4-Day Luxury VIP Western USA Tour from Los Angeles【Max 14 Pax Small Group /w Coast Starlight Train+Ocean View Hotel】: Highway 1, Yosemite

The California Highway 1 road trip is the most popular self-driving route in North America, without a doubt! Almost everyone who visits the U.S. has to take this iconic drive. Along this nearly 1,000-kilometer stretch of road, there are countless breathtaking spots, and without experience, many of these scenic views might be missed without even realizing it.

We'll begin our journey in the morning, greeted by the rising sun, and head to Union Station, the starting point of the most scenic stretch of the famous "Coast Starlight" train route. From Union Station to the Santa Barbara station lies the renowned "Coastline Train." The tracks perfectly follow the coast, with California's stunning, charming beaches right at your side. The ride lasts about 2.5 hours, passing through the famous Malibu, where you can enjoy the majestic views of the California coastline and experience the peace and comfort of a train journey. We will disembark at the Santa Barbara station to explore the unique sights and beauty of Santa Barbara, followed by lunch in the area. After lunch, we'll head to Hearst Castle to visit the luxurious estate of the former media mogul. Before wrapping up our tour, we'll stop by Point Piedras Blancas to see the sea lions. The day will end with an overnight stay at a seaside hotel.

• Amtrak Coast Starlight Train
The Amtrak Coast Starlight is a well-known long-distance train that runs along the West Coast of the U.S., connecting Seattle's King Street Station with Los Angeles' Union Station. The full journey takes over 35 hours, with the California stretch offering breathtaking views along Highway 1.
• Santa Barbara
Located 150 kilometers north of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara is nestled between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. The city features charming Spanish and Mexican-style architecture, with red-roofed, white-walled buildings. In the hillside and coastal neighborhoods, houses are surrounded by lush lawns and gardens, giving Santa Barbara its well-deserved reputation as a "garden city." The area has long been a favorite for wealthy businesspeople, political figures, and celebrities. President John F. Kennedy honeymooned here in 1953; President Ronald Reagan's villa in the northwestern mountains hosted world leaders like Mikhail Gorbachev and Queen Elizabeth II between 1981 and 1989; and President Bill Clinton vacationed here shortly after his election in 1992. On weekends and holidays, tourists flock to Santa Barbara from Los Angeles and the nearby desert cities, driving along Highways 101 and 154.
• Hearst Castle
Hearst Castle, located on a 500-meter-high hill in San Simeon on California's central coast, offers stunning views of the coastline and the Pacific Ocean. The castle is a mix of Spanish, Mexican, European, and Mediterranean styles, but it truly embodies the spirit of America. The owner, media tycoon William Hearst, was inspired by European architecture during his childhood travels to Greece and Italy and influenced by the Mexican culture of California (which was once Mexican territory). Using his vast wealth, he created this lavish palace, a symbol of American luxury. At the age of 83, the Hearsts donated the estate to the U.S. government, giving visitors a chance to experience the grandeur of this private American mansion firsthand.
• Point Piedras Blancas
The beach at Point Piedras Blancas is a spectacular sight, often covered with elephant seals. Occasionally, younger seals can be seen playing and sparring in the water. While the Chinese name translates to "Walrus Beach," the correct name is "Elephant Seal Rookery." These large seals, distinguished by their large noses and massive bodies, started migrating here in the 1990s after nearly being hunted to extinction. Thanks to conservation efforts, their population has steadily grown.
Tour Duration:
Coast Starlight Train: 2.5 hours
Santa Barbara: 1 hour
Hearst Castle: 2 hours
Point Piedras Blancas: 0.5 hours
 

After breakfast, we will head to the breathtaking 90-mile Big Sur coastline to take in the magnificent natural scenery. We will then drive along the picturesque 17-Mile Drive. Our next stop will be the famous Monterey Bay and its aquarium, home to California sea otters and a variety of marine life. After lunch, we will make our way to Silicon Valley to visit the Apple and Google campuses, where you can learn more about these world-leading tech giants. In the evening, we will arrive in San Francisco, where you can explore Fisherman's Wharf and take iconic photos with the stunning Golden Gate Bridge.
• 17-Mile Drive
The 17-Mile Drive is a scenic loop that circles the famous Pebble Beach Resort. The west and south sides of the drive run along the Pacific Ocean, while the east side passes through the Del Monte forest. Along the way, you'll see not only famous beaches but also luxurious villas and golf courses. A landmark of Pebble Beach, the Lone Cypress, stands near the beach. Many seabirds, sea lions, and seals also call this area home, with Bird Rock and Seal Rock being popular attractions.
• Monterey Bay
The Monterey Bay Aquarium, established in 1984, is ranked sixth in the world and second in the U.S. The aquarium is home to California sea otters and, more recently, seahorses. It also houses various tropical fish and marine life. The aquarium offers daily performances and feeding times, where visitors can watch the keepers interact with the animals and learn more about their environments and current conditions.
• Silicon Valley
Silicon Valley emerged in the mid-20th century as microelectronics technology rapidly developed. It is home to renowned research universities like Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley. The region hosts thousands of high-tech companies, including industry giants like Cisco, Intel, HP, Apple, and Google. This tour will take you to visit the global headquarters of Apple and Google, two of the most influential companies in the world.
• Apple's Headquarters
Apple's headquarter, Located near the circular building is the Steve Jobs Theater, which hosts major events like product launches and can accommodate up to 1,000 people. The theater's exterior features a 20-foot-high glass curtain wall and a 165-foot diameter. The roof, made of carbon fiber, is the largest of its kind, weighing 80 tons and composed of 44 panels. The headquarters, with its ring-shaped building and large central courtyard, has been compared to a "landed spaceship" by Jobs and a "giant glass doughnut" by the media. The visitor center has four sections: an Apple Store, a café, an observation deck, and an augmented reality experience of the entire Apple Park campus.
• Google Headquarters
Google's headquarters, located in Mountain View, is a sprawling corporate campus. Visitors can see a variety of Google's high-tech products on display and even try some for themselves. The campus also offers free bicycles, which are painted in Google's signature colors. Visitors can take photos with Android robots scattered around the campus. The headquarters, called Googleplex, is situated near other tech hubs like the Mozilla Foundation and Microsoft's Silicon Valley Research Institute.
• San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf
Fisherman's Wharf is one of San Francisco's most famous landmarks. It stretches from Ghirardelli Square to Pier 35 and features bustling shops, restaurants, and street performances, particularly around Pier 39. From here, you can enjoy views of Alcatraz Island, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Bay Bridge.
• Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge is a world-famous symbol of San Francisco and one of the most iconic bridges in the world. Spanning the 1,900-meter Golden Gate Strait in California, the bridge was built over four years using more than 100,000 tons of steel at a cost of $35.5 million. Opened in 1937, the bridge is 2 kilometers long and has six lanes, making it one of the largest single-span suspension bridges in the world. The bridge's striking vermilion color contrasts beautifully with the blue sea and white waves, especially at night when the city lights illuminate it like a giant dragon soaring in the sky. During the California Gold Rush, the bridge served as the gateway to the goldfields, giving it the name "Golden Gate Bridge."
Tour Duration:
17-Mile Drive: 1.5 hours
Monterey Bay Aquarium: 1 hour
Apple: 0.5 hour
Google: 0.5 hour
Golden Gate Bridge: 0.5 hour
Fisherman's Wharf: 0.5 hour
 
