Coastal California, Napa & the Central Valley with San Francisco Extension
From the City of Angels to the City by the Bay, discover California through its coastal scenery, agricultural traditions, creative communities, and celebrated wine regions. Begin in Los Angeles with guided sightseeing in Hollywood and historic Olvera Street before heading north to Santa Barbara, the "American Riviera," where read more Mediterranean-style architecture meets the Pacific coast. Cruise Santa Barbara Harbor with views of Channel Islands National Park, explore the Danish-inspired village of Solvang, and meet SLO CAL's sustainability champions, the Junk Girls, who transform reclaimed materials into imaginative works of art.
Along the Central Coast, tour a lavender farm, enjoy a slow-food dining experience, and visit a private olive estate to learn about cultivation and production techniques. Explore Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea, travel the famed 17-Mile Drive past Pebble Beach and the iconic Lone Cypress, and discover the agricultural heritage of California's Central Valley through honey, mead, and local flavors.
Then savor the best of California Wine Country with guided sightseeing in Napa Valley and Sonoma, where rolling vineyards, acclaimed wineries, and a private wine tasting showcase the region's rich winemaking traditions. Filled with coastal beauty, culinary discoveries, local artisans, and Wine Country experiences, this Small Group Discovery tour reveals the many flavors of California.
Stay a little longer with two extra nights in San Francisco! Get to know this iconic city with a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing pass to explore at your own pace. Stroll Fisherman's Wharf for fresh sourdough bread, clam chowder, and Ghirardelli chocolate, or take time to discover the city's neighborhoods, ride a historic cable car, bike across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito, or explore the Presidio.
Itinerary
Your Small Group Discovery Tour Begins!
At 6:00 p.m., meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome drink. Small groups lead to big experiences on this Small Group Discovery tour!
American Riviera
Enjoy morning sightseeing on a Los Angeles city tour that takes you from Olvera Street, the oldest thoroughfare in the city, to Hollywood, the motion picture capital of the world. Depart Los Angeles for the “American Riviera,” Santa Barbara, and meet a Local Guide for a small group exclusive city tour including the Presidio District, State Street Promenade, and the Stearns Wharf. Explore the Santa Barbara Old Mission, the Queen of the Missions, and marvel at the Spanish colonial architecture, including the Santa Barbara Courthouse. Tonight, celebrate the stunning scenery with dinner on the waterfront.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - With a Mediterranean-like climate, sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and world-famous wines, Santa Barbara is also known for outstanding food, sailing, and historic missions. The Santa Barbara Courthouse is an iconic landmark, with the clocktower featured in movies and the Spanish colonial architecture an everlasting lesson in California history.
Coastal California
Discover the Santa Barbara coastline on a cruise in the Santa Barbara Harbor. Travel through the Santa Ynez Mountains to the Danish town of Solvang and enjoy a local bakery treat. Continue to Paso Robles for a two-night stay.
LOCAL FAVORITE - Stroll the streets of Solvang and feel as though you've entered a charming Danish town with picturesque buildings and shops, restaurants and windmills that create a taste of Denmark in California's Santa Ynez Valley. Enjoy a traditional Danish pastry at Mortensen's famous bakery.
Satisfied and Sustainable
Meet the Junk Girls in San Luis Obispo and discover the art of sustainability. Explore their studio and shop for inspiration before working on your own project from recycled products during a Small Group Discovery Exclusive event. Explore local art murals in downtown San Luis Obispo, recognized as one of the “happiest” cities in the US. Continue to Paso Robles this afternoon to Cass Winery for a tour and tasting. Enjoy dinner and a special evening event at Sensorio, where art, technology, and nature intersect.
LOCAL FAVORITE - The Junk Girls breathe new life into well-loved treasures. Using recycled, repurposed, vintage, and antique items from the USA, they refresh items for their store and workshop space in San Luis Obispo. The Junk Girls' sustainability mission is in-step with the Globus family of brands Lighthouse Project; an initiative focused on sustainability and responsible travel.
Central Coast Scents
Depart Paso Robles for San Miguel, a small community in the Central Coast with a rich agricultural heritage. Tour a lavender farm and explore the fragrant fields as you learn about their small batch processing. Continue to Monterey, home to the famous Cannery Row. Immortalized by John Steinbeck in his novel of the same name, Cannery Row is filled with stories and vibrant sights along the waterfront of Monterey Bay. Consider a sunset cruise this evening or enjoy a walk on the pier for memorable views of the ocean.
