2022 & 2023 Guided Tours - Cosmos® Affordable Tours

Coastal California & Yosemite (8560)

10 days from San Francisco to Los Angeles

2026 Tour Details View 2025 Tour Details » View 2027 Tour Details »

Experience exciting big cities, charming seaside towns, amazing natural wonders, and a coastline like no other on this value-minded tour highlighting the best of California. See San Francisco’s iconic Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars, Nob Hill, Chinatown, and Fisherman’s Wharf and experience Yosemite National Park’s wonderland of giant granite peaks, dramatic waterfalls, lush forests, and giant Sequoias—the largest living trees. Explore Monterey where historic Old Fisherman’s Wharf and Cannery Row were made famous by John Steinbeck’s novel. Take an optional whale-watching excursion to look for humpback whales that call Monterey Bay home from late April through November. Travel the stunning 17-Mile Drive past scenic ocean views, the famed Lone Cypress, and Pebble Beach Golf Course en route to the storybook village of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Drive along Big Sur, one of the world’s most unforgettable stretches of coastline with its rugged cliffs, giant redwoods, and spectacular vistas. Arrive in Los Angeles, where guided sightseeing includes the legendary TCL Chinese Theater, the Dolby Theatre, home of the Academy Awards, and the star-studded sidewalks of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Have time to explore ‘Tinseltown’ on your own before traveling to Santa Monica to stroll the famous Pier and enjoy the beach. Continue south and tour Mission San Juan Capistrano, called the “Jewel of the Missions’ for its beautiful Spanish buildings and gardens. Arrive in San Diego where sightseeing includes city highlights and the historic Hotel del Coronado, setting of famous films like “Some Like it Hot” with Marilyn Monroe. Return to Los Angeles where this journey ends, but with memories that last a lifetime!

The world is within reach with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides, and private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi (where available). Enhance your free time to explore like a local with your CosmosGO mobile app!

Your Tour Includes:
• Guided city sightseeing of San Francisco & Los Angeles
• Orientation tour of San Diego
• Admission and guided sightseeing in Yosemite National Park
• Entrance fee and guided sightseeing on the 17-Mile Drive
• Admission and self-guided tour of Mission San Juan Capistrano

Dates & Prices Book Online
800.268.3636
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Coastal California & Yosemite map
National Park Tours – National Park Foundation

 Photo Highlights

 Meals

 Meals & Itinerary

1 Breakfast

 Itinerary

Day 1 SAN FRANCISCO

Welcome to San Francisco! Your Tour Director is on hand from 3-6:00 p.m. to answer any questions.

Once settled, perhaps venture out and start exploring this vibrant city. Walk to Union Square or to Chinatown, the largest Chinatown outside of Asia, where you’ll find lots of interesting shops and restaurants.

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Day 2 SAN FRANCISCO

Today we tour the “City by the Bay.” Sightseeing includes the spectacular Golden Gate Bridge, Nob Hill, Chinatown, and Fisherman’s Wharf. This afternoon is yours to explore. Perhaps take an iconic cable-car ride, visit Golden Gate Park or tour infamous Alcatraz Island Prison. Or take the optional guided Bike the Bridge excursion and bike across the Golden Gate Bridge and down into the lovely village of Sausalito before taking the ferry back to Fisherman’s Wharf.

NOTE:
If going to Alcatraz Island, consider purchasing tickets in advance with the National Park Service.

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Day 3 SAN FRANCISCO–YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK–OAKHURST

This morning, travel east through California’s Central Valley and enter Yosemite, one of the country’s most popular national parks. Yosemite is a wonderland of soaring granite peaks, towering pinnacles, cascading waterfalls, and lush forests. See famous El Capitan, the world’s largest granite monolith, Yosemite Falls, the highest waterfall in North America, and mighty Half Dome. Overnight in nearby Oakhurst.

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Day 4 OAKHURST–YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK–MONTEREY

Today revisit Yosemite to marvel at the magnificent giant Sequoias, the largest living trees on earth. Then head west for a late afternoon arrival in picturesque Monterey. Visit Monterey Harbor’s historic Old Fisherman’s Wharf where you can look for sea lions and otters, then visit Cannery Row, made famous by John Steinbeck’s novel of the same name. Take to the sea for a memorable optional Sunset Whale Watching Cruise to spy humpbacks and other whales and dolphins as you watch the sunset on Monterey Bay.

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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 5 MONTEREY–17-MILE DRIVE–CARMEL–PISMO BEACH

Take in spectacular views of the rugged coastline of the Pacific Ocean on scenic 17-Mile Drive. See the iconic Lone Cypress and make a stop at the Pebble Beach Visitor Center where you can learn more about the legendary Pebble Beach golf course. Arrive in Carmel-by-the-Sea, a fairytale village nestled in a pine forest beside the coast. The majestic scenery continues on Big Sur, one of the most beautiful drives in the world. Experience stunning views, redwood forests, and the Pacific Ocean crashing below. Overnight in Pismo Beach.

NOTE:
The drive along the coast to Big Sur is dependent on current road conditions on Pacific Coast Highway 1.

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Day 6 PISMO BEACH–SOLVANG–SANTA BARBARA–LOS ANGELES

Continuing down the coast, stop in Solvang, where a Danish village charms with picturesque buildings and windmills. There’s time to walk the flower-lined village streets, enjoy the “Old World” charm, and savor a tasty treat from a Danish bakery. Arrive in Santa Barbara with its Spanish-style architecture and Mediterranean climate. Take a stroll on the pier or shop at one of the many boutiques. Late afternoon arrival in Los Angeles.

