Tour Duration
8-Day
Tour Type
Private
Language
Why you should visit California
Probably one of the most iconic States of the US known for its incredible sunsets, winding scenic roads along the Pacific Ocean, the glamour of Hollywood & its movie industry, quaint seaside villages, the historic San Francisco and much more.
If you are considering visiting California but only have a week or so to dedicate to the entire area, this is a very basic Itinerary that will take you from Los Angeles to San Francisco while covering some of the most iconic areas along the scenic route -- Pacific Coast Highway, in just a week.
When to plan your California Vacation?
California tends to have warm/hot summers and mild winters although lots can change from the Southern to the Northern areas of the state. Still, for the most part, this Itinerary can be done pretty much anytime of the year.
Fall and Spring can be very pleasant seasons to visit the area with mildly warm days and cooler nights. You will probably be able to enjoy the beach during both seasons although the waters of the Pacific Ocean tend to always be a bit cold for which we recommend wearing a wet suit.
Summer is a great season if you love the heat. Temperatures can reach up to 90/99F degrees especially in South Cal & Los Angeles. Although, the humidity is much lower over in California and the sea breeze by the ocean always helps.
Winter, unless you are considering visiting areas like Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, Mammoth Lakes, and other skiing regions, usually winters won't bring snow to the coast of California. You can still enjoy this Itinerary even during the cold months, you will find that San Francisco will have temperatures around 50-60F whereas Los Angeles will probably still in the 65F. You won't be able to go to the beach, but if you are looking to simply experience the scenery and don't mind a bit cooler temperatures, you shouldn't have a problem
Medical Insurance
International Travelers? We certainly recommend adding a Medical Insurance while traveling in the US as medical bills are quite expenses. When picking a company, check that there is a 24/7 costumer service and compare the prices of the various policies and the limitations.International Flights
International flights are not included in the price of this package - we can help you book international and domestic flights.HIGHLIGHTS
2 Full Days in Los Angeles: From Hollywood to Santa Monica
Possibility to visit Disney world & Universal Studios Hollywood
In San Francisco to discover Muir Woods, Alcatraz, Golden Gate, Ashbury Heights,
The Central Coast of California and the Incredible Pacific Coastal Highway
Book your spot now
Book your spot now
See the available options by selecting a date from the calendar.
DETAILED ITINERARY
STARTING FROM LOS ANGELES *
* (ALSO AVAILABLE FROM SAN FRANCISCO)
Day 1: Los Angeles
Arrival at Los Angeles International Airport, pick up your Rental Car and Check-in Hotel.Free afternoon/evening to explore the city of Los Angeles.
Night: Los Angeles Doubletree by Hilton downtown *** or similar
Day 2 & 3: Los Angles
Two days dedicated to Los Angeles. You can decide to explore the beach area with the towns of Malibu, Santa Monica, Venice, and Marina del Rey, or the Hills with Hollywood, West Hollywood and of course the trendy Beverly Hills. You will find several museums and attractions you can visit, including a couple of theme parks -- Universal Studios, Disneyworld, and Warner Brothers.Night: Los Angeles Doubletree by Hilton downtown *** or similar
Day 4: Los Angeles > Santa Barbara > Big Sur > Monterey
In the morning, leave Los Angeles and start heading north along the incredible Pacific Coast driving up the Pacific Coast Highway (CA-101). You will have the possibility to stop at several seaside towns like Santa Barbara, Caramel by-the-sea, the Big Sur and Pebble Beach. Enjoy an incredible Sunset on the Ocean when the sky turns orange, red and yellow, and arrive in Monterey by late afternoon.The distance is 324 miles (ca. 521 km) to be covered in 6 Hours and 15 minutes, stops in the villages excluded.Night: Monterey Hilton Garden Inn Monterey*** or similar
Day 5: Monterey > San Francisco
Enjoy a couple of hours in the morning to explore the picturesque village of Monterey with the old Fisherman's Wharf and the iconic Cannery Row. After lunch, leave to reach San Francisco by afternoon. Distance 119 miles (ca. 192 km) to be covered in a couple of hours.As San Francisco is well served by public transportation, you can opt to return your rental car on this day and use public transportation to move around the city.
Free time in San Francisco.
Night: San Francisco Cova Hotel*** near Union Square or similar
Day 6 & 7: San Francisco
Two days to visit San Francisco. You have plenty of activities to choose from the iconic Alcatraz Island (make sure to buy your tickets months in advance) to the Golden Gate Bridge, to historic neighborhoods such as Nob Hill, Pacific Heights, Chinatown, Little Italy and much more.Night: San Francisco Cova Hotel*** or similar
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Day 8: San Francisco > End of Service
Free morning.Check-out and Airport Transfer.