LOCAL FAVORITE - Walk through the lavender fields during a visit to a working farm and explore nature one row at a time. Learn the difference between culinary and aromatic lavender and experience the rolling hills, hand-cultivation process, and moderate valley temperatures, all essential for the best lavender crops.
Spectacular Scenery
Explore Monterey this morning on an orientation tour before departing for the quaint resort town, Carmel-by-the-Sea. Enjoy a scenic drive along the famed 17-Mile Drive and marvel at views of the Pacific Ocean. Continue to Winters for a two-night stay.
LOCAL FAVORITE - Feel the windswept spirit of the Pacific Ocean with a spectacular drive along 17-Mile Drive to the charming haven of Carmel-by-the-Sea. See its crooked cottages and twisted trees in the popular haunt of writers, artists, and celebrities. You'll pass by sweeping sea views and rocky shores, visit the world-famous Pebble Beach Golf Links and see the iconic Lone Cypress clinging to its rocky perch.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - Enjoy two nights at Hotel Winters, a boutique hotel in the heart of downtown. Surrounded by orchards, farms, and vineyards, the charming small town has delicious farm-to-table cuisine, easy walking trails, local shops, and tasting rooms.
Savory and Slow
Welcome to the Central Valley of California, home to a diverse range of agricultural products that feed the nation. Depart Winters for Seka Hills, an olive tree farm and olive oil production site where traditional Native American values are at the core of their commitment to sustainable agriculture. On a Small Group Discovery Exclusive tour, learn about olive oil production and the process of creating Seka Hills' award-winning estate blends. Savor regional signature specialties for lunch while enjoying sweeping views of the orchard and rolling blue hills.
This afternoon, explore the honey and mead movement in the Central Valley with a tour and tasting with the owners at The Hive.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - “Seka” means blue in Patwin language - Seka Hills honors the blue hills that overlook the tribe of Yocha Dehe's homeland in Capay Valley. They developed the land with a focus on environmental stewardship and sustainable agriculture. Seka Hills reflects both the region's agricultural heritage and the tribe's long history in the area, blending cultural traditions with modern farming and hospitality.
California Gold
Depart Winters for the rolling hills of Napa, a world-famous wine region with more than 400 producers. Experience the Napa region on a Small Group Discovery Exclusive private tour of the area with a local guide and enjoy lunch at the Oxbow Public Market, a vibrant food marketplace in downtown Napa. Then, go beyond the corridor of Highway 29 for a private tour and tasting at a local winery.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - The deep-rooted vines of Napa Valley produce world-class wine and put Northern California on the world wine map in 1976, when a blind-tasting competition in France yielded winning results for Napa Valley wineries. Napa has serene countryside trails for walking, hot springs wellness experiences, a lively music scene and rich culinary choices to complement the vineyards and farms.
The Vineyards are Calling
Explore Sonoma this morning on a sightseeing tour. Like the Napa Valley, Sonoma is also a well-known wine producer, but has cooler temperatures influenced by the Pacific Ocean. Later, enjoy leisure time to explore additional wineries, stroll through local parks, or consider a bike ride for scenic views of the area. Return to Napa, where your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
ENHANCED FREE TIME - Explore more in the Sonoma and Napa area. Your Tour Director has suggestions for local activities.
City by the Bay
Wave goodbye to your Tour Director and Driver and continue your two-night stay in captivating San Francisco with free time to explore. Enjoy a hop-on, hop-off bus pass to tour the city of San Francisco on your own. Enjoy free time to explore the city at your own pace.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - The Golden Gate Bridge was built in 1937 and is an iconic symbol of San Francisco. The suspension bridge connects San Francisco to Marin County and is an engineering marvel, as the road is suspended by cables and anchored at the end of the 1.7-mile-long bridge.
The Gold City
A full free day to explore San Francisco on your own.
ENHANCED FREE TIME - Explore more in San Francisco with a ride on a cable car, bike ride over the Golden Gate Bridge to scenic Sausalito, a walk by the Painted Ladies, lunch at the Wharf, or a visit to the Presidio.
Safe travels until we meet again!
