Family Fun in California
San Francisco, Yosemite, Carmel, Santa Barbara, Santa MonicaCalifornia conjures visions of Hollywood stars and surfers, but that's just the surface; from soulful San Francisco, Yosemite's giant redwoods, endless sandy beaches, charming coastal towns and LA family fun, the Golden State is one of great contrasts.
At a glance
Take in all the highlights as you waterfall watch in Yosemite, cycle over Golden Gate and hike the Hollywood Hills
Ideal from April through to September - popular Easter or summer vacation
Marine wonders await - kayak with sea lions, spot whales and dolphins, explore tide pools
A foodie's delight from Santa Barbara wine country to Santa Monica farmers' market
Journey highlights
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Take in all the highlights as you waterfall watch in Yosemite, cycle over Golden Gate and hike the Hollywood Hills
-
Ideal from April through to September - popular Easter or summer vacation
-
Marine wonders await - kayak with sea lions, spot whales and dolphins, explore tide pools
-
A foodie's delight from Santa Barbara wine country to Santa Monica farmers' market
Our tailor made journeys include:
- Your dedicated Travel Consultant who will take care of arrangements
- Private international airport transfers in destination
- Your own private, English-speaking local guides
- Unique experiences, hand-picked by our Journeys team
- Entrance to must-see local sites
- Dedicated 24/7 team providing in-country support and guidance
- Complimentary access to My Scott Dunn – industry-leading travel app providing pre-departure information and in-journey support
When to visit
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During the summer, between June and September, California is at its peak but summer is fabulous for enjoying the beaches, enjoying alfresco dinners and attending festivals such as Santa Barbara's wine festival. In San Francisco, some warm clothes are always needed as thick summer fog can make the region surprisingly cold at night.
The shoulder seasons (March to May and September to November) expect sunny days, smaller crowds and better value.
Price Guide: (per person based on double occupancy and includes international flights)
| Departing |
Price from*
|
Deposit from * | Enquire |
|---|---|---|---|
| May | $9,100 | $2,300 | plan your trip |
| June | $9,100 | $2,300 | plan your trip |
| July | $9,100 | $2,300 | plan your trip |
| August | $10,000 | $2,500 | plan your trip |
| September | $10,000 | $2,500 | plan your trip |
| January | $8,300 | $2,100 | plan your trip |
| February | $8,300 | $2,100 | plan your trip |
| March | $9,100 | $2,300 | plan your trip |
| April | $9,100 | $2,300 | plan your trip |
-
May
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$9,100
Deposit from*$2,300
-
June
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$9,100
Deposit from*$2,300
-
July
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$9,100
Deposit from*$2,300
-
August
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$10,000
Deposit from*$2,500
-
September
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$10,000
Deposit from*$2,500
-
January
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$8,300
Deposit from*$2,100
-
February
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$8,300
Deposit from*$2,100
-
March
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$9,100
Deposit from*$2,300
-
April
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$9,100
Deposit from*$2,300
- plan your trip
Itinerary
California
Starting in the incredible iconic city of San Francisco, spend three nights exploring the streets of Nobb Hill, wandering Haight-Ashbury and chowing down on the freshest seafood around at Fisherman’s Wharf. Hop on board an iconic cable car, cycle over the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito, visit Alcatraz Island, dine out in Chinatown or head out to the bay on a speedboat for a unique view of the city skyline. There’s plenty to do here, all certain to delight travelers of any age.
Accommodation: The Ritz-Carlton San Francisco ( 3 nights )California
The next day, pick up your SUV and drive through goldrush country to Yosemite National Park to stay in a log-cabin among the Redwood trees, from where you can have a cook-out in the evening, admire nature from a hot tub and spot deer and black bears if you're lucky. Spend your time in this beautiful National Park hiking to Glacier Point for sublime views or cycling through flower-strewn meadows spotting wildlife as you go. There are also opportunities for privately guided hikes as well as trolley tours, that take you around the park giving you the best glances of each of the most famous sights.
Accommodation: The Redwoods in Yosemite ( 3 nights )California
Next stop is picturesque Carmel Valley Ranch. Families will love the abundance of activities on offer here, and couples will enjoy the beautiful spa. During your stay, you can go horse riding, have a bucket-and-spade day in Carmel-by-the-Sea, bike the 17-mile drive around Pebble Beach or kayak around the kelp forests in Monterey. We have included a whale watching trip for you in Monterey so you can head out to try and spot whales and dolphins commonly seen along the coast.
Accommodation: Carmel Valley Ranch ( 2 nights )California
Next, follow the iconic Pacific Highway down Big Sur - snake through sea cliffs, beach towns and redwood forests as you head south to the Spanish mission town of Santa Barbara. Tucked between the Santa Ynez mountains, wine region and the ocean, its Mediterranean vibe has given Santa Barbara the title of the 'American Riviera'. Foodies will love the vast amount of incredible restaurants; from fine-dining to open-air late night food markets as well as the urban wine trail.
Accommodation: Hotel Californian ( 2 nights )California
End in Los Angeles at renowned beachfront hotel Shutters on the Beach. Spend your final few days in California soaking up the sunshine on the beach, shopping until you drop at Santa Monica Place, strolling the boardwalk and farmers markets, or head into LA for the day. You might enjoy hiking to the Hollywood sign at during the day or at sunset to see LA sparkling at night. We have included a Universal Studios VIP Experience, a wonderful day out for adults or children alike.
Accommodation: Shutters on the Beach ( 3 nights )Call us on 858 523 9000 to start planning your holiday.
Your Hotels
When to visit
- J
- F
- M
- A
- M
- J
- J
- A
- S
- O
- N
- D
During the summer, between June and September, California is at its peak but summer is fabulous for enjoying the beaches, enjoying alfresco dinners and attending festivals such as Santa Barbara's wine festival. In San Francisco, some warm clothes are always needed as thick summer fog can make the region surprisingly cold at night.
The shoulder seasons (March to May and September to November) expect sunny days, smaller crowds and better value.
We design each itinerary around you, so this suggested itineraryis a starting point that we can tweak or transform into something completely bespoke to you. Call us on 858 523 9000 to start planning your vacation.
Why Scott Dunn?
At Scott Dunn, we live and breathe travel. An insatiable appetite to discover the world runs through everything we do. We relish the planning and revel in the detail. We know it’s the smallest touches that make the biggest difference, and we stop at nothing to make every trip not only exceptional but totally unique.
- Every itinerary is crafted from scratch, based around exactly what’s important to you
- Packed full of unique experiences, hand-picked by our journeys team
- Expert local guides enrich your experience in every destination
- Your own dedicated Travel Specialist who will take care of every detail of your trip
- We have a 24/7 team providing in-country support and guidance
- We offer flexibility and financial protection to give you total peace of mind