DAY 1 SAN FRANCISCO ARRIVAL -  SACRAMENTO
Arrival at San Francisco International Airport. Drive to Sacramento located on the American and Sacramento rivers in the heart of the fertile central valley. Enjoy the park behind the capitol, walking and bike paths along the river and micro-brew pubs and restaurants. 100 Miles | 160 Km
Standard Hotel: B.W. PLUS Sutter House
Upgrade Hotel: The Westin Sacramento

 

DAY 2  SACRAMENTO AREA
Sacramento was the epicenter of California’s 1849 Gold Rush and the last stop of the Pony Express. With its wooden sidewalks and false-front buildings, Sacramento’s Old Town takes you back in time. Everyone enjoys Sacramento’s world-class California Railroad Museum.

 

DAY 3 SACRAMENTO – SONORA
Flush with “gold fever” thousands swarmed the Sierra Nevada foothills in 1849. Today’s leisurely drive takes you along Highway 49-California’s Gold Rush trail. Along the way, pay a visit to Marshall Gold Discovery State Park, Angels Camp, Jamestown, and the gold rush ghost town at Columbia State Historic Park. Spend two nights in charming Sonora-“the Queen of the Southern Mines.” 92 Miles | 148 Km
Standard Hotel: Inns of California
Upgrade Hotel: B.W. PLUS Sonora Oaks Hotel

 

DAY 4 EXPLORING SONORA / YOSEMITE
Today’s options include relaxing and exploring the area around Sonora, but we expect you’ll enjoy a drive into Yosemite Valley.

 

DAY 5  SONORA – RENO/LAKE TAHOE
Today is full of spectacular Sierra contrasts. On your journey across the Sierras over Tioga Pass, discover Yosemite’s high country and glacial granite monuments that gave John Muir inspiration. Dropping to the eastern side of the Sierras, the landscape becomes desert-like with abrupt high peaks and the cattle ranches of the high chaparral. Early evening arrive in Reno or north-shore Lake Tahoe for a three night stay.
Sonora to Reno: 259 Miles | 416 Km
Sonora to north-shore Lake Tahoe: 243 Miles | 391 Km
Standard Hotel: Peppermill Resort Spa Casino Reno - De Luxe
Upgrade Hotel: Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa & Casino

 

DAY 6 RENO/LAKE TAHOE AREA
Without stopping it takes about 3 hours to drive the loop road around Lake Tahoe. Each curve brings new vistas of ponderosa pine forest, quiet coves and water falls cascading into the deep sapphire blue lake.

 

DAY 7 RENO/LAKE TAHOE AREA
Another day of enjoying the beauty of the Sierra mountains around Lake Tahoe or explore Reno, Carson City and the old mining town of Virginia City.

 

DAY 8 RENO/LAKE TAHOE – SAN FRANCISCO
On your way back to San Francisco you may find it interesting to take a break at Donner Pass Memorial State Park. Donner Pass is named for the ill-fated Donner Party whose wagon train was stranded in the blizzards in the winter of 1846-47 and played an infamous role in history because of purported cannibalism of the victims by the survivors. Expect a late afternoon arrival in San Francisco for three-night stay. 218 Miles | 352 Km
Standard Hotel: Hotel Vertigo
Upgrade Hotel: Handlery Union Square (Historic Section)

 

DAY 9 | 10 SAN FRANCISCO
Two full days to experience the activities and sites of San Francisco!

 

DAY 11 SAN FRANCISCO DEPARTURE
Your Sierra Sampler ends upon check-out from your hotel.