Description

14 Days of Ocean Drives, City Life & Island Paradise

Explore the essence of the American West Coast in this 14-day adventure that fuses scenic Pacific drives, cultural cities, beach towns, and tranquil island escapes. From the iconic Golden Gate to the glamour of Hollywood and the charm of Catalina Island, this is the ultimate journey for ocean lovers, urban explorers, and photography enthusiasts.

✨ Why Visit

• Iconic Drives: Cruise along the world-famous Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1)
• City Vibes: Explore the culture and food scene of San Francisco & LA
• Island Getaway: Unplug on the remote beauty of Catalina Island
• Nature Meets Glamour: Redwoods, ocean cliffs, surfer beaches & Hollywood
• Photography Paradise: Sunsets, seascapes, piers, and rugged coasts

📍 Best Time to Travel

May to October – For clear coastal skies, beach weather, and fewer foggy days.

🔥 What’s Trending

• Electric bike rides on Monterey coast
• Private sunset sailing in Santa Barbara
• Catalina Island glass-bottom boat tour
• Rooftop dining in West Hollywood
• Urban hikes with ocean views in San Diego

📍 Most Searched / Fun Facts

• Highway 1 is ranked among the Top 10 Most Scenic Drives in the world 🌄
• Big Sur stretches across 90 miles of dramatic cliffs & ocean views
• San Diego Zoo is one of the largest and most famous zoos globally
• Catalina Island is often called “California’s Mediterranean escape”
• Hollywood’s Walk of Fame has over 2,700+ celebrity stars ⭐
• Golden Gate Bridge is painted “International Orange” for visibility in fog

🏨 Top Recommended Hotels (4-star / Boutique Style)

• San Francisco: Hotel G, The Marker
• Monterey: Intercontinental The Clement
• Santa Barbara: Kimpton Canary Hotel
• Los Angeles: The London West Hollywood
• Catalina Island: Pavilion Hotel
• San Diego: Hotel Indigo Gaslamp, Pendry San Diego

🗺️ Glance at the Journey

• 🛬 San Francisco (2N) → Cable cars, Golden Gate, Alcatraz
• 🚗 Monterey (1N) → 17-Mile Drive, Cannery Row, ocean cliffs
• 🏞️ Big Sur Drive → Bixby Bridge, McWay Falls, Pacific vistas
• 🏖️ Santa Barbara (1N) → Coastal charm, vineyards, Spanish vibes
• 🌇 Los Angeles (3N) → Hollywood, Beverly Hills, rooftop scenes
• 🎢 Anaheim (1N) → Disneyland or Adventure Park thrill
• 🌊 San Diego (2N) → Beaches, Zoo, Balboa Park, La Jolla
• 🏝️ Catalina Island (1N) → Ferry ride, golf carts, sea caves
• 🌴 Return to Los Angeles (2N) → Free day, shopping, Venice Beach
• ✈️ Departure from LA → Memories of the Pacific Coastline

📅 Day-by-Day Itinerary

🛬 Day 1: Arrive in San Francisco – Golden Gate & Pier Fun

• Check-in & freshen up
• Visit Fisherman's Wharf, Ghirardelli Square
• Evening view at Golden Gate Bridge
• 📝 Fun Fact: The bridge is not red – it’s actually orange!
• Overnight in San Francisco

🏙️ Day 2: San Francisco City Exploration

• Alcatraz Island Tour
• Ride a classic cable car
• Explore Chinatown & Painted Ladies
• Shopping at Union Square
• 📝 Did you know? Lombard Street has 8 hairpin turns – the “crookedest” street in the world!
• Overnight in San Francisco

🌊 Day 3: Drive to Monterey – The 17 Mile Dream

• Scenic drive to Monterey (2.5 hrs)
• Stop at Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz Boardwalk
• Check into oceanfront hotel
• 17-Mile Drive at sunset
• 📝 Fact: Pebble Beach here is one of the most exclusive golf courses in the world
• Overnight in Monterey

