42Reservations: Dublin 01 6733800 or Belfast 028 9051 1800California -FlydriveDay 1: After checking into your Hotel, you can head out down to Fishermans wharf to have a bite toeat. Be sure to stop by the Buena Vista and finish off your day with a world famous IrishCoffee.. Or you could head to the California Academy of Sciences. Its one of the hottest eventson everyone's social calendar! As the sun goes down, this famous San Francisco museum istransformed into a lively venue filled with music, provocative science and exhibits! OvernightSan Francisco King George HotelDay 2:On your first morning you are bound to be up early due to the 8 hour time difference betweenIreland and California. So take advantage of an early start and do an Alcatraz and SanFrancisco City Tour. Perhaps if you are feeling a bit active you can cycle your own city tourincluding a cycle across the Golden Gate Bridge. Afterwards enjoy a lovely snack in Sausalitobefore returning by ferry to Fishermans wharf. Overnight San Francisco King George HotelDay 3:After you collect your car you will head down one of the worlds most scenic and stunningdrives on Highway 1 or Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) . On your journey you will drive throughSanta Cruz with its eclectic cafes and fun filled boardwalk. You could say one night in eitherthe historic Monterey where Steinbeck was inspired to write "Cannery Row". Or in the quaintlittle village of Carmel by the Sea. Both areas have amazing options for dining with freshseafood and local wines. Driving time 1 ½ - 2 hours. Overnight Monterey/Carmel - LaQuinta Monterey or similar in Carmel.Day 4:This is the big drive day! When leaving Monterey/Carmel you will start your journey downthrough the breathtaking "Big Sur" national park. This is where the mountains meets the sea.Because your drive starts in San Francisco heading south, you will be driving on the oceanside of the road therefore giving you unobstructed views of the pacific ocean and the faboulasscenery that unfolds on PCH.. There is so much to see as you cruise and gaze down the coastline. A lovely spot to stop en route is at the family run restaurant "Nepenthe" They serve upfresh sandwiches and salads for you to enjoy while seated on a veranda overlooking thecoastline.. you will never want to leave. The views from here are simply spectacular! As youstart to leave the Big Sur, keep your eyes peeled for Hearst Castle. William Hearst, anewspaper proprietor created a little getaway for himself and a place to entertain Hollywood'sgolden era of celebrities on his wee estate consisting of 165 rooms,127 acres of gardens,terraces, pools and walkways. There are various tours to choose from at Hearst Castle.You will have a night in San Simeon in one of the ocean front accommodations but make sureyou pop by Cambria. Just a 5 minute drive from San Simeon and it full of wine tasting roomsand lovely art and photographic galleries provided by local artists. Cambria is a quaint littleone street town that you don't want to miss. Diving time 3-5 hours. Overnight San Simeon- The Sands by the Sea Hi, My name is Kristin and I am a proudCalifornian. Although I was pretty much raised bythe beach in Los Angeles , I was fortunate enoughto have lived a few years in the central coasttown of San Luis Obispo as well as six years in thegorgeous area of La Jolla in San Diego. I have covered the coastline of personaladventures and I love passing on my favouriterecommendations toanyone who is planning onheading to the wonderfulgolden state of California. Please drop by to see me tohelp plan the trip of alifetime .Day 5:Santa Barbara.. Californians idea of paradise! State Street has some of the best shoppingin the state ranging from the Gap and Abercrombie and Fitch to Harrods and Nordstrom's.After some great shopping you can dine on mouth-watering Mexican food with bottomlesschips and salsa or the freshest fish from Brophy Bros in the Harbour. You will be full and happyin Santa Barbara. Driving time 2 ½ - 3 hours. Overnight Santa Barbara - Best WesternBeachside Inn Santa Barbara Day 6:When leaving Santa Barbara there are some shopping outlets in Camarillo? After some retailtherapy you can drive back on PCH and continue through the stunning Malibu Beachcommunity towards Santa Monica. This will also cut out a bit of LA traffic while also beingbeautifully scenic. That evening spend some time on the 3rd Street Promenade in SantaMonica. The promenade consists of 3 blocks