Day 1: Arrive San Francisco
A transfer is included from San Francisco International Airport to the ideally located Hyatt at Fisherman’s Wharf. We’ll kick off your family adventure at tonight’s welcome reception in the “city by the bay.”
Overnight: Hyatt at Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Penguins, planets & a bay cruise in San Francisco
With beautiful San Francisco Bay, all those famous hills – the city is built on 43 of them – and the spectacular Golden Gate Bridge dominating its skyline, San Francisco is one of the most recognizable cities on Earth... and tons of fun to visit! A busy day of exploration in the “world’s favorite city” begins with a private catamaran cruise of San Francisco Bay; cruise under the Golden Gate Bridge as well as pass by infamous Alcatraz Island. Back on land, we’ll head over to the newly rebuilt California Academy of Sciences for a self-guided visit. Bursting with life from the splashing penguins in African Hall to the wildflowers on its 2.5 acre living roof, this landmark of green architecture features a planetarium, natural history museum, aquarium and living rainforest. San Francisco sights continue to star this afternoon on a sightseeing tour that shows you Chinatown, Fisherman’s Wharf, colorful Victorian homes and the very crooked Lombard Street. The evening is free to do as you wish.
Overnight: Hyatt at Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 3: Gold Rush country to Yosemite & a “flashlight hike”
You may leave your heart in San Francisco, but be sure to bring your spirit for adventure as we set out from the city toward the Sierra Nevada Mountains today, stopping at a wind farm. Those “aliens” you’ll see are wind turbines that help turn wind power into electricity! Continue on to Jamestown – there was once a lot of gold in them thar’ hills just outside of town – for lunch in a historic 1859 hotel. Your final destination today is the Tenaya Lodge, a classic mountain resort just outside Yosemite National Park’s southern gate in the Sierra National Forest. Your family adventures continue after sunset on tonight’s guided interpretive “flashlight hike” in the Sierra National Forest; you’ll see nature in a whole different light as you explore the wilderness by flashlight and by starlight.
Overnight: Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite, Fish Camp, CA
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4: Giant trees & a ride on a moonlight dinner train
Some of the biggest living things on the planet reside just a short drive from your lodge in Yosemite National Park’s Mariposa Grove, home to a grove of giant sequoias hundreds of years old! See them up-close today aboard the Big Trees Tram Tour, winding your way among these living treasures. As you ride, look up... and up... and up... at humongous sequoias whose colorful names include the Bachelor and Three Graces, the Faithful Couple, and the famous Grizzly Giant. After lunch, if you wish, don climbing gear for the chance to tackle the lodge’s rock-climbing wall, a favorite activity as noted by some of our guests. Tonight, try your luck at panning for gold, just like the old-time prospectors did, en route to an evening aboard Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad’s Moonlight Special. The fun includes a western-style barbecue dinner, accompanied by the melodies of the Sugar Pine Singers. Then it’s all aboard The Logger for a narrow-gauge rail adventure powered by a restored vintage steam locomotive. Gather around the campfire for a sing-along during a stopover in the canyon, and hear that lonesome whistle blow as you chug home in the moonlight!
Overnight: Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite, Fish Camp, CA
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 5: A tram tour in Yosemite & outdoor adventure
Yosemite National Park contains five of North America’s seven “life zones”; discover its magnificent waterfalls, glacier-hewn gorges and towering granite walls with your family today! This morning’s open-air tram ride along the floor of the spectacular Yosemite Valley is a great way to see many of the park’s highlights. You can choose to return to Tenaya Lodge for lunch on your own and an afternoon spent swimming, hiking, or engaging in optional activities such as mountain biking. Or, explore amazing Yosemite as you please; it’s the perfect place to wade in a river, take a hike or participate in one of the park’s ranger programs. Have dinner at your leisure tonight.
Overnight: Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite, Fish Camp, CA
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 6: Through farmland & mountains to Monterey
Say goodbye to the wonders of Yosemite National Park as you set off across the heart of northern California for the Pacific Coast. On your way, visit the California Mining & Minerals Museum. View the state of California’s official mineral collection containing over 13,000 objects, from mining artifacts and rare specimens of crystalline gold to beautiful gems from around the world. See the largest remaining intact mass of crystalline gold from the 19th century and walk back in time through the mine tunnel to see how gold was mined in the 1880s. Continue westward across the San Joaquin Valley and into Merced for lunch at Big Bubba’s Bad BBQ, complete with western-themed entertainment and a tree house to climb in. Travel through the scenic Coast Mountains to the California coast this afternoon and tour the Monterey Peninsula along the 17-Mile Drive to the Pebble Beach golf course. Spend the next two nights in seaside Monterey at the Portola Hotel & Spa.
Overnight: Portola Hotel & Spa, Monterey, CA
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 7: Aquatic adventures on Monterey Bay
Start the day with your choice of included “adventures by the sea.” You can choose a bicycle tour* along the coast, a kayak adventure* in Monterey Bay, or a self-guided walking tour of old Monterey, once the capital of California. Late afternoon, get set for a special behind-the-scenes visit at the award-winning Monterey Bay Aquarium. The aquarium borders one of the world’s largest underwater canyons, and it is home to more than 350,000 marine animals and plants. Its 200 galleries and exhibits introduce you to an amazing underwater world, including giant octopuses, jellyfish, large green sea turtles, barracuda, sharks, amazing birds, coral reefs, playful otters, sea urchins, moray eels and more, as well as a natural display that showcases the endearing African black-footed penguin. Your visit today ends with a special farewell reception and dinner at the Monterey Aquarium, fascinating no matter what your age!
Overnight: Portola Hotel & Spa, Monterey, CA
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 8: Journey Home
Tour ends: Monterey. Fly home any time; a transfer is included from Portola Hotel & Spa to Monterey Peninsula Airport. For those flying home from San Francisco International Airport, one group transfer is included from Monterey for flights departing after 12:00 noon. You should allow 2 hours for check-in.
Overnight:
Meals Included: Breakfast