Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
San Francisco - South Lake Tahoe - Chester - Redding - Shasta Lake - Eureka - Mendocino - Napa & Sonoma
100% customisable for you
Your exciting northern California road trip starts today. Head to the airport, whizz through security and enjoy a glass of bubbly in the airport lounge as you await the departure of your 11-hour flight to San Francisco. On arrival, a private driver will be waiting to whisk you off to your elegant bohemian hotel in Union Square, a super-central neighbourhood close to the financial district, Chinatown and Nob Hill. Thanks to the time difference, you’ll most likely arrive in the early afternoon, so head out for a stroll around town and a bite to eat or simply kick back and relax in your lovely hotel.
Rise and shine, it’s your first full day in San Francisco. After breakfast this morning, meet a friendly local guide for a historic walk through some of the city’s most emblematic neighbourhoods. Trace the city’s legendary ‘Summer of Love’ (when, in the summer of 1967, nearly 100,000 young people flocked to San Francisco’s streets for a hit of free-spirited hedonism) with a stroll through trendy Haight Ashbury, the epicentre of the hippie revolution. There’s also Union Square for shopping, Ocean Beach for leisurely walks and the districts of Castro and Mission for bar-hopping – the walk is tailored to you, so let your guide know what you want to see.
For the rest of today, stroll through Castro, the historic heart of San Fran’s gay community; admire the street art of Clarion Alley, with its many political, cultural and historical messages; or spend an evening wining and dining in the stylish SoMA district.
Today, you’ll be delving into one of San Francisco’s darker yet utterly fascinating sites, the infamous island-prison of Alcatraz. This legendary prison received its first inmates in the 1850s, when it was still a military fortress. In 1933, the island became the property of the United States Department of Justice, which incarcerated the most hardened criminals, such as seasoned gangster Al Capone, for the following 30 years. Anyone who tried to escape was met with cold, shark-infested waters or captured (gulp). Fear not – your experience today will be much less treacherous. Head to the island aboard a ferry, which offers beautiful views across the bay, and explore the prison at your own pace.
Your road trip through northern California officially starts today with a four-hour journey to Lake Tahoe, a beautiful freshwater lake surrounded by mountains. After breakfast, collect your hire car, fuel up on some tasty snacks and hit the road. You’ll leave San Francisco via the Bay Bridge to Oakland and, later, Richmond. The route then passes through the agricultural plains of Sacramento and the forested landscapes of the Eldorado National Forest before reaching mythic Lake Tahoe.
On arrival, check in for two nights in a beautiful lakeshore hotel and spend the rest of the day enjoying your new outdoorsy surroundings. Head out for a walk, take a dip in the water or venture into the city for an evening drink.
Perched at an elevation of over 6,000ft and surrounded by emerald forests, Lake Tahoe is the largest high-altitude lake in North America. Bordered by a smattering of charming towns and villages that span California and neighbouring Nevada, the lake is famous for its startling cobalt blue colour, which it owes to its exceptional clarity. Today, savour this distinctive blue with a guided clear-bottom kayaking tour. You’ll be paddling along the eastern shore, where you can see down to a depth of up to 100ft and admire the jagged cliffs that border the shoreline. Why not round off your lake adventure by swimming at a small sandy cove in Cave Rock National Park?
Today, swap the shores of Lake Tahoe for Lake Almanor, journeying three hours northwest to Chester. You’ll briefly dip into Nevada, driving through the small city of Reno, so if you fancy sampling a slice of life in the Silver State, then stop here for an explore before continuing to Chester. On arrival, check in for one night in a simple yet comfortable hotel near the southern entrance to the beautiful Lassen Volcanic National Park.
The rest of today is yours to play with. Our local Concierge can recommend a collection of gentle hiking trails if you fancy stretching your legs, or you can simply kick back and relax.
You’ll be hitting the road again later this afternoon, but first, discover the dramatic landscapes of Lassen Volcanic National Park. With an experienced guide, explore the vast and varied landscapes ranging from great plains and desert areas to incredible volcanic features such as fumaroles. When you leave the park, take a detour north to McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park to discover one of California’s best-kept secrets: Burney Falls. From a distance, the area looks like nothing more than a collection of ancient cinder cones and broad plains. However, venture closer to find the enchanting, nearly 129t-high fern-draped Burney Falls.
This afternoon, you’ll be dropped back at the hotel to freshen up before driving two hours west to Redding. On arrival, check in for the night at a comfortable motel and enjoy a good night’s rest after a busy day.
You have the entire day to explore Redding before moving on this evening. Fancy getting active? Hop on rental bikes and head to one of the many viewpoints overlooking Mount Shasta, one of the highest mountains in California. While here, we suggest visiting the Turtle Bay Exploration Park, with its futuristic Sundial Bridge designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. There’s also the McConnell Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, which are full of native flora, as well as Shasta Lake, one of the state’s most popular recreational reservoirs. Kick back on the shoreline or rent a small fishing boat to better take in the views across the lake and surrounding mountains.
Later this afternoon, hop back into your hire car and drive three hours west to reach Humboldt Bay and the former mining town of Eureka, where you’ll hang up your hat for the night.
A former hub of Gold Rush activity, Eureka charms visitors with its coastal atmosphere and historic past. The Old Town is home to a collection of superb Victorian-era mansions – make sure to swing by the enchanting Carson Mansion, which looks like it’s been plucked straight from a children’s book. There’s also the bustling port with its flurry of fishing activity, as well as the lively downtown area, full of craft breweries and stylish art galleries. Another must-see is the spectacular Redwood National Park, with its mythical, mighty trees stretching high into the sky.
This afternoon, hit the road to your next destination: the small coastal town of Mendocino, a three-hour drive away along California’s iconic State Route One. Settle in for one night at a hotel overlooking the beautiful ocean.
Perched on a rugged cliffside overlooking the steel blue ocean, charming Mendocino attracts artists, romantics and lovers of the great outdoors with its colourful architecture, windswept beaches and plentiful walking trails. Take this morning to kick back and relax in this zen environment before hitting the road again.
The next step of this northern Californian road trip takes you into the heart of the beautiful Napa Valley, a three-hour drive southeast from Mendocino. Your home for the next two nights is a lovely hotel in the heart of the vineyards. Spend the rest of the day settling into your new countryside surroundings before winding down with a glass of wine at a nearby winery (it’d be rude not to).
Today is dedicated to soaking in the pristine beauty of two internationally-renowned wine regions, Napa and Sonoma, separated by less than an hour’s drive. We’ve booked you a tour and tasting at the prestigious Robert Mondavi Winery, where some of the world’s finest Cabernet Sauvignon wines are produced, but you’re also free to explore the region by car.
If you’re a little ‘wined out’ later this afternoon (we’ve all been there), you can discover some of the region’s other cultural offerings. Gastronomes can enjoy an exquisite meal at one of the region’s many Michelin-starred restaurants, culture buffs can learn about the legendary creator of Snoopy at the Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa, and those wanting to be pampered can head to the luxuriant spas and hot springs of Calistoga. Fancy some more time in nature? Embark on a hike up Bald Mountain to soak in its superb views of the entire region.
Sadly, the time has come to bid farewell to the lovely landscapes of northern California and embark on the journey home. Most direct flights back to the UK depart in the late afternoon, so you’ll have time to enjoy more coastal scenery with a walk in the beautiful Point Reyes peninsula before heading to the airport in San Francisco. Alternatively, arrive in San Francisco early for a private tour of the legendary Muir Woods and the adorable fishing village of Sausalito.
After dropping off your hire car and whizzing through security, escape the crowds and settle into the airport lounge for some downtime before your ten-hour overnight flight back home, landing the following day.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
