8 DAYS • 9 MEALS

From San Francisco’s steep streets to mountains that touch the clouds, from verdant forests, pristine Lake Tahoe, and a corner of Sacramento that time forgot, California is a feast for the eyes.

Find Your Heart in San Francisco
San Francisco’s charms are as tall as the Golden Gate Bridge and as tiny as an exquisite dim sum dumpling. It is considered by many to be the most beautiful city in America, and we will spend two nights in San Francisco. Our guided tour takes us on a cable car ride. We cross the famous Golden Gate Bridge with its breathtaking views and into Sausalito. This Mediterranean-style community is perched around the bay with a wide selection of restaurants and shops lining its scenic marina. After lunch, we cruise the bay, the best way to see the city’s beautiful skyline, the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island.

We have dinner on Fisherman’s Wharf, famous for its historic waterfront, delicious seafood, spectacular sights and unique shopping. Whether you dine on seafood or steak, your view will be of a bustling harbor with the Golden Gate Bridge arching above it. Hopefully, we can enjoy one of the most breathtaking sunsets in the world and an after-dinner stroll as our time in “The City by the Bay” draws to a memorable close.

The Crown Jewel of Parks
We board our comfortable motorcoach for a ride through San Joaquin Valley, known as the nation’s salad bowl. The rambling hills grow steeper as they ascend into the Sierra Nevada chain and the spectacular mountain and valley scenery of Yosemite National Park. This land is sacred to Native Americans, a mine of gold and broken dreams for generations of prospectors and a favorite of landscape photographer Ansel Adams. The park harbors a grand collection of waterfalls, meadows and forests that include groves of giant sequoias.

We begin our Yosemite adventure with a narrated tour of Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. Share the wonder of this ancient and beautiful grove as you hear about the history these magnificent trees have seen. Giant Sequoias, considered to be the most massive living thing on earth, can live from 1,000 to 3,000 years. Three groves totaling 700 trees are located in the park. Our riverside lodge is nestled at the foot of a mountain. Before our bountiful dinner, enjoy the clean mountain air as you walk the forest paths or relax on shady benches.

We continue our Yosemite visit with a tour of the Yosemite Valley Floor to see the park’s grandeur and natural treasures. We see El Capitan, a one-mile-thick granite mountain and the thundering Yosemite Falls, the tallest waterfall in North America. An afternoon is yours to choose among Ansel Adam’s gallery, the Indian Village, a hike to the base of a waterfall or other activities. Birdwatchers may spot a great grey owl, Peregrine falcon or pileated woodpecker while animal lovers will be on the lookout for mule deer, bighorn sheep and black bears. The awe-inspiring sight of a golden eagle is not rare.

A Lake for Lovers
On our way to Lake Tahoe, the largest and deepest alpine lake in North America, we drive through the rugged mountains and lush forests of the High Sierras. We learn why Lake Tahoe is one of America’s most beloved natural attractions. Our two-night stay gives us ample time to explore its enchantments. For festive evenings, the lake has casinos and great entertainment.

We see turquoise waters curve into breathtaking forests in this indisputable photographer’s paradise. Delight in the midday splendor of the lake from the open air deck or the enclosed passenger cabin of our cruise boat, the MS Dixie II. You will see through the clear waters to the bay’s underwater state park. We pass castles and mansions tucked between inlets and picturesque points. A mystical island floats on the tranquil waters.

The Old West and New Wine
Old Sacramento, dating back to the gold rush days, is our next destination. More than 200 shops will take us back to the Old West as we search for new treasures in gold-rush era structures. Enjoy this visit to the 1800s setting before we move on to the rolling hills of California’s wine country. We tour a winery in Sonoma, the very heart of the vineyards, before our farewell dinner.

Now that we have said hello to California, we will never say goodbye. Memories too sparkling to fade will always be with us.

Hotel Accommodations
Days One and Two – Hyatt Hotel Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco, California
Days Three and Four – Yosemite View Lodge, Yosemite, California
Days Five and Six – MountBleau Resort Casino, Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Day Seven – DoubleTree Hotel Sonoma Wine County, Rohnert Park, California