOE LAKE TAHOE YourChoice Excursions include one of the following activities of your choice:

SAIL: Yachts of Fun!
Embark on a scenic cruise on Lake Tahoe and glacier-carved Emerald Bay.
GLIDE: Heavenly Hideaway
Soar to the 9,150-foot-high observation deck above Heavenly in a glass-cabin gondola for stunning views over Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
DELVE: Historic Haunts
Explore the American Wild West in Virginia City, Nevada, and follow the Pony Express route to the mining motherlode site at Comstock Lode.


Free time this evening.
Breakfast Breakfast

Day 6

LAKE TAHOE–YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK Explore Yosemite on a scenic drive through the park, including photo stops and free time to visit the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center. Free time this evening for the first of three nights at the luxury Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite resort.
Breakfast Breakfast

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Day 7

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK YourChoice Excursions include one of the following activities of your choice:

GAZE: Westward, Ho!
Get up close to the wonders and wildlife of Yosemite on a guided 2-hour tram tour. Return to the park this morning and join a Park Ranger to discover the natural history and the stories of Native Peoples and new settlers who moved west to a wilderness like no other.
TREK: Yosemite, Naturally
Feel your senses awaken with a nature walk in the place where John Muir discovered "Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine into trees." Your Naturalist Guide will show you the breathtaking views of the Yosemite region, while encountering the fantastic flora and fauna of this magical wilderness.
STROLL: A Kaleidoscope in Black and White
Join a private guided photography tour courtesy of the Ansel Adams Gallery with instruction by expert photography guides.


Free time late afternoon and evening to enjoy the resort.
Breakfast Breakfast

Day 8

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK Free time this morning and afternoon to enjoy Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite. Consider hiking, electric-assist mountain biking, or a visit to the Ascent Spa and Fitness Center. A farewell dinner this evening followed by a private stargazing excursion with a local expert.
Breakfast Breakfast Dinner Dinner

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Day 9

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK–SAN FRANCISCO This morning, return to San Francisco International Airport or Marriott Marquis hotel. Please schedule departing flights after 4pm.

Breakfast Breakfast

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 Tour Director

With Globus, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of your Tour Director. Averaging over a decade... we’d like you to meet a Tour Director, who is representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

KEN HARTFORD

Escorting tours for more than 15 years

" The West has been my home since I was born, and its incredible diversity has kept me engaged since my earliest memories. It is a world of iconic places and undiscovered gems waiting to be explored. Experience the bustle of its cities and the serenity of its open spaces, hear the stories of its people, and embrace the wonder of its beauty. No matter who you are or where you come from, there is something about the West that will never leave you."

Tour Director -  KEN HARTFORD

 Accommodations

SAN FRANCISCO

SAN FRANCISCO MARRIOTT MARQUIS

Hotel as shown or similar
Superior First-Class
  Free Wifi

SACRAMENTO

EMBASSY SUITES SACRAMENTO RIVERFRONT PROMENADE

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

LAKE TAHOE

MARGARITAVILLE RESORT LAKE TAHOE

Hotel as shown or similar
Superior First-Class
  Free Wifi

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

TENAYA LODGE AT YOSEMITE

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

 Optional Excursions

Contact your Travel Consultant for more information.
Price Ranges

$ ($50 USD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 USD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 USD)
$$$$ (Over $150)



* The "Starting at" or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per passenger based on double occupancy and does not include airfare; additional fees/charges are not included. If a price is crossed out, the new price includes a limited time promotional offer(s) – please review current promotions or deals for additional information. Some tours require intra-vacation flights (and in some cases intra-vacation segments must be purchased from Globus).
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