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Trip Inclusions
- Guided sightseeing in Los Angeles and Hollywood, including iconic landmarks and famous film locations
- Visit historic Old Santa Barbara Mission and tour the “American Riviera”
- Cruise Santa Barbara Harbor with views of Channel Islands National Park and its rugged offshore islands
- Meet SLO CAL's sustainability champions, the Junk Girls, and learn how they transform reclaimed materials into art
- Visit a Central Coast restaurant for a slow-food dining experience showcasing locally sourced ingredients and regional flavors
- Tour a [LF] lavender farm and discover the uses of this fragrant crop
- Explore Monterey and the storybook village of Carmel-by-the-Sea
- Visit a private olive estate to learn about cultivation and production techniques while tasting locally produced olive oils
- Enjoy a honey-and-mead tasting and tour showcasing the agricultural traditions of California's Central Valley
- Guided sightseeing in Napa Valley and Sonoma, including a private wine tasting in California's premier wine region
- Explore San Francisco at your own pace with a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing pass to the city's iconic neighborhoods and landmarks
- Small Group Exclusive experiences and accommodations
- 10 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 3 Dinner
- Los Angeles: Millennium Biltmore (First-Class):
The home of Hollywood glamour, the historic Millennium Biltmore Los Angeles has been the choice of celebrities, presidents, and dignitaries, and the backdrop for many movies and TV shows. - Santa Barbara: Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort (Superior First-Class):
The hotel is located on one of Southern California's most beautiful coastlines and near shopping, dining, sightseeing, and wineries. Just a few sandy steps put you on the beach where you can enjoy swimming, sailing, and other water sports. The hotel features an outdoor pool, hot tub, tennis courts, fitness center, game room, concierge service, gift shop, guest laundry, business center and Internet access. - Paso Robles: Paso Robles Inn (First-Class):
The town square is anchored by this elegant yet laid-back country inn, which provides contemporary lodging for all kinds of road travelers and guests from nearby and distant locations. You are actually staying in a living landmark when you stay here. - Monterey: Hyatt Regency Monterey (Superior First-Class):
This luxury resort is ideally situated near an acclaimed golf course, which provides ample views of gardens and landscapes. Renovations have transformed the interior into a modern, contemporary oasis with a fireplace lounge, fitness center, spa, outdoor pool, tennis courts, restaurant, lounge, and room service. Guestrooms feature cable TV, high-speed Internet access, mini-refrigerator, in-room safe, coffeemaker, bath robe, and bath amenities. - Winters: Hotel Winters (First-Class):
Only thirty minutes northwest of Sacramento, in the center of Winters, California, near the eastern entrance to Napa Valley, sits the four-star boutique spa hotel. Famous tasting rooms, well-known eateries, and a variety of outdoor activities. - Napa: The Meritage Resort & Spa (Superior First-Class):
The Meritage, an expansive haven unlike any other, is your go-to place for everything Napa. With the best food, wine, and wellbeing at your fingertips, discover the spirit of wine country with ease. In luxurious resort lodgings, claim a portion of California wine country as your own. - San Francisco: Hilton San Francisco Union Square (First-Class):
The Hilton San Francisco Union Square is only two blocks from Westfield San Francisco Center and Union Square, and next to the Curran and ACT theaters. Within a mile are the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Moscone Convention Center, and the Powell Street cable car turnaround. Savor expansive vistas from the highest point in the city.
- Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
- Visiting and participating in activities in this region may be subject to favorable weather conditions.
- Guests should be prepared for sustained walking and standing.
Don't waste your precious time queueing up, skip the lines with special VIP access at the must-see sites. Read more
Travel with expert Tour Directors and Local Guides who share their vast knowledge of the USA. Read more
Globus has the recipe for a great holiday. Savour the flavours of the USA through its regional cuisine. Read more
Globus' selection of hotels in unforgettable places ensure you stay right in the heart of each destination. Read more
Globus' coaches offer one of the most comfortable, stress-free and eco-friendly ways to travel. Read more
Do as the locals do and enjoy unique experiences that you wouldn't find touring on your own. Read more
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Globus Small Group Discoveries (2026-27)
Enjoy front-row views of legendary sites more such as the Eiffel Tower, the Grand Tetons and Nagoya Castle. Skip the queues with VIP entry, and immerse yourself in stories that bring rich history and vibrant cultures to life. With nearly 100 years of expertise, hand-selected hotels, expert Tour Directors and worry-free travel, Globus delivers the ultimate touring experience – now with the added benefit of smaller groups for bigger discoveries. This is Touring. Beyond. Don’t just see the world. Tour it with Globus Small Group Discoveries.
Dates & Pricing
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A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Enquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Globus. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
