42Reservations: Dublin 01 6733800 or Belfast 028 9051 1800California -FlydriveDay 1: After checking into your Hotel, you can head out down to Fishermans wharf to have a bite toeat. Be sure to stop by the Buena Vista and finish off your day with a world famous Irishcoffee... Or you could head to the California Academy of Sciences. Its one of the hottestevents on everyone's social calendar! As the sun goes down, this famous San Franciscomuseum is transformed into a lively venue filled with music, provocative science andexhibits! Next 2 nights in the Stratford Hotel Union Square Day 2:On your first morning you are bound to be up early due to the 8 hour time difference betweenIreland and California. So take advantage of an early start and do an Alcatraz and SanFrancisco City Tour. Perhaps if you are feeling a bit active you can cycle your own city tourincluding a cycle across the Golden Gate Bridge. Afterwards enjoy a lovely snack in Sausalitobefore returning by ferry to Fishermans wharf. Day 3:After you collect your car you will head down one of the worlds most scenic and stunningdrives on Highway 1 or Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). On your journey you will drive throughSanta Cruz with its eclectic cafes and fun filled boardwalk. You could say one night in eitherthe historic Monterey where Steinbeck was inspired to write "Cannery Row". Or in the quaintlittle village of Carmel by the Sea. Both areas have amazing options for dining with freshseafood and local wines. Driving time 1 ½ - 2 hours Overnight Monterey/Carmel - LaQuinta Monterey or similar in Carmel.Day 4:This is the big drive day! When leaving Monterey/Carmel you will start your journey downthrough the breathtaking "Big Sur" national park. This is where the mountains meet the sea.Because your drive starts in San Francisco heading south, you will be driving on the oceanside of the road therefore giving you unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean and thefabulous scenery that unfolds on PCH... There is so much to see as you cruise and gazedown the coast line. A lovely spot to stop en route is the family run restaurant "Nepenthe"They serve up fresh sandwiches and salads for you to enjoy while seated on a verandaoverlooking the coastline. you will never want to leave. The views from here are simplyspectacular! As you start to leave the Big Sur, keep your eyes peeled for Hearst Castle.William Hearst, a newspaper proprietor created a little getaway for himself and a place toentertain Hollywood's golden era of celebrities on his wee estate consisting of 165rooms,127 acres of gardens, terraces, pools and walkways. There are various tours tochoose from at Hearst Castle.Make sure you pop by Cambria. Just a 5 minute drive from San Simeon and is full of winetasting rooms and lovely art and photographic galleries provided by local artists. Cambria isa quaint little one street town that you don't want to miss!Hi, My name is Kristin and I am a proudCalifornian. Although I was pretty much raised bythe beach in Los Angeles , I was fortunate enoughto have lived a few years in the central coasttown of San Luis Obispo as well as six years in thegorgeous area of La Jolla in San Diego. I have covered the coastline of personaladventures and I love passing on my favouriterecommendations toanyone who is planning onheading to the wonderfulgolden state of California. Please drop by to see me tohelp plan the trip of alifetime .You will have a night in San Luis Obispo at the Best Western Cavalier Ocean Front which isa beautiful beach front property. You will experience one of the most exquisite sunsets whilewarming yourself in front of one of the bonfires on the beach. Diving time 3-5 hoursOvernight San Luis Obispo - The Best Western Cavalier Ocean Front Day 5:Santa Barbara.. Californians idea of paradise! State Street has some of the best shoppingin the state ranging from the Gap and Abercrombie and Fitch to Harrods and Nordstrom's.After some great shopping you can dine on mouth-watering Mexican food with bottomlesschips and salsa or the freshest fish from Brophy Bros in the Harbour. You will be full andhappy in Santa Barbara. Driving time 2 ½ - 3 hours Overnight Santa Barbara - BestWestern Pepper Tree Inn Day 6:When leaving Santa Barbara there are some shopping outlets in Camarillo. After some retailtherapy you can drive back on PCH and continue through the stunning Malibu Beach communitytowards Santa Monica. This will also cut out a bit of LA traffic while also being beautifully scenic.That evening spend some time on the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica. The promenadeconsists of 3 blocks of pedestrian walkways filled with every shop imaginable as well as livingrestaurants and alfresco dining so you can people watch to your hearts content. Driving time2-3 hours Next 2 nights in the Beverly Garland Hotel Universal Day 7:Today why not get the lowdown on Los Angeles on a city tour, see where the movie stars livein Beverly Hills, then put yourself inside big movie action at Universal Studios Hollywood. The day begins with a fully narrated tour, taking you to the historic Hollywood Bowl andGrauman's Chinese Theatre. You will see Hollywood Boulevard, the famous Sunset Strip,Rodeo Drive and Beverly Hills, where the movie stars live, work and shop. Stroll throughFarmer's Market and shop for an exotic array of food and gifts.Your final stop is Universal Studios Hollywood, the world's largest and busiest movie studio.Movies have been made here since 1915!Escape into the thrilling worlds of The Simpsons,Jurassic Park, Terminator, Shrek and other blockbuster movies and television shows orImmerse yourself in the movie action with pulse-pounding rides and full-sensory attractionsDay 8:Before your drive to Las Vegas head out to the beach for some R&R , maybe hire a bike fromSanta Monica Pier and cycle down to Venice admiring the amazing homes and graffiti art thatthe area is so well known for . Throughout the years, Venice Beach California has been knownto be a hub of artistic inspiration and creativity. Head back to Santa Monica Pier, maybe stoppingat the Famous Bubba Gump's for some Shrimp before heading out for your Drive to Las Vegas Appreciate some of the amazing and dramatic scenery on the way. Driving Time 5 - 6 hours Our Suggested 10 Day California Fly Drive Itinerary (Ref 732065)San Francisco 2nights . Monterey/Carmel 1 night . San Luis Obispo 1 night . Santa Barbara 1 night . Los Angeles 2 nights . Las Vegas 3 nights KristinFly Drive

