California Dreamin' Tours are sightseeing / camping tours of California and the South Western USA, including, Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, San Francisco, Big Sur, Las Vegas, Bryce Canyon, Arches National Park and more.
The Alternative Tour
So how does it work?
First you will book your trip, either here on the web site or by phone. You will for your trip pay with cash, creditcard or traveler's checks on the day of the tour. On that morning your leader will pick you up at one of our convenient meeting places (see margin on left side of homepage for locations). Then you are off and running on your adventure. First stop will be the grocery store to pick up supplies for those gourmet camp meals. Then the group will make it's way to the first destination. You will be camping when visiting the National Parks and the coast but staying in hostels or hotels in San Francisco and in a hotel in Las Vegas.
When you get to your destinations your trip leader will have plenty of ideas for hikes and sights in which you are free to participate or do your own thing if you want. On each tour there are also numerous optional activities and attractions available. Your leader can make reservations for you if you are interested. Just be sure to fill out the BOOK THIS TOUR page completely to let us know if you are interested in a particular optional activity.
Recommended Lodging/Our meeting Points
We recommend that you stay at one of the recommended lodgings listed in the left margin of the homepage on the night before your tour and upon returning to Los Angeles. The reason for this is because that is where we will pick you up on the day of the tour and where we will drop you off when we return to LA. All of these locations are safe, economical and geared to the backpacker. If for some reason you can't make it to one of these locations you will need to call us so we can try to arrange an alternative for you. If you are staying in Hollywood at the beginning of the trip, it is recommended that you stay at one of the other hostels on the beach side of town when returning to LA (backpackers, Hermosa, or Santa Monica) so that you will not miss part of your LA city tour (Beverly Hills).
What's Included?
All of our trips include everything you need to have a great trip, starting with transportation to all the parks and city tours of Hollywood, Las vegas and San Francisco. Camping in the National Parks in roomy tents with sleeping pads for comfortable nights (two persons per tent) is a great way to see the West. All the necessary high quality camping equipment to make camping easy and your meals tasty is very important. Meals are also included with the exception of those meals in the cities, (Las Vegas and San Francisco), and of course all National Park admissions. All this with the lowest price available make our tours just what you are looking for.
What About Meals?
Food is included in the price of your tour and the program works like this. The group shares in the preparation of all meals. The chefs for the night will do the shopping and cooking for the particular delicacy they have planned for the evening. Passengers take turns playing chef and shopping as well as cleaning up. Breakfast and lunch are on the help your self plan. Cereal, coffee, tea, fruit, etc.. will be available for breakfasts, and sandwich fixings for lunches. Only those meals eaten while dinning out in the city are not covered in the cost of your trip.
So Why Choose California Dreamin?
So far we may not sound much different than other tours claim to be, so why should you go with California Dreamin? Well below are links to the web sites of our competition we encourage you to compare our prices and what's included on our tours. We are confident that you will chose us. If not feel free to e-mail us and let us know what it was that made you chose our competition over us.
Our Customers
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Transportation
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Most of our clients are young international travelers, looking for a way to see sights which are difficult to see without a car. All ages are welcome but a desire for the outdoors is necessary.
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We use 15 person Ford vans with air and a great stereo for maximum comfort. Your tapes and CDs are always welcome. All the luggage fits in our roof rack with it's water proof cover.
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Camping
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Meeting Points
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You've never camped before? Well don't worry lots of people haven't. It's not difficult when we all work together. We provide all the necessary camping equipment for trips of this nature. Everyone is responsible for setting up and taking down their tent but your leader is always there to help you.
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Our Meeting Points are at safe, affordable hostels throughout LA. We recommend you stay at one of them so you will be ready on the morning of your trip. You may also be picked up at the Santa Barbara Hostel or San Francisco Hostel if on a California Dreamin' trip (not Canyonlands).
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Equipment
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Optional Activities
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We use the best quality camping equipment, including Eureka 4 person waterproof tents (sleeping 2 to a tent), Coleman stoves and lanterns as well as a sleeping pad to make your nights more comfortable.
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There are plenty of optional activities available at most all destinations they are not included but your leader knows where to get you the best deals on them and can book them for you.
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What to Bring
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Weather
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On our trips walking shorts and T-shirts are the usual attire but you will also need a sleeping bag, athletic shoes for hiking, swimsuit, and something warmer for cool nights in the mountains and on the coast. Incase rain is in the forecast a rain jacket is important, flashlight, and a padlock is very useful for the hostels.
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June thru September is hot and sunny. May and October days are warm but nights are cool with occasional showers. Throughout the season San Francisco and the coast can be cool and breezy. Las Vegas and the desert is Hot! Mountains will be cool to cold at night.
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Hotel in Las Vegas
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Hostel in San Francisco
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In Las Vegas we will stay in one of the many hotels available most all come with swimming pools. All rooms are double occupancy.
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In San Francisco we will stay at one of the many youth hostels or a budget hotel, but Fort Mason Hostel is our preferred lodging.
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Laundry/Showers
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Mail/Post
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Most campgrounds will have showers for a fee, and some for free. There will also be some nights where showers are not available due to the remoteness of our campsites, (San Juan River & Mammoth Hot Springs). Laundry will be available at least once a trip (no need to over pack).
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There will be plenty of opportunities to mail postcards and buy stamps along the way. Internet is also readily available in many of the destinations on our trips.
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If you need a list of alternative lodging in LA or a sleeping bag let us know
Toll Free Phone Number
1(866) 440-4440
by Joseph A Toska
Copyright © 2001 [California Dreamin' Tours]. All rights reserved.
Last Revised on July 12, 2007