From the gorgeous national parks to the thrilling cities, this western U.S. tour through California, Arizona, and Nevada features unique rock formations, scenic drives, deep canyons, and sparkling waterfalls and lakes—not to mention fun in some of the world’s most famous cities. Your tour starts in Los Angeles, ends in San Francisco, and overnights along the way in Palm Springs, Scottsdale, Williams, Las Vegas, Tulare, Modesto, and San Francisco.
You’ll visit two of the West’s most famous and beautiful national parks, Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona and Yosemite National Park in California. Stroll the Grand Canyon’s South Rim and stand in awe as you witness the breathtaking scenery. In Yosemite National Park, have your camera ready for the giant granite domes, cascading waterfalls, lush forests, and more. But that’s not all…you’ll also witness spectacular scenery on your drives. Between Scottsdale and the Grand Canyon, you’ll see Arizona's Oak Creek Canyon, known as one of America’s most beautiful drives and home to brilliantly hued cliffs and rugged spires of sandstone, and you’ll stop in Sedona, with the massive red-rock formations that make the area famous. Between Williams and Las Vegas, watch for Joshua trees, which can grow to be more than 40 feet tall. Between Las Vegas and Tulare, you’ll witness the vast Mojave Desert.
Enjoy sightseeing in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco. Perhaps take a ride on San Francisco’s historic cable cars or enjoy an optional outing to Alcatraz Prison, the federal penitentiary that once housed Al Capone and other notorious criminals—the choice is yours! Free time in each city—including Las Vegas—gives you time to explore on your own or to take optional excursions.
Breathtaking scenery, exciting cities, scenic drives, and more…this western U.S. tour is a perfect vacation for savvy, value-minded travelers.
Highlights:
- Sightseeing: In Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Francisco, and Alcatraz. Inside visits as shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges where applicable.
- Scenic Highlights: Palm Springs, Scottsdale, Old Town Scottsdale, Sedona, Oak Creek Canyon, Grand Canyon National Park, Historic Route 66, Las Vegas, Sierra Nevada Mountains, and Yosemite National Park.
NOTE:
On vacations that include an overnight stay in Las Vegas, at least one member of the traveling party must be 21 years of age or older.
Day 1: Los Angeles
Welcome to Los Angeles! Your Tour Director is on hand late this afternoon to answer any questions.
Day 2: Los Angeles
Begin the day with a sightseeing tour of Tinseltown. Drive through Hollywod and see the historic TCL Chinese Theatre. A historic gem, this world-famous cinema (formerly, Grauman’s), has hosted some of the most exclusive movie premieres in Hollywood history. The Dolby Theater (formerly the Kodak Theater) is the first permanent home of the glamorous Academy Awards. See the Hollywood Walk of Fame where iconic terrazzo stars grace block after city block of Hollywood Boulevard and Street-air Farmers Market, with more than 140 shops and restaurants. The remainder of your day is at leisure; your Tour Director will have suggestions for further exploration of the city.
Day 3: Los Angeles–Palm Springs
Journey to the desert oasis of Palm Springs. Ever since Hollywood stars first came here in the 1930s, laying claim to ranch-style estates and holding up in elite hotels, the clean, dry air and sunshine have made Palm Springs irresistible.
Day 4: Palm Springs–Scottsdale
Travel through cacti-covered desert toward Old Town Scottsdale, where Western storefronts create an aura of the past. Afterward, enjoy free time to explore a taste of the Old West, with restaurants, shopping, and Western bars. With wooden beams, wagon wheels, and cowboy hats abundant, you’ll feel like you’ve traveled back in time to the era of outlaws and saloons.
Day 5: Scottsdale–Sedona–Grand Canyon National Park–Williams
Travel to Sedona, a thriving center for New Age arts set in Canyon Country. On to the weather-sculptured rock formations of Oak Creek Canyon. Travel alongside the San Francisco Mountains and beautiful pine forests to the South Rim of the GRAND CANYON. Time to stroll the canyon rim—or, for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, take an optional helicopter flightseeing excursion for incomparable views of flame-colored walls plunging 6,093 feet into the Colorado River. Overnight in Williams, a picturesque mountain town with Route 66 as the Main Street and the gateway to the Grand Canyon.
Day 6: Williams–Las Vegas
Cross the old Mojave gold-strike country, which still has traces of century-old ghost towns set in natural desert beauty. Watch for Joshua trees, a species of the lily family that grows to more than 40 feet in height and can live up to 300 years. By late afternoon, reach Las Vegas, the fantastic city of feverish gambling, neon lights, bars, and glamorous shows. Be sure to explore some of the many themed casino resorts along the colorful “Strip.” This evening, we highly recommend a night out to a dazzling stage show featuring top Vegas entertainment.
Day 7: Las Vegas
The day is free to swim and sunbathe at the hotel pool or to explore the varied casinos and shopping plazas. Your Tour Director will have more suggestions. Consider a river float trip through the Black Canyon.
Day 8: Las Vegas–Tulare
Departing the neon lights of Las Vegas, we continue across the desert landscape of Nevada before crossing into California. You’ll see the vast Mojave Desert, which covers one-fifth of California. Pass through the agricultural land and overnight in Tulare in the central San Joaquin Valley.
Day 9: Mammoth Lakes–Yosemite National Park–Modesto
This morning, we enter YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, a wonderland of spectacular lakes, giant granite domes, towering pinnacles, cascading waterfalls, and lush forests. Afterward, drive to Modesto.
Meal: Continental Breakfast
Day 10: Modesto–Sausalito–San Francisco
This morning, head for San Francisco, crossing the splendid bay with vistas of the San Francisco skyline and its magnificent harbor. On your city tour, see the main sights, including the renowned Golden Gate Bridge.
Meal: Continental Breakfast
Day 11: San Francisco
The day is free for you to explore more of this fascinating city. Perhaps visit the notorious former prison of Alcatraz, which housed famous gangsters such as Al Capone, “Machine Gun” Kelly, and Robert “The Birdman” Stroud. Afterward, the day is yours to do some more exploring in the “City by the Bay.”
NOTE: Consider advance ticket purchase for Alcatraz Island with the National Park Service.
Day 12: San Francisco
The trip ends today with guests departing on individual schedules. Extend your vacation with extra nights and explore the “City by the Bay” further with a variety of exciting optional activities.
