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Guided Motorcycle Tours, Motorbike Holidays in California

If you want the essence of California in one motorcycle tour, then California Dreamin’ is the tour for you: 12 days of pure California. The spectacular rocks of Yosemite, the playground that is Lake Tahoe, the world’s most famous coast road, the Pacifiic Coast Highway, probably the World’s favourite city, San Francisco, and the rolling countryside and vineyards of the Napa Valley. We take our time, kick back California style, and pack in as many of the great sights and places we can.

Highlights

• Giant redwoods
• Yosemite
• Lake Tahoe
• Napa Valley
• San Francisco
• PCH
• Hearst Castle

Activities included

• 2 watersports activities on Lake Tahoe
• Napa Valley wine tasting
• Napa Valley balloon ride (weather permitting)
• San Francisco Bay catamaran ride (weather permitting)
• Hearst Castle

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Los Angeles. Welcome to LA! After you pass through the airport exit doors catch one of the complimentary hotel shuttles which depart from the middle isle outside the terminal. Our tour guides will be at the hotel to help with check-in, get paperwork out of the way and to give you useful and important information about the upcoming adventure. Get a good night’s rest because tomorrow we begin the first part of an exciting journey..

Early Birds. if you’re planning to arrive a day or two early, we’ll be happy to arrange that. There’s lots to do, but here’s something you may not have thought of - the Getty Museum, an art museum at the Getty Center, just 12 miles from our hotel. There’s no entrance fee, just parking if you travel by car or motorbike. And the tram that operates from the parking garage to the museum offers amazing views. As you arrive at the main buildings, designed by famous architect Frank Gehry, you know this is well worth the visit – a peaceful environment in a striking landscape. There are four buildings of art of stunningly beautiful quality, and the architecture and grounds are worth the trip alone. And check out the outdoor cafe with its great views of LA. The art collections are amazing with work from Van Gogh, Cezanne and Monet just to name a few.

Day 2 Los Angeles – Bakersfield (200 miles). Take a look out the window and savour the amazing sunrise that signals the beginning of a new day. We start it with a good American breakfast and then pack our bags to go and pick up our motorcycles. A few signatures later you’re sitting in the saddle of your favourite motorcycle, cruising along the foothills and into the Angeles National Forest. This road is a 66 mile scenic drive with breathtaking views of Los Angeles, and it’s a dream road for motorcyclists. Temperatures can easily drop from 35C to 15C as we climb to 2000 m elevation from the LA basin. The air now smells of sage, eucalyptus and pine and it’s a welcome change from the heat that sits below us at the foothills.

The road is twisty and lets every rider’s heart beat faster. We stop for lunch at Newcomb’s Ranch restaurant to relax and grab some food, but everyone is getting kind of itchy to continue the thrilling ride through the San Gabriel Mountains.

As we ride over the ridge we enter Palmdale and then Bakersfield, gateway city to Sequoia National Park.

Day 3 Bakersfield – Oakhurst (280 miles). Early in the morning we leave Bakersfield and ride toward Lake Isabella which lies peacefully in the Sequoia National Forest. The fun begins right away on a fantastic twisty road. Kern River accompanies us all the way to Lake Isabella and invites to stop at each layby. You really wouldn’t expect this kind of terrain and scenery right outside Bakersfield. Lake Isabella and Kern River offer whitewater rafting, kayaking, boating, sailing, water skiing, jet-skiing, windsurfing and fishing.

We follow the beautiful scenery and the road hugs the edge of the National Forest. Sequoia is one of nineteen national forests in California and takes its name from the giant sequoia, the world's largest tree, which grows in more than 30 groves on the forest's lower slopes. Sequoia's landscape is as spectacular as its trees: soaring granite monoliths, glacier-torn canyons, roaring whitewater, and more, await your discovery at the Sierra Nevada's southern end. Elevations range from 300 m in the foothill region to peaks over 4,000 m in the rugged high country, providing some of the most spectacular views of mountainous landscape in the entire west.

As we make our way north, we pass Fresno and reach our destination, Oakhurst, on the edge of that rather well known recreational area - Yosemite National Park.

Day 4 Oakhurst – Lake Tahoe (260 miles). After a hearty breakfast we swing into the saddle and ride our iron horses into Yosemite National Park. Before we enter the park we take a ride through the countryside. With rolling hills and gray-blue clouds in the distance and dark green trees among endless fields of yellow grass you’re vividly reminded of the 1970s TV show Little House on the Prairie. We get to Mariposa, follow the road to Jamestown and boy, is this some ride! It might sound old by now but yes, the road is twisty! There are some pretty narrow and tight bends, then the road opens up, straightens and offers a stop in Coulterville. The old historic Hotel Jeffery, est. 1851, is unoccupied and a sign reads “4 SALE”. A neat town where time seems to have stopped years ago.

