Guided West Coast tours that start in San Francisco, from day trips to Yosemite, the redwoods and wine country to coastal routes through Big Sur to Los Angeles and longer loops to Lake Tahoe, Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon. Hotels, coach transportation and a guide are included on multi-day tours.
For a short trip, choose a day tour to Yosemite, the redwoods or wine country. To travel south, a coastal route through Monterey and Big Sur ends in Los Angeles and avoids driving back. With more time, longer loops reach Lake Tahoe, Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon. Choose by how many days you have and whether you want to end back in the Bay Area.
Yes, the coast between San Francisco and Los Angeles is one of the most scenic drives in the US, with stops such as 17-Mile Drive, Monterey and Big Sur. Coastal tours usually end in Los Angeles, so book a one-way flight home from there. Fog is common in summer mornings, so views are often clearest from late morning on.
Late spring and fall bring the clearest weather on the coast and comfortable temperatures inland. Yosemite's waterfalls are fullest in spring, while summer opens high roads such as Tioga Pass. Winter is quieter, with snow at Yosemite and Lake Tahoe that can affect some routes. Check the tour page for seasonal departures and inclusions.
Most tours spend little time in San Francisco itself. Adding a day or two before or after gives you time for the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and the city's neighborhoods at your own pace. Book Alcatraz well ahead, since tickets often sell out.