End of Service.
Possibility to add several extensions to this Itinerary including —
- Yosemite National Parks & Mammoth Lakes
- Napa & Sonoma County
- Death Valley and Las Vegas
INCLUDES
- 3 nights in Hotel in Los Angeles (central area) overnight stay only
- 1 night in Monterey
- 3 nights in Hotel in San Francisco (central area) overnight stay only
- Rental Car for 9 days. Type Buick Lacroix or similar - Unlimited mileage - CDW insurance
EXCLUDES
- International/Domestic Flights
- Park Admission / Attractions
- Extended Car Insurance
- Food and Drink
- Everything not expressly indicated in "The Price Includes"
PRICE
OPTION WITH RENTAL CAR + HOTELS & ACTIVITIES:
Price in Double Room
Starting at $ 1210.00 per person
Price in Triple Room
Starting at $ 855.00 per person
Price in Quadruple Room
Starting at $ 675.00 per person
HOTEL ROOM: Single Rooms also available. Ask for the price!
Price in Double Room
Starting at $ 1210.00 per person
Price in Triple Room
Starting at $ 855.00 per person
Price in Quadruple Room
Starting at $ 675.00 per person
HOTEL ROOM: Single Rooms also available. Ask for the price!
MORE INFO & FAQ
Driving in the United States – What You Need to Know
Planning a self-drive road trip in the United States? Here are a few important tips to help you travel smoothly and confidently:- Driving Etiquette: Passing on the right is permitted in the U.S. and commonly practiced, especially on highways with multiple lanes. Don’t be intimidated by wide roads — it’s all part of the experience!
- Right Turn on Red: In most states, you’re allowed (and often expected) to turn right at a red light unless a sign prohibits it. Always come to a complete stop before turning.
- Parking Rules: Always check signs for restricted hours and meter rules — some areas are free during evenings or weekends. Never park in front of a fire hydrant, even if there's no sign. If marked spaces are painted on the ground, be sure to center your vehicle properly within the lines.
- Toll Roads: Many tolls in the U.S. — often marked as Toll or Turnpike — are cashless and use automated systems like E-ZPass or FasTrak. Be careful not to enter lanes marked as “FasTrak Only” if you don't have a pass. Have cash or a credit card ready for tolls that still accept manual payment.
- Speed Limits & Police Stops: Stick to posted speed limits. Driving more than 5–10 mph over the limit can lead to fines. If stopped by law enforcement, keep your hands visible on the steering wheel and follow instructions calmly and respectfully.
- Navigation & Roadside Assistance: We highly recommend traveling with GPS navigation and a reliable roadside assistance plan for added peace of mind during your journey.
Room Configurations in the U.S.
Please note that triple and quadruple hotel rooms in the U.S. typically include:- Triple rooms: One large bed + one smaller bed OR two large beds
- Quadruple rooms: Usually two large beds (double/double or queen/queen)
Tipping in the United States
Tipping is standard practice in the U.S. and not typically included in the price of services. As a general guide:- Restaurants: 20–25% of the total bill
- Hotel staff (bellhop, housekeeping): $2–5 per service
- Private drivers or guides: 15–20% depending on service level
Need More Tips?
When booking with USA Welcome and New York Welcome, our Travel Designers will provide additional insights and personalized advice to help you make the most of your USA road trip experience.Disclaimers
Inclusions: As outlined in the "Included in the Price"
Exclusions: Everything else not specifically outlined in the "Included in the Price"
Discounted Rates: Baby, Kid, Senior and any other discounted Rate only applies to the specified Age-Limit. National ID required at Voucher Exchange as proof of Age.
Please Note:
Exclusions: Everything else not specifically outlined in the "Included in the Price"
Discounted Rates: Baby, Kid, Senior and any other discounted Rate only applies to the specified Age-Limit. National ID required at Voucher Exchange as proof of Age.
Please Note:
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Supplier & Local Operator Guarantee
“When purchasing your vacation activities don’t take a guess!”
Our team carefully selected all local operators we collaborate with to ensure that our clients get the best possible service. All products we advertised in our website are offered by reliable suppliers that have been in business for several years and that are recognized to be leaders of excellence in the travel industry. In your travel documents, you will find complete information on the local operator, including contact numbers in case of an emergency. If you need additional help our customer service will be happy to further assist you, contact us!!
How to
get there
get there
MAP & DIRECTIONS
Click on Map: Sample Itinerary - Mini Cali-cation On The Road
