Book In Advance
Why Book on Tripadvisor?
  • Tour highlights & full itinerary
  • Easy online booking
  • Lowest price guaranteed
More Information
  
Ways to Experience Explore California
from CA$1,272.59
More Info
Reviews (75)
Filter reviews
75 results
Traveler rating
70
3
2
0
0
Traveler type
Time of year
LanguageAll languages
More languages
Traveler rating
70
3
2
0
0
See what travelers are saying:
Selected filters
Filter
Updating list...
61 - 66 of 75 reviews
Reviewed June 29, 2012

We cannot say enough good things about Bryan and Explore California. Not only did he honor his commitment to our trip despite the fact that the rest of our travel party cancelled at the last moment, but he backtracted over the GGB so that we could have our picture taken with the bridge in the background. We had originally planned to drive the PCH ourselves for our Golden anniversary. Instead, we were so glad that we left the driving in Bryan's capable hands and had the benefit of his knowledge and experience. Thank you, Bryan, for the trip of a lifetime, and we wish you and your partner much deserved success.
Linda & Ed B

Date of experience: June 2012
1  Thank Linda B
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Reviewed June 6, 2012

My friend A. Paul from Lithuania and I took the Coastal California tour with Explore California. It was completely flawless. Picked up in San Francisco in the morning and driven via Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz to Monterey. Found very quickly that Brian was not your standard guide. Very friendly, very personable. Being a music aficionado, I was happy to find that he was open to providing a "personalized soundtrack" for the tour experience.

We had plenty of time on the first afternoon to explore the aquarium and Cannery Row. Tour members are on their own for dinners, which are not included in the tour price. The hotel accommodations in Monterey and for the second night in Cambria, near Hearst Castle, were both very nice. No complaints there.

The second travel day wends its way through Big Sur via the Nepenthe Cafe. Beautiful. Brian provided plenty of stops for photo ops and just to take in the beautiful scenery. He also had plenty of tidbits of information on local color, flora, etc. Finished up the day's travel at Hearst Castle. Because of traffic and our frequent stops, we missed the tour we were scheduled for, but Brian persevered and got us in the last tour of the day which was great.

The third day goes from Cambria to Santa Barbara via the Danish town of Solvang for lunch. Very nice. Not as spectacular scenery-wise, but very California. We had time for a bit of browsing and a beer in Santa Barbara before Brian dropped us at the train station for the last leg, the evening train to Los Angeles. The fact that he can arrange that whole train to take you on the last leg is amazing, but demonstrates the lengths that Explore California will go to make your tour a one of a kind experience. Thank you Brian and Kelly for a trip we won't forget.

Cheers!

Date of experience: May 2012
3  Thank Lee H
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Reviewed June 5, 2012

As amazing as San Francisco is, if you visit and don't leave the city you are missing out. I've been lucky enough to join two Explore Cali trips, one to Lake Tahoe and one to Wine Country and both were amazing. Kelly and Bryan did a phenomenal job of working with us to plan the trip and suggesting stops at wineries we never would have found otherwise. Thanks guys, can't wait for the next trip.

Date of experience: March 2012
Thank adamvaught
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Reviewed May 29, 2012

Explore California is a great way to experience Napa Valley. Our guide, Kelly, picked us up in San Francisco and took us to all of her favorite wineries. Great recommendations, great wine, great food, and a great smile. She made sure we all had a great time. So thank you Explore California and especially thank you Kelly for making our trip unforgettable!

Date of experience: February 2012
1  Thank therealzazzle
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Reviewed May 18, 2012

For the second year in a row, a group of friends used Explore California to take us down the coast from San Francisco to Big Sur and back for a really fun weekend. In our circle, we call it "Best Weekend Ever" now, and it is all thanks to Kelly at Explore California. She has endless energy, is always smiling and super knowledgeable. She took us to a fantastic off the beaten path brunch spot in Monterey where we instantly felt like locals and not tourists. She knows all the ins and outs of the Monterey and Big Sur area, expertly toured us around for the weekend, put up with our rowdiness and joined in the fun. Honestly- next year can't come soon enough! We will for sure be using Explore California for our next "Best Weekend Ever"!

Date of experience: April 2012
1  Thank kim p
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
View more reviews