Known for its towering sequoia trees, Sequoia National Park is a land of giants. These lofty trees can reach up to 300 feet in height with a bark up to 3 feet thick! These giants are remnants from the age of the dinosaurs and are the longest living trees on the planet, with some today being nearly 3000 years old. Today we explore the groves of these giants, as we wander in the dappled shade they cast over the forest floor.

Kings Canyon National Park is a rugged glacier carved valley more than a mile deep. Straddling the Sierra Nevada, Kings Canyon is bordered by vast areas of wilderness and national parks. Many animals can be found in the park, including bear, deer, coyote and big horn sheep among many others. We take the day to explore the deep canyon and the rushing Kings River with various walks that bring us closer to nature.

A short drive takes us to the next highlight, Yosemite National Park. Here, huge granite domes were carved into steep canyons by glaciers of the last ice age creating a stunning landscape with a vast valley below. Reaching about 3500 feet deep with massive waterfalls cascading from the surrounding cliffs, Yosemite Valley is one of the most beautiful valleys on earth.

Today we will take time to visit Glacier Point, a promontory across from the famous Half Dome, allowing astounding views into Yosemite Valley and Little Yosemite Valley with its massive waterfalls. Sunset finds us down within Yosemite Valley, where the evening light reflects on the granite domes and where we may see wildlife such as bears or coyotes.

This morning we will be heading to the high country at Tuolumne Meadows. Maybe you desire to walk to the top of Lembert Dome for amazing views? In the afternoon we transfer to the world-famous California coast where we will settle in to our beautiful hotel in the little town of Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Located on the central California Coast, Monterey Peninsula’s cold upwelling of the ocean creates a rich marine life with giant kelp forests that are home to sea otters, a plethora of fish, and the migratory grey whale. The town of Monterey was founded 1770 by the Spanish missionary Junipero Serra. We will have a chance to see the ancient mission, as well as see the old Spanish colonial center of town, when Monterey was the capital of Upper California. Steinbeck’s “Cannery Row” harkens back to the fishing industry when sardines where the main industry in the town.

There is a chance to visit the excellent Monterey Bay Aquarium, rent kayaks to see the sea otters or visit the Point Lobos State Preserve for walks and wildlife. In the afternoon we head south along Highway 1, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway, enjoying the amazing views over the vast Pacific Along the way we will make a stop at Julia Pfeiffer Burn’s State Park where waterfalls plunge into the Pacific. We can also wander among one of the southernmost Coastal Redwood Groves before reaching our hotel at the ocean’s edge overlooking the Pacific.

Today’s schedule depends on your flight times home. En route to the airport we can choose to stop in Santa Barbara, yet another mission town, now famous for its colonial architecture and being a highly desirable location to live.