Santa Monica, San Diego, Huntington Beach & Seattle, 9 days
Golden State to Emerald City
- Best For:
- Adult Friendly
- Beach Retreats
- Heritage Tours
- Santa Monica
- San Diego
- Huntington Beach
- Seattle
- Santa Monica: Bike and eBike Rentals with Map
- San Diego Old Town Trolley Tour
- San Diego Zoo Safari Park with African Tram Safari
- Seattle Locks Cruise
- Seattle: Pike Place Market Guided Food Tour
- Seattle: Space Needle & Chihuly Garden and Glass Ticket
5+ Tickets & Activities
Accommodation
Car Hire
Internal Flights
International Flights
Overview
- Santa Monica
- San Diego
- Huntington Beach
- Seattle
- Santa Monica: Bike and eBike Rentals with Map
- + 5 more
- 5+ Tickets & Activities
- Accommodation
- Car Hire
- Internal Flights
- International Flights
Day by Day Itinerary
A 9-day itinerary exploring top beach destinations in Southern California plus Washington State’s capital of Seattle. Stay in handpicked 4-star hotels as you road trip between Santa Monica, San Diego, and Huntington Beach before flying to Seattle. Enjoy included experiences such as bike hire, an Old Town Trolley Tour, and a chef-guided Pike Place Market food tour, that bring each destination to life.
Share itinerary SANTA MONICA - Day 1: Touchdown in California
You’ll check into Shutters on the Beach, a beautiful beachfront hotel that sits right on the sand. With direct beach access, an oceanfront pool, and a selection of relaxed dining and drinking spots, it’s the kind of place that encourages you to slow right down as soon as you arrive.
Once you’ve settled in, there’s no pressure to do much at all. This is your gentle reset moment after travelling. A walk along the beach or a wander down toward the pier is usually enough to shake off the travel haze and ease into the rhythm of the West Coast.
In the evening, we recommend dining at Chez Jay, a much-loved local institution with a famously laid-back atmosphere and a touch of Hollywood history.
SANTA MONICA - Day 2: Bikes & Venice Beach Vibes
As you ride, the atmosphere gradually shifts from the calmer, wide-open stretches of Santa Monica into the more expressive, colourful energy of Venice Beach. The skate park sits right on the sand, while street performers, murals, and Muscle Beach all add to the sense that there’s nowhere quite like this stretch of coastline.
Later, you’ll cycle back toward Santa Monica Pier, where the afternoon slows again. We suggest picking up a Pacific Park unlimited ride wristband and spending a few relaxed hours enjoying the classic pier experience, from arcade games to riding the Ferris wheel to simply watching the Pacific stretch out endlessly in front of you.
SAN DIEGO - Day 3: Road Tripping down California’s Coast
Once you arrive, you’ll check into the 4-star Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina with 3 swimming pools, 3 on-site restaurants, and a waterfront setting where the marina views immediately remind you you’re in a very different kind of coastal city.
In the afternoon, head over to your included activity - San Diego Old Town Trolley Tour, where you’ll explore Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, where preserved buildings and lively streets bring 19th-century Mexican and early American life to life. You might want to stop for lunch at Cafe Coyote, a family-run local institution, voted best Mexican restaurant in San Diego for 20 years in a row.
Later, the Old Town Trolley Tour gives you an easy way to get a feel for the wider city without rushing, while exploring some of San Diego’s top sites, including the Historic Gaslamp Quarter, Balboa Park, Little Italy, and Coronado Island.
As the day winds down, you’ll head to the waterfront for dinner at The Fish Market, where the harbour lights and fresh seafood make for a calm, atmospheric end to your first San Diego day.
SAN DIEGO - Day 4: SoCal Safari
Home to more than 300 species and over 4,000 animals, the park showcases wildlife from across Africa and Asia, so keep an eye out for African elephants, cheetahs, Sumatran tigers, and even lions.
Back in the city, dinner at Puesto at The Headquarters, an award-winning Mexican restaurant that is celebrated for its elevated take on street food.
HUNTINGTON BEACH - Day 5: Welcome to Surf City USA
The afternoon is perfect to rent an e-bike from Fat Bike Rentals for a slow ride along the coast, following the long promenade and taking in the easygoing rhythm of Surf City USA.
Later, you can stop for lunch at Duke's Huntington Beach, known for its fresh seafood and Hawaiian-inspired menu. Here, the panoramic beach views become just as much a part of the experience as the food itself.
As the afternoon drifts into evening, we recommend arranging a beachside firepit through the Hyatt Regency, for roasting s’mores while watching the sunset. For dinner, make your way to Jolie & The Belle to round off the day in true California style with rooftop dining and craft cocktails.
HUNTINGTON BEACH - Day 6: Waves & Wellness
If you want to explore the water, you can also arrange a surf lesson with Rocky McKinnon through the Surf City USA website. Rocky introduces even complete beginners to the basics of surfing in a way that feels fun rather than intimidating. So before long, you’ll be out in the water learning how to catch your first wave in one of California’s most iconic surf towns.
The rest of the day is deliberately unstructured. You might spend time wandering along the pier, relaxing on the sand, browsing local shops, or simply sitting beside the ocean.
SEATTLE - Day 7: Fly to the Emerald City
From there, you’ll head straight to Pike Place Market, one of Seattle’s most iconic spots, and where your included activity of a chef-guided food tour starts. Indulge in the flavours of this city as you sample bites from 9 artisanal vendors while learning about the local food scene. While you’re here, a stop at the original Starbucks Pike Place Market is almost unavoidable, even just for the novelty of standing in the place where it all began.