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Day 7 LOS ANGELES

Begin the day with a sightseeing tour of Tinseltown. See the historic TCL Chinese Theatre which has hosted some of the most exclusive movie premieres in Hollywood history and the Dolby Theatre, the first permanent home of the glamorous Academy Awards. Visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame, with sidewalks that have more than 2,700 terrazzo and brass stars honoring the best in the entertainment industry. Then head to the Santa Monica Pier and the ultimate Southern California beach. The remainder of the day is at leisure. No acceptance speech needed if you choose to join the optional excursion to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures for an illuminating look at the world of moviemaking and cinematic history.

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Day 8 LOS ANGELES–MISSION SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO–SAN DIEGO

Today we head south to San Diego, stopping for a tour of Mission San Juan Capistrano along the way. This historic landmark was founded more than two hundred years ago and is considered the “Jewel of the California Missions.” Today it is a monument to California’s multi-cultural history. Arrive in San Diego and take a city tour that includes a visit to the Hotel Coronado, made famous by movies like ‘Some Like it Hot.’ Return to downtown for a relaxing evening on your own and discover the city’s vibrant dining scene.

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Day 9 SAN DIEGO

Enjoy a day at leisure. There are many ways to experience this very walkable town known for its picture-perfect weather. Bike by the waterfront, go on a harbor cruise, or take an optional excursion to the world-famous San Diego Zoo, a wildlife park and botanical garden that has over 3,700 rare and endangered animals and more than 700,000 plants.

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Day 10 SAN DIEGO–DANA POINT–LOS ANGELES

Spend the morning at leisure before traveling back to Los Angeles. On the way, stop at Dana Point, a coastal town with gorgeous ocean vistas before heading to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) where your vacation ends. Please schedule flights for 5 p.m. or later. You may also choose to extend your vacation with extra nights to further explore Los Angeles.

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 Tour Director

With COSMOS, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of a Tour Director. We’d like you to meet one of our Tour Directors, who average over a decade of experience and are representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

LINDA PEREZ

Escorting tours for more than 20 years

“By the time I was 11 years old, I knew I wanted to be a Tour Director. My parents loved to share photos of their trips with me, and they would tell me, "You should do that; you'd be great at it!" They planted a seed that grew. On my 21st birthday, I traveled on a 12-country, 30-day tour of Europe. Six months later, I enrolled in tour directing school, and I've been in this career for over 30 years. My travel advice is simple: enjoy the experiences that are unique to the places you are visiting.”

Tour Director - LINDA PEREZ

 Accommodations

 Optional Excursions

No matter what you’re into: food, wine, history, art, music or anything else, we give you the freedom to personalize your vacation with optional excursions that speak to your interests.

When you book your excursions with us, you can be assured that every optional excursion that we offer coordinates with the free time that you'll have in your destination, so you'll never have conflicts between included and optional activities. Our team of travel experts carefully selects each optional excursion that we offer to ensure that you receive the highest quality at a great value. Our tried-and-true partners have a finger on the pulse of the city in which they operate so they deliver the very best experiences. We offer experiences you cannot create on your own and because you’re booking with us, we coordinate all your transportation and timing needs.

The following optional excursions are examples only for this vacation. These may or may not be offered, and availability is subject to days of operation and seasonality. Please select a departure date to view optional excursions and pricing for a specific date (due to currency fluctuation, pricing shown is subject to change until purchased). Optional excursions are available for purchase on our MyCosmos site 90 days prior to the tour start date.

Price Ranges

$ ($50 CAD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 CAD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 CAD)
$$$$ (Over $150)


San Francisco
Monterey
Los Angeles
San Diego

San Francisco

San Francisco Bay Cruise

San Francisco Bay Cruise

This fully narrated one-hour cruise sails under the majestic Golden Gate Bridge. Experience the thrilling history of San Francisco Bay with all the sound and glory it deserves.

Price Range: $$

Muir Woods Tower Tours

Muir Woods Tower Tours

Venture north over the Golden Gate Bridge to an isolated canyon filled with ancient coastal redwood trees, also known as Muir Woods National Monument.

Price Range: $$$

E-Bike the Bridge

E-Bike the Bridge

Ride with your guide along San Francisco's stunning waterfront, across the Golden Gate Bridge and with free time in Sausalito, and take the ferry back to Fisherman's Wharf. This beginner-friendly e-bicycle tour is perfect for anyone seeking an up-close & personal look at famous landmarks.

Price Range: $$$$

Monterey

Sunset Whale Watch Tour

Sunset Whale Watch Tour

Set sail on this group tour to spot whales breaching at Sunset in Monterey Bay. Each tour is led by a naturalist or marine biologist who will help to find the whales and tell you all about them. Sip provided coffee or tea while you cruise for around three hours looking for whales.

Price Range: $$$

Los Angeles

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

Step into the spotlight with a visit to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, the world's premier institution dedicated to the art and science of film. This visit offers a curated journey through Hollywood history, from the Golden Age to today's groundbreaking cinema.

Price Range: $

San Diego

San Diego Zoo

San Diego Zoo

The famous San Diego Zoo is home to more than 3,500 rare and endangered animals representing more than 650 species, and offers visitors various opportunities and experiences to learn about the animals and conservation efforts.

Price Range: $$$



The “Starting at” or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per person based on twin occupancy and any applicable port charges, non-commissionable taxes and fees and intra-vacation flight are included in the price shown. Any included overnight stay in Canada, applicable GST/HST is also included in the price shown. International airfare, however, is not included. If price is crossed out, the new price shown includes a limited time promotional offer(s). Please review current promotions or deals for additional information.