California Coast Big Sur Monterey to Los Angeles - 2 Day | La Vacanza Travel

California Coast Big Sur Monterey to Los Angeles - 2 Day

Duration: 2 days
Destination: United States, California, San Jose
from
543.12

Check Availability

  • 2 days
  • San Jose
  • E-Voucher
  • Lowest Price
  • Not-Cancellable

Overview

Transportation by driver guide using full size sedan car on day 1 from San Jose area and by train on day 2. This is unique way of visiting one of the most scenic areas in the U.S. The driver guide will stop at places you wish to enjoy in Santa Cruz, Monterey, Big Sur, Bixby Bridge, River Inn, Pfeiffer state park of Coastal Redwoods, Nepenthe and many other places, spending a night in Monterey (Cost of the hotel room is not included. We can pick up and drop off at any hotels in Monterey, Carmel, Salinas where you have booked on your own) and then to Los Angeles by train in two days. Comfortable seating also can enjoy dinning on the train. Option to start from San Francisco, Emeryville, Oakland to Salinas by train is available.

What Can You Expect?

Itinerary

Day 1: Day 1: San Jose to Santa Cruz to Monterey. 154 miles

Stop At: San Jose, San Jose, California
Driver guide will pick you up at San Jose Diridon Station at about 9:30 a.m. Driving through Silicon Valley and The Redwoods you reach the coast at Santa Cruz. Along Highway 1 you go through Aptos, Capitola, and agricultural area to Elkhorn Slough and Moss Beach. Soon you are in Castroville driving through miles of artichoke and strawberry fields. Along the coast you see sand dunes on the west and Salinas Valley with the coastal mountain range to the east. Salinas River empties into Monterey Bay. Past California State University of Monterey in what used to be Fort Ord through Marina and Seaside you reach Monterey and Carmel by 11:30. Continue on Highway One through Point Lobos to Bixby Bridge.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Bixby Bridge, Highway 1, Big Sur, CA 93920
Continue on Highway One through Point Lobos to Bixby Bridge. Picture taking on north side of this iconic bridge, the ocean, the islands nearby and the far horizon.
Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, 47225 Highway 1, Big Sur, CA 93920-9542
Hiking in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.
Far from the crowds you can enjoy a late morning hike under the Coastal Redwoods going to Pfeiffer Falls. These are easy to moderate hikes. You need walking shoes, appropriate clothing, hat and head scarf for shade from the sun.
Suggested hikes. Distances are round trip from trailhead.
A)1.4 miles. About an hour. Easy scenic hike along the Creek through finest redwood groves to a 60-foot high waterfall.
B) 2 miles – About an hour and a half. Add ½ a mile from Pfeiffer Falls. See beautiful views of Point Sur and Big Sur Valley.
C) 3 miles – About two hours. Moderate hike with more redwood groves, open oak woodlands and dry chaparral.

Depending on your choice the time spent at other stops on the trip will have to adjusted.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Big Sur, Big Sur, California
Stop at Nepenthe Restaurant for breathtaking view of the canyons descending into the Pacific. Light lunch or coffee stop.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Carmel Plaza, Ocean Avenue & Mission Street, Carmel, CA 93923
Carmel Plaza, Carmel, California
Drive by the beach and stop at Carmel Plaza to walk around etc in this small town.

Duration: 30 minutes

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 2: Salinas to Los Angeles on Coast Train

Stop At: Pacific Coast Highway, 147161, CA
After a relaxing morning, at 11:00 our sedan car driver transfers you to Salinas Train Station. This takes about 30 minutes. Coast Starlight that started in Seattle the day before now takes us through the Salinas Valley, center of Monterey Country's agricultural region. The route takes us by Salinas River through small towns, fields of lettuce, broccoli and acres of green houses. Suddenly by King City we see miles and miles of newly planted vineyards where just a few years ago there was only cattle pasture. The oil fields appear and then the military installations at Camp Roberts. Soon we reach historic Paso Robles. Leaving the level areas we now climb Cuesta Grade through six tunnels and drop down to sea level at San Luis Obispo.

The ocean briefly appears at Pismo Beach. Heading south the rails go by Vandenberg Space station and near Goleta you see some of the most scenic ocean views all the way through Santa Barbara to Oxnard then to Los Angeles arrive at about 9:00 p.m.
Duration: 9 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Inclusions & Exclusions

Inclusions
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Big Sur, Bixby Bridge, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, McWay Falls by private sedan car
  • Hotel pick up in San Jose area
  • Coach class Coast Starlight train ticket from Monterey to Los Angeles

Exclusions
  • Hotel drop off in Los Angeles
  • Food and drinks
  • Gratuity
  • Cost of the hotel room in Monterey or Carmel or Salinas

Additional Info

  • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
  • Near public transportation
  • Most travelers can participate
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
  • This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
  • This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability

Departure Point

Departure Point

1: San Jose Diridon Station, San Jose, CA 95110, USA
2: Oakland Jack London, 245 2nd St, Oakland, CA 94607, USA
3: Emeryville Amtrak Station, 5885 Horton St, Emeryville, CA 94608, USA
4: Monterey, CA, USA
5: Salinas Amtrak Station, 11 Station Pl, Salinas, CA 93901, USA
6: Carmel-by-the-Sea, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921, USA
7: San Francisco, CA - Chase. Bank (SFC) | Amtrak, 555 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105, USA
8: Monterey Regional Airport (MRY), 200 Fred Kane Dr, Monterey, CA 93940, USA
Traveler pickup is offered

Ports

  • Caltrain San Jose Diridon Station, 65 Cahill St, San Jose, CA 95110, USA
  • Salinas / Monterey KOA, 8710 Prunedale North Rd, Salinas, CA 93907, USA


Return Details

Union Station, 800 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, USA

Duration & Voucher Info

Voucher info

You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.

Duration

2 days

Cancellation Policy

User's Reviews

slipdigby69

25 Dec, 2022

Carlos was a fantastic guide and driver, loads of time to see the sights (including those off the main drag). Lovely evening in beautiful Carmel, then shuttled to Salinas by the equally nice Alex in plenty of time for the Coast Starlight to LA. Everything worked as planned and excellent communications from everyone on the team!

User's Picture Gallery

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Lovely couple of days on the Central Coast

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