Day1 LOS ANGELES-KINGS CANYON&SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK-MODESTO

In the cool of the morning breeze, we leave behind the hubbub of the city to begin a 3-day tour of nature. As we drive northward on California's famous Agricultural Highway 99, our eyes are regaled with fresh and refreshing pastoral scenes.We arrive at Fresno, the United States' largest agricultural city and after lunch proceed toward King Canyon National Park and Sequoia National Park. These two parks, which cover an area of 1,350 square miles and lie on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, are like twin jewels on this lofty mountain range in California. Snow-capped peaks form the roof of the "Golden State"and shelter placid lakes. Winding streams wend their way through the canyons bordering the parks, and wild fauna roam the hills covered with grass and a profusion of wild flowers, all of which combine to paint a gamut of fairyland-like scenes. The most impressive, however, are the giant"sequoias"-American redwoods that rise two or three hundred feet in the air, higher than any other plant life on Earth, and that have trunks 20 to 30 feet thick. Some of these trees are more than three thousand years old and, standing before them, one begins to understand the true meaning of "tiny and insignificant."Accommodations this night are in Modesto.

Hotel: Radisson Hotel, Fresno, or Similar

Day2 NAPA VALLEY-LAKE TAHOE-RENO

We visit San Francisco in the early morning, a city famous for its history and culture. Spanish seafarers first drew open the curtain on the mysteries of the bay, and were ordered to build a fort on the promontory extending out in the ocean, and to declare sovereignty. Chinese immigrants clustered in Chinatown. From there, we drive to Napa Valley. California's brilliant sunshine has made Napa Valley synonymous with the term "home of wines."The area counts up to 250 wineries and draws up to a million tourists annually with its picturesque scenery, excellent grape wines, and delectable cuisine. Napa Valley is beautiful all the year round. "Lake Tahoe,"in the language of the local Indians, means "big water,"or "lake of the sky." Visibility in this "lake of the sky"extends to 75 feet under the surface. The well-known explorer John Muir once described the lake as "a good place to forget weariness, mistakes, and bad things." In the evening, we come to the Reno, known as the "biggest little city in the world."Here you can admire the gorgeous neon displays, enjoy the city's colorful nightlife and try your luck at the gaming tables. We stay overnight at Reno.

Hotel: Sands Regency, Reno, or Similar

Day3 SACRAMENTO- FRESNO- LOS ANGELES

In the morning we go on a tour of Sacramento, capital city of California. The city, located in the central valley district, is only two hours'drive from San Francisco. Although it is California's capital, it is unavoidably influenced by the state's two biggest cities, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Once a center for cattle auctions, Sacramento has gradually shaken off its image as a gold-rush boomtown since becoming the state capital in 1854. Today its population exceeds a million residents and its downtown district is replete with tree-shaded parks, pricey shopping centers, and a host of industrial buildings. We visit the state government building, a 120-foot high edifice that combines the Californian residents' aspirations for Greek democracy and Roman republicanism. Sacramento amply represents the American Western frontier spirit. Leaving Sacramento, we drive southward on the Freeway 5 and, in the evening, arrive in Los Angeles to end this pleasurable tour.