TOP 10 BUCKET-LIST RECOMMENDED MUST-SEE POPULAR
This new 2-day tour package with hotel accommodation included is highly recommended. The 1-day trip to Hearst Castle leaves no time at all to see or enjoy all these breathtaking sights and hidden gems along California Pacific Coast Highway 1 and in Big Sur iconic sites including the legendary Hearst Castle with entrance fees included. Big Sur is magical, and it’s not included in the one-day trip.
Book this 2-day worry-free adventure and discover Big Sur natural wonders and California giant redwoods, visit Monterey top attractions, enjoy a guided tour of Carmel-by-the-Sea, drive on the famous 17-Mile Drive, explore Santa Cruz and Half-Moon Bay stunning sights and much more. This is the ideal getaway to enjoy nature at its best without having to rush to get back to San Francisco during peak traffic. This escape is highly recommended for nature lovers, couples, families and suitable for all ages. It is worth every penny you’ll spend, and you’ll not be disappointed.
The world-famous Hearst Castle should be on everyone's bucket list. This iconic landmark is a masterpiece of art and architecture and it played an important role in several large historical events including meetings of world leaders and Hollywood iconic celebrities, such as Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, Charlie Chaplin, James Stewart, Bob Hope, Dolores Del Rio, Clark Gable, Gary Grant, Calvin Coolidge, Joan Crawford, among many other notable figures. This unforgettable journey will also take you to Cambria, San Simeon, Big Sur top sights and attractions, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Pebble Beach, the 17-Mile Drive, Monterey Cannery Row and the old Fisherman's Wharf, California Pacific Coast Highway 1 top sights, state beaches and incredible vistas , and much more.
Take an unforgettable insider discovery road trip to explore California's iconic Central Coast’s world-class attractions, glorious beaches, oceanside spots, seaside towns, old villages and hidden gems. You will find nature at its best and enjoy crystal clear air, and serene landscapes. This two-day hassle-free private tour package includes hotel accommodation, as well as Hearst Castle and state park entrance fees.
This unforgettable journey will take you to Cambria, San Simeon, Hearst Castle, Big Sur, Carmel, Pebble Beach, 17-Mile Drive, Monterey, California Pacific Coast Highway 1 top sights and incredible vistas and much more. This is the ideal vacation destination for the entire family and all ages. Let’s make a dream road trip come true.
This tour is 100% private conducted in a luxury vehicle driven by a local expert and passionate tour guide; the trip itinerary will be tailored-made based on your own travel needs, pickup time and location, preference and expectations. This tour package worth every penny you’ll spend, you’ll be in very good hands.
This new 2-day tour package with hotel accommodation included is highly recommended. The 1-day trip to Hearst Castle leaves no time at all to see or enjoy all these breathtaking sights and hidden gems along California Pacific Coast Highway 1 and in Big Sur iconic sites including the legendary Hearst Castle with entrance fees included. Big Sur is magical, and it’s not included in the one-day trip.
Book this 2-day worry-free adventure and discover Big Sur natural wonders and California giant redwoods, visit Monterey top attractions, enjoy a guided tour of Carmel-by-the-Sea, drive on the famous 17-Mile Drive, explore Santa Cruz and Half-Moon Bay stunning sights and much more. This is the ideal getaway to enjoy nature at its best without having to rush to get back to San Francisco during peak traffic. This escape is highly recommended for nature lovers, couples, families and suitable for all ages. It is worth every penny you’ll spend, and you’ll not be disappointed.
The world-famous Hearst Castle should be on everyone's bucket list. This iconic landmark is a masterpiece of art and architecture and it played an important role in several large historical events including meetings of world leaders and Hollywood iconic celebrities, such as Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, Charlie Chaplin, James Stewart, Bob Hope, Dolores Del Rio, Clark Gable, Gary Grant, Calvin Coolidge, Joan Crawford, among many other notable figures. This unforgettable journey will also take you to Cambria, San Simeon, Big Sur top sights and attractions, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Pebble Beach, the 17-Mile Drive, Monterey Cannery Row and the old Fisherman's Wharf, California Pacific Coast Highway 1 top sights, state beaches and incredible vistas , and much more.
Take an unforgettable insider discovery road trip to explore California's iconic Central Coast’s world-class attractions, glorious beaches, oceanside spots, seaside towns, old villages and hidden gems. You will find nature at its best and enjoy crystal clear air, and serene landscapes. This two-day hassle-free private tour package includes hotel accommodation, as well as Hearst Castle and state park entrance fees.
This unforgettable journey will take you to Cambria, San Simeon, Hearst Castle, Big Sur, Carmel, Pebble Beach, 17-Mile Drive, Monterey, California Pacific Coast Highway 1 top sights and incredible vistas and much more. This is the ideal vacation destination for the entire family and all ages. Let’s make a dream road trip come true.
This tour is 100% private conducted in a luxury vehicle driven by a local expert and passionate tour guide; the trip itinerary will be tailored-made based on your own travel needs, pickup time and location, preference and expectations. This tour package worth every penny you’ll spend, you’ll be in very good hands.
Heart Castle-Big-Sur, Carmel & Monterey 2- Day Tour Itinerary
FIRST DAY: After a complimentary pickup at your hotel, your personal and passionate tour guide will drive south towards Monterey Bay, Carmel, Big Sur and overnight in San Simeon or San Luis Obispo County.
SECOND DAY: Discover Hearst Castle, Big Sur and head back to San Francisco
FIRST DAY: Discover Carmel-by-the-Sea, Monterey, Pebble Beach and the 17-Mile Drive
With Golden Horizon Travel, you will experience California’s treasures and breathtaking sights YOUR way. Your fully customized tour in a luxury vehicle will be led by a local and passionate guide, who has earned a 5-Star rating on Trip Advisor.
You are in the best of hands, and our goal is to not only meet, but exceed your expectations. Our knowledgeable guides will take you off-the-beaten-path and provide insider access to hidden wonders. Rest assured, you will relax in comfort, while moving through the tour at your own pace, with your guide there to meet all of your needs.
Delight in the historic and cultural richness of Monterey and experience a vibrant lifestyle and sweeping views along Fisherman’s Wharf, and the famous Cannery Row. Discover Monterey’s seaside restaurants, boutique shops, Monterey Bay Aquarium (optional), museums, and cozy tasting rooms. Then embark on a scenic 17-Mile-Drive from Pacific Grove, which will take you to Pebble Beach and Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Visit the enchanting village of Carmel-by-the-Sea, which is known for its stunning scenery and rich artistic history. A sophisticated and cosmopolitan village, Carmel has inspired some of the world’s finest artists, sculptors, photographers, and writers, and it is home to celebrities. Carmel is also a world-class shopping destination, and is home to charming restaurants and colorful cottages, eclectic and beautiful mansions, including Clint Eastwood’s Mission Ranch by the historic Carmel Mission.
Clint Eastwood was the nonpartisan mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea from 1986 to 1988, and Doris Day helped him to change some of the city’s outdated and strange laws and ordinances. For instance, it was prohibited to sell and eat ice cream on public streets in Carmel, and a permit was once required to wear high heels. Carmel prohibits chain restaurants, and most of streets have no addresses, but each house has name.
SECOND DAY: Discover the majestic Hearst Castle and Big Sur’s Stunning Natural Wonders
Experience the magic of Big Sur's stunning natural wonders and breathtaking scenery along California State Route 1, which is considered America’s most scenic drive. See soaring California Condors, migrating whales, harbor seals, sea otters, monarch butterflies and giant elephant seals.
We truly do believe this is the greatest drive and vacation destination in California for families, couples, friends, photographers, and nature lovers. The twisty picturesque road offers views of beautiful bridges and coastal cliffs filled with wildflowers, ancient Redwoods, and cypress trees.
Your guide can lead the way on hikes off-the-beaten-path where you will marvel at hidden beaches, stunning waterfalls, rivers, and the southernmost ancient redwoods in Big Sur’s wilderness.
