The Ultimate Family Friendly California Road Trip Itinerary Plus Hawaii Add On

See The Best Of California-Including Highway 101, Carmel, Big Sur, and More. Go On...I've Done The Hard Work For You!

I've done this itinerary personally and for my clients many, many times. There are lots of variations depending on who you have travelling with you. But this is a great combo for thrill seekers, nature lovers as well as wine buffs! This is an outline with generic excursions but we have amazing ground handlers that enable us to have access to places that people are generally unable to access.

Day One – Day Six ( 5 nights 4 full days )

Argonaut Hotel San Francisco

After clearing customs and passport control you'll be met by my team of ground handlers who will take your bags and transferred by private car to your chosen hotel in San Francisco.

Upon arrival at The Argonaut please present your voucher to reception and make your way to your room.

This evening after freshening up take the children for a walk round Fisherman’s Wharf. There are plenty of great places for the children to enjoy a fun family dinner.

Speak with concierge, ask them where they would recommend. I am sure they will find the perfect blend of quality without the huge price tag. Don’t forget to tip! Between 7 and 15%

It’s great fun to dine by the water but many of the Fisherman’s Wharf restaurants (with the exception of a few) are a tad average and can be a little on the pricey side. So why not hop on the Powell-Hyde or Powell-Mason cable-car line for great dining in Russian Hill and North Beach, respectively.

Nearly every ethnic cuisine from Indian to Vietnamese is represented in the various districts of San Francisco and although locals have long headed to the Mission District for Latin food, to Chinatown and the Richmond District for Asian food, and to North Beach for Italian food, they also know that every part of the city offers dining experiences beyond the neighbourhood tradition.

The Argonaut – What to Expect

My recommended hotel in Fisherman’s Wharf is the Argonaut hotel which was originally a four-story fruit-and-vegetable canning complex where boats docked up against the building. The hotel's decor is nautical with anchors, ropes, compasses, and a row of cruise-ship deck chairs in the lively lobby. Spacious rooms, many with a sofa bed in the sitting area, have exposed-brick walls, wood-beamed ceilings, and whitewashed wooden furniture that evokes a beachy mood.

Accommodation – Argonaut Hotel in San Francisco for five nights

Day Two

After breakfast which can be taken at the hotel or on the wharf you should definitely embark on a tour of Alcatraz, but make sure to get your tickets at least six months ahead of time as the demand is so high. The standard tours are great if you have younger children that may get testy whilst sightseeing.

The marine life in the bay is surprisingly wonderful and people have regularly spotted whales and even great white shark!

Alcatraz Tour - The legendary island that has been a civil war fort, a military prison and one of the most notorious federal penitentiaries in US history.

Cruise on San Francisco Bay to Alcatraz Island and the infamous and notorious former federal prison, which was home to the likes of Al Capone, George “Machine Gun” Kelley, and Robert “The Birdman” Stroud. This trip includes the audio-guided cell block tour.

Enjoy an orientation video with historical footage, self-guided walks, exhibits and Ranger-interpretive talks on topics such as “Famous Escapes.” Also featured is an award-winning audio tour in the prison cell house with actual interviews of former inmates. This memorable tour includes: 45 minute audio presentation “Doing Time: The Alcatraz Cellhouse Tour,” featuring actual correctional officers and prisoners who lived and worked on the Island; orientation video by Discovery Channel; ranger and docent tours; historic gardens and abundant wildlife.

Duration of Alcatraz Tour: Approximately 2 ½ Hours

A 48 Hour San Francisco City Loop Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour is Included In The Price Of This ticket

Hop on hop off busses run each day approximately every 20mins between every stop

You may start your bus tour any day between 10am-5pm after purchase

Have the best of all worlds with an all-in-one super saver tour. This tour combines all of the individual tour’s into one low price adventure that you won't want to miss. You will get to experience Downtown San Francisco, Golden Gate park, the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, the palace of Fine arts, Ghiradelli square, Fort Mason, the Civic Center, and much more.

Plus SAUSALITO LOOP BUS TOUR

Sausalito is a charming and picturesque town on other side of Golden Gate Bridge. Hop - Off here to enjoy its galleries, souvenir shopping, bay views and its many restaurants.

Day Three

Visit Sausalito and Possibly Muir Woods

One of the most prettiest and visited towns in the San Francisco Bay Area, Sausalito has a long history dating back to the 1700’s. The maritime history of this small port town is still evident in almost all aspects of life from the fresh seafood served in the restaurants to the large number of boats always docked in its harbours. Visitors come for the shopping and entertainment to be had here and residents enjoy their quiet place by the waves of the bay. Stop in Sausalito and discover the difference a short hop across the bay can make!

If you are looking for shopping in Sausalito, the downtown area has almost every type of shop available all stocked with unique and one of a kind ideas for gifts and home items for you or your loved ones. If you are looking for men’s and women’s clothing, stop in at Claire’s Attic or Paul and Shark, or stop by Cha Cha Cha for the kids. Housewares from Eyeitalia and Real Napa will certainly catch your eye, and the specialty shops such as Habitat Books and Bacchus and Venus have something for everyone.

For visitors who would like to experience the quaint charm of Sausalito’s waterfront and window shop, there are also many historic buildings in town dating back decades. Many of the restored and well maintained buildings will give you a glimpse into the storied history of Sausalito. Take a stroll along the waterfront near the harbours and see the harbour seal enclaves that call Sausalito home as well.

Dining in Sausalito simply can’t be beaten and there are a huge array of restaurants, cafes, and sandwich shops and delicatessens available for those visitors who need a bite to eat. If you're looking for the freshest in seafood, take a look at the menus of the many restaurants specializing in the catch of the day in this city by the bay.