A little further down the road we pass Don Pedro Reservoir and head up to Jamestown in California Gold Country,where a walk down Main St is a step back in time..

You can dine at the Willow Steak House (established 1864), where the builders of the Sierra Railway once hung out in the bar. You can have lunch or ice cream at Here's the Scoop, with its old-style decor including a bar that came from a historic San Francisco saloon. In the early summer of 1848 - a few months after the famous discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill near Sacramento that started the Gold Rush - an Oregon man named Benjamin Wood discovered the first gold in the area in what is now known as Woods Creek. The discovery site is about 1 mile west of what is today downtown Jamestown.

It’s hard to get away from this town as there is so much to see but we’ve got to get back on our bikes. Sonora Pass rises to almost 3,000 m above sea level and it's like walking on air. One Bonanza episode, called Stallion’, was filmed here in 1972, and was the most dangerous outdoor episode ever filmed.

It’s hard to get away from this town as there is so much to see but we’ve got to get back on our bikes to master the next leg of the tour; the ride into Yosemite and across Sonora Pass.

Sonora Pass rises to almost 3,000 m above sea level and it's like walking on air. One Bonanza episode, called Stallion’, was filmed here in 1972. The narrow highway had to be out of camera frame, but as the road was the only way to get to the mountain slopes, filming proved more than challenging and this was the most dangerous outdoor episode ever filmed.

We then drop down onto Hwy 395, hang a left and make our way to our hotel, which is of course located right at the lake. As we sit at the dinner table everybody talks about the gorgeous day that’s passed and the excitement that lies ahead of us tomorrow.

Day 5 Lake Tahoe (free day). This is action day! You can choose from the prebookable lake adventures we have on offer – jetskiing or sailing - do your own thing, or come for a ride out with us, the choice is yours. We’ll see you back at the hotel for dinner - have fun!

Day 6 Lake Tahoe - Santa Rosa 230 miles. Dropping down from the peaks around Lake Tahoe, we cross the valley floor again and enter California’s main wine-growing region, Sonoma County, and more specifically Napa Valley, riding past world-famous wineries to Santa Rosa, the heart of America’s wine making. And we’ve included a wine-tasting session for you as well!.

Day 7 Santa Rosa – San Francisco (120 miles). We haven’t finished with the fun yet, as we start the day early with a hot air balloon ride over the Napa Valley. We then ride the Silverado Trail and explore Napa Valley some more before heading on to the Pacific Ocean and a beautiful ride to Bodega Bay. We head back south, catch up with hwy 101 and cross the Golden Gate Bridge into San Francisco. Tonight is a chance to experience the city’s vibrant nightlife and have time to recover tomorrow.

Day 8 San Francisco (free day). Today is a free day for you to explore this beautiful city – voted one of the world’s top 5 cities – by motorcycle, foot or tram. Again, we’re offering you prebookable activities – a relaxing sunset catamaran cruise in the Bay, or a great winery tour to Napa Valley – that we just know you’ll love! Or you can join us on a ride back over the Golden Gate Bridge into pretty, snug little Sausalito and Tiburon. Sausalito is a quaint seaside town, once a hotspot for drunken sailors and bawdy saloons, today a very refined place that feels like the Cote d’Azur. Marin County is an unabashed introduction to Californian self-indulgence: a pleasure zone of conspicuous luxury and abundant natural beauty – with sunshine, sandy beaches, high mountains, and thick redwood forests, often ranked the wealthiest county in the USA. Or, as a complete contrast, how about Alcatraz?

Day 9 San Francisco – Monterey (130 miles), Heading out of San Francisco, we pick up Highway 1 again and continue our ride along the Pacific Ocean. This is one of the best motorcycle rides in the world. Breathtaking views of the coves and inlets of the Pacific are yours. The coastline here is spectacular and there are plenty of opportunities for great photo stops. We end the day with an optional late afternoon visit to Monterey’s Cannery Row, pier and aquarium.

Day 10 Monterey - San Simeon (280 miles). 90 wild and undeveloped miles of rocky cliffs, which form a sublime landscape – redwood groves line river canyons and the Santa Lucia Mountains rise out of the blue-green Pacific. Roughly midway along the Big Sur Coast we come to Esalen, which is named for the long gone native tribes who once enjoyed its natural hot spring, situated on a cliff top high above the raging Pacific surf. We glide like eagles through the turns high above the rugged and remote ocean and arrive at the famous Hearst Castle, one of California’s landmark houses. After a tour we carry on the few miles to San Simeon.

Day 11 San Simeon – Los Angeles (235 miles). San Simeon is best known for Hearst Castle, and no visit would be complete without a castle tour, so we can arrange one for you! After that, we continue our ride on scenic highway 1 taking in Cambria, Morro Bay and Pismo Beach before heading inland on hwy 101 to enjoy the great back roads and scenery, continuing through Solvang and the Santa Ynez Mountains and back to LA.