This rugged stretch of California’s coastline between Carmel and San Simeon (home to Hearst Castle) is known as Big Sur Country and spans over 90 miles where the Santa Lucia Mountains rise abruptly from the Pacific Ocean (over 3,000 feet high) along California State Route 1.
This is the most spectacular section of the highway, characterized by its spectacular twisting turns, golden beaches, purple sands, magnificent coastline, rich fauna and flora, several national and state parks, and hidden natural wonders including waterfalls, and places of historic interest. This adventure will exceed your expectations!
Hearst Castle: Discover legendary and majestic Hearst Castle in San Simeon, a historic monument that should be on everyone’s bucket list.
In 1947, newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst’s dream came true when renowned architect, Julia Morgan, designed Hearst Castle: 165 rooms and 127 acres of gardens, beautiful terraces, amazing pools, and walkways, a masterpiece of architecture built to Hearst’s specifications to showcase his legendary art collection.
Join us now and imagine what it was like to be a guest in one of the castle’s notable rooms with breathtaking views of California's pristine Central Coast and the Pacific Ocean. Admire the stunning mansion within the castle, called La Casa Grande, with its authentic Roman and Renaissance art, the castle’s guest villas: Casa Del Sol, Casa Del Monte, and Casa Del Mar; as well as the Neptune and Roman indoor and outdoor pools.
The castle offers many daily, guided tours, and you can choose to explore ancient art, sculptures, furniture, relics, and more. In his lifetime, Hearst amassed a collection that rivals many museums today, and used almost every square inch of the hilltop California estate to showcase it.
Hearst Castle’s unique atmosphere, extravagance, and lavish lifestyle was shared with many famous people., including Charlie Chaplin, Marion Davies, Bob Hope, Jimmy Stewart, Dolores Del Rio, Clark Gable, Gary Grant, Joan Crawford, Calvin Coolidge, President Franklin Roosevelt, and Winston Churchill.
Your guide will check you in and redeem your tour voucher at the castle’s visitor center, and ta shuttle will take you up to the Castle where a state park guide will lead your tour, depending on the tour of your choice. Please review the tour options and let us know if you need a recommendation. We suggest first-time visitors select Tour #1. Each tour lasts about 45 minutes and includes complimentary tickets to the 40 minute “Building the Dream” IMAX movie, screened at the visitor center.
Next, wine connoisseurs will enjoy a visit to Paso Robles’ premium wineries and enjoy a relaxing tasting experience outdoors, with sweeping views of Paso Robles and the outlying areas. Afterward, your tour guide will drive you back to San Francisco via Highway 101 leaving San Luis Obispo County and heading north to San Francisco via Salinas’ agricultural valley. You may also modify the order of this tour, to start or end in Paso Robles or Hearst Castle. Your guide will ensure you are comfortable and satisfied with this unique and custom tour package.
If you’d like to add an extra day to this custom journey, please let us know and we can include other towns and attractions, such as Morro Bay, Avila Beach and hot springs, the Danish village of Solvang, and Santa Barbara. You may also experience a horseback ride on beautiful Pismo Beach or rent an ATV or dune buggy ride for a scenic ride in Pismo Beach State Park.
For the full California touring experience, you can even add a fourth day and visit Los Angeles, Hollywood, Universal Studios, Disneyland, Seaworld, or the San Diego Zoo.
Golden Horizon specializes in private tours and custom travel packages to all California cities and even outside California, to Las Vegas. Let us handle your travel needs and we will do our best to exceed your expectations
2-Day Private Tour Package Prices
Private 2-day tour package prices with hotel accommodations and entrance fees included
Discover majestic Hearst Castle, explore Big Sur natural wonders, visit Monterey, Carmel, the 17-Mile Drive and Pebble Beach in a three-day custom adventure, with hotel accommodations and entrance tickets to Hearst Castle included. We also include your entrance fees to state beaches and to the 17-mile drive as well.
Private Tour by Luxury SUV up to 7 guests This SUV tour is totally private, and the price is per person.
| Price per person | 1 Guest | 2 Guests | 3 Guests | 4 Guests | 5 Guests | 6 Guests | 7 Guests |
| Hotel Accommodation Excluded | $3398 | $1699 | $1349 | $1099 | $999 | $869 | $799 |
This van tour is totally private, we do not offer public tours as we respect your privacy. This will be a 100% private custom tour package with hotel accommodation included. The price is per party, not, per person.
| Price per group | 1-5 Guests | 6-7 Guests | 8-10 Guests | 11-12 Guests | 13-14 Guests |
| Hotel Accommodation Excluded | $5329 | $6089 | $6779 | $7189 | $7799 |
Included: Complimentary pick up and drop off in San Francisco, in San Mateo County, Silicon Valley (Palo Alto, Santa Clara or from San Jose ).We can also start and end your private custom tour in Monterey or Carmel at no extra cost. You’ll visit awesome and unique places along California coast Highway 1, have a guided tour inside the majestic Hearst Castle with a state tour guide with entrance tickets to Hearst Castle included . You’ll also visit Big Sur natural wonders, tour Monterey, Carmel, the 17-Mile Drive and Pebble Beach in a two-day custom tour package including 1-night stay in a nice 3-star hotel with top amenities. (there are no luxury resorts or 4-star hotels in these remote beach towns, these 3-star hotels we work with offer top amenities and located in prime locations). We also include all your applicable taxes, entrance fees to state beaches and to the 17-mile drive as well. This is the ideal worry-free tour package for all ages and nature lovers. This tour is 100% private conducted in a luxury vehicle driven by a local expert and passionate tour guide; the trip itinerary will be tailored-made based on your own travel needs, pick up time and location, preference and expectations. This tour package worth every penny you’ll spend, you’ll be in very good hands.
Not included: The price does not include meals, aquarium, sport or beach activities, tour guide/driver’s gratuity, overtime, wine tasting fees and optional activities or entrance fees not stated above.
Note: We do not work on commission, you may also book your own hotel accommodation, but this not recommended as this creates a conflict in the schedule and itinerary.
Some of the hotels we work with are located near the beach, and some offer complimentary breakfast while other resorts don’t, for that, the sooner you book the better so we can book the best hotel, tour guide and hold on a good vehicle for you, you’ll not be disappointed.
Term & Refund Policy
91% of the total amount will be refunded to your credit card if you cancel your trip at least 15 business days prior to the scheduled tour or service date. The remaining 9% covers the required transaction fees, which include a 4.5% fee for each transaction (booking is one transaction, and refunding is a second transaction for which we are also charged). (Weekends and holidays do not count.)
50% of the total amount will be refunded if the tour is canceled at least 7 business days prior to the scheduled tour or service date. (Weekends and holidays do not count.)
15% of the total amount will be refunded if the tour is canceled at least 5 business days prior to the scheduled tour date. (Weekends and holidays do not count.)
0% of the total amount will be refunded if the tour is canceled 4 business days or fewer prior to the scheduled tour or service date. This includes no-shows. (Weekends and holidays do not count.)
Please note that all refunds are subject to credit card and merchant fees imposed by the credit card companies and merchant banks or providers. The average credit card and merchant transaction fees may range between 3.9% to 9.8% of the total purchase amount, depending on the type of credit card used, the card issuer, country, and conversion fees we incur per transaction. Many foreign countries apply additional origination and conversion fees.
Important:
Please note that we reserve the date(s) you requested and booked on our website, and we decline taking other tours for those dates in order to honor your booking. We reserve a tour guide and a luxury vehicle for you, and we make all necessary reservations and arrangements for your party. Therefore, please refrain from changing the date or canceling last minute, as we have other customers and tours to honor.
