California

Why California

California showcases vibrant cities, coastlines, and national parks—perfect for donor gatherings, alumni groups, leadership retreats, and innovation-focused service trips. San Francisco blends Golden Gate vistas with conversations about tech and ethics, Los Angeles unlocks creativity through arts collectives, the Central Coast provides retreat-ready towns, and Yosemite’s granite cathedrals inspire creation care. With strong transportation infrastructure and trusted partners, leaders can focus on storytelling, generosity, and follow-up supported by our travel commissions guide.

Top Highlights by Theme

• Bay Area: Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Fisherman’s Wharf, Silicon Valley innovation hubs, and multicultural neighborhoods in San Francisco’s Mission District and Bayview.
• Los Angeles & Orange County: Hollywood Bowl, Walt Disney Concert Hall, studio tours, coastal sunsets in Santa Monica, and arts nonprofits.
• Central Coast & Wine Country: Monterey Peninsula, Big Sur cliffs, Spanish colonial heritage in Santa Barbara, Paso Robles vineyards, and donor dinners.
• Sierra Nevada & Yosemite: Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point, Mariposa Grove sequoias, Lake Tahoe retreats, and spiritual reflection in nature.
• Northern California Add-Ons: Napa/Sonoma wineries, Redwood National & State Parks, and San Diego’s community collaborations.

Sub-Regions & Routes

• San Francisco & Silicon Valley

• Base near Union Square or Fisherman’s Wharf for iconic sites and community partners.
• Ride cable cars, visit Golden Gate Park, Alcatraz, and the Presidio for historic storytelling.
• Meet innovation hubs in Silicon Valley (Google, Salesforce, impact accelerators) for leadership sessions.

Los Angeles & Orange County

• Explore Griffith Observatory, Hollywood, Downtown LA arts district, and Sunset Strip.
• Attend arts gatherings at venues like Walt Disney Concert Hall or community theatres; pair with service projects in urban neighbourhoods.
• Host coastal donor dinners in Santa Monica, Newport Beach, or Laguna Beach with sunset views.

Central Coast & Wine Country

• Drive Highway 1 through Monterey, Carmel, and Big Sur for unhurried pacing.
• Host retreats in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, or Paso Robles—blend service collaborations with culinary hospitality.
• Wine country tours (Napa, Sonoma) offer vineyard receptions and fundraising dinners.

Sierra Nevada & Yosemite Retreats

• Travel east to Yosemite National Park for Glacier Point, Yosemite Falls, and Mariposa Grove sequoias.
• Combine with Lake Tahoe or Sequoia/Kings Canyon for expanded nature retreats.
• Plan early morning reflections outdoors, guided hikes, and creation care teaching.

Southern Extensions

• San Diego’s Balboa Park, La Jolla coves, and border nonprofits; Palm Springs for desert downtime.
• Joshua Tree National Park for stargazing sessions and leadership retreats.

Trip Length & Pacing

7 Days

• Arrive San Francisco; Golden Gate welcome cruise and Mission District community visit.
• Bay Area innovation day with faith-and-work partners and evening reception overlooking the bay.
• Drive/fly to Los Angeles; Hollywood tour, arts nonprofit briefing, and donor dinner on the coast.
• LA service morning with local organization and afternoon in Santa Monica or Orange County retreat venue.
• Return via LAX or add Yosemite overnight.

9 Days

• Adds Central Coast drive (Monterey to Santa Barbara) with Big Sur downtime and vineyard dinner.
• Includes Yosemite or Lake Tahoe retreat day with guided reflection.
• Provides buffer for leadership workshops or alumni gatherings in LA or San Francisco.

12 Days

• Comprehensive circuit: Bay Area, Central Coast, Los Angeles, Yosemite, plus optional San Diego or Napa extension.
• Adds Redwood or Sequoia visits, border nonprofit briefings in San Diego, and multiple donor appreciation events.
• Allows flexible morning, storytelling nights, and multiple community partner engagements.

Best Time to Go

• April–June offers mild temps, spring blooms, and fewer crowds—ideal for coastlines and Yosemite waterfalls.
• September–October brings warm coastal days, grape harvest, and clear Sierra skies.
• Summer (July–August) sees tourist demand; we secure advance reservations, early morning site access, and coastal breezes.
• Winter (Nov–Feb) is cooler with rain in the north and snow in Sierra; great for city-based retreats and desert add-ons.

Group Logistics

• Airports: San Francisco (SFO/OAK/SJC), Los Angeles (LAX/BUR/SNA), San Diego (SAN), Sacramento (SMF), and Fresno (FAT) for Yosemite access.
• Transport: charter coaches for coast and national parks, domestic flights between SF and LA, scenic Highway 1 drives, and ferries in the Bay.
• Typical drives: San Francisco ↔ Monterey ~2 hrs; Monterey ↔ Santa Barbara ~4 hrs; LA ↔ Yosemite (via Fresno) ~6 hrs; LA ↔ San Diego ~2 hrs.
• Lodging: city hotels, boutique coastal inns, vineyard resorts, and national-park-adjacent lodges with meeting space.
• Meals: California cuisine—farm-to-table, seafood, multicultural flavours, food trucks, and vineyard dinners; dietary needs easily accommodated.
• Mobility: moderate—hills in San Francisco, trails in Yosemite, long drives; we build rest stops, accessible options, and alternative activities.
• Fundraising moments: Golden Gate sunset cruise, vineyard dinners, beach bonfires, and stargazing gatherings in Yosemite or Joshua Tree.

Extensions & Combos

• Pair with Hawaii or Alaska for Pacific circuits.
• Add Mexico (Baja) or Cuba for cross-border comparisons.
• Combine with New York or Washington, D.C. for nationwide donor tours.
• Link to Israel or Turkey for biblical heritage after innovation immersion.

Safety & Stewardship Notes

FAQs

• Q: Do we need permits for national parks? A: Yes—Yosemite and other parks require timed entries or lodge reservations. We manage permits, guides, and shuttle logistics.
• Q: How do we handle long drives? A: We break up routes with scenic stops, meals, and alternative flights when pacing calls for less time on the road.
• Q: Can choirs perform? A: Historic and community venues in San Francisco, LA, and coastal towns welcome ensembles; we arrange venues, promotion, and audio needs.
• Q: What about weather? A: Layered attire is key—coastal mornings can be cool even in summer. We supply packing lists and adjust schedules if fog or heat appears.
• Q: How far ahead should we plan? A: Reserve 9–12 months ahead for spring/fall travel, Highway 1 accommodations, and national park permits.

Review fundraising ideas in our travel commissions guide, or add California to your request via the lead form when you’re ready to plan.