 

Itinerary plan A: Hiking Exploration in Yosemite National Park
In the morning, we will depart from the hotel and drive to California's natural wonder, Yosemite National Park, enjoying scenic mountain views along the way. Upon arrival, we will explore the stunning landscapes of Yosemite Valley. After a day of adventure, we will head to a hotel near the park for dinner and relaxation.
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is located in the Sierra Nevada mountains of eastern California and is one of the most beautiful and frequently visited national parks in the western United States, comparable to Grand Canyon National Park and Yellowstone National Park. The park is centered around Yosemite Valley, through which the Merced River flows, and features several waterfalls, including the famous Yosemite Falls. The landscape is dotted with many majestic peaks, the most famous being El Capitan, a granite wall that rises 1,099 meters vertically from the valley floor, making it one of the highest uninterrupted cliffs in the world. The park's dramatic elevation changes, with mountains, canyons, rivers, and waterfalls constantly coming into view, create a spectacular and awe-inspiring natural scene.
Itinerary plan B: Napa Valley Winery Exploration and Wine Tasting Tour (This itinerary will be implemented in case of road closures in Yosemite National Park)
Napa Valley is one of the premier wine regions in the United States and has become synonymous with American wine culture. It is a symbol of elegance and sophistication in the New World wine industry. Located about 70 kilometers north of San Francisco, Napa Valley is approximately 30 miles long and covers 45,000 acres, filled with vineyards. With its natural advantages—mild climate year-round, plenty of sunlight, large temperature differences between day and night, minimal rainfall, and mineral-rich soil—Napa Valley is renowned for producing some of the finest wines. On this tour, we will visit two different wineries, experiencing their distinct cultures and architectural styles, and enjoy a wine tasting.
After the winery visits, we will head to Fresno for accommodation, which is about 1 hour away from tomorrow's destination.
Tour Duration:
Yosemite National Park: 3 hours
Napa Valley Wineries: 3 hours
 

After breakfast, we will depart from the hotel and begin a day of adventure. Our first stop is Kings Canyon National Park, where we will admire the spectacular canyon scenery and experience the power of nature. Next, we'll head to the adjacent Sequoia National Park to see one of the world's largest and oldest trees—the giant sequoia. The majestic sight of these towering trees will leave you in awe. Together, these parks form a natural wonder in inland California, offering the perfect setting to explore the beauty of nature. Afterward, we will drive to Los Angeles to visit the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame and experience the charm of this iconic movie city.
• Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park, located in the northwestern Pacific coastal region of California, USA, was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. The park is home to the world's tallest trees, the giant sequoias, which can grow up to 350 feet tall. The park contains the largest remaining area of old-growth sequoia forests, covering more than 170 square kilometers of trees that are over 100 years old. Its proximity to the ocean creates a mild and humid climate, ideal for the growth of the redwoods. The park offers stunning and varied scenery, from tranquil forests and mountains to towering trees, providing an awe-inspiring visual experience.
• Kings Canyon National Park
Located in California, Kings Canyon National Park is renowned for its majestic canyons and diverse natural landscapes. With deep gorges, dense forests, and flowing rivers, it is a paradise for nature lovers. Visitors can enjoy hiking, camping, and scenic drives that showcase the breathtaking beauty of the canyon and the purity of nature.
• Hollywood Walk of Fame
If you're a fan of Hollywood movies, the Hollywood Walk of Fame is a must-visit destination in Los Angeles. This 2.1-kilometer-long sidewalk features over 2,000 star plaques honoring contributors to the entertainment industry, including notable Chinese stars like Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee.
Tour Duration:
Sequoia National Park: 2.5 hours
Kings Canyon National Park: 1.5 hours
Hollywood Walk of Fame: 0.5 hours
*We will drop off each guest at the tour pickup location.