of pedestrian walkways filled with every shopimaginable as well as living restaurants and alfresco dining so you can people watch to yourhearts content. Driving time 2-3 hours. Overnight Los Angeles - Beverly Garland HotelUniversal Studios Day 7:This being the only real day of seeing Los Angeles I would recommend doing a city tour withUniversal Studios. Take a break from driving and let an experienced tour guide drive you to thecities highlights i.e. Hollywood Boulevard, Sunset Strip, Beverly Hills and even movie starshomes. Enjoy the fun and excitement of Universal Studios where TV shows and feature filmsare created on site. Alternatively you could head to Anaheim which is the city of the originalDisneyland and the home of California Adventure.Overnight Los Angeles - Beverly Garland Hotel Universal Studios Day 8:Depending on the time of your departing flight you can always get one last cycle on the biketrail along the beach in Santa Monica. Either way I hope you enjoy your journey to California. Our Suggested 7 Day California Fly Drive Itinerary (Ref 655912)San Francisco 2 nights . Monterey/Carmel 1 night . San Simeon 1 night . Santa Barbara 1 night . Los Angeles 2 nightsPrice from £760 / ?895per person based on 2 adults & 2 children sharingInclusions:Transatlantic flights for 2 adults & 2 children7 nights accommodation as specified in itineraryAlamo Compact Car including full insurance for 6 daysThis is a sample of our package flydrive price travelling in May 2011. Allrates are correct at time of print and can be subject to change depending onrate and availability. Air Fares may be based on instant purchase rates.Please quote our ref 655912.Beverly HillsKristinFly Drive

Check out our full range of attractions available on www.americanholidays.com43California -FlydriveOur Top 10 Tips for holidaying in California1.The most important tip.. start your fly drive from San Francisco. You haveyour first few days to walk the city (no car required) and get over the jet lag.But more importantly... as you drive down the coast you will be on the oceanside so no unobstructed views of the Pacific Coastline.2.A must see is Alcatraz! Be sure to pre-book to guarantee your entrance priorto arrival. 3.Bike and Roll - cycling across the Golden Gate bridge and lunch in Sausalitois a great day out. And in the evening visit the California Academy ofsciences for a lively night out. 4.Stop at Nepenthe in Big Sur where you can have a cup of tea or glass of winewhile sitting on a veranda overlooking the magnificent coastline. Also you canpick up some art or jewelery created by local artists in the Phoenix shop.5.Hearst Castle in San Simeon is spectacular and definitely worth a stop.Besides the artwork and beautifully appointed rooms, the view of the PacificOcean is amazing.6.Santa Barbara is great for shopping and gorgeous food but make sure youstop by the Mission. The Santa Barbara Mission is an old Spanish monasteryand has stunning gardens and architecture. 7.Universal Studios is a working studio so when you do the tram ride you willbe coasting past sound stages where movies, music videos and tv shows aretaped. You will most likely spot a star en route. 8.Ride a bike or roller blade on the Santa Monica beach strand. You can glideyour way up to the location where "Baywatch" was made or down towardsthe muscly men located aptly at Muscle Beach. Finish the evening on the3rd street Promenade with dinner and drinks while taking part in some ofthe best people watching. Oh, and the shops stay open late too.9.Discover the Original Disneyland where it all began over 50 years ago. Whilethere you can pop over to Disney's newest addition "California Adventure"where you will have some fun filled rides and shows and you can wind downin Robert Mondavi wine tasting rooms.10.Wear sunscreen at all times ?or-Drive from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. Its roughly 4-5 hours but you can stopin Barstow for some outlet shopping to break up the journey. Or just a bitafter Barstow, is Baker where you will find the world's largest thermometer.Have a milk shake and check out some photos of the thermometer reaching135°F.-If in San Diego, take the water taxi from Seaport Village to Coronado island.There is a park there and a restaurant that has a spectacular view of the sandiego sky line. This of course would be after you spend the day in Sea Worldor the San Diego Zoo.Cycling across the Golden Gate BridgePCH ScenerySanta Monica credit R. Landau.