Self-Drive Best of the West

Tour Information

13nt Tour Begins & Ends Los Angeles: 2nts Los Angeles; 1nt Palm Springs; 1nt Phoenix; 1nt Grand Canyon; 2nts Las Vegas; 1nt Death Valley National Park; 1nt Yosemite National Park; 2nts San Francisco; 1nt Monterey; 1nt Ventura

Day 1

Fly from the UK - Los Angeles
Arrive at Los Angeles International Airport, pick up your car hire and transfer yourself to the hotel.
Standard: Custom Hotel
Superior: Crowne Plaza Los Angeles Airport

Day 2

Los Angeles - Palm Springs (147 miles)
This morning at 08:00 hours you will be met by your Tour representative and provided with a welcome kit including driving instructions, vouchers, maps and brochures of the places you are about to visit. Begin your drive, perhaps to the Magic Kingdom of Disneyland where you may enjoy such rides as Pirates of the Caribbean, The Haunted Mansion, and the Matterhorn. Then continue to Palm Springs.
Standard: Palm Springs Travelodge
Superior: Holiday Inn Palm Springs

Day 3

Palm Springs - Phoenix/Scottsdale (267 miles)
There is time this morning to shop in the exclusive boutiques and shops of Palm Springs before driving to Scottsdale and Phoenix. Phoenix is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States, partly due to the dry climate and many days of sunshine each year.
Standard: Days Inn Scottsdale
Superior: Xona Resort Suites

Day 4

Phoenix - Grand Canyon National Park (230 miles)
Start today with a short drive to the fantastic Grand Canyon. You will then have a full day to stroll along the South Rim and experience the many works of nature.
Standard: Yavapai Lodge West
Superior: Holiday Inn Express

Day 5

Grand Canyon National Park - Las Vegas (276 miles)
Drive through Williams and Kingman to one of the world’s greatest man-made structures, the Hoover Dam. Continue your drive to Las Vegas, the glittering entertainment capital of the world, open 24-hours a day for non-stop fun
Standard: Imperial Palace Hotel
Superior: Harrahs Casino Hotel

Day 6

Las Vegas
A full day at leisure in the Entertainment Capital of the World.
Standard: Imperial Palace Hotel
Superior: Harrahs Casino Hotel

Day 7

Las Vegas - Death Valley National Park (139 miles)
After a morning at leisure in Las Vegas, drive across the Armargosa Desert to Death Valley National Park. At Zabriskie Point you will have a panoramic view of the seemingly endless valley.
Standard: Stovepipe Wells Village
Superior: Furnace Creek Ranch

Day 8

Death Valley National Park - Yosemite National Park (326 miles)
Today drive via Bishop into the high Sierra Nevada to the Tioga Pass* and Yosemite, one of America’s most scenic national parks. See the silvery waters of the Yosemite and Bridalveil Falls and the huge granite formations of El Capitan and Half Dome. Overnight in the Yosemite area.
Standard: Shilo Inn Oakhurst
Superior: Cedar Lodge Resort
*From early November to late May the Tioga Pass may be closed due to weather or road conditions. In which case you will need to drive the southern route through Bakersfield and Fresno into the Yosemite Area.

Day 9

Yosemite National Park - San Francisco (195 miles)
Drive across the state of California to one of America’s favourite cities, San Francisco. Upon arrival, tour this beautiful city by visiting Union Square, The Presidio, Golden Gate Park, and Fisherman’s Wharf. Catch a glimpse of the infamous Alcatraz Island across the bay.
Standard: Best Western Americania
Superior: Holiday Inn Golden Gateway

Day 10

San Francisco
A full day at leisure to experience the many sights of this beloved city, or to enjoy the rolling hills of California’s Wine Country, Napa Valley. Overnight in San Francisco.
Standard: Best Western Americania
Superior: Holiday Inn Golden Gateway

Day 11

San Francisco - Monterey (230 miles)
Drive to Monterey and visit Cannery Row (of author John Steinbeck fame). Enjoy stunning coastline views on 17-Mile Drive, have lunch in Carmel and visit Monterey’s Fisherman’s Wharf before reaching your hotel.
Standard: Travelodge Downtown
Superior: Hilton Garden Inn Monterey

Day 12

Monterey - Santa Barbara - Ventura (130 miles)
Continue your journey south through Pismo Beach, Santa Maria and Santa Barbara on the way to your overnight hotel.
Standard: Courtyard by Marriott Oxnard
Superior: Courtyard by Marriott Oxnard

Day 13

Ventura - Malibu - Santa Monica - Los Angeles (70 miles)
This morning continue by Malibu and Santa Monica to Los Angeles. We suggest you drive through Beverly Hills and Hollywood for an optional visit of Universal Studios, the world’s largest television and movie studio complex.
Standard: Custom Hotel
Superior: Crowne Plaza Los Angeles Airport

Day 14

Los Angeles Departure
Return your car at the airport before your departure flight.

Day 15

Arrival back to the UK

What's Included

• Return transatlantic schedule flights
• Economy size car rental
• Hotel accommodation as specified, or of a similar standard
• Detailed briefing by Tour Representative as specified in itinerary
• Welcome kit with comprehensive maps and day-to-day itinerary