General Terms
Reservation and Confirmation:
Upon booking online, a merchant receipt will be automatically generated and sent to your email. We will also confirm your reservation via email and provide a tour voucher or booking confirmation, including your tour date, time, and pick-up details. This confirmation or voucher is valid only for the specific date(s) and names listed on your reservation. Please note that you cannot transfer names or change dates, as we have other tours to honor. The tour date cannot be modified within 15 days of the scheduled departure, and no alternative dates will be offered.
To ensure smooth operations, we reserve the right to partner with other tour operators, freelancers, and/or our sister companies. The name and contact details of your tour operator will be provided on your tour voucher, and the trip confirmation will be sent to you once we receive approval of your payment transaction.
Declined Transactions:
If a transaction is declined, we will not receive any notification regarding the reason. Please do not assume your reservation is confirmed unless you have received written confirmation from us. If your booking is declined by your bank, it may be due to a mismatch in bank details (e.g., name, billing address, zip/postal code) or insufficient funds. Your tour(s) will not be confirmed until your payment is approved. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but this precaution is taken by your bank to protect against fraud.
Even with an approved transaction, all tours are subject to availability. We will contact you as soon as possible to confirm if the requested tour and dates are available. Please note that all our tours are conducted in English unless otherwise specified in the confirmation email or tour voucher.
We reserve the right to offer suitable substitutes or changes to your itinerary, tours, or services due to special events, weather conditions, road closures, vehicle breakdowns, or other unforeseen circumstances. We assume no responsibility for delays caused by accidents, breakdowns, road conditions, weather, or other factors beyond our control. While we make every effort to adhere to the tour schedule, we do not guarantee specific arrival or departure times.
Hot-Air Balloon Special Cancellation and Refund Policy:
This is an 8-hour guided tour (door-to-door from San Francisco, or 6 hours from Napa or Sonoma Valley).
Your balloon ride will be scheduled before sunrise, depending on weather conditions. Safety is our #1 priority. Balloon rides will not take place if there is rain or winds above 12 mph. In case Napa weather conditions prevent us from flying, alternative launch sites such as Yolo County or Pope Valley may be used.
Heads-Up:
The hot-air balloon pilots offer alternative launch sites when Napa Valley weather doesn’t permit takeoff from the valley, increasing your chances of flying even when weather conditions are less than ideal in Napa.
Non-refundable for No-Show or Last-Minute Changes:
Our office will notify you by 5 pm the day before your hot-air balloon tour (typically, pick-up is between 4 and 5 am from your hotel in San Francisco or Napa). If we cannot reach you before 5 pm due to lack of response to emails or phone calls, your driver will still show up at 4 am as scheduled. If you do not wake up for the tour, it will be considered a no-show, and the full cost will be non-refundable as per our cancellation and refund policy.
Refundable Portion of the Balloon Ride:
If you need to cancel the balloon ride portion of the tour, please do so at least 72 hours in advance. The balloon ride is refundable only if canceled by the pilot on the same day due to weather conditions or other considerations. If you cancel 72 hours in advance, your tour guide will pick you up at 9 am instead of 4 am and proceed with the wine tour as scheduled.
Please note that the wine tour portion is non-refundable regardless of weather conditions. However, if you wish to take the risk, your tour guide will pick you up as originally scheduled at 4 am. We reserve this day exclusively for you and turn away other bookings to honor your tour, and we still incur operational costs. Only the balloon ride portion is refundable if canceled before 5 pm the day before your tour. If refunded, you will receive $190 per person within 7 business days.
If you book through Viator, please review their cancellation policy as it may differ.
No Changes or Modifications Within 72 Hours of Departure:
No changes or modifications will be accepted within 72 hours prior to your tour. Our office closes at 5 pm, and our drivers leave at 7 pm to ensure they can wake up at 2 am to prepare for the early pick-up. After 5 pm, we will not process any requests, as we won’t receive your message until the next business day.
We are committed to being transparent about weather conditions and our cancellation policy. Please read these terms carefully to avoid misunderstandings. Our drivers go to great lengths to ensure your experience is smooth, so we appreciate your cooperation in not making last-minute changes after 5 pm the day before your tour.
Other terms and information
Wheelchair and Handicap Accessibility:
We apologize, but our vehicles are not equipped with wheelchair access. There is limited space for a wheelchair unless it is small and foldable. The main concern is the customer's ability to get in and out of the vehicle due to liability reasons. When children, seniors, or individuals with wheelchairs are part of the tour, it may slow down the trip and result in overtime. A fee of $229 will be charged to your credit card for each additional hour added to the tour (after 12 hours) when traveling by van, and $129 per hour when touring by SUV.
Pets:
Pets are not allowed in our vehicles out of respect for those who may have pet allergies.
Smoking:
Our vehicles are non-smoking.
Clothing:
Please be prepared for cold weather, slippery roads, and hiking trails. Comfortable waterproof hiking shoes are recommended for walking in the snow during winter and spring. This long-day tour can be challenging for kids and seniors; we recommend the overnight tour package for a more comfortable experience.
Parks, Attractions, and Site Closures:
We are not responsible or liable for road or weather conditions. State and national parks can close at any time, without prior notice, due to adverse road and weather conditions. No refund will be issued if the trip is unable to reach its destination for any reason. If you cancel or stop the tour for personal or medical reasons, no refund or tour date changes will be offered.
Guided Tours in Foreign Languages:
All tours in foreign languages are subject to additional fees to cover the cost of tour guides or freelancers we may hire to conduct the tour in the requested language.
Travel Agents:
Travel agents are responsible for a 20% gratuity when their clients do not tip the driver or tour guides. We require the full name and contact information of the customer from all travel agents, or the tour will be canceled. Travel agents are also liable for any overtime fees incurred when their clients do not pay for it, and a credit card must be kept on file. Due to the high costs of conducting business in California, we do not offer commission-based rates, as our pricing is designed to cover our business expenses and wages.
Gratuity:
A gratuity of 15%–20% is customary in the USA. Typically, the tip ranges between 15% and 20% of the total purchase amount, or it may be a flat amount that aligns with the appropriate percentage. Gratuities are essential for tour guides, as they rely on them for their livelihood in California. Without tips, tour guides cannot thrive, and without tour guides, we cannot operate our business. Thank you for your generosity and understanding.
Muir Woods National Monument New Regulations:
Muir Woods National Monument has become less crowded and more peaceful, as it is now the first national park to require advance reservations and special commercial and parking permits. This additional cost and complex reservation process have deterred many visitors and tour companies. No one can access Muir Woods without prior reservations and permits. However, thanks to our private tours and small group custom trips, we handle all the necessary arrangements, providing you with a worry-free tour package. We reserve and pay for your parking and Muir Woods permits, but your Muir Woods tickets are not included in the tour price and will be at your own expense ($15 per person, subject to change).
Please note that tour guides are not permitted to conduct guided tours at Alcatraz or Muir Woods. Both Alcatraz and Muir Woods are self-guided tours, as outlined on our website. Alcatraz includes an audio self-guided tour. To keep costs down, we do not include hotel drop-offs after your visit to Alcatraz, so you do not pay overtime or have a driver waiting for you. Fisherman’s Wharf hotels are within walking distance of the Alcatraz landing, and public transportation is affordable and readily available.
Alcatraz Tours and Tickets & Online Calendar Usage:
The online calendar on our website is difficult to manage and update daily. It governs all our tours and is available in over 10 languages, which multiplies the number of tour options. When Alcatraz tickets are sold out, we cannot block the calendar for those specific dates, as this would prevent all other clients from booking tours in any of the 10 available languages. Alcatraz represents only 1% of our tours, and it’s extremely challenging to block the calendar each time tickets are sold out. For this reason, we have updated our terms and conditions to clearly state the following regarding Alcatraz tours and tickets:
Common Mistakes by Customers:
When Alcatraz tickets are sold out, some customers rush to book the Alcatraz tour directly on our website without reviewing our terms and conditions. As we clearly state, we have no control over Alcatraz ticket availability, and we require at least 8 business weeks’ advance booking to ensure ticket availability.
