Day 1
Fly to Los Angeles.
Arrive Los Angeles International Airport for your included transfer via shuttle bus to the hotel where you will meet your Tour Escort. Overnight Los Angeles.
Hotel: Crowne Plaza LAX or similar
Day 2
Los Angeles – The O.C. – San Diego – Los Angeles
Travel south through San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente to San Diego, the second largest city in California, renowned for its year-round mild weather. Following a city tour, visit picturesque Seaport Village, San Diego’s relaxing bay-front marketplace. Return to Los Angeles in late afternoon. Overnight Los Angeles.
Hotel: Crowne Plaza LAX or similar
Day 3
Los Angeles – Palm Springs – Scottsdale
Leaving Los Angeles behind we travel towards the rugged San Jacinto Mountains and Palm Springs, a pretty pastiche of swaying palm trees, a lively downtown area and immaculately kept golf courses. We continue across the desert to Scottsdale. Overnight Scottsdale.
Hotel: Radisson Fort Mcdowell Resort & Casino or similar
Day 4
Phoenix – Sedona – Grand Canyon National Park
Travel through the Sonoran Desert, the richest, most biologically diverse desert ecosystem in the Americas. Continue to Sedona and see the spectacular red rock scenery. Situated in a unique geological area, Sedona is encircled by distinctive red-rock monoliths with such names as Cathedral and Coffee Pot. Then drive through the breathtaking Oak Creek Canyon before arriving at Grand Canyon National Park. Visit lookout points along the South Rim to fully experience this mile-deep canyon.
Hotel: Yavapai West or similar
Day 5
Grand Canyon National Park Area – Monument Valley–Page/Lake Powell
A highlight of the trip will be watching the sunrise as you enjoy a special (optional) breakfast served right at the rim of the Canyon. As you journey further today, you will enter the Navajo Indian Reservation, passing the trading post of Cameron. Continue through the Painted Desert to tour Monument Valley, an area that embodies perhaps the most definitive and iconic images of the American West. Indeed the isolated red mesas and sand swept buttes of Monument Valley have been photographed and filmed countless times for movies and advertisements. Because of this, many visitors often feel an instant familiarity with the landscape, a sense of déjà vu. In the afternoon, we will enter the town of Page, in the Lake Powell Region. Visit the mighty Glen Canyon Dam, the second highest concrete-arch dam in America. From here you’ll enjoy views of stunning Lake Powell, where crystal blue water laps against towering red-rock canyon walls.
Hotel: Best Western at Lake Powell or similar.
Day 6
Page/Lake Powell – Bryce Canyon National Park
Enter the Mormon state of Utah this morning. Pass through the town of Kanab before visiting spectacular Bryce Canyon, where a tour through a multi-colored world of sandstone spires and pinnacles will dazzle the eye. Nature’s artistry has created rocks in thousands of shapes, sizes and colours, beautiful in their setting against the unusually deep blue sky. Enjoy the evening at leisure.
Hotel: Best Western Ruby’s Inn or similar
Day 7
Bryce Canyon National Park – Zion National Park – Las Vegas
Travel today to Zion National Park and see the massive rock formations carved by wind, time, and the Virgin River. This afternoon experience the contrast of Las Vegas, the dazzling “Entertainment Capital of the World,” where round-the-clock shopping, nightly shows, and of course gambling are available.
Hotel: Circus Circus Hotel or similar
Day 8
Las Vegas
Today is at leisure for you to enjoy the many attractions that Las Vegas has to offer. In addition to world-class shopping, bustling casinos, and Broadway-caliber shows, you might simply stroll the famous Strip to take in its amazing sights. Overnight Las Vegas.
Hotel: Circus Circus Hotel
Day 9
Las Vegas – Death Valley – Mammoth Lakes**
Having enjoyed the fast pace of glamorous Las Vegas, it will be a sharp contrast this afternoon to enter the quiet and extreme environment of Death Valley. Stop at Zabriskie Point and Furnace Creek Ranch before continuing across the valley and ascending the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the alpine resort town of Mammoth Lakes**. The area gained prominence as a gold mining town in the 19th century, but today it’s the superior skiing terrain and staggeringly beautiful mountain vistas that attract visitors from near and far.
Hotel: Mammoth Mountain Inn or similar
Day 10
Mammoth Lakes** – Yosemite National Park
A short drive brings you over the Tioga Pass** high in the Sierras into the scenic wonderland of Yosemite National Park. Within the park, you will see the majestic, glacial-shaped granite formations of El Capitan and Half Dome, which rise from the valley floor. Overnight in Yosemite Gateway Area.
Hotel: Doubletree Modesto / Springhill Suites Modesto or similar
** Winter Routing– From October to May The Tioga Pass may be closed due to bad weather and snow, in which case you will spend the night in Fresno or Visalia and it will not be possible to visit Mammoth Lakes.)
Day 11
Yosemite Gateway Area – San Francisco
Depart early this morning, crossing the Oakland Bay Bridge to arrive in San Francisco, one of the most beloved cities in America and commence a sightseeing tour. This evening you have the opportunity to take a memorable City by Night Tour (optional). Overnight San Francisco.
Hotel: Holiday Inn Golden Gateway or similar
Day 12
San Francisco (Napa Valley)
The whole day is at leisure in San Francisco. Your Tour escort is on hand to assist with making your plans for the day – perhaps a cable car ride to Fisherman’s Wharf, or a stroll and some shopping around Union Square. You also have the option to take a wine tasting tour to Napa Valley, world-renowned for its many wineries and beautiful scenery (optional).
Hotel: Holiday Inn Golden Gateway or similar
Day 13
San Francisco – Monterey/Carmel – Pismo Beach
Depart San Francisco this morning for the drive to the Monterey Peninsula, known for its enclave of magnificent homes and lovely beaches. In Monterey, visit Fisherman’s Wharf and famous Cannery Row. Then tour charming Carmel-by-the-Sea, noted for its quaint houses, upscale art galleries and unique stores. In the afternoon continue to drive south through Paso Robles, home of the cowboys and wineries, and San Luis Obispo.
Hotel: Oxford Suites or similar
Day 14
Pismo Beach/Solvang – Santa Barbara – Los Angeles
Journey south through the Santa Ynez Valley into Santa Barbara, where palm-lined walkways border white sandy beaches. Upon arrival in Los Angeles this afternoon, you will enjoy a comprehensive sightseeing tour through the “City of Angels,” including Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and Venice, before reaching your hotel.
Hotel: Crowne Plaza LAX Airport or similar.
Day 15
Included transfer by shuttle bus back to the airport for your return flight.
Day 16
Arrival back home.
What's Included
- Return scheduled transatlantic flights
- Accommodation in hotels described above or similar standard
- Transportation in deluxe air-conditioned Motorcoach throughout the tour
- Service of a professional Tour Director
- Hollywood/Beverly Hills Tour
- San Diego Day Tour
- Palm Springs visit
- Oak Creek Canyon Tour
- Optional Sunrise Breakfast at the Rim of the Grand Canyon (local charge)
- Visit Death Valley
- Yosemite Tour
- San Francisco City Tour
- Visit Carmel and Monterey
- Santa Barbara
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