California Coast & Ranch

Start exploring San Francisco’s iconic sites such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and the Painted Ladies on a guided tour that also takes you to some of the more off the beaten track spots. Fancy a bike ride over the Golden Gate Bridge? Your Journey includes bike hire, you giving you and your family the chance to take things at a pace that suits you. The friendly staff at the bike collection point will be able to suggest an achievable route based on what you want to see and how much cycling your family want to do. Be sure to swing by Fisherman’s Wharf; seafood lovers flock here to sample the freshest catch of the day and to snap a photo of the famous sea lion colony that sun themselves next to restaurant hub Pier 39.

Spend the next three days relaxing in the rolling California countryside at one of the leading ranch resorts in the region. Breathe in the fresh air as you take one of the numerous hiking trails through the surrounding forest then spend an afternoon at the Olympic-size family pool and fountain-filled splash zone, where the kids will happily play for hours. Your hotel is at the heart of California’s most fertile growing region, packing the food with natural flavour. What’s more, they have their own apiary with over 250,000 honeybees so, aside from fantastically fresh honey, you and the kids can get suited up and experience beekeeping up close.

Halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo has been called ‘one of the happiest places in America’. And when you consider the gorgeous climate, the number of beaches in the vicinity and the fact it’s in a renowned wine region, it all starts to make sense. If your visit falls between November and February, then be sure to visit the Monarch Butterfly Grove at Pismo Beach, where thousands of black and orange butterflies come to escape the cooler weather.

Welcome to LA – the focal point of the West Coast, where city-chic and California soul comes with a sprinkling of Hollywood magic. Make your LA experience extra special with a horse ride along the trails of Griffith Park, where you’ll be treated to a fabulous 360 degree view of downtown LA and ride past the iconic Hollywood sign. Later, discover the eclectic fusions of flavour that the city has to offer with a friendly, local guide as you taste sweet and savoury foods from some of the city’s most exciting ethnic enclaves.