Misconceptions About Private Tours:
There is a misconception that private tours are more cost-effective for operators than large public group tours. In reality, the input costs for both private and public tours are roughly the same—both require a driver or tour guide, a vehicle, and similar trip lengths, with the same business expenses and insurance liabilities. However, private tour operators (like ours) make significantly less profit (up to 90% less) than public group tours, because we focus on smaller groups (couples or families). Public tour operators benefit from the volume and profit margins that come with larger groups. While we provide higher-quality services and incur greater expenses, the profit margins for private tours are limited, which makes some of our private tours barely profitable due to the rising costs and liabilities of doing business in California.
Additional Terms & Tips for visitors and hikers
If you are prone to car or motion sickness, we recommend consulting your doctor for suitable medication. Some visitors underestimate this issue and end up experiencing only 50% of the tour due to motion sickness or altitude sickness, resulting in frequent stops. Please ensure you have the appropriate medication in advance.
Consider leaving unnecessary luggage at your hotel and traveling light to maximize space in the vehicle.
Wear comfortable clothing and shoes suitable for walking and hiking (snowshoes are recommended in winter, and a swimsuit is advised if you wish to enjoy the hotel’s swimming pool and hot tub).
Bring sunscreen, bug spray, extra memory cards, and batteries for your camera (if applicable).
Pack warm layers for cooler weather, and don't forget a raincoat for summer showers.
Stay hydrated, especially at high altitudes, and avoid hiking alone as we offer fully-guided tours.
We are not responsible for injuries or accidents that may occur during this trip, whether in or out of Yosemite National Park. Please read our terms and conditions for more information.
Expect rugged terrain with narrow, steep, and winding hiking trails to the sequoias. Be prepared for a downhill hike followed by an uphill return to the parking lot. The trail is steep at the beginning of the return leg but levels out as you approach the parking lot. The specific grove your driver chooses will determine the trail, but all require hiking. The elevation at the trailhead of both primary groves is approximately 6,200 feet (1,860 meters). The Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias is the most popular, with a 2.5-mile (4 km) round trip taking around 1.5–2 hours of hiking. It’s suitable for everyone who is able to hike, including children.
California Gold Country: When Tioga Pass Road (located between Yosemite and the Eastern Sierra, leading to Tahoe) is closed due to heavy snow from as early as October until about June or July, we will drive through the historic and legendary California Gold Country on days 2 and 3 of your adventure.
Please note that we may start the tour in Lake Tahoe and then head to Yosemite National Park, or vice versa. This depends on hotel availability, the season, and road/weather conditions. We do not work on commission, so you are welcome to book your own hotel. However, if you'd prefer not to handle these details, we can assist you by selecting the 'hotel included' option when booking through our shopping cart.
Hotel Reservation: To keep costs down, we charge each guest approximately $100 per night for a three-star hotel in and around the Yosemite Valley area, based on availability. If you have higher expectations for accommodations and wish to upgrade, we recommend booking your own hotel directly with the resort or hotel of your choice. The Majestic Hotel (formerly the Ahwahnee) is the only 4-star hotel in Yosemite Valley, with suite prices ranging from $600 to $1,200 per night, depending on availability and the season. Please note that Yosemite’s hotels are limited and often booked 6 to 12 months in advance, so booking as early as possible is recommended. However, we are frequently able to secure reservations at nearby resorts or motels close to Yosemite Valley for tours booked closer to the travel date.
More Terms and Miscellaneous
Foreign Languages: Our tours are conducted in English unless otherwise specified on your tour voucher. Some foreign language tours may be subject to additional fees. To enjoy a tour in a foreign language, you must book a Private Tour (subject to availability), as semi-private tours are conducted in English and shared with other clients. Additional fees may apply for extra foreign languages. Semi-private tours will no longer be available on our website, so please book your private tour as soon as possible, as our bilingual tour guides are often booked months in advance.
Miscellaneous: Meals and gratuities for tour guides/drivers are not included in the tour price unless otherwise indicated on your tour voucher or email confirmation.
Tour prices do not include additional fees such as wine tastings, accommodations, entry fees to attractions, winery tours, or any other optional experiences unless otherwise indicated on your tour voucher or email confirmation.
Hot Air Balloon Rides: Our hot air balloon rides are not guaranteed to depart or return to Napa Valley and are subject to last-minute cancellations due to weather considerations. Golden Horizon Travel Inc. reserves the right to fly anywhere within an 80-mile radius of Napa Valley, depending on weather conditions.
Service Refusal: We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone who refuses to comply with our safety instructions, tour itinerary, or who may pose a threat to other customers or our tour guide-drivers. Abusive behavior such as yelling or insulting tour guide-drivers, fellow passengers, or third-party businesses and subcontractors will result in immediate termination of the tour without a refund. Discrimination of any kind toward a customer or tour guide-driver will not be tolerated.
Cancellation Due to Unforeseen Weather Conditions: In the event of unforeseen circumstances such as weather conditions, fires, landslides, road closures, vehicle breakdowns, or medical emergencies, we reserve the right to offer alternative tours or destinations of equal value and duration.
Travel Insurance: As a small local tour company, we do not provide or qualify for travel insurance, as this falls outside our industry. Therefore, we strongly recommend that our guests obtain their own travel insurance prior to their trip. While we are not affiliated with any insurance providers, we found the following reputable companies offering travel insurance within the U.S.: Allianz Global Assistance, AIG Travel Guard, Travelex Insurance Services, Nationwide Travel Insurance, AXA Assistance USA, World Nomads, VisitorsCoverage, Travel Guard by AIG, and Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection.
Modifications of Terms and Conditions: Golden Horizon Travel Inc. and its affiliated websites or contractors reserve the right to modify these terms and conditions at any time. We may update our website content, terms, and privacy policy without prior notice. privacy policy and complete terms and conditions
My mother recently had her 80th birthday. Having lost her husband, my father, 6 months ago, my sister and I decided to take my mother on a trip to refresh her mind and body.
She is recovering from a stroke. She had never seen California before. We live on the East Coast. We wanted to see the redwoods, the pacific, the wine country, the golden gate, the city and all the wonders found in the San Francisco Bay area.
We only had 4 days to see all these things....what to do? How do we make sure my mother is safe, comfortable, relaxed and enjoying these sights in Monterey and Carmel?
Luck led to meet goldenhorizontravel.com and I spoke with Nelly, then Adam by phone, he understood our needs, and we arranged a two-day private tour.
My family cannot say enough good things about Golden Horizon Travel office staff, and our awesome tour guide, Adam. He was kind, protective, proactive, compassionate and knowledgeable from history to horticulture, multi-lingual, musical, humorous, interesting, a safe driver, great company, polite, a great teacher.... and the list can continue until all superlatives in the English language are exhausted! My mother is still talking about the trip and how perfect it was even with the recent fires. Adam knew how to outsmart the fires smoke and the traffic. We saw everything we hoped for, and more without the trip being hectic or exhausting. The pace was comfortable, and we learned and experienced with joy.
The tour was customized to us and our unique situation. Adam did everything to be at my mother's arm at every doorstep and incline. He even borrowed a golf cart from a golfer at Pebble Beach in order to give my mother a ride, sparing her a steep, outside staircase. We did not need to ask...he intuitively knew how to help and be "present" to our needs.
If you are considering a tour with Golden Horizon Tours, and Adam, I hope you’ll make a reservation with this local and reliable tour company in San Francisco. You will not be disappointed and I’m happy to be a reference.
Thank you, Golden Horizon Travel and Adam. My mother is still boasting to all about you, we now have a true friend in town!
