Adventure amidst sky-high sequoias and towering granite cliffs, on our California adventure vacations and explore the Golden State.
California is a land of extremes. There’s Yosemite Falls: at 2,425 feet, it’s the 5th highest waterfall in the world. There’s Tomales Bay: the state’s largest unspoiled coastal embayment. The tallest living organism on Earth, the giant sequoia, makes California its home, as does the world’s longest living entity, the Bristlecone Pine. California is also home to the rolling hills and vineyards of the West Coast's wine country in Napa and Sonoma, and to the iconic granite cliffs of Yosemite National Park.
Our California adventure vacations offer ways to actively explore the natural wonders of this great state. Hike among the towering sequoias, marvel at the grandeur of El Capitan, and chase waterfalls on your Californian adventure!
California Adventure Vacation Packages for Adults
California Adventure Vacation Packages for Adults
California Adventure Vacation Packages for Families
California Adventure Vacation Packages for Families
When Is the Best Time to Visit California?
The best time to visit California for an Adventure Vacation is June to August because the weather is favorable and the parks put on their best show of wild beauty. If you're heading to Yosemite National Park, the summer months are a great time to visit. Thanks to the spring runoff, the park’s waterfalls are especially stunning in early June. By July and August, most of the park’s roads are usually open, and you’ll find the best options for hiking because most of the trails are accessible.
What to pack for your California adventure vacation
We love exploring California – especially it’s incredible national parks. If you’re planning a trip California or Yosemite, Death Valley, or Joshua Tree National Parks, we have some tips for items you should pack on your adventure vacation.
1. Broken-In Hiking Boots
California is home to some of the most epic hiking trails in the country. Whether you’re just hiking for a few miles or the entire Pacific Crest Trail, you’ll want to have a pair of good-quality hiking boots. But, if you don’t own hiking boots, please don’t buy a pair the day before you leave! For maximum comfort “break in” your boots first. This will ensure that you don’t suffer from painful blisters on your trip.
2. Swimsuit
From the waves in the Pacific to the alpine lakes in Yosemite, there are plenty of places to swim in California. If you’re a fan of getting in the water, you won’t want to be get caught in this state without a swimming suit! You can even swim in Death Valley – the driest place in the continental U.S.
3. Reusable Bag and Water Bottle
California is a very eco-conscious state. For example, California was the first state to ban grocery stores from handing out plastic bags for free. We recommend packing a fast-drying, lightweight bag that folds into itself. It’s also important to pack a reusable water bottle – especially if you’re visiting Death Valley. (Note: We’ll hook you up with these goods if you’re on any of our trips!)
Travel tips for visiting California
Every year, more than 200 million travelers visit California. Many of those visit our favorite national parks, Death Valley, Joshua Tree, and Yosemite, and many of those end up missing out on what we think are some really neat things. Below are some of the tried-and-true must-dos that we hope you’ll have time for!
1. Meet John Muir
While John Muir has been dead for some time now, this Scottish-American naturalist’s legacy is very much alive thanks to his significant role in the establishment and preservation of Yosemite National Park. If you have a chance, learn a little about this remarkable man who devoted his life to making sure that others could fully appreciate this special place. The more you know about John Muir, the more you’ll be able to see the park through his eyes and fully enjoy its wealth of beauty and nature.
2. The Golden Hour
While in Death Valley, don’t miss what photographers refer to as the “golden hour.” You’ll be in awe of the magic that takes place as the sun sets over the Mesquite Sand Dunes. Sunrise is also a great time to photograph this ever-shifting sea of sand that has features you’ll probably never see again.
3. Don't rely on your phone
Cell service in both Yosemite and Death Valley is spotty or non-existent in many places. Don’t schedule any important calls or plan on Instagramming while you’re traveling in these parks! If you’re worried about not being able to use Google Maps, pack a GPS or pick up a map at a visitors’ center.
Take 10% off the trip price when you book a trip and pay in full
By paying in full, we are able to pass on savings to our guests, but please note that by opting for this payment plan, your booking becomes non-refundable, non-cancellable, and non-changeable. This offer is only valid for reservations where the trip is no sooner than 180 days from the departure date at time of booking.
We highly recommend that you purchase Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance. We recommend Redpoint Insurance – you can find details here.
T+Cs Apply. Read more here.
