13 Days | Traverse the national parks, coasts and cities of California, Arizona, Nevada and Utah
Head out on an iconic 13-day road trip from San Franciso to Los Angeles, stopping in at the best of the west’s national parks along the way. See desert landscapes in Bryce Canyon National Park, mountain ranges in the Sierra Nevada, the great expanses of the Grand Canyon and the iconic trails of Yosemite. Sprinkle in a ride along the famous Route 66 and two nights soaking in the bright lights of Las Vegas, all with a group of like-minded travellers and an expert local leading the way, this trip has all your bases covered.
Trip overview
- Start
- San Francisco, USA
- Finish
- Santa Monica, USA
- Theme
- 18 to 35s
- Destinations
- USA
- Physical rating
- Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
- Style
- Basix
- Ages
- Min 18- Max 35
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 12
- Trip code
- SSYG
- Cover Yosemite’s many trails over two full days and three nights dedicated to the park, exploring with your leader and having your own time to hike or bike your way around.
- Discover Utah’s natural wonders at Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park – home to red-walled cliffs, towering hoodoos and vast horizons.
- Spend two nights getting your fill of the winding gorges and rock formations of the Grand Canyon, and take a leader-led tour of the South Rim.
- Bookend your trip with visit to two of the United States’ most iconic cities. Check out San Francisco’s highlights at your own pace, and then finish with the bright lights of Los Angeles.
- Appreciate the spectacle of Vegas as you explore this glitzy, neon-filled city at all hours of the day with plenty of time and flexibility to do as you please – night out, anyone?
- Your accommodation on this trip will be a combination of camping and budget hotels. On the days you’re camping, this will be a participatory trip – meaning you should be prepared to help with activities like setting up camp, food prep and washing up. We’ll provide tents, sleeping pads and camp cookware, but you’ll need to bring your own sleeping bag and pillow.
- That teamwork also extends to our optional food kitty of approximately USD 20 per day, run to cover the cost of meals. The kitty is optional and for your convenience, so if you've got specific dietary requirements you can opt out and purchase (and cook) your own food.
- From the steep hiking trails of the various national parks to the hilly San Francisco, this trip can involve a lot of walking. Please ensure you bring sturdy walking shoes and comfortable clothes. To make the most of the trip, it's best to have at least a moderate fitness level.
- This trip includes time spent travelling in a private vehicle with your group. Extra space can be tight, and conditions may feel a little cramped, but it’s all part of the adventure and a great way to get to know your fellow travellers. Please read the itinerary carefully for travel time estimates.
- You’ll be travelling through deserts and mountains, which means temperatures can vary significantly from hot to cold. Research the weather conditions to determine the best time to travel for you, and come prepared with adequate clothing.
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024
Itinerary
Inclusions
Private vehicle
Camping (with facilities) (8 nights), Hotel (3 nights), Hostel (multishare) (1 night)
- Yosemite National Park - Entrance Fee
- Yosemite National Park - Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias
- Visit to Mono Lake
- Zion National Park - Entrance Fee
- Zion National Park - Leader - Led hike
- Bryce Canyon National Park - Entrance Fee
- Grand Canyon National Park - Entrance Fee
- Grand Canyon - Leader-led South Rim tour
- Seligman - Route 66
- Joshua Tree National Park - Entrance Fee
- Yosemite National Park - Hiking - Free
- Yosemite - Cycling in Yosemite Valley - USD12
- Yosemite - River Float Raft Rental (seasonal) - USD30
- Bishop - Keough Hot Springs - USD15
- Las Vegas - Monorail - USD5
- Las Vegas - Eiffel Tower - USD22
- Las Vegas - Mob Museum - USD27
- Las Vegas - Neon Museum - USD20
- Las Vegas - Bellagio Fountains - Free
- Bryce Canyon National Park - Hiking - Free
- Grand Canyon - IMAX Movie - USD15
- Joshua Tree National Park - Hiking - Free
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6:00pm on Day 1 in San Francisco and finishes on arrival into Los Angeles at approximately 4pm on Day 13 (depending on traffic).
2. In San Francisco the group will be in 8 and 6 person dorms, with shared bathrooms. The hostel will do their best to separate the group by gender, but it's not guaranteed.
3. A Single Supplement to have your own room (or tent) is available on this trip however excludes night 1 (San Francisco) where you will be in shared accommodation.
4. On the last day of the trip: The arrival time into Los Angeles depends on each group, but if you decide to fly out on this day, please don't book a flight before 9 pm.
5. A sleeping bag is required for this trip.
6. Please note that the legal drinking age in the US is 21 and in some parts of Canada it's 19.
7. We are not able to book airport shuttle service for North America trips. North America has convenient taxi and rideshare options from all airports, as well as public transport systems in major hub cities. Please check the joining and finishing point instructions