10-Day California Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 10-day California tour itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaCalifornia travel expert at TourRadar

• 10 Days in California, incl. San Francisco and Los Angeles

  A 10-day California odyssey winds through 10 cities, from San Francisco's Chinatown to San Diego's Coronado Island. Marvel at Yosemite's waterfalls, Big Sur's coastline, and Los Angeles' TCL Chinese Theatre, with expert-guided tours throughout.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    San Francisco

    Get to Fisherman's Wharf around 8am before the crowds arrive. Book Alcatraz tickets 2-3 months ahead as they sell out quickly. Visit Pier 39 for views of both bridges. Money-saving tip: Take the F-line historic streetcar instead of cable cars. It costs $3 instead of $8 and has shorter lines.

    
  • Day 3

    Yosemite National Park

    The 4-hour drive from SF takes you through the western gate, offering great views of El Capitan. Get there before 9am during summer to avoid long entrance lines. Visit Bridalveil Fall in spring when the water flow is strongest. Yosemite Falls might be dry by late summer.

    
  • Day 4

    Monterey

    Start early to see the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias before driving 4 hours to Monterey. For whale watching from April to November, book either the 5:30pm sunset cruise or the 1:30pm trip if fog is likely.

    
  • Day 5

    Coastal Drive

    Take the 17-Mile Drive first thing ($11.25 per car). Get to the Lone Cypress before 10am to avoid crowds. In Carmel, look for parking on Ocean Avenue. The Big Sur drive takes 2-3 hours with stops. Check road conditions because landslides can close Highway 1.

    
  • Day 6

    Santa Barbara

    Visit Solvang in the morning before the Danish bakeries get busy. Head to Santa Barbara's Stearns Wharf for sunset. Plan your drive to LA carefully as traffic gets heavy after 3pm.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Los Angeles & San Diego

    Do Hollywood sightseeing early. Santa Monica Pier is quieter before 11am or after 4pm. For the drive to San Diego, leave LA before 2pm or after 7pm to avoid rush hour.

    
  • Days 9-10

    San Diego & Return

    Start at the San Diego Zoo at 9am when animals are most active. When returning to LA, leave by 1pm if you have a 5pm LAX flight.

    

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• 9 Day Northern California Itinerary, incl. San Francisco and Yosemite

  The ultimate 9-day California expedition covers 7 destinations, from San Francisco to Monterey. Highlights include wine tasting in Sonoma, Yosemite Valley Floor Tram tour, and stargazing at Sequoia National Park. Features stays at the luxurious Tenaya Lodge and historic Wuksachi Lodge, approx. $540 per day.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    San Francisco

    Start in San Francisco. Get there early on day 1 to check out Fisherman's Wharf and try the fresh clam chowder in sourdough bread bowls. "Watching the morning fog roll over the Golden Gate Bridge while walking along the waterfront was magical," one traveler said. On day 2 take a guided city tour to see Golden Gate Park, Japanese Tea Gardens and the historic Presidio. Book an afternoon Bay cruise to avoid the morning fog.

    
  • Day 3

    San Francisco to Sonoma Valley

    Drive north over the Golden Gate Bridge to wine country. It takes about 1.5 hours to reach Sonoma. Spend your afternoon at a family-owned winery doing tastings and cave tours. From there it's 2.5 hours to Sacramento where you can explore the capital's growing craft beer scene in the evening.

    
  • Days 4-5

    Yosemite National Park

    Drive east through the Sierra Nevadas to Yosemite (4 hours from Sacramento). Stay at Tenaya Lodge. As one guest noted: "The lodge's location just outside the park gave us easy access while avoiding in-park crowds." Take the Valley Floor tram tour to see El Capitan and Half Dome. On day 5 go hiking but get to the trailheads before 8am to avoid crowds and heat.

    
  • Day 6

    Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks

    Drive south to these connected parks (3 hours from Yosemite). Visit the General Sherman Tree early since parking fills up by 10am. "Bring a headlamp for the evening ranger-led stargazing program - the dark skies here are incredible without city light pollution," one traveler recommended.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Monterey & Carmel

    Head to the coast (5 hours). Take the famous 17-Mile Drive with stops at Pebble Beach and the Lone Cypress. Visit Cannery Row and Fisherman's Wharf. A visitor tip: "Walk the coastal trail in the morning to spot sea otters - they're most active at dawn." Spend day 8 exploring Carmel-by-the-Sea's art galleries and unique fairy-tale cottages.

    
  • Day 9

    Return to San Francisco

    The coastal drive back takes 2.5 hours. Schedule a late afternoon flight so you have time for last-minute shopping or sightseeing. Book flights after 2pm to avoid rush hour traffic to SFO.

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• Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks featuring San Diego and California’s Central Coast (San Diego, CA to Los Angeles, CA)

  

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  • San Diego USA

    111 mi

  • Los Angeles USA

    86 mi

  • Santa Barbara USA

    73 mi

  • Pismo Beach USA

    34 mi

  • Paso Robles USA

    175 mi

  • Los Angeles USA

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