Discover the best of California on this 10-day national parks and coastal adventure, spanning bustling cities, legendary landmarks, and breathtaking natural wonders. From San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz to the giant sequoias of Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia National Park, every day brings something remarkable. Travelers will enjoy scenic drives, ocean views, Hollywood highlights, and visits to historic sites like Hearst Castle and the Reagan Presidential Library. It’s a warm, inviting journey perfect for those who love nature, history, and iconic California landscapes.
• April 25 – May 4, 2026
We fly from St. Louis to San Francisco, CA and meet at the hotel. The rest of the evening is free to explore on your own.
Today we tour San Francisco and cross the famed Golden Gate Bridge. In the afternoon, we visit Alcatraz Island, exploring the notorious prison and learning about historic escape attempts. We spend a second night in San Francisco, CA.
We leave San Francisco and travel to the Winchester House, a mysterious mansion filled with staircases to nowhere and unusual architecture. We then drive the famous 17-Mile Drive, one of the world’s most scenic roads. We stay in Monterey, CA for the night.
Our day begins in San Juan Bautista, a charming mission town known for its adobe buildings and Spanish-era history. We later visit Mariposa, where guests can shop and enjoy lunch. We spend the night in Oakhurst, CA.
Today is dedicated to exploring Yosemite National Park, with its granite cliffs, giant sequoias, waterfalls, and breathtaking views. We stay a second night in Oakhurst, CA.
We arrive at Kings Canyon, known for deep valleys, rugged cliffs, and roaring rivers. Next, we explore Sequoia National Park, home to giant redwoods that have stood for thousands of years. After a full day, we relax in Visalia, CA.
We tour the iconic Hearst Castle, built by William Randolph Hearst and filled with lavish architecture and Hollywood history. After lunch, we visit Pismo Beach for ocean views, sea breezes, and coastal charm. We spend the night in Santa Maria, CA.
We stop in Solvang, a Danish-style village filled with shops and European ambience. After lunch, we visit the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, filled with exhibits and history of the 40th President. We spend the night in Los Angeles, CA.
We tour Hollywood landmarks, including the Hollywood Walk of Fame, followed by a tour of Paramount Studios. We enjoy our final night together in Los Angeles, CA.
After unforgettable days exploring the beauty, history, and charm of California, we fly back to Missouri with full memory cards and full hearts.
These cross country trips are designed so that you can see and do a lot of things in a relatively short time. We use custom built full size touring coaches which are designed to accommodate 22 passengers very comfortably with a lot of special amenities. Some of these amenities include card tables for the avid players, a kitchen, wi-fi, 110 volt outlets, and a couch in the back. Just being able to get up and walk around or lie down and take a nap is a great advantage. We also prepare hot lunches on board and carry our own tables and chairs so we can have picnics at some of the most beautiful places in America. The idea is to create a “family” atmosphere which is easy to do with so few people on each tour. These are not ordinary bus trips.
On all the trips, except those with special exclusions, we have vans pick up passengers within 130 travel miles of Rolla and then meet up with the motorcoach to head out toward the destination (see next section for more details). Each day we will typically see or do one thing in the morning and then another in the afternoon. Since there is so much to see and do, we usually depart by 8:00 am and arrive at our destination city around 6:00 pm that evening. Dinner is on your own; however, we will drive to a neighborhood restaurant if there’s not one very near the hotel. On the last day, we arrive back in Missouri in the late afternoon. If we picked you up, we will take you back home, and everyone else will go to Rolla to get their car.
The price of each trip includes the motorcoach, lodging, hotel breakfasts, lunches and the cost of all venues shown. It also includes the shuttle to and from your home if you live within 130 travel miles from Rolla (if there are several people at the same location, this 130 mile criteria will be extended). Everyone living outside the 130 miles receive a $100 discount. If you live inside 130 miles and choose to drive to Rolla, you will receive a $50 discount.
The price is based on two persons per room. If four people share a room, the price will be reduced by the cost of the saved room divided by four. If you would like your own room, please call our office for a quote. To reserve a seat, you must send a $200 deposit per person. The remainder is due 45 days prior to the trip. The price does not include gratuity for the driver and hostess.
If you cancel more than 45 days prior to the beginning of the trip, you will receive back all but a $50 per person processing fee and any credit card fees that may apply. If you cancel between 45 and 15 days prior, you will receive a 50% refund. If we are able to fill the spot you vacated, you will receive back all of your money except credit card and processing fees. If you have to cancel less than 15 days prior or have to leave during the trip, you will receive a refund of any hotel costs and venues we are able to cancel. If you want a cancellation waiver to cover the potential loss if you have to cancel inside of 45 days, the cost is $100 per person (or $75 for the 5/6 day tours). Our cancellation waiver provides no coverage once the trip begins. If you have previously been on 5 or more of our tours, you will receive the cancellation waiver at no cost.
**Itineraries and arranged sightseeing are subject to change at any time due to circumstances beyond our control. Every effort will be made to operate tours as planned, but alterations may occur after the itinerary has been published.**
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