🌉 Day 4: Monterey → Big Sur → Santa Barbara

• Drive Big Sur route: Bixby Bridge, McWay Falls
• Lunch stop in Cambria or Morro Bay
• Continue along PCH to Santa Barbara (6 hrs total)
• 📝 Bixby Bridge has featured in multiple movies and Apple commercials!
• Overnight in Santa Barbara

☀️ Day 5: Santa Barbara to Los Angeles via Malibu

• Morning beach walk in Santa Barbara
• Scenic coast drive via Malibu
• Arrive Los Angeles by late afternoon
• Rooftop dinner at EP & LP
• 📝 Malibu has 21 miles of scenic coastline with celeb homes
• Overnight in Los Angeles

🎬 Day 6: Hollywood & Beverly Hills Day

• Walk of Fame, Dolby Theatre, TCL Chinese Theatre
• Celebrity home tour in Beverly Hills
• Rodeo Drive window shopping
• Griffith Observatory sunset view
• 📝 The Hollywood Sign originally read “Hollywoodland” in the 1920s!
• Overnight in LA

🎢 Day 7: Universal Studios Day

• Full day of thrill rides and movie sets
• Optional VIP Studio Tour experience
• Dining at Universal CityWalk
• 📝 Did you know Universal has a real working film studio inside?
• Overnight in LA

🐭 Day 8: Disneyland in Anaheim

• Drive to Anaheim
• Spend the day at Disneyland Park
• Choose between Adventureland or Classic Disneyland
• 📝 Opened in 1955, it’s the only park Walt Disney personally designed
• Overnight in Anaheim

🏖️ Day 9: Anaheim → San Diego Drive

• Drive via the coast (~1.5 hrs)
• Stop at Carlsbad Flower Fields (seasonal)
• Check in San Diego
• Sunset at La Jolla Cove
• 📝 La Jolla’s sea caves can be explored by kayak!
• Overnight in San Diego

🐼 Day 10: San Diego City & Zoo Day

• Explore Balboa Park
• Visit San Diego Zoo
• Little Italy for lunch
• Gaslamp Quarter nightlife or harbor cruise
• 📝 The zoo houses 3,500+ animals in lush open-air enclosures
• Overnight in San Diego

🛥️ Day 11: Catalina Island Ferry & Relaxation

• Morning ferry to Catalina Island (1 hr)
• Check into boutique stay
• Leisure day: kayak, glass-bottom boat, beach time
• 📝 Catalina’s only cars are golf carts — eco-friendly & charming!
• Overnight on Catalina

🏝️ Day 12: Return to LA – Leisure & Shopping

• Morning ferry back to LA
• Check into hotel
• Optional: Visit The Getty or Santa Monica Pier
• Outlet shopping at Citadel
• Overnight in Los Angeles

📷 Day 13: Free Day in LA / Optional Activities

• Optional activities: Venice Beach biking, Warner Bros. Studio, surfing class
• Final city exploration or souvenir shopping
• Overnight in LA

✈️ Day 14: Departure Day

• Breakfast and airport transfers
• 📝 Tip: LAX can be very busy — reach 3 hours before international flights!

🌟 Why Choose This Journey

• ✔️ Combines city culture, nature, beaches, and islands
• ✔️ One of the world’s most beautiful road trips – Highway 1
• ✔️ Covers 6 iconic Californian cities and hidden gems
• ✔️ Great for families, couples, friends, or solo photographers
• ✔️ Includes theme parks, island ferry, coastal towns & wine valleys
• ✔️ Balanced mix of guided tours & free time

✨ Magnificence of the Journey

• 🧡 Stand atop the Golden Gate Bridge at sunset
• 🌲 Drive through redwood forests and rugged cliffs of Big Sur
• 🎥 Walk the famed Hollywood Boulevard & visit top studios
• 🏖️ Escape to Catalina Island’s peaceful shores
• 🐼 Explore the world-famous San Diego Zoo & Gaslamp Quarter
• 🌅 Witness Pacific Ocean sunsets from multiple iconic viewpoints

AMENITIES: