Amidst lockdowns, wintry skies and bleak news- there can be few finer things that closing your eyes and imagining a more desirable situation. As far as paradise fantasies go- a summer trip to America’s Golden State is one of the most alluring dream destinations. With an array of stunning settings, chilled out culture and some of the world’s most happening cities- California really does have it all. The world will return to normal and when it does- joining a tour of California would be a pretty dreamy way to treat yourself. This blog will outline a handful of the magical destinations that await you there.

National Parks

On our tour of California – we spend a couple of nights in Yosemite National Park. This is a natural playground of wonder packed with some of the country’s most appealing vistas. You can hike for days amidst the treasure trove of walking routes. We camp, overnight, in the park itself which gives a great feel for the splendour of the surroundings. The park area is 1,200 square miles and plays host to some incredible waterfalls, a vast wilderness and a varied wildlife. When you are out and about in this remote beauty- it feels a world away from the buzzing cities within the same state. It’s this diversity that makes a tour of California a varied way to experience different slices of Americana.

View out packages which include a tour to Yosemite national park!

Coastline

The Pacific Coast is dotted with surf towns, vast ocean panoramas and some of the continent’s best beaches. We’d advise enjoying the coast-line from a car or a train where you can simply look out the window and take in the gorgeous views. For TV fans- the series -Big Little Lies – was set in Monterey. As you’ll see in the show, there’s a tonne of beautiful drives, cutesy coffee shops and you can visit the beaches where the “Monterey Five” plot their next moves. Less than an hour up the coast is Santa Cruz- world renowned for it’s incredible sweeping beaches and surf culture…

Surfing

Surfing aficionados believe that Santa Cruz is one of the world’s premier destinations but there’s plenty to enjoy as a novice too. The city boasts 11 surf breaks so there’s plenty of options for surfers. There’s something for everyone and we’d recommend making sure that you are surfing in the right area and optimal conditions. If you want to check out the experts then head to Steamer Lane and you can join the viewers checking out the surfers below. If you are interested in the history of surfing then this is also the home of Santa Cruz’s surfing museum. We offer a lesson on The Coyote Trip and there can be few better locations to try and master the basics than in Santa Cruz!

The Big Cities

California is pretty spoilt when it comes to having the perfect mixture of a beautiful coastline, stunning natural splendour and some of the most dynamic cities on the planet. On our tours, we visit two of these: San Francisco and Los Angeles. Two essential stops on a tour of California. San Francisco is a hipster’s dream – filled with a fascinating culture and a bohemian history.

San Francisco is a hipster’s dream – filled with a fascinating culture and a bohemian history. It’s a treasure trove of artsy neighbourhoods packed with beautiful murals, off-beat cafes and charming art galleries. Our adventure leaders will help you dive into the culture and take you to some of our favourite spots. Of course, no trip to San Francisco would be complete without paying a visit to its star attractions: The Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. We cycle across the bridge and admire the truly stunning architecture. As for Alcatraz- we make sure to get a return ticket to this island prison. You can discover the remarkable history of the penitentiary which played host to notorious gangsters such as Al Capone. Touring the jail will give you a sense of the day to day existence for the inmates and you can judge for yourself whether the infamous escapees actually made their way back to dry land.

As for Los Angeles- the very name evokes a sense of glamour, glitz and excitement. The “City of Angels” is home to a whole range of cultures and this makes the culinary scene a real delight with a whole smorgasbord of options to feast upon. Our adventure leaders will guide you through this foodie paradise. There’s much more than just eating and you can hike your way to the Hollywood sign for one of the iconic L.A images. If celeb-spotting is your thing than you can do a tour to the homes of the stars or stroll along the walk of fame spotting the famous actors underfoot.

Californian Culture

Californian culture evokes a whole series of different threads. A haven for artists, a mecca for outdoorsy folk, a capital for chilled out surfers, a liberal enclave, a tech-magnate’s dream to name but a few. What ties all these together is the eclectic openness and sense of community that exists throughout the site. Californians are known for their openness and it really is a melting pot of different cultures and dreams. If you want to experience the American Dream then California is a great place to start.

Ready to go on a tour of California? You can discover the Golden State on our California Calling tour, Canyons to California, West Coast America tour and the Full Coyote. Drop us a message in the chat box below or send us an email at info@thecoyotetrip.com to find out more!

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