Day 12 Depart Los Angeles. Today is the day to pack your bags, filled with the experiences and memories of a fantastic tour of California: it’s time to head home. Have a safe journey and we hope to see you back for another great tour soon.

Total mileage c. 1500 miles

Our tour price includes

• Authorized Harley-Davidson® motorcycle (low mileage, under 18,000) or other makes and models as listed
• Standard motorcycle insurance package: CDW with $5000 excess, theft insurance with $5000 excess, state minimum liability cover of typically $10,000-$50,000
• American licensed tour guide on motorcycle and assistant in support vehicle (guided only)
• Support/luggage vehicle with coolbox/drinks (guided only)
• Spare motorcycle for emergencies (guided only)
• Trauma / First Aid kit (guided only)
• Unlimited mileage
• All taxes
• Helmets (if requested). We strongly recommend you bring your own
• Detailed tourbook including maps
• Accommodation in 3-4* hotels
• Welcome Breakfast & Farewell Dinner (guided only)
• Some breakfasts
• National Park, State Park and National Monument entrance fees (guided only)
• Hotel parking fees (guided only)
• Luggage storage at depot (not available on on-way tours)
• Airport transfers (see tour itinerary for details)

Our tour price does not include

• Meals except where specified (allow c. £25/person/day)
• Fuel and oil (allow c. £10/day)
• Riding gear
• Additional activities
• Personal expenses, souvenirs, tips

Optional prebookable items

(for details of our optional extras, please see the details on the Guided Tour page)

• Flights
• UK airport hotels and parking
• Airport-hotel transfers
• Travel insurance
• Optional CDW & SLI motorcycle insurance
• Excursions/activities listed (guided tours only)
• Pre and post-tour accommodation and tours
• Pre-and post-tour motorcycle hire

Motorcycle selection

(Please indicate 1^st and 2^nd choice, all bikes are subject to availability at the time of booking and all are the same price)

• Glendale H-D
• Sportster 883
• V-Rod
• Dyna Low Rider
• Fatboy
• Heritage Softail Classic
• Heritage Softail Deluxe
• Road King Standard
• Road King Classic
• Street Glide
• Electraglide Classic
• Electraglide Ultra Classic
• Trike (surcharge applies)
• Other H-D models may be available on request
• Or
• BMW R1200GS
• BMW R1200RT
• Ducati Multistrada
• Honda VT750 Shadow
• Honda GL1800 Goldwing

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California Dreamin'         Prices Rider + passenger (per person in twin or double room) 2 riders       (per person in twin or double room) Rider,  single room Passenger, single room 03 Aug - 14 Aug 2012 £2,345.00 £3,525.00 £4,245.00 £1,875.00 02 Aug - 13 Aug 2013 £2,345.00 £3,525.00 £4,245.00 £1,875.00 Self-guided tour on any date starting 01 May - 30 Sep, avoiding guided tour dates and bike pick-up / drop-off on a public holiday £1,175.00 £1,675.00 £2,345.00 £1,345.00

California Dreamin' prebookable extras Basis Price CDW ($0 excess) Per bike £130.00 SLI ($1 million) Per bike £120.00 Flights Per person POA Travel insurance (EU residents only) Per person POA Airport hotel/parking (UK only) Per person POA Los Angeles hotel pretour Per room per night £94.00 Lake Tahoe jetski Per hour £104.00 Lake Tahoe sailing Per person £42.00 Bay sunset cruise Per person £45.00 Napa wine tour Per person £82.50 Hearst Castle guided tour Per person £21.00 Los Angeles amusement package (1 nt) Per person £163.00 Hollywood package (1 nt) Per person £101.00 Los Angeles hotel posttour Per room per night £94.00

California Dreamin' accommodation list – guided California Dreamin' accommodation list - self-guided Los Angeles, Radisson LAX Los Angeles, Crowne Plaza LAX Bakersfield, Four Points by Sheraton Bakersfield, Holiday Inn Express Oakhurst, Shilo Inn Oakhurst, Shilo Inn Lake Tahoe, BW+ Timber Cove Lodge (2 nts) Lake Tahoe, Horizon Casino Napa, Doubletree Inn Napa, BW Premier Ivy Hotel San Francisco, Holiday Inn Golden Gateway (2 nts) San Francisco, BW Tuscan Inn (2 nts) Monterey, Casa Munras Garden Hotel Monterey, Casa Munras Garden Hotel San Simeon, BW Cavalier Oceanfront San Simeon, BW Cavalier Oceanfront Los Angeles, Radisson LAX Los Angeles, Crowne Plaza LAX

| Wild West | Route 66 | California Dreamin’ | Daytona Bike Week |
 | Sturgis and the Old West | High Chaparral | Cowboys & Indians |
| PCH All the Way | Self-Guided Tours | Rental |

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