Thanks
Marisa de Paulis-Hawn
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Trip Advisor Senior Contributor
Myself and 5 girlfriends had planned a trip visit to San Francisco bay area and we wanted to experience Monterey, the 17-Mile drive, Big Sur and Hwy 1 to Hearst Castle. We debated about renting and driving ourselves, then we found out that most parks and places we wanted to visit require a commercial permit and entrance fees , and most hotels were already booked up. Driving through big sur was not easy at all, so we were very glad that we chose Golden Horizon Tours instead.
From the booking online to the tour itself, this tour company went above and beyond to accommodate us.
Mary, our tour guide, picked us up on time at our hotel and Adam loaded our luggage into our roomy comfortable large van for our trip down the coast.
A rainstorm was brewing so we made haste to get on our way. Mary provided us with lots of local information as we travelled along. Adam helped us have a fabulous trip with lots of laughs and some of the best photographs we ever made a s a group .We enjoyed lunch at the Fish Hopper in the Cannery Row in Monterey, then a quick walk through the area of Cannery Row ,before we started our spectacular trip along 17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach and Carmel.
Mary stopped along the way for us to enjoy the wonderful views and Adam was quick to snap many pictures with our phones and cameras! Mary and Adam were exceptional and so fun! They knew all the best places and hidden gems for photos and viewing, providing plenty of history and information as we drove along the way from San Francisco to Santa Cruz and Monterey. We enjoyed the stop at the Pebble Beach Golf Course as well, but alas no sign of Clint :(
We managed to get well on our way along Hwy 1 before the rain started. As no one has control over the weather, we were soon in mist and rain , with little to see. This was when we were glad someone else was at the wheel! We too advantage to stop in an old lounge and had hot chocolate and coffee by a fireplace where locals meet to read newspapers… rain or shine, it didn’t really matter, every minute was well spent and very well organized, these folks are truly professionals!
Mary drove expertly. Adam kept us entertained with jokes and then found out he had some talented singers on board. We took over the microphone and started singing in the bus, that’s was fun! I love these guys approach and how they made us feel so comfortable. It wasn't long before we could see more scenery along the coast of Big Sur.
Big Sur is scenery so beautiful and enjoyable if you are not at the wheel. Boy! This was one of steepest winding mountain roads we have ever seen; with endless winding turns, cliffside routes and switchback. If you want to enjoy big sur, don’t drive! we were glad someone else was at the wheel
We had a nice lunch break in Big Sur in a hidden restaurant with striking ocean views(we could have never even found it on our own). We were told that Rita Hayworth and Orson Welles spent some time there at this open-air restaurant where Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton featured in “the Sandpiper”, one of our favorite movies of Elizabeth Taylor.
After lunch, Mary and Adam took us on a walking tour to a redwood forest to see the giant sequoias, and to waterfalls where we got to see a couple of California condors. We also liked our stop in Rugged Point and at Piedras Blancas where we saw massive elephants’ seals on the beach. The elephant seals were a sight to behold, after we dodged a few puddles to get to them.
We arrived in San Simeon and Mary dropped up off at a nice restaurant ,so they could check us in while we had our dinner. Our accommodation at this intimate lodge was so comfortable and peaceful. The next morning, we had a complimentary breakfast by the pool, and then, we walked to the beach located half block away from this hotel. Mary and Adam checked us out of the hotel, we didn’t have to deal with checking in and out of the hotel and no credit card was required this time for incidentals.
On the way to the Hearst Castle, we stopped to picture zebras roaming through the Hearst Castle state park. We got to Hearst Castle and visited the Grand Rooms, gardens and outdoor pool. The IMAX film at the visitor’s center was excellent. At the gift shop, Adam purchased a DVD on the secrets of Hearst Castle with Patricia Hearst: which we watched on our drive back to San Francisco. ( I think he was afraid we would start singing again!!!).
After Hears Castle, we visited Morro Bay, Avila Beach and spent the last night at gorgeous cliffside resort in San Luis Obispo. We picked up this mineral spring resort and booked a package deal to relax, enjoy their mud path and naturally heated mineral spring and pools. 4 of was signed up for the yoga class, this is real hidden gem which was recommend to us by Nelly and Golden Horizon Travel.
The next day, we visited three wineries in Enda Valley, we loved their chardonnays, this by far was the smallest and most beautiful wine country we have been to.
We wish we could have more time to spend in this region, but we had a flight the day at SFO. Mary dropped us off at the Airport and we flew back home to Calgary.
Patty M.
Calgary, Canada
I have already sent you a hard copy of this tour review we posted on trip advisor regarding our trip to Carmel and Monterey with Adam, our fabulous tour guide on our adventure to Carmel, Monterey, 17 Mile Drive, Pebble Beach etc... In case he doesn’t share it with you, we did want you to see this tour review because we had the best tour ever with your company thanks to Adam!
As you can tell after reading this tour review, Adam was a terrific tour guide. We feel so fortunate that he was our tour guide-driver. In fact, my brother said this about Adam: “You know that Carol and I have been on a lot of private tours, probably about 50, and Adam was the best guide we’ve ever had”. It’s hard to beat that for a compliment!
Thank you for helping to make our visit to San Francisco, Carmel and Monterey a very special trip for all four of us. I’ll have to say that I was so very impressed with the kindness and congeniality of the people we encountered in San Francisco. Everyone we encountered was delightful, friendly, kind and anxious to help if we needed directions or whatever. It was impressive for such a big city.
With kind regards and may your business continue to be very successful. We certainly will recommend Golden Horizon Travel is someone we know is travelling to the area and needing travel help.
Once again, we all want to thank Adam you for the wonderful day we spent touring Carmel, Monterey, the Pebble Beach golf course (and the clubhouse!!!), along with all the other sites we saw on that fun-filled day that month. You made the day (and into the evening) absolutely sensational. Although brother Bob and Carol had been to this area, Ben and I had not, so to see it with you guiding us along made for an enlightening day. We feel so fortunate that YOU were our tour guide.! Your sense of humor, your wealth of knowledge about the areas we saw, your excellent driving skills, your desire to make sure that all four of us were comfortable and informed and your ability to get us onto the 17 Mile Drive as well as into the Pebble Beach Clubhouse (where the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am tournament was held) just made the day so wonderful. No other tour company could get access to the 17 mile drive that day! We still can’t believe we did and saw all these famous actors out there! Well, I’ll never hold it against you Adam that you informed the guard at the entrance that you had a carload full of seniors from Georgia who only wanted to see the Lone Cypress!! HEE ! I hate to admit it, but I guess we are just that- seniors.! ha(no body was allowed on the 17 Mile drive this day except celebrities, but we made it! )
Again, thank you Adam (alias Hoke) for making our tour so much fun and memorable. You add such a personal touch and you have the unique ability to make everyone feel so comfortable and so special. You went above and beyond making sure we would have a fabulous day in Monterey and Carmel. And we did.!! The photos you took for us are amazing!
Linda, Ben, Bob and Carol
Atalant, Georgia
My husband and I are computer geeks, so we could not miss the opportunity to go on a tour of Silicon Valley during our trip to San Francisco in California. I am so glad we decided to go with Golden Horizon. Our guides Adam and David went out of their way to ensure that we had a great time. They made sure we saw all the good spots and then some more like Stanford University, HP garage in Palo Alto, Apple Headquarters in Cupertino, the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, the Intel Museum, Oracle, Googleplex and Facebook, ... all in one day tour. We didn’t even feel rushed at all. We would definitely give our Silicon Valley tour experience five stars and we will recommend it to our friends and colleagues.
We had just the right amount of time in each place, stop, and a nice seafood platter for lunch, and amazing day trip with an excellent driver! I cannot imagine a more professional and competent travel company. Everything was arranged beautifully. Do yourself a huge favor and let this tour company handle everything – they are simply marvelous.
Jared M.