Check out our full range of attractions available on www.americanholidays.com43California -FlydriveArrive in Las Vegas and drop your car to the Airport as there will be no need for a car. Wecan book a shuttle service to your hotel for you or avail of the many taxis. Why not prebook a show? Next 3 nights in Las Vegas Excalibur Hotel Day 9:One of the most amazing places to see from Las Vegas is Grand Canyon and the best wayto do it is by helicopter, make sure you pre-book though is it is much more expensivelocally, you can book a number of different trips on www.americanholidays.com one of myfavourites is The Grand Canyon Helicopter Trip with Ranch Adventure, you fly out to theCanyon over Hoover Dam and then descend 1500 feet below the canyon's rim. I have tosay it is absolutely amazing was one of the best things that I have ever done. You will thenland at the ranch for some lunch and entertainment from some real working cowboys. Onthe flight back you will fly over the strip to have one final birds-eye view of Las Vegas. Why not head down to Freemont Street tonight for the light show, the food and drink isalso much cheaper than the strip! Day 10:Today I would take a stroll around the hotels which are a tourist attraction in themselves.Watch the amazing dancing fountains at the Bellagio, take a canal cruise in the Venetianor watch a Pirate show in Treasure Island as they say anything goes inVegas. There willalso be plenty of places for shopping as many of the hotels have their own shopping malls. Why not try a show tonight, the Cirque del Soleil shows are a spectacle to behold or playa few hands at the Black Jack Tables Day 11:Squeeze in a bit more shopping and sightseeing before returning to the airport for yourflight home, again we can organise your return transfer. Our Top Tips for holidaying in CaliforniaPrice from £1115 / ?1249per person based on 2 adultsInclusions:Transatlantic flights for 2 adults 10 nights accommodation as specified in itineraryAlamo Compact Car including full insurance for 6 daysThis is a sample of our package fly drive price travelling in May 2012. Allrates are correct at time of print and can be subject to change depending onrate and availability. Air Fares may be based on instant purchase rates.Please quote our ref 1.The most important tip.. start your fly drive from San Francisco. You have yourfirst few days to walk the city (no car required) and get over the jet lag. But moreimportantly... as you drive down the coast you will be on the ocean side so nounobstructed views of the Pacific Coastline2.A must see is Alcatraz! Be sure to pre-book to guarantee you're entrance priorto arrival. 3.Bike and Roll - cycling across the Golden Gate Bridge and lunch in Sausalito isa great day out. And in the evening visit the California Academy of sciences fora lively night out. 4.Stop at Nepenthe in Big Sur where you can have a cup of tea or glass of winewhile sitting on a veranda overlooking the magnificent coastline. Also you canpick up some art or jewellery created by local artists in the Phoenix shop.5.Hearst Castle in San Simeon is spectacular and definitely worth a stop into.Besides the artwork and beautifully appointed rooms the view of the PacificOcean is amazing.6.Santa Barbara is great for shopping and gorgeous food but make sure you stopby the Mission. The Santa Barbara Mission is an old Spanish monastery and hasstunning gardens and architecture. 7.Universal Studios is a working studio so when you do the tram ride you will becoasting past sound stages where movies, music videos and TV shows aretaped. You will most likely spot a star en route. 8.Ride a bike or roller blade on the Santa Monica beach strand. You can glide yourway up to the location where "Baywatch" was made or down towards themuscely men located aptly at Muscle Beach. Finish the evening on the 3rdstreet Promenade with dinner and drinks while taking part in some of the bestpeople watching. Oh and the shops stay open late too.9.Discover the Original Disneyland where it all began over 50 years ago. Whilethere you can pop over to Disney's newest addition "California Adventure" whereyou will have some fun fill rides and shows and you can wind down in RobertMondavi wine tasting rooms.10.Wear sunscreen at all times.11 Drive from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. Its roughly5-6 hours but you can stop inBarstow for some outlet shopping to break up the journey. Or just a bit afterBarstow is Baker where you will find the world's largest thermometer. Have amilk shake and check out some photos of the thermometer reaching 135' F12 Been to Vegas ? why not go to San Diego? Take the water taxi from SeaportVillage to Coronado Island. There is a park there and a restaurant that has aspectacular view of the San Diego sky line. This of course would be after youspend the day in Sea World or the San Diego Zoo