Carmel and Monterey

Situated on the Monterey Peninsula 120 miles south of San Francisco is the beautiful European style village of Carmel. A mecca for artists, actors and writers Carmel is considered a cultural oasis, located on its own spectacular white sandy beach. Take a stroll through the winding streets, and arcades with many art galleries, antique shops, cafes and restaurants. Pop into the famous Hogs Breath Inn, maybe Clint Eastwood will be in the bar having a tipple. Carmel is the ideal base to explore the stunning scenery and wildlife of the Monterey Peninsula and Big Sur. A must see for golf enthusiasts is Pebble Beach home to many PGA events, and located on 17 mile drive. The renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium is only a short drive away.

Yosemite

Yosemite National Park is one of nature's masterpieces and a must place to visit. Carved out of the Sierra Nevada Mountains the park covers 1,200 square miles of the most spectacular alpine scenery, few places in the world rival its stunning natural beauty. At its centre lies a half mile deep depression created by glacial activity during the last ice age. The park is home to innumerable lakes, spectacular waterfalls to take your breath away, meadows and forests with the giant sequoias reaching to the heavens. Forests teem with wildlife, so watch out for the bears! During the summer months all areas of the park are usually accessible by car, and Toiga pass offers a gateway to the east. There are breathtaking views of the park's scenic highlights from Olmsted Point off Highway 120.