Moments from California
Gallery
FAQs About our California Vacations
Accommodation
We've spent years finding places to stay that are quaint, perfectly-located, and comfortable when we take you to the most amazing parts of North America. We offer a wide variety of accommodations on our trips ranging from locally run inns and first-class hotels to resorts, dude ranches and historic national park cabins. Accommodations are selected for their location, unique charm and history, and offer a true feel for the region. We strongly believe in the value of a good night's sleep and our accommodation reflects this. We also like to have somewhere comfortable to relax after the day's activities.
Transport
We're really focused on ensuring that we spend as little time as possible sitting in vehicles, and that we optimize your vacation for adventuring in the great outdoors. Our average driving time is just over two hours a day, and we make plenty of stops for bathroom breaks and sightseeing along the way. We use modern, comfortable 15-passenger vans for all of our transfers and a second van is added to most departures to provide more flexibility and more room to spread out while seeing the sights! Make no mistake - our trips are not typical bus tour vacation packages! Picture more of a road trip with family complete with good music, tasty snacks, and plenty of guide-supplied fun facts along the way to keep you entertained!
Meals
Just about all your meals are included when you travel with Austin Adventures in North America. We provide a wide variety of cuisine - breakfasts are typically eaten at your hotel on your own time in the morning before meeting up with the group. Lunches feature everything from elaborate picnics to roadside cafes to sandwiches trailside. Dinners are usually eaten at our hotel's dining room or a local restaurant with plenty of options to choose from. We easily cater to vegetarians, picky kids, and people with particular dietary needs. All our guides have food safety certificates and are well-practiced in the art of food prep and serving while on-the-move. You'll find the meals are a real highlight of your trip!
Guides
Our trips are all led by experienced guides who are very proud to work with us and often lead our trips for many years, for which we are very lucky and very grateful as it means we're able to consistently offer a fantastic level of service. Our guests are often drawn to North America by the beautiful scenic landscapes, promise of wilderness and clean air - and there's no doubt you'll find all that, though what you may not be expecting is to forge real, genuine friendships with your fellow tripmates, including our wonderful guides. They're hands-down the BEST guides you'll ever come across.
As an Austin Adventures traveler, it’s highly recommended you take out travel insurance to cover the likes of travel delays, missed connections, medical expenses or injury, or lost baggage for your travel with us. Please head to our Travel Protection page for more in-depth information and our recommended insurance provider.
We generally take up to 18 people per trip, although this can vary, and all our trips have at least two of our guides to look after you (apart from the occasions we have a small group). We have found that our trips tend to attract a particular kind of person and many people have commented that the social scene was one of the highlights of their trip!
Our adult-only departures require a minimum age of 16 years and our family departures require a minimum age of 6 years to join (7 years on our Alaska Family Adventure) and are a great way to meet other like-minded families who like to get outside.
Please note child rates apply to children 12 years and under.
You are allowed one piece of luggage on your trip, plus a daypack. Your main piece of luggage should not exceed 50 pounds (23 kilograms) and can be anything from a duffle bag to a sports bag with wheels or a suitcase. You’ll also want a good quality backpack sized 25-30 liters (2000 cubic inches) to use throughout the days.
We’re accustomed to catering to the following special diets:
- vegan (no meat or animal products)
- vegetarian (no meat products)
- pescatarian (vegetarian, and eat fish)
- no red meat (eat chicken & fish)
- no pork (eat chicken & fish)
- gluten intolerant (no wheat, rye, barley or oats)
- lactose intolerant (no dairy products)
- picky kids (send us a list of what your child will eat and we'll make sure to have it!)
You will get the opportunity to specify your particular requirements when you fill in your travel wallet. If you have any other dietary requirements please let us know well in advance, via email or in your Account.
Loading posts...
Why Travel With Us
Just-right group sizes allow you to get off the beaten path
With an average of 12 guests per departure and an industry-leading average 6:1 guest-to-guide ratio, you’ll enjoy a highly personalized experience.
Award-winning guides lead the way
It’s so much easier to relax and enjoy your adventure when you have fun, caring guides who know the land, sweat all the details and whip up incredible meals, too!
You’ll never need to sweat the details
When we say all inclusive, we mean it! Meals and snacks, activities, lodging, transportation, guiding services and more. All you need to do is show up!
Enjoy freedom to push your boundaries – safely
Every aspect of your trip is thoroughly considered for your safety, from highly vetted partners and well-maintained equipment to extensively trained guides.
Decades of expertise mean you’ll experience only the best
Family travel and North American National Parks are our specialty. We’ve perfected our itineraries for decades, ensuring you'll experience your destination to the fullest.
"Wow Moments” take your trip from enjoyable to extraordinary
For us, the extra mile is never extra, it’s part of the way! Count on special touches throughout your trip that will amplify your experience.
