Welcome to the city of the Golden Gate Bridge, steep windy roads and the formidable Alcatraz! Follow your guide down Lombard Street, the “crookedest” street in the world, through Haight-Ashbury, the district known as the center of the Hippie movement in the 60’s, and up onto Nob Hill, known for its affluent residents and spectacular views of the bay. Wander around the specialty shops and restaurants in Union and Ghirardelli Squares and go up Coit Tower on Telegraph Hill for fantastic views of all of San Francisco. Then head to Fisherman Wharf’s Pier 39, with its fashionable shops, high-end restaurants and street performers. Hear the Sea Lions before you even see them as they sunbathe on the boat docks of the pier. And explore the Golden Gate National Park for an up-close view of the famous bridge and to learn about the history and appreciate the beauty of this Bay City.

Located in the Santa Cruz Mountains this park is most famous for the 40-acre grove of towering old-growth redwood trees. These skyscraping redwoods were admired by explorer John C. Frémont, President Theodore Roosevelt, and inspired some of California’s earliest redwood preservation efforts. The tallest tree in the park is approximately 277 feet tall, about 16 feet wide, and around 1,500 years old.

Home to the world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium, as well as one of the best-known streets in America, Cannery Row, Monterey offers a rich history and a vibrant future. Enjoy the beauty of both land and sea, as you marvel at the many harbor seals, sea otters and pelicans along the waterfront at Old Fisherman’s Wharf, and the unique shops, stately homes and historic structures sprinkled throughout Historic Monterey.

Containing more than 35,000 plants and animals representing 623 species, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is one of the largest and most spectacular aquariums in the world. See jellyfish, sea otters, stingrays, crabs and many other forms of marine life. And don't miss the aquarium's main exhibit. The Ocean's Edge is a 33 foot tall tank that is home to many native California coastal marine life. See the swaying forest of Giant Kelp, and count the number of different kinds of fish you see swimming through it.

Witness the apex of outdoor urban sports culture along the beaches of Santa Monica. Santa Monica, an international hub for skateboarding, also hosts a vibrant pier scene, with buildings from a bygone beachfront era providing a whimsical backdrop. You can walk along Palisades Park for spectacular ocean views, and even take a long look through a camera obscura.

Griffith Observatory showcases beautiful (and recently restored) art deco architecture. Its location gives visitors impressive views of the surrounding area, which many rave about. But there's more than just a pretty photo-op here. The observatory hosts fascinating exhibitions and features a top-notch planetarium.