Lincoln, Nebraska
We picked Golden Horizon after following on Trip Advisor leads and reviews realizing the need for an expert tour guide and driver. I not only requested a custom tour (Muir Woods and Horseback Riding one afternoon, then a long day of driving from San Fran down to Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur, Hearst Castle in San Simeon, Pismo Beach & dropped us off at the 4 season in Santa Barbara) but I also requested Adam who is highly rated on trip advisor. He has been working as a tour guide for over 15 years. He is truly knowledgeable, caring, full of history, full of humor and might have taken more than 400 pictures of my family as he guided us through California. Golden Horizon is real & I'm happy to provide a reference and endorse them. Again, a big thumbs up!
Scott_cpmeRI
Rhode Island
TA Senior Reviewer
Golden Horizon Travel and Buddy are the best thing that happened to us in San Francisco. They are reliable, friendly, professionals and very accommodating.
Maya and Stacey R.
Beverley , Massachusetts
My family of 4 +1 took a private tour of Monterey Bay, Carmel, Big Sur and Hearst Castle. We had huge suitcases which wouldn't have fit in an SUV, and he was kind enough to accommodate us by bringing a large luxury van instead at no extra charge! Jon was the tour guide and driver, he is very polite, professional and with an awesome personality !
From gazing at beautiful vistas of the ocean to spending an afternoon looking at lazy elephant seals, sea otters and sea lions, we saw quite a lot in the span of our 2-day big sur trip. The overnight accommodation at the hotel was very comfortable and we got food suitable to our dietary requirements. The hotel was intimate and small with only 45 rooms, we could see the ocean from our room.
All in all, this 2-day Hearst castle overnight trip is a must do for all ages and travelers, it was a great time spent with the family and new friends!
Golden Horizon is the BEST! 5 STARS ALL THE WAY!!!
CHANDRAKANT P. United Nations Dr.
New Delhi, India
After reading reviews about Golden Horizon, tours, I’ve decided to go ahead and book a California travel package with them with hotel accommodation included.
Our journey started in San Francisco and ended in Santa Monica, in Los Angles. We visited San Francisco, Napa, Yosemite national park, Monterey, Big Sur, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles. Our tour guide was Leo, he is young, energetic and yet very experienced. This destination is underrated, and highly recommended for the whole family.
I recommend taking an extra day to avoid rushing and take the time to visit more places along the way.
We highly recommend this outdoor adventure and this business.
Peter N.
Maastricht, Belgium
We booked a private tour of San Francisco combined with a horseback ride on the beach, and a full day outdoor adventure to Monterey and Big Sur. Both tours were fully personalized and very well organized.
We were so lucky, we got Adam as our tour guide, he is a fantastic, fun and knowledgeable tour leader.
We managed to see amazing places along California pacific coast highway between San Francisco and Big Sur. We enjoyed very much our horseback ride on the beach near Santa Cruz, and the hike we took to remote beaches in big sur region.
I can go on and on, this tour company was so easy to work with, and they always responded promptly in Spanish, their tour guides are the best and highly recommended.
*Thanks a bunch Adam for the recommendations about the best places to see in Los Angeles, we were not disappointed!
Noemi & Manuel D.
Lleida, Spain
Mary is a fun native san Franciscan tour guide; she made our trip so fun and memorable. She has a good way of dealing with kids and keep everyone entertained and enjoying the trip. We made over 15 stops along the way to Monterey and a ton of photographs.
This getaway is a nice and easy day trip from San Francisco. Nelly who works in the office was very helpful and accommodating, she even responded to our live chats late at night and responded to our inquires and questions before we booked. Their website is every detailed and easy to use.
Shlomi , Sh.
Nes Ziona , Israel
After the trip we took to Alcatraz and Muir Woods with this tour company, we realized how good their tour guides are, this motivated us to book this extra day trip along the coast with this tour company. Our kids were so excited; we had a picnic lunch at the beach and then drove up to local parks and cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, we couldn't have asked for anything more.
This was a fun outdoor adventure and suited the whole family, our young daughters had a blast.
The Parsons’ V.
Toronto, Canada
Golden Horizon Travel is the best tour company we had in California, the way they run their tours and treat their clients is impressive; they are very professional and reliable.
We reserved three different excursions with them; one to Muir Woods and Point Reyes, one to San Francisco combined with Alcatraz Island and a full day private tour to Monterey and Carmel. We had three different tour guides, all of them lived up to our expectations (Buddy, Luis and Adam).
If you are looking for new adventures, exclusive destinations and a piece of mind, this travel agency in San Francisco is the right business for you.
The Contreras Family
Murcia, Spain
We read extensively reviews on trip advisor, and we ended up choosing Golden Horizon Tours over the other tour companies in San Francisco based on their excellent reviews. From day 1, they were very responsive and helpful when we approached them by email and through their website live chat.
This is the only tour company in San Francisco that provides private services and guided tours with Spanish speaking tour guides. We booked all our trips with them (Yosemite, Muir Woods, Alcatraz/ San Francisco and Monterey), and we are so glad we did.
This was our first trip the USA and California, and we loved every trip we took with this tour company.
We highly recommend them to all travelers and families with teens.
M. Sandoval
Zaragoza, Spain
A three-generation day trip to Big Sur from San Francisco with Adam. The trip was a blast and the weather were awesome. If you have never been to Big Sur before, don’t even hesitate, go and check out this hidden gem, it’s totally worth the money you’ll spend.
F.T. Baker
Montgomery, Alabama
My wife and I travel often for business purposes. We took many private tours in the past, but this is by far the best tour company we have worked with. We booked tour package through this tour company and visited beautiful places like Yosemite, Tahoe, Alcatraz and Monterey.
This is a trustworthy tour company and highly recommended
Aguilar E.M.
Santander, Spain
Our travel agent Mrs. Pugh organized a full day California road trip by private SUV with Golden Horizon Travel. We had a driver and a tour guide who was extremely helpful, knowledgeable and accommodating.
The hotels where we stayed in Carmel, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbra and in Los Angeles were very comfortable and all were 4-star resorts.
There is so much to see in California, 4 days went by so quickly, however, we had plenty of time to visit the sites we were interested in along California state highway 1. Our tour guide was so engaging and kept us informed, entertained and informed. The only regret we had is that Big Sur road was closed due to a huge mud slide.
Y. Ben-Yaacov
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
My wife’s relatives came over from oversees to visit us in Florida, it was a hot season, so we decided to travel to California.
I’m so glad we did; we had a fantastic time in San Francisco and Monterey peninsula. We booked a 2-day tour package to Monterey bay area, and we stayed at the Inter-Continental in Cannery Row area, that was the perfect location for day activities and nightlife.
We all loved this tour, we never felt rushed, this was a good fit for the whole family
Thank you
Elliot M.
Miami, Florida
It didn’t take us too long to reach a laid-back beach, so peaceful and beautiful. Have some extra layers (it got foggy when we were leaving).
After the horseback ride, our fun and very nice tour guide drove us to Santa Cruz where we had lunch in a restaurant located on the Wharf. We ordered a seafood platter which was fresh and yummy, and the views made it the perfect location for our family.
For me personally, the highlight of our trip was our tour of a beautiful forest of big redwood trees in Santa Cruz mountains. I’ve been to Muir Woods before, but this state park was less crowded than Muir Woods and the redwood trees are much bigger and older in Santa Cruz mountains.
On the way back to our hotel in San Francisco, the tour guide made a quick stop at Apple’s new headquarter in Silicon Valley. We visited the visitor center and the store (while our son was sneaking out to fly his drone over Apple’s new and amazing architecture “it looks like a spaceship from the sky”.)
We highly recommend this outdoor adventure and this tour company.
Sean K.
Annapolis, MD
We had to book a combo tour to get our hand on Alcatraz prison tickets, so we signed up for a horseback ride on the beach. It took place in Half-Moon Bay. The scenery along the Pacific coast Highway is breathtaking.
