Majestic California: San Francisco, Yosemite & the Pacific

8 days
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4.2/5 Great
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USTOA

Small Group Tour
Cruise under the Golden Gate Bridge, pan for gold, explore Yosemite National Park and ride a moonlight train, go kayaking or biking in Monterey and more with your family on a California adventure for the whole family

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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

    • Catamaran cruise on San Francisco Bay; fun in Yosemite and Sierra National Forest with tram rides
    • gold panning
    • hiking & climbing; special behind the scenes tour at Monterey Bay Aquarium

What's this trip about?

    Cruise under the Golden Gate Bridge, pan for gold, explore Yosemite National Park and ride a moonlight train, go kayaking or biking in Monterey and more with your family on a California adventure for the whole family

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Details

Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizeSmall Group - 24 max
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CitySan Francisco, California
End CityMonterey

Travel Themes

  • Family Friendly

Destinations

  • North America
  • United States

Attractions

  • Golden Gate Bridge
  • Monterey Peninsula
  • San Francisco
  • Yosemite National Park

Activities

  • Kid-friendly activities

Trip includes

    • Hear insider stories about Yosemite National Park in filmed narratives produced exclusively for Tauck by filmmaker Ken Burns Enjoy a private cruise along San Francisco Bay, the "golden gateway" to the Pacific Ocean, by catamaran Discover San Francisco's diverse city neighborhoods from Chinatown to Coit Tower Go on a walk on the Golden Gate Bridge Enjoy a privately guided visit to Glacier Point overlooking the wonders of Yosemite National Park Explore Yosemite Valley's rocky cliffs, plummeting waterfalls and open meadows Take a moonlit ride on a steam train through the woods and join a campfire sing along Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Kayak, bike or walk along lovely Monterey Bay Airport transfers upon arrival and departure as noted 15 meals (7 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 5 dinners); all gratuities to Tauck Director, local guides & drivers; service charges, taxes, and porterage

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Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive San Francisco, the "City by the Bay"

Tour begins: 5:30 PM at JW Marriott San Francisco Union Square. A transfer from San Francisco International Airport to JW Marriott San Francisco Union Square is included. Your family will enjoy exploring a little of San Francisco from your hotel's fabulous location co...

Day 2 A bay cruise and more in San Francisco

Feel the wind in your hair on a private catamaran cruise on San Francisco Bay as you take in the sites from a different perspective. The surrounding golden hills are punctuated with every color of green from live oak leaf to eucalyptus and redwood. Back on land, keep ...

Day 3 Future energy, past history & and flashlight hike in Sierra National Forest

You'll head east today to a land of stunning mountains and the oldest trees on Earth, stopping en route to see one of the nation's largest wind farms and for lunch in Jamestown, a boomtown during the 1848 Gold Rush. Your resort lies at Yosemite's South Gate, where a c...

Day 4 Glacier Point and a moonlight train trip

Go inside Yosemite National Park this morning on a guided excursion that includes a private visit to Glacier Point. You are going to see some incredible views of Yosemite Valley from this overlook, including iconic glimpses of Half Dome, rising nearly 5,000 feet above...

Day 5 Yosemite guided sightseeing by tram with a park ranger, then explore as you please

On an open-air tram tour this morning, you'll experience the magic of Yosemite's Valley Floor: waterfalls with names like Bridalveil, Horsetail and Ribbon Falls, spectacular rock formations, nearly vertical granite cliffs, quiet pools and open meadows. The rest of the...

Day 6 From the mountains to Mariposa to the Pacific coast and Monterey

You'll make your way to the Pacific coast today, first stopping at the Mariposa Museum & History Center which shares stories of the indigenous Miwuk Indians and Chinese immigrants who came to California in the late 1850s to seek a better life. Ahead lies stunning ...

Day 7 Seaside adventures and behind-the-scenes at Monterey Bay Aquarium

Adventure starts at Monterey Bay with a choice of kayaking,* bicycling* or a self-guided walking tour. After free time to explore Monterey on your own, join us for a private behind-the-scenes tour of the acclaimed Monterey Bay Aquarium. Its ocean-life wonders include ...

Day 8 Journey home

Tour ends: Monterey. Fly home anytime; a transfer is included from Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay to Monterey Peninsula Airport. For those flying home from San Francisco Int'l Airport (120 miles north of Monterey), one group transfer is included from Monterey...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,455
Price per day$432
Last Updated: 2/22/2018

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Tauck.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Tauck Reviews & Ratings

4.2/5  Great
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Kurlyk40

May 2024

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Great Scenery but Accommodations Lacking for cost

My husband and I booked the Yellowstone tour with Tauck expecting so much more with the accommodations, food, and tour director based on the price point. We were sa...

S

Susan

Jun 2023

Written on

Nine Tours and Done

Sad to see a once good tour company stumble and fall into mediocrity. That’s Tauck post-Covid. My May 2023 tour of Normandy, Brittany and the Loire Valley was done o...

C

Cougess

Jan 2023

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Skip this cruise - not worth it

My husband and I went on the Treasures of the Mediterranean Isles Trip jn October 2022. This was our third Tauck cruise with Ponnant but our first post covid and the...

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Travelers also viewed

Tour Operator

Tauck

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It's easy to see the world's sights. To stand in long lines, push through the crowds, and generally have the same standard-issue vacation as everyone else. But that's not good enough for us, and it's not good enough for you. We believe that travel should be easy. It should be fun. It should be worth your time and the price you paid. It should re-energize and transform. And above all else, it should be beyond the ordinary. Because how you see the world matters.

In 1882, Herman Tauck arrived in New York City from Germany in search of the American dream. His determination and values were passed on to his son, Arthur Tauck, who would realize that dream. With ingenuity and an innovative spirit, Arthur started Tauck Motor Tours, a travel company that would give birth to a new industry. The first tour, through the back roads of New England, was created by this 27-year-old in 1925. It embodied the same successful formula used by Tauck today: do the right thing. Craft a life-enriching travel experience; provide it at a single all-inclusive price; ensure there is great value for money; and rely on recommendations of satisfied customers to build a following and grow the business.

Two elements that did change over the next 90+ years – and three generations of Taucks – were the scope of destinations served and the variety of modes of travel used. Today Tauck delivers life-enriching travel experiences to every corner of the globe, incorporating small cruise ships, premium riverboats, trains, helicopters and more. What started as a New England motor coach tour company has truly evolved into an extraordinary global travel company. The fourth generation of Taucks is now involved in the company. While remarkable in any business, this seamless continuity across generations speaks to shared vision and values.

Throughout its history, the concept of “family” at Tauck has gone far beyond those sharing the surname to include hundreds of valued employees, and hundreds of thousands of loyal guests. The story of Tauck is the story of a unique American family company celebrating a passion for travel – a story that will continue to inspire generations to come.

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What they’re known for
Fun group tours and cruises that are culturally-focused and great for families and seniors on vacation.

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Logistics

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
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Additional Information
Trip ID
tauck-YP2016

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