California Holidays – Escorted Tours & Tailor-Made Holidays with Hessle Travel
Discover the best of California and the American West with Hessle Travel. From the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and the glamour of Los Angeles to the bright lights of Las Vegas, the spectacular Pacific Coast Highway, beautiful beaches, wine regions and breathtaking national parks, this region offers an incredible choice of holiday experiences.
Whether you want to explore California on an escorted touring holiday, follow a classic American road trip or create your own tailor-made multi-centre holiday, we can help you find the right trip. Discover famous cities, charming coastal towns, dramatic desert scenery and some of America's most spectacular landscapes.
You could combine San Francisco, Yosemite National Park, Monterey, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles on a journey along the California coast, or venture further afield to San Diego, Palm Springs, Lake Tahoe and the famous wine regions of Napa Valley and Sonoma.
As an independent travel agent, Hessle Travel can help you compare escorted tours from leading holiday companies and explore tailor-made options to suit your preferred destinations, travel dates and budget.
Ask for a California Holiday Quote
Explore California with Leading Escorted Tour Operators
An escorted tour is a great way to discover California and the American West without having to plan every detail yourself. Enjoy a planned itinerary, organised transport and accommodation, and guided sightseeing, with the chance to visit several famous destinations in one holiday.
We can help you compare USA escorted tours from leading touring specialists, including:
- Titan Travel – escorted USA tours including classic American West itineraries and California touring holidays.
- Newmarket Holidays – guided holidays exploring California, Las Vegas and the spectacular national parks of the American West.
- Travelsphere – escorted touring holidays featuring famous western cities, dramatic scenery and America's major attractions.
- Mercury Holidays – touring holidays exploring the American West, national parks and other highlights of the USA.
- Riviera Travel – escorted touring holidays to selected worldwide destinations, with itineraries varying by programme.
Tour itineraries, departure dates and destinations vary by operator. Contact Hessle Travel and we can check the available California and American West tours to help you find the right holiday.
The Best Places to Visit on a California Holiday
Los Angeles – Hollywood, Beaches and Entertainment
Los Angeles is one of California's most famous destinations, offering a mix of entertainment, shopping, beaches and iconic landmarks. Visit Hollywood and the Walk of Fame, see the famous Hollywood sign, explore Beverly Hills or relax beside the Pacific Ocean at Santa Monica and Venice Beach.
The city is also an excellent starting point for a California road trip. Depending on your interests, you could add theme parks, studio tours, coastal resorts or extra nights to explore the surrounding area.
San Francisco – The Golden Gate Bridge and Waterfront
Discover San Francisco, famous for the Golden Gate Bridge, its historic cable cars, colourful neighbourhoods and waterfront attractions. Explore Fisherman's Wharf, visit Alcatraz Island, wander through Chinatown or enjoy the city's restaurants and shopping districts.
San Francisco is a popular highlight on escorted tours and tailor-made holidays, and it combines particularly well with Yosemite National Park, the California coast and Los Angeles.
Las Vegas – Entertainment, Shows and the Bright Lights of the Strip
Although located in neighbouring Nevada, Las Vegas is one of the most popular destinations to combine with a California holiday. Famous for its spectacular hotels, world-class shows, casinos, restaurants and vibrant nightlife, Las Vegas offers an exciting contrast to California's cities, beaches and natural landscapes.
Explore the famous Las Vegas Strip, enjoy the city's entertainment and shopping, or take an excursion to the spectacular Grand Canyon. Las Vegas is a key stop on many American West escorted tours and self-drive itineraries, often combined with Los Angeles, San Francisco, Yosemite National Park and other famous destinations in the Southwest.
Whether you want a few nights enjoying the entertainment or a longer road trip through the American West, we can help you find a holiday that includes Las Vegas alongside your favourite California destinations.
San Diego – Beaches and Southern California
Located in southern California close to the Mexican border, San Diego is known for its sunny climate, beautiful coastline and relaxed atmosphere. Visit the historic Gaslamp Quarter, explore Balboa Park, enjoy the waterfront or spend time on the beaches of La Jolla and Coronado.
San Diego is ideal for a multi-centre holiday, whether combined with Los Angeles, Palm Springs or a longer drive along the Pacific Coast Highway.
The Pacific Coast Highway – California's Iconic Road Trip
One of the most memorable ways to explore California is to travel along its spectacular Pacific coastline. The famous coastal route links beautiful beaches, seaside towns, dramatic cliffs and ocean viewpoints, creating an unforgettable American road trip.
Popular stops include Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Big Sur, San Simeon, Pismo Beach and Santa Barbara. You can take your time exploring the coast on a tailor-made self-drive holiday or experience selected highlights as part of an escorted tour.
Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur – Coastal Scenery
The central California coast is famous for its spectacular ocean views, rugged cliffs and charming coastal communities. Monterey offers a historic waterfront and renowned aquarium, while nearby Carmel-by-the-Sea is known for its picturesque streets, art galleries and beautiful beach.
Further south, Big Sur is one of the most scenic stretches of the California coastline, with dramatic cliffs, forested hills and unforgettable Pacific Ocean views. It is a highlight for travellers following the Pacific Coast Highway.
Santa Barbara – Beaches and Mediterranean Charm
Santa Barbara combines sandy beaches, attractive architecture, a palm-lined waterfront and a relaxed Californian lifestyle. Its restaurants, shops and surrounding wine country make it a popular stop between Los Angeles and the central coast.
