National Parks & Bright Lights

( 1 Reviews )

Company : G Adventures
Duration: 2 weeks to 2 weeks
Approx Costs: 2000 to 2500 £ Pound (UK)

15 day overland tour, San Francisco to Los Angeles.

From the Golden Gate Bridge to glowing canyon walls at sunset, this trip captures the beauty of the cities and wilderness of the western U.S. It’s perfect for the traveller looking to breathe in the scent of the sequoias of Yosemite by day but wanting the comforts of a hotel at night.

Prepare yourself for otherworldly hoodoos in Bryce Canyon National Park and desert scenery in Death Valley — the lowest spot on the continent — before taking an optional helicopter ride above the incomparable Grand Canyon. You won’t just visit the west coast, you’ll live it.

Itinerary

Day 1 San Francisco
Arrive at any time.

Day 2 San Francisco/Yosemite National Park
On the way out of San Francisco, take in some final sights. Stop at the Golden Gate Bridge, where on a clear day you can see the San Francisco skyline, Alcatraz and the Bay Bridge to one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other.

Drive past some iconic attractions of the city as we head the towards the Sierra Nevadas. Stop to try some of the region's best produce en route to Yosemite National Park.

Day 3 Yosemite National Park
Discover Yosemite's peaks, granite domes, and giant sequoias. Marvel at majestic waterfalls, lakes, and meadows.

Day 4 Yosemite National Park/Sierra Nevadas
Hike past Yosemite's waterfalls and amongst the giant sequoias while keeping a keen eye out for wildlife. In the summer, travel via the Tioga Pass.

Day 5 Death Valley/Las Vegas
Head to desolate Death Valley — the hottest, driest, and lowest spot in North America, then enjoy exploring the Vegas strip. Opt for a VIP limousine tour or find some luck at the slots and poker tables.

Day 6 Las Vegas
Enjoy a full free day to explore Las Vegas. Wander the strip, do some shopping, and refuel at one of the many bars or restaurants. Opt to take in a glitzy Las Vegas show or to head out on a day trip to the Hoover Dam.

Day 7 Las Vegas/Bryce Canyon National Park
Visit Zion, Utah's oldest national park. Explore towering cliffs and massive canyon walls. Hike diverse and exciting trails. Head to Bryce Canyon.

Day 8 Bryce Canyon National Park/Lake Powell
Explore Bryce Canyon National Park on trails among the amphitheatres and multi-coloured rock pinnacles called hoodoos before heading to Lake Powell. Opt for a barbecue dinner and a sunset horseback ride (seasonal).

Day 9 Monument Valley
Visit the Glen Canyon Dam and take a short hike to Horseshoe Bend, shaped by the Colorado River. Discover one of the most majestic places on earth, Monument Valley. Explore on a 4x4 tour led by a Navajo guide.

Day 10 Grand Canyon National Park
Depart Monument Valley in the morning and stop for lunch just outside the Grand Canyon at a local Navajo food truck supported by Planeterra. Enter the park and drive along the south rim, stopping at Desert View to take in the grandeur of the canyon. Continue further into the park and opt to take a short hike into the canyon (weather permitting) or wander along rim trail to admire the views. Enjoy sunset at the edge of the Grand Canyon watching the way the light changes the colors.

Day 11 Grand Canyon National Park/Lake Havasu City
Opt to get a bird's-eye view of the Grand Canyon with an optional helicopter flight. Travel to Sedona for lunch and check out the stunning landscape with a short hike overlooking the red and orange cliffs. Continue on and stop for dinner and to get some kicks on historic Route 66. After dinner, arrive to Lake Havasu City for the night.

Day 12 Joshua Tree National Park/San Diego
Make a quick stop to see a bit of London spanning across the Colorado River. Then head to Joshua Tree National Park, for a hike amongst the boulders and yuccas. Continue to San Diego, where sun, sand, food, and fun all await in this beautiful beach city.

Day 13 San Diego
Enjoy free time to explore or just sit back and relax in the sun and sand.

Day 14 San Diego/Los Angeles
Cruise through Orange County and along the incredible Pacific coastline to Los Angeles. See the stars on the most famous sidewalk in Hollywood on an orientation to the area. Drive through Beverly Hills and check out Rodeo Drive.

Day 15 Los Angeles
Depart at any time.

Booking / Enquiry

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This trip really was amazing and one of the best things I have ever done

I have travelled with G Adventures before and was very impressed, so I had no hesitation in using them again. The group was a good mix of ages and I quickly found people that I knew I would get along with. Our leader Shelby was excellent as well, really enthusiastic and always making sure that people had everything that they needed.

Everything was well-organised and, although it may seem expensive at first, there was very little other expense to think about once we were on the trip. There were some long bus journeys, but Shelby made sure we stayed entertained with a great soundtrack, car games and also some wi fi too. The hotels were a very high standard, particularly the one in Vegas and also Yosemite which was a gorgeous lodge by the lake which I will remember forever.

There was often a few different activities to choose from or hikes that were varying degrees of difficulty, so everybody could choose things that they were comfortable with plus a few optional extras such as the helicopter ride that was awesome. The trip provided a good mix of time to yourself if you wanted it and time with others and there was always the group dinner if you wanted company but no expectation to attend if you didn't.

Overall a holiday of a lifetime and I would definitely use G Adventure again.

By: Larina
Nationality: British
Age: 44