Later, you’ll enjoy a one-way cruise through the harbour locks - including the well-known Ballard Locks. This cruise will give you a completely different perspective on the city as you watch boats move between freshwater and saltwater systems in a surprisingly fascinating rhythm.
Included Activities
Seattle Locks Cruise
- Activity Included
Read more
- Activity Included
SEATTLE - Day 8: Seattle Sightseeing
Just next door, you’ll continue your morning at Chihuly Garden and Glass, where glass sculptures are set against soft, landscaped gardens. After that, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your own pace. You might explore more of Seattle’s waterfront or wander through neighbourhoods like Capitol Hill or Belltown.
If there’s the possibility of catching a Seattle Mariners game if the timing lines up, which adds a fun, local layer to your final city stop.
For your last dinner, we recommend dining at the hotel’s onsite restaurant, Lola. Regarded as a must-visit for foodies, Lola showcases a Mediterranean menu packed with favourites including slow-roasted leg of lamb, beef short ribs, and hanger steak.
SEATTLE - Day 9: Farewell to the Pacific Coast
What's Included
Golden State to Emerald City includes international flights, an internal flight from Los Angeles to Seattle, car hire in California, accommodation, and included activities across California and Seattle.
Accommodation
- 2 Nights at Shutters on the Beach, Superior Room - Room Only
- 2 Nights at Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, Standard Room - Room Only
- 2 Nights at Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa, Standard Room - Room Only
- 2 Nights at Hotel Andra Seattle, Classic Room - Room Only
Flights
- British Airways, World Traveller, flying from London Heathrow
- Internal connecting flights
TRANSPORT
- 7 day Economy 2/4 Door
ACTIVITIES & ATTRACTIONS
- Santa Monica: Bike and eBike Rentals with Map
- San Diego Old Town Trolley Tour
- San Diego Zoo Safari Park with African Tram Safari
- Seattle Locks Cruise
- Seattle: Pike Place Market Guided Food Tour
- Seattle: Space Needle & Chihuly Garden and Glass Ticket
Others
- Fully ATOL & ABTA Protected
- 24/7 Support - Contact our team in the US or UK in case of emergency 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Location / Map
This itinerary will take you to the destinations shown below, along a carefully planned route that goes beyond A to B. You will see all the sights, feel all the thrills, and find the time to stop and take it all in.
Holiday Package Dates & Prices
Our multi-centre package prices* are quoted with estimates for both low and high seasons. It's important to be aware that these prices** are per person and are not indicative of real-time availability. To obtain a customised quote, speak to one of our knowledgeable travel consultants.
| Low Season | 8 Nights from: £2,499 |
| High Season | 8 Nights from: £3,439 |
Good to Know
Passport & Visa
Prior to your journey to the USA, it is essential to ensure the validity of your passport for the entire duration of your stay. The majority of UK passport holders are required to obtain an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) to gain entry into the USA. Failure to provide evidence of a valid ESTA may result in denied boarding, delayed processing, or refusal of admission to the United States.
It is strongly recommended to submit ESTA applications no later than 72 hours before the planned travel date. Early application is encouraged to pre-empt any unforeseen complications. Please be mindful that an application fee of approximately $40 per person is associated with the ESTA process.
Travel Documents
Your travel documents will be provided no later than two weeks before your scheduled departure. The specific timing is contingent on various factors, such as the airline and accommodation type. If your itinerary includes a villa stay, details about your villa will be dispatched to you within 1 to 5 days preceding your arrival.
Car Hire
To rent a car, please ensure you have a valid UK driving licence (valid for at least one year). Provide this along with the original licence to your car hire provider. The lead driver must also possess a valid credit card for a security pre-authorisation, as cash deposits are not accepted. While some accept debit cards, it's advisable to carry a credit card, as many rental companies prefer this method.
When making your reservation, you have the option to add a satellite navigation (sat nav) system to your car rental. If you possess a UK sat nav, it is advisable to ensure that its maps are updated to cover the United States before your journey. Alternatively, should the need arise, you can consider purchasing a sat nav locally within the USA.
Included Activities and Optional Activities
Your itinerary encompasses both included and optional activities. Included activities are fixed into the price of the package and are non-refundable. Optional activities are recommendations that are not included in the package price. The decision to partake in these activities is at the discretion of the traveller, with associated costs being the responsibility of the individual.
Travel Insurance
We strongly advise that every member of your travel group possesses sufficient travel insurance coverage. While we do not directly provide travel insurance, we are pleased to suggest two reputable providers offering comprehensive policies: Allianz Travel Insurance and Battleface Travel Insurance.
Payment
To secure your reservation, a deposit is payable, and the amount will depend on your package or travel arrangement. You will be advised of the deposit details during the booking process. Further details are available on our website, or our dedicated team members are available to provide comprehensive assistance and information.
Cancellation
Kindly note that cancellation charges are applicable and are also inclusive of our administration fee. The charges are determined by the number of weeks preceding your scheduled departure date. For a comprehensive understanding of our cancellation policy, we recommend referring to the Terms and Conditions section on our website.
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We Create Bespoke Multi Centre Itineraries
Create Bespoke Itineraries
We Create Bespoke
Multi Centre Itineraries
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