Yosemite National Park – Mountains and Waterfalls
Yosemite National Park is one of America's most spectacular natural attractions. Discover towering granite cliffs, dramatic waterfalls, giant trees and beautiful mountain scenery. Highlights include the famous El Capitan rock formation, Half Dome viewpoints and the scenic Yosemite Valley.
Yosemite can be included in selected escorted tours or as part of a tailor-made self-drive itinerary, often combined with San Francisco, the Sierra Nevada or other western national parks.
Sequoia National Park – Home of the Giant Trees
For a truly memorable nature experience, visit Sequoia National Park, home to enormous giant sequoia trees and impressive mountain landscapes. Walking among these ancient trees is a wonderful addition to a California touring holiday for visitors who enjoy the outdoors.
Death Valley – Desert Landscapes
Experience a very different side of California in Death Valley National Park. Known for its vast desert landscapes, colourful rock formations, salt flats and dramatic viewpoints, it offers a striking contrast to the state's coastal scenery and green mountain regions.
Death Valley is often included in wider American West road trips, particularly those linking California with Las Vegas and other desert destinations. Seasonal temperatures can be extreme, so travel dates and driving plans need careful consideration.
Lake Tahoe – Mountains and Lakeside Scenery
Straddling the California-Nevada border, Lake Tahoe is famous for its clear blue water, mountain scenery and outdoor activities. Visit in summer for lakeside relaxation, walking and scenic drives, or consider a winter holiday for snow sports in the surrounding mountain resorts.
Napa Valley and Sonoma – California Wine Country
North of San Francisco, Napa Valley and Sonoma are renowned for their vineyards, wine tasting, beautiful countryside and excellent restaurants. They offer a more relaxed side of California and can be a lovely addition to a tailor-made holiday, particularly for couples and food and wine enthusiasts.
Palm Springs and the California Desert Resorts
Palm Springs is known for its desert scenery, stylish hotels, mid-century architecture, golf courses and warm climate. It is a popular stop on southern California road trips and can be combined with Los Angeles, San Diego, Joshua Tree National Park or a wider journey through the American Southwest.
Sacramento – California's Capital
Sacramento offers historic districts, museums, riverfront areas and a lively food scene. It can be a useful addition to a northern California itinerary, particularly if you want to explore the state's history or travel onwards towards Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada.
Orange County, Anaheim and Newport Beach
Southern California offers plenty of choice beyond Los Angeles and San Diego. Anaheim is a popular destination for visitors wanting to include Disneyland Resort in their holiday, while Orange County's coastal communities, including Newport Beach and Huntington Beach, offer sandy beaches, waterfront restaurants and a relaxed seaside atmosphere.
These destinations can be particularly appealing for families or travellers who want to combine sightseeing with theme parks and time by the sea.
Tailor-Made California Holidays and Self-Drive Tours
An escorted tour is not the only way to experience California. If you prefer to decide where you go, how long you stay and which attractions you visit, we can also help you explore tailor-made holidays and self-drive itineraries.
A self-drive holiday gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace, stopping in coastal towns, national parks and cities along the way. You can choose your accommodation, add extra nights in your favourite destinations and create a trip that reflects your own interests.
Popular tailor-made California holiday ideas include:
- California's Pacific Coast Highway: combine San Francisco, Monterey, Big Sur, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and San Diego.
- California and Las Vegas: combine the Californian coast and cities with the bright lights of Las Vegas and the scenery of the American Southwest.
- California National Parks: explore Yosemite, Sequoia and other spectacular landscapes, with time in San Francisco or the Sierra Nevada.
- Southern California: combine Los Angeles, Palm Springs, San Diego and the beaches of Orange County.
- Northern California: explore San Francisco, Napa Valley, Sonoma, Lake Tahoe and the state's dramatic natural landscapes.
- California family holidays: combine Los Angeles and Anaheim theme parks with beaches and other family-friendly destinations.
For inspiration, we recommend exploring North America Travel Service, which features California itineraries, fly-drive holidays and multi-centre travel ideas. Their sample routes can help you decide which destinations to combine and how you might plan your own American adventure.
Explore California Itineraries
Once you have an idea of the places you would like to visit, contact Hessle Travel and we can help you explore the holiday options available.
Why Book Your California Holiday with Hessle Travel?
California offers so many possibilities that choosing the right route can make all the difference. We can help you compare escorted tours and explore ideas for a tailor-made holiday, making it easier to find an itinerary that suits your time, interests and budget.
- Compare escorted tours from leading USA touring specialists.
- Explore tailor-made holidays with your preferred destinations and length of stay.
- Discover self-drive itineraries and classic American road trips.
- Combine cities, beaches and national parks in one memorable holiday.
- Get friendly, personal advice from an independent local travel agent.
- Ask us to check your options and price before you book.
Whether you dream of driving along the Pacific Coast Highway, exploring Yosemite, discovering San Francisco and Los Angeles or enjoying a multi-centre American adventure, we can help you take the next step.
Book Your California Holiday with Hessle Travel
Ready to discover California? Contact Hessle Travel to discuss escorted touring holidays, tailor-made itineraries and self-drive options. We can help you compare the possibilities and find a holiday that suits your plans.
Call Hessle Travel on 01482 641064 or contact us for a quote for your California holiday.
Contact Us for a California Holiday Quote