Sunshine Coast California

Combining America’s most scenic and dramatic coastline with some of the most spectacular cities in the area, this relaxing holiday is designed to put you at the heart of the action with time free to enjoy some fabulous California sunshine. Beginning in San Francisco, we experience the thrilling Big Sur coastal route and the delightful towns of Monterey, Carmel and fashionable Santa Barbara, not missing the exotic Hearst Castle along the way. With time to relax and enjoy sophisticated Santa Monica from your hotel, the luxurious Fairmont Miramar located close to the famous Third Street Promenade, the glitz of Las Vegas from our centrally located strip hotel, and the stylish resort of Palm Springs, a fabulous break is ensured.DAY 1 LONDON • SAN FRANCISCO
We begin with Titan HiTours Home Departure Service to London Heathrow Airport and your direct scheduled Virgin Atlantic flight to San Francisco. On arrival we transfer to the superbly located Holiday Inn Fisherman’s Wharf Hotel or Radisson Hotel, located in this vibrant area of the city and home of Pier 39, which offers a variety of dining and shopping opportunities and affords breathtaking views across the bay.

DAY 2 SAN FRANCISCO
This morning we have arranged a city tour of San Francisco, which, with its colourful mix of cultures, is one of the world’s most sophisticated cities. The afternoon is free to explore. Chinatown, the largest of its kind in the United States and the adjacent smart shopping centre around Union Square, is a great place to stroll. Boarding one of the famous trams you will constantly breast hills that afford views across the city down to the famous Bay.

DAY 3 SAN FRANCISCO
A further day at leisure. At Fisherman’s Wharf you will find some of the best seafood restaurants, with very reasonable prices. A boat trip on the Bay is highly recommended as is a visit to the famous Alcatraz prison. The nightlife caters for all tastes, from spectacular shows to quiet candlelit dinners, with a famous choice of cuisine from around the world.

DAY 4 SAN FRANCISCO • CARMEL • CAMBRIA
Today we travel south towards Monterey, where seals and otters disport alongside the attractive pier. After a coffee stop we take the famous 17 Mile Drive, said to be one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world, discreetly dotted with millionaires homes and fronted by a coastal golf course that is the ultimate in exclusivity. We stop for lunch in Carmel, located on a breathtaking white sand beach with its European ambience, where you can unwind and enjoy the many intimate cafes and restaurants. We continue south to join the Big Sur coastline, whose dramatic aspect is protected so that only a select few have homes that overlook the breakers of the Pacific as they crash against the sinuously curving rocky shoreline. We arrive at our hotel the Cambria Pines Lodge our home for the next two nights.

DAY 5 CAMBRIA
This morning you are free to further explore all that Cambria has to offer. This quaint village on the central Californian coast, offers visitors the chance to browse the many sophisticated restaurants, art galleries, antique and speciality shops and scenes of nearby wineries. This afternoon we visit Hearst Castle. Almost three quarters of a century ago, publisher William Randolph Hearst began building a magnificent 137 acre estate he called ‘The Enchanted Hill’, which today houses a vast collection of art and antiques, gardens terraces and walkways. Hearst Castle was the inspiration for Xandau, the setting for the famous Orson Wells film ‘Citizen Kane’.

DAY 6 CAMBRIA • SANTA MONICA
We travel onto Solvang to explore this delightful town founded by the Danes in early 1900. Today, the strong Danish influence continues in the architecture, customs and cuisine as you discover the variety of arts and crafts shops and the choice of tempting bakeries on the town’s flower-lined streets. Later this morning we depart for our brief visit to the mission town of Santa Barbara with its beautiful waterfront setting, before continuing south to Santa Monica and our beautiful hotel, the Fairmont Miramar our base for the next two nights, located on the beachfront and excellently placed to explore the city.

DAY 7 SANTA MONICA
A full day to explore the delightful seaside city of Santa Monica. This compact sophisticated city is easy to get around with its vast network of public transportation making exploration easy to do on foot. Why not visit the famous Third Street Promenade and Downtown district offering a huge array of shopping opportunities and alfresco dining experiences where the atmosphere continues after dark. Alternatively why not relax and enjoy the world famous sandy beach and adjacent strolling trails.

DAY 8 LOS ANGELES • LAS VEGAS
This morning, before heading across the desert towards Las Vegas, we commence a short orientation tour of Hollywood, Sunset Boulevard and fashionable Rodeo Drive. Upon arrival in Las Vegas we transfer to our hotel, the Excalibur or Flamingo located right on the strip, putting you in the middle of the action. This evening we take you on an orientation tour of the city to view the array of hotels and casinos lit up in their night-time splendour.

DAYS 9-10 LAS VEGAS
A full two days to explore the city. Opportunities are endless from viewing the colourful and amazing spectacles of the resorts themselves, gambling in the famous casinos or maybe taking in one of the world class shows running every night in the hotels vast theatres. During your stay you may also wish to take an optional flight to the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon and experience the stunning views where level upon level of rocks form intricate shapes and beautiful sculptures. Your Tour Manager will be happy to assist with arranging this during your stay.

DAY 11 LAS VEGAS • PALM SPRINGS
Departing Las Vegas, we travel to Palm Springs, the California desert resort with an air of sophistication. Following our early afternoon arrival, the remainder of the day is free to explore as you wish and a short walk will uncover a variety of restaurants and shops. Alternatively, you can relax poolside at our hotel, the Palm Mountain Resort, or take an optional tour past the lavish homes of many past and present celebrities.

DAY 12 PALM SPRINGS
A full day awaits you to simply enjoy this fashionable resort set in the scenic natural beauty of rugged canyons and spectacular mountains. Its near perfect climate and many warm sunny days make it an ideal place to do as little or as much as you please.

DAY 13 PALM SPRINGS • LONDON
Today we must leave the backdrop of the mountains behind us to return to Los Angeles Airport and our scheduled Virgin Atlantic flight to London Heathrow Airport. Or extend your stay - call for details

DAY 14 LONDON
Arrival at London Heathrow Airport where our staff will greet you and transfer you to Titan transport for your journey home to your own front doorDuration 14 days, 12 nights in hotels - 3 San Francisco, 2 Cambria, 2 Santa Monica, 3 Las Vegas, 2 Palm Springs & 1 in flight.

Titan HiTours VIP Home Departure

Scheduled Virgin Atlantic direct flights

Services of an experienced Titan HiTours manager

First class air-conditioned coaches

Accommodation as specified in brochure or of a similar standard.

Excursions, tours and entrances as detailed in the itinerary

Hotel porterage (1 bag per person).

All airport taxes, security charges and the UK Air Passenger Duty and applicable fuel surcharges.