Highlights of the West

Day 1 - Welcome to Los Angeles

Collect your car from the Los Angeles Airport depot and make your way to your chosen Los Angeles hotel.

Standard Hotel: Embassy Suites LAX South or similar
Budget Hotel:  Best Western Plus South Bay or similar

Day 2 - Santa Maria (257 miles)

Head out of L.A and pick up Highway 1 North towards Santa Barbara. On the beautiful Pacific Coast, Santa Barbara is a gem. The pristine city’s climate gives rise to a number of natural attractions. Stroll through the Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens to view breathtaking flora or hike a scenic nature trail in Los Padres National Forest. Continue on to Santa Maria for an overnight stay.

Standard: Radisson Hotel Santa Maria or similar
Budget: Historic Santa Maria Inn or similar

Day 3 - San Francisco (214 miles)

Enjoy a picturesque drive up the Pacific Coast toward Monterey. After being swept away by the stunning views, spend the afternoon enjoying this artisan city. Monterey Bay is a fantastic place to whale watch and tours are offered locally. Consider taking the famously scenic 17-Mile drive up the coast, stopping at renowned Pebble Beach on the way to enjoy the sights of lavish mansions along the coast. Continue on to San Francisco for a two night stay.

Standard: Carlton Hotel or similar
Budget: Cova Hotel or similar

Day 4 - San Francisco

Today, you are free to enjoy the many sights and sounds of San Francisco; take a cable car ride from Fisherman’s Wharf, visit the famous Alcatraz Island or spend some time in Golden Gate Park. This evening, dine in one of San Francisco’s many distinctive neighbourhoods, from Chinatown to the very Italian flavoured North Beach, each offers its own distinctive culture and cuisine.

Standard: Carlton Hotel or similar
Budget: Cova Hotel or similar

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE – San Francisco Hop on Hop off Bus Tour
See San Francisco from the top of an authentic English Double Decker Bus! This is a fully narrated sightseeing tour. Enjoy the city lights and skyline on the Night Loop. Valid for 48 hours from time of first use, 25+ Hop On – Hop Off locations and a bus every 15-30 mins.

Day 5 - Yosemite National Park (311 miles)

Gaze upon the mist over the Golden Gate Bridge before you depart the bustle of San Francisco and head towards the natural beauty that is Yosemite National Park. Take your time and enjoy the meandering drive into the park, the views get better with every turn. There are photo opportunities aplenty as you drive through Yosemite, capture the iconic sequoia trees, granite cliffs of El Capitan and Half Dome, and the iconic vista of towering Bridalveil Fall from Tunnel View.

Standard: Best Western Village Inn or similar
Budget: Days Inn Yosemite Area or similar

Day 6 - Bakersfield (172 miles)

Today enjoy a visit to the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. These twin parks hold monuments to nature’s size, beauty, and diversity. Immense mountains, rugged foothills, deep canyons, vast caverns and the world’s largest trees all reside here making it a unique place. Spectacular views can be seen from Moro Rock, guided cavern tours are available, and the visitor centre contains much information about the park history and seasonal activities. After enjoying the park, return to the Yosemite area for the second night of your stay.

Standard: Hampton Inn & Suites North or similar
Budget: Quality Inn & Suites Bakersfield or similar

Day 7 - Las Vegas (368 miles)

Depart the Bakersfield area and drive towards Nevada. Today is a long day so an early start is a good idea. Along the way, you may want to drive through the dramatic scenery of Death Valley National Park, America’s lowest, hottest and driest national park.

Standard: Gold Coast Hotel or similar
Budget: Mardi Gras Hotel & Casino or similar

Day 8 - Las Vegas

Next stop, Vegas! From the outrageous live shows to the excitement of casinos, it’s time to visit the city that never sleeps. Stroll down ‘The Strip’ to visit the famous Caesars Palace, MGM Grand and The Venetian, and make sure you get a good spot outside the Bellagio to watch the majestic fountains dance.

Standard: Gold Coast Hotel or similar
Budget: Mardi Gras Hotel & Casino or similar

Day 9 - Bryce Canyon (244 miles)

Leave the Vegas excitement behind and drive toward Zion National Park. You will be greeted by gigantic sandstone monoliths and hear the soft rush of the Virgin River. Zion’s famous slot canyons known as ‘Narrows’ are a hiker’s paradise but there are a variety of trails and paved pathways for explorers of all skill levels. In addition, you can visit Zion’s other major attractions using the complimentary shuttle system. After leaving Zion, head to Bryce Canyon for the night.

Standard: Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon or similar
Budget: Bryce View Lodge or similar

Day 10 - Lake Powell (151 miles)

Enjoy a morning in wonderful Bryce Canyon National Park; take this opportunity to get up close with the scenic wonders that make this area one of America’s masterpiece locations. Amphitheatres of colourful eroded rock set Bryce apart from anywhere else. Light reflecting on the hoodoos at different times of day change the colourful scene of the park. Consider a drive to Rainbow Point where, from some of the overlooks, you can see more than 100 miles on a clear day. Later, stop at Lake Powell, and head to Rainbow Bridge for spectacular views, it’s the largest natural bridge in the world.

Standard: Lake Powell Resort or similar
Budget: Marriott Courtyard Page at Lake Powell or similar

Day 11 - Grand Canyon (209 miles)

Continue on to the Grand Canyon today. The overwhelming size and brilliant colours of the Grand Canyon easily make it one of the natural wonders of the world. Visit the South Rim where an assortment of viewing areas can be reached by car.

Standard: Little America Hotel Flagstaff or similar
Budget: Greentree Inn or similar

Day 12 - Palm Springs (402 miles)

Take a scenic drive through Oak Creek Canyon, stopping for a photo opportunity at picturesque Bell Rock and Cathedral Rock along the way. Phoenix will also make a nice stop for lunch before continuing on to the fashionable resort community of Palm Springs.

Standard: Palm Mountain Resort & Spa or similar
Budget: Travelodge by Wyndham Palm Springs or similar

Day 13 - Los Angeles (122 miles)

Los Angeles is the entertainment capital of the United States. Home to famous movie stars and the infamous Hollywood sign, it’s a city brimming with culture. En route to your hotel, take a drive through Beverly Hills, the most famous neighbourhood in the USA, and glimpse the exclusive homes.

Standard: Hollywood Hotel or similar
Budget: Dunes Inn Sunset or similar

Day 14 - Los Angeles

It’s time to explore the City of Angels; visit the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, shop the famous Rodeo Drive, have lunch in Venice Beach and visit famous Santa Monica Pier, once known as the ‘finish line’ of legendary Route 66. Or, make your way to Anaheim and visit the ‘Happiest place on earth’, Disneyland.

Standard: Hollywood Hotel or similar
Budget: Dunes Inn Sunset or similar

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE – Hollywood Trolley Tour
This is the best way to see it all! Ride in an open air trolley, ‘perfect for picture taking’ during this fully narrated tour of historic Hollywood movie, TV and radio landmarks such as Paramount Studios, Capitol Records, KTLA Channels, CBS, FOX, Warner Bros, Pantages Theater, Nickelodeon and Paladium, as well as the filming locations of L.A. Confidential, Twins, Pretty Woman and more. Plenty of photo opportunities are available as this tour takes you to the Hollywood Bowl, The Hollywood Sign and all of Hollywood’s Walk of Fame.

Day 15 - Farewell from Los Angeles (21 miles)

Enjoy the last morning in L.A. before your depart to the airport for your journey home or onward to your next destination.