This tour company is very reliable, and their tour guide Mary was amazing! We felt like we had a friend in town. It was more than a tour - a real and fun experience. Mary even drove us through the Golden Gate Park, and we stopped for a snack and beer tasting at the Beach Chalet, an ocean front restaurant with stunning view of ocean beach in San Francisco.
Highly recommended
Zenith .V
We were picked up by Pat, a nice Irish lady and a wonderful tour guide. She drove us through Mill Valley where we stopped for breakfast before we visited Muir Woods - a peaceful small forest with big and towering redwood trees. The trail through Muir Woods is flat and easy, and there are paved paths for those wanting a casual stroll or more challenging trails. We did both trails along the creek, and our kids had no problem with the twisty paths and stairs although towering redwood trees
After Muir Woods, we had a lunch break at Stinson Beach, which was a great place for a picnic lunch. We enjoyed the delicious fish tacos we ordered, everything was very fresh and sourced locally from Marin county. Near Stinson beach is Bolinas, where we and our kids went on horseback riding in the forest. I’m glad it was only an hour; we could not take more than that as this was our first horseback riding experience.
That was an unforgettable family adventure in Marin county.
Thank you, Pat, for the good memories.
That was an unforgettable family adventure in Marin county.
Thank you, Pat, for the good memories.
I know how hard it can be to pick up a tour company from overseas, I was nervous too, and I had a lot of questions. Golden Horizon tours didn’t disappoint, and even exceeded our expectations.
Believe their reviews, they didn’t disappoint us at all.
Scot M.
Auckland, New Zealand
It's not easy coordinating tours from another country thousands of miles away with a 15-hour time differential. It's a constant struggle not to get paranoid that there will be a miscommunication somewhere that will ruin everything. But, Golden Horizon Travel, thru Nelly and the office staff including Nick, made it seem like I was talking to someone who was there for me 24-7. All my queries were not only immediately answered but answered clearly and patiently. This is how you know they are local, reliable and experienced professionals when they answer all tricky questions with such confidence and expertise. The company we approached before them was acutely located in Texas and was so heard to reach, and when we finally did, they had no idea how to answer our specific questions.
Moreover, with a little over a week to one of our tours (Napa Valley, Yosemite, Silicon Valley Alcatraz and Hearst Castle), we experienced a death in the family where the memorial service schedule conflicted with the tour date. Even with the very short notice and the confirmed schedules of the other tours during that period, Golden Horizon found a way to accommodate our request to move our tour to a later date, with limitless kindness, compassion and at no extra cost.
As for the actual tours to, Golden Horizon tours, thru our tour guide Mary, Patricia and Marina made the experience of our large group tour by minibus (6 adults and 5 children) truly unique, outskating, fun and memorable. Even with our seemingly cramped requested itinerary and last-minute changes, their tour guides accommodated us on the go and made sure we saw the best sites and ate in restaurants that served delicious food and vegetarian options for our mom. Also, despite the long hours and the distances driving, these guys never once showed a drop in their energy.
Thank you, Golden Horizon Travel, Nelly, Mary, Pat and Nick for the memorable tours. 10 Stars won’t even make justice! Book with them without any doubt or hesitations!
Golden Horizon Travel is 100% recommended!
Baes G. Sergonate
Quezon City, Philippines
Golden Horizon Travel staff is underrated, and their tour guide Mary is highly recommended. Mary is a local native tour guide of San Francisco with Irish heritage; she is a fantastic travel guide with an abundance of history of places up and down the pacific coast. Mary was extremely flexible and customised our travel itinerary on the go and based on our personal interests and preference. Some of the trip highlights were seeing hidden beaches, giant redwood trees, an old light house, sea otters up close feeding and playing as well as dolphins and elephant seals.
We had fresh seafood in small wharf in tiny old village where the population is under 150 people, this was by the far the best seafood platter we ever had! Ask for their cioppino or for the catch of the day!
We choose to take a drive through the backroads around Santa Cruz, Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur rather than using the main touristy route. In Big Sur, we drove off the main road throughout steep canyons and got to truly hidden gems and picturesque beaches. I wish we could have more time to spend in Big Sur, it’s breathtaking.
We also visited Carmel Spanish mission of San Carolos and Pebble Beach. An overall; a fantastic outdoor adventure seeing the sights, learning the history and geology of each region we visited and were treated like royalty!
We would definitely use this great local tour company again.
Tracy B.
Melbourne, Australia
Even though we only had 2 days, our guide Peter was both knowledgeable and accommodating and we were able to see an amazing places and parks along the way to Hearst Castle. We x visit the Monterey aquarium, Carmel, 17-mile drive, Big Sur, Hearst Castle, and all sorts of side stops along the coast to see wildlife and natural attractions but also excellent California cuisine
The experience was great - we learned a lot, got lots of pictures, and got along very well with our awesome tour guide, Peter, a nice British fellow.
Thank you, Golden Horizon Travel, for helping us and making the most of our short time in California!
Emily N
Singapore
This was the perfect mix of awe-inspiring scenery, history and marine wildlife viewings. Our guide Peter was outstanding. He was knowledgeable about so many fields of interest and he tailored a tour itinerary for our small group, that was perfect. The SUV was new, comfortable and spotless. Peter also has a knack for photography, so we left with excellent photos.
Margie , Jess & Maddy
I recommend this tour company and trip enthusiastically.
Peter was a great tour guide and driver. Wonderful trip with beautiful scenery and marine habitat viewings. Luxury SUV very comfortable, and Peter is a creative photographer! This trip is underrated and worth the money. We loved Monterey and Carmel; however, Big Sur was the highlight of the trip - getting to the heart of big sur was not easy, and we were glad we had a designated expert driver. Big Sur road is basically a cliff-hanging drive through narrow mountain roads with countless winding turns and curves… we found out that the drive there was very pleasant and fun as long as you are not behind the wheel in this area.
There was also plenty of outdoor activities to do and fun things to see in Big Sur, so many hidden gems located off the beaten path where visitors drive by nonstop. Having an experienced tour guide helped us a lot and made the best out of the day, this was a true outdoor adventure for the whole family.
I love birds and we saw plenty of beautiful birds, squirrels, whales and sea otters, so cool to watch along the coast and in the redwood’s forests in Big Sur region.
I can go on and on…make yourself a favor, visit big sur and hire these folks, they are so passionate and good at what they do.
Rhonda S
Bossier City
We used Golden Horizon's charter tour to head south through Monterey and do the Pacific Coast Highway. They were professional, punctual and couldn't have been more accommodating. Our guide Jonathan and his trainee Pete were so knowledgeable and helpful, really going way over and above to make sure we had the California experience we were looking for. We had limited time in the area, and they knew where the best stops were.
Jane .E
Sydney, Australia
Hubby and I prefer private tours when we travel, bus and public tours are a waste of time. Since it was my 50th birthday we splurged. We had a great time with Buddy in San Francisco and Point Reyes, Mary in Napa and in Silicon Valley and we spent the 2-remaining days with Jonathan in Monterey and big Sur(he is a nice a kiwi guy from Auckland, NZ).
Sunday, we spent the day with John driving south on the Coast toward Carmel and Big Sur. We started down that way and looped our way back north to get most out of the day best lights and exposure, we are both professional photographers. The scenery is amazing and breathtaking. We stopped at this small beach about 30 minutes south of Santa Cruz because John said, "there has been sightings of whales along the coast." As soon as we walked toward the beach the whales started spraying. It was really cool. We went as far down as Bixby Bridge on day 1, and then stopped for lunch at the Rocky Point Restaurant. Then we headed into Carmel and Monterey. It was a long day, but worth every minute. The hotel where we spent the night was cozy and centrally located in Carmel downtown, the perfect location to enjoy Carmel by foot. This is a wonderful and distinct neighborhood that must be explored by foot.
The next day, we drove again through big sur and got to Hearst Castle by noon. Hearst Castle is royal, breathtaking, majestic and stunning…this is a Must-See Attraction when visiting California! The place is gigantic, and the views are inspiring. The swimming pools, gardens and architectural structures are completely extravagant and out of this world. Hearst Castle is truly an American dream for all to experience.
