9-day California Group Tour

Day 1: Santa Monica 

Welcome to Los Angeles, and the start of your California group tour! You’ll meet your group and Adventure Leader in the late afternoon at your hostel, where you’ll get a trip briefing. Here, your leader will tell you about the adventures to come, while providing you with some tips on staying safe while travelling.  

Then it’s off to get dinner with your new friends at Trejo’s Tacos, before you head to the beach for a sunset stroll. Finally, spend the evening getting to know your fellow Coyotes as you battle it out in the Santa Monica Pier arcade challenge!  

Day 2: Santa Monica 

This morning, you’ll take the metro to the iconic Sunset Boulevard, where you’ll get a chance to stargaze during the day at the Hollywood Walk of Fame! After this, we’ll treat you to a taste of California with a visit to In-N-Out Burger, before you enjoy some free time to explore the area. Why not check out the Hollywood Film Museum?   

We’ll rendezvous in the mid-afternoon for your next unmissable activity – a hike from Griffith Park to the iconic Griffith Observatory! Along the way, you’ll get amazing views of the inimitable Hollywood sign, and you’ll arrive in time to watch the sun set over the City of Angels before you explore the Observatory.   

Day 3: Santa Monica 

Today is a free day for you to spend how you wish! You’ve got some options:  

• If you’re keen to make the most of your time in LA, you could opt to splash out on a day pass to Disneyland or Universal Studios!   
• If you decide to remain in Santa Monica, you could chill at Venice Beach, try inline skating on the boardwalk, or take a tour of the Paramount Studios.   
• If you want to give back to the local community, you could spend your day volunteering with Heal the Bay, helping to clean up California’s coastline.   

Day 4: Santa Monica 

This morning, we’re up and at ‘em with another unmissable activity: volleyball on Santa Monica beach! Your group will get your very own coach and learn how to bump, set, and spike.   

Afterwards, you’ve got a couple of options. You might want to soak up the SoCal sun, take a dip in the Pacific, or try your hand at surfing! There’s also the free Getty Villa, a beautiful Roman-style palace museum around half an hour from the accommodation that overlooks Malibu beach.   

Spend your last night in LA in style, with an evening out on the town where you can explore the street art and culture – and grab some great food while you’re at it. 

Day 5: Yosemite 

You’ll take an amazing journey from LA to Fresno today, with a bus and train journey that transports you from the glamorous Santa Monica to the stunning countryside of Midpines.   

After a long day travelling, we’ll treat you to a delicious meal at the June Bug Café before you rest up ahead of another busy day.   

Day 6: Yosemite 

Today, it’s time for a truly unmissable experience – a hike through the amazing Yosemite National Park. You’ll meet in the morning to grab the bus to the Visitor’s Center, where you’ll embark on a guided hike with a specialised guide for a few hours.   

After that, you’ve got some time to explore at your own pace and head to any must-sees, before we reconvene in the late afternoon to grab the bus back to the accommodation and get some dinner.   

Day 7: San Francisco 

This morning, we transfer to the final stop on our California group tour – San Fran! We’ll grab the Amtrak to Oakland, where you’ll be able to enjoy some scenic views en route.  

Arriving to our hostel in the early afternoon, we’ll then take you out for that most iconic experience in the city… a cable car ride! After that, it’s off for a scenic walk around Chinatown and North Beach (Little Italy), where you’ll get a chance to take in the vibes before dinner.   

Tonight, why not opt to join your group for a delicious meal at the House of Nanking?   

Day 8: San Francisco 

We start the day with another unmissable activity – the bike ride of a lifetime across the Golden Gate Bridge! We’ll rent bikes to take us over to enchanting Sausalito, before we take the ferry back in time for lunch at the Joinery Beerhall.   

This afternoon, you’ve got time to explore at your own leisure. You might want to head to Baker Beach, the Castro District, or pay a visit to the Painted Ladies! In the evening, you can opt to join your group for a final night on the town. If you’d like, you can head to a Giants’ baseball game, or hit Pier 39 for dining, shopping – and sea lions!   

Day 9: Farewell 

Sadly, today marks the end of your California group tour. However, if you’d like to join us for one final excursion, you can opt to take a ferry over to the infamous Alcatraz Island, where you’ll be able to explore the prison and tour ‘The Rock’.