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Real California Coastal Road Trip

4 Days | Catch all the highlights of the Pacific Coast Highway

4 days

Start

Santa Monica, United States

Finish

San Francisco, United States

Trip Code

NA-USI-SIYC-CA-

Min Age

Trip Size

1 - 12

Physical Rating

Transport

Private vehicle

Accommodation

Hostel (multishare) (1 night), Camping (with facilities) (2 nights)

From £732(4 days)

Trip Informations

While Los Angeles and San Francisco each have their fair share of landmarks, the road that links that two has its own sights and sounds worth exploring. Roadtrip along California’s Pacific Coast Highway on this four-day adventure, starting in the City of Angels before heading north to take in the natural splendour of Big Sur. You’ll feel plucked from a car commercial as you cruise scenic mile after scenic mile, soaring redwoods to one side and endless ocean to the other, with campsites waiting each night. Sometimes it's not the destination that counts, it’s the journey!

Why you’ll love this trip

Behold the beauty of Big Sur as you drive along California’s northern coastline, stopping to see the magical McWay Falls located on a beach that’s closed to public access.

Ride Ferris wheels, rollercoasters and other fairground delights during stops at Santa Monica Pier and the Santa Cruz Boardwalk.

Rub shoulders with Hollywood royalty – or at least their lookalikes – as you begin your journey in the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles, visiting the vibrant Venice Beach.

Sleep under the stars in Monterey and along California’s Central Coast, getting up close to Mother Nature as you join in on the communal camping experience.

Join in on the optional food kitty with your fellow travellers and enjoy camp cooking and picnic lunches while keeping costs down.

By travelling on this trip, you’ll learn about our Friends and Family Foundation partner, the Grand Canyon Conservancy. Donations help them protect Grand Canyon National Park and support trail restoration, conservation of native plants and wildlife, and educational programs. Friends and Family will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Friends and Family Foundation.

Is this trip right for you?

This trip includes time spent travelling in a private vehicle with your group. Extra space can be tight, and conditions may feel a little cramped. It’s all part of the adventure and a great way to get to know your fellow travellers. Please read the itinerary carefully for travel time estimates.

Although our private vehicles do have air conditioning, it has to work pretty hard to keep a full group cool. Expect to feel hot during summer and cold at other times of the year, especially at night. Please consider the season and research the weather conditions to determine the best time to travel for you. Remember to come prepared with adequate clothing.

This trip involves either a partial or full camping experience, giving you access to more remote destinations at close proximity, and the joy of camping under the night skies and beside a campfire. This is a participatory trip – a fancy way of saying you’re not just along for the ride, but you are part of a team! Be prepared to roll up your sleeves and help out with camp activities like food prep and washing up. It’s all about giving your new travel mates a hand, and everyone knows there’s nothing worse than trying to put up a tent on your own!

From gorgeous coastal hikes to the hilly San Francisco, this trip can involve a lot of walking. Please ensure you bring sturdy walking shoes and comfortable clothes. To make the most of the trip, it's best if you have at least a moderate level of fitness.

Itinerary

DAY 1
Los Angeles
Welcome to Los Angeles! The City of Angels needs no introduction and will play host to the start of your coastal Californian experience. Your adventure will begin with an important welcome meeting at 6 pm, but if you arrive earlier there’s no shortage of sights to keep you occupied. Stroll along the Hollywood Walk of Fame, experience the food markets of Downtown LA or head to one of the many theme parks in the area – the choice is yours!
Accommodation
Hostel (multishare) (1 night)
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.
Special information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
ROOMING: The group will be in 8 and 6 person dorms, with shared bathrooms. The hostel will do their best to separate the group by gender, but it's not guaranteed.
DAY 2
Central Coast
Head to Venice Beach this morning for your first taste of the sea breeze. Home to the iconic Muscle Beach gym – and known for the many walks of life that grace the boardwalk – you'll be free to explore this free-spirited slice of LA for yourself. Whether you stop by the Venice Beach skatepark, ride the Ferris wheel at Santa Monica Pier or try out a local eatery, there’s plenty on offer! Then, swap spaghetti junctions for seaside views as you drive north, stopping at coastal viewpoints to stretch your legs and snap some pictures. Pismo Beach will provide a picturesque final pit stop before you set up camp for the night.
Accommodation
Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.
Included activities
Visit Santa Monica Pier
California Coastal Highway 1
Los Angeles - Venice Beach
Special information
Today’s travel time is approximately 3.5 hours.
DAY 3
Monterey Area
Continuing north along the Pacific Coast Highway, today you’ll take in some of the finest natural scenery California has to offer. Big Sur doesn’t do things by halves, with this famous stretch of coastline sandwiched between soaring redwoods and endless ocean. Taking it slow to soak in the views (and maybe spot an elephant seal or two), there’ll also be a stop at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. An almost-flat hike will take you to a view of the magical McWay Falls – an 80-foot drop that flows directly into the Pacific during high tide. The seaside city of Monterey will then provide your camping ground for the night.
Accommodation
Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.
Included activities
Big Sur - Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Special information
Today’s travel time is approximately 2.5 hours.
Occasionally landslides caused by severe weather close sections of the Coastal Highway around Big Sur. In this case we will choose an alternate route to our destination near Monterey and hike at one of the other coastal state parks in the region.
DAY 4
San Francisco
Trading one all-American experience for another, the Santa Cruz Boardwalk awaits! Let your inner child run free on a variety of fairground rides or go the full nine yards and treat yourself to a funnel cake. Later, Half Moon Bay’s coastal charm will provide a moment of respite after the morning’s madness before you follow the road to your final stop at San Francisco. A guided tour of the vibrant city will help you get your bearings, and then it’s time to bid farewell to your fellow travellers as your adventure comes to an end, and no accommodation is provided tonight. As there's a great deal to do in San Francisco, we recommend you stay a couple of extra days to make the most of the city. If you do wish to spend extra time in San Francisco, we'll be happy to help you book additional accommodation (subject to availability).
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.
Included activities
San Francisco - Leader-led city tour
Half Moon Bay
Santa Cruz Boardwalk
Special information
Today’s travel time is approximately 2 hours.

Inclusions

Transport

Private vehicle

Accommodation

Hostel (multishare) (1 night), Camping (with facilities) (2 nights)

Activities

Visit Santa Monica Pier

California Coastal Highway 1

Los Angeles - Venice Beach

Big Sur - Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

San Francisco - Leader-led city tour

Half Moon Bay

Santa Cruz Boardwalk

Dates and availability

Starting

Ending

Remaining

Prices From

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Important notes

1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6:00pm on Day 1 in Los Angeles and finishes on arrival into San Francisco at approximately 5pm on Day 4.

2. In Los Angeles the group will be in 8 and 6 person dorms, with shared bathrooms. The hostel will do their best to separate the group by gender, but it's not guaranteed.

3. A Single Supplement to have your own room is available on this trip however excludes night 1 (Los Angeles) where you will be in shared accommodation.

4.The arrival time back into San Francisco on the last day depends on each group, but if you decide to fly out on this day, please don't book a flight before 9 pm.

5. A sleeping bag is required for this trip.

6. Please note that the legal drinking age in the US is 21 and in some parts of Canada it's 19.

7. Tipping your Leader: While it may not be customary in your home country, tipping it is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry in North America. As a guideline, US$10-20 per person per day can be used. Of course you are free to tip more or less as you see fit, depending on your perception of service quality and the length and involvement of your leader on your trip. Tipping is always appreciated.

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