When booking our trip, I spoke with Alan, he was great helping us planning our trips with a great deal of knowledge, patience and enthusiasm. Thank you, Golden Horizon , I will recommend you to anyone I hear is heading to California and San Francisco Bay Area.
Hubby, R.Kymie1,
Virginia, USA
Golden Horizon tours and their team are simply fantastic. Outstanding service from the very beginning! Our reservation agent Nelly set everything up, worked around our dinner reservations and she even worked her magic and found us tickets for a last-minute visit to Alcatraz which were sold out and very hard to come by. We did three different private tours and had the pleasure of working with two different, but equally wonderful guides. Adam took us all over the city on day one to visit all the “key” sites. Although he is originally from France he maneuvered through the city and around traffic like an old pro was just so charming you couldn’t help but adore him. He took photo’s for us with our camera and his all the while sharing great tidbits about each venue and he finished the day off by setting us up at a great restaurant on the water in Sausalito, just a short walk from our hotel ending a picture perfect day. Our good fortune held out as we set out for day two with Mary a San Francisco native that took us to see more of the city hidden sights, filling the day with personal antidotes of what it was like growing up in the city and really brining the city to life. We got a chance to see places that aren’t on the typical tour list and that made it all the more fun. We did spur of the moment things like stop in and tour a house for sale that ended up being the original home of a well-known local poet.
On our third tour, Mary showed up early with coffee in hand for a beautiful day trip to Carmel and Monterey where we stopped at a road side stand and bought fresh picked strawberries, strolled around Carmel by the Sea and shared lunch on the patio at Pebble Beach before taking in the beauty of 17 Mile Drive. If you want to create a vacation memory that is as close to perfection as possible, go with Golden Horizon, they are worth every penny!”
Marcus and Julie
Rochester, MN
When I saw the glowing reviews for Golden Horizons on Trip Advisor, I knew I had to book one of their tours for a recent trip to San Francisco. It was difficult to choose which one as they all looked interesting. I decided on the 1-Day Monterey and Carmel tour. We had a problem come up with the date of our booking and Golden Horizons was able to change it to the next day without any problems, much to our relief. Our tour guide Jon was great, very informative and always willing to provide rest breaks for us along the way. He was also trying to spot whales in the distance for us, but unfortunately that day wasn’t very lucky for us in that respect. Highlights of the tour included having lunch at Monterey, visiting the Pebble Beach Golf Course (albeit briefly) and seeing the charming little houses of Carmel. The SUV was also very comfortable, and the tour was run very smoothly and professionally. If you are thinking of taking any tours with this tour company, just do it - you won’t be disappointed. I would definitely choose this company again for other excursions should I return to San Francisco.
Margot C
Aberdeen City in Scotland
We took the full day city tour on our first day in the city and it was a great way to get familiarized with the city. Our tour guide, Tom, did an excellent job of showing us all of the sites we wanted to see plus more and gave great historical background If you want to create a vacation memory that is as close to perfection as possible, go with Golden Horizon, they are worth every penny!
We stopped at several different locations for photos of the Golden Gate Bridge, some which were high up in the mountains which I'm sure you wouldn't be able to experience on the larger tours. A trip to Sausalito and Muir Woods was excellent as well. There's no better bang for your buck to see everything in the city in one day.
Our second tour took us to Monterrey and Carmel which provided breathtaking views of the California coast and these unique coastal towns. While very touristy, these towns were very interesting to see and gave us a good look at life outside the city. We also drove down 17-mile drive and got to walk around the beautiful Pebble Beach for a bit. The tour allowed plenty of time for exploring on our own and had some great photo ops. Overall, we definitely recommend tours from this company to get the most out of your vacation!
Jeff and Kim
London, England
A nice smiling lady came to pick us up at our hotel in south san Francisco with a black SUV, and then drove us along California scenic highway one to Monterey. We felt very comfortable from the very begging and spent the whole day chatting and laughing about everything. We skipped the cannery row and spent more time in Carmel by the sea away from the bus tours. Our walking tour in Carmel was the highlight of our trip to Monterey Peninsula.
Many thanks and happy travels
Jody S.
Detroit, Michigan
So sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you. Firstly, a huge thank you for arranging our tour to Hearst castle. We had a fabulous day.
Mary is a lovely lady and was a fantastic tour guide. Her local knowledge is exceptional, and she made a very long day thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable.
I was extremely pleased when I found that that Mary was our tour guide.
Hearst Castle is a masterpiece of art and architecture, we recommend the overnight trip as this was a long day drive, but worth the money and trip.
Thank you again for arranging our tour, we will certainly be in contact with you when we will next visit San Francisco.
Kind regards
Joanne Cameron
Cowra NSW, AUSTRALIA
We had a fabulous time with our guide Leo. The trip well exceeded our expectations. Leo was extremely fun, helpful and knowledgeable. We enjoyed our relaxing trip from San Francisco, down the coast with him. He knew where to go and stop, we were in very good hands. Leo was friendly and flexible with where we stopped to eat and tour during our entire trip.
I think Big Sur was our favorite place, or was it Carmel, or Hearst Castle, or the strawberry fields. Too many funs filled stops to mention...
Our trip was packed with all the hot stops and loads of fun! We highly recommend booking with Golden Horizon Tours. Their tour guides and vehicles are 5 stars, and the hotel choice was just prefect.
OH!! Our favorite Stop was IN AND OUT BURGER, On our way to the SFO airport!!! Thanks for the secret information Leo!!
Many thanks and happy travels
Milwaukee
City in Wisconsin
My twenty-year-old son and I planned a Mother/Son get away to San Francisco to spend some quality alone time together. Preferring convenient and hassle-free experiences, we explored our options of private tour companies. Lucky for us, we selected Golden Horizon Travel & Tours. We booked three of their tours: The Ultimate Grand City 8-hour Tour, The Muir Woods/Sausalito half day Tour and The Monterey, Carmel, 17-Mile Drive Tour.
We have found completing an overview tour of cities we travel to the first full day of our travel grants us a great overview of the area and helps us to determine which areas we may choose to explore further. We had the pleasure of having Mary, a San Francisco native, as our guide for this tour. Mary was gracious, kind and accommodating. She was knowledgeable of the history and was able to tell us how things have changed in the city during her years here. What a priceless gift.
We then had the pleasure of meeting Jon for our Muir Woods, Sausalito and Marin Headland Tours. As this is a half day tour, we requested to add on an extra hour to spend more time exploring a few extra sites. Again, Jon was knowledgeable about the area offering us added opportunities to see places of interest to us that added to our experience (ie - The Marine Mammal Center, The Record Plant Recording Studio where Prince recoded his first album, etc). Jon further showed us many areas of Sausalito that we may not have seen if not for his guidance.
Finally, we had the pleasure to once again have Mary as our guide for The Monterey, Carmel, and 17-Mile Drive Tour. Mary made this day long tour pleasurable and comfortable showing us many sites we may not have found on our own. Such a lovely way to spend our last day in the Bay Area.
Both Mary and Jon are 5/5-star guides and you will not go wrong with either of them!
Voyager79756
Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
A 6-star experience! Their tag line is to exceed expectations and they certainly delivered. From the moment of making a booking to the actual tours - Superb!
R. Wang. Superdin0
Singapore
10 Stars for Patricia & Golden Horizon: top guides & top-of-the-line luxury SUV
Brenna Q. Phoenixville
10 stars! Reliable company, responsive staff & accommodating, fun, informative, flexible, indulgent, passionate guides
Kw9196family
Thurmont, Maryland
You won't be disappointed if you use Golden Horizon Travel for all your tours! Best tour guides and top notch private guided tours.
Highly recommended!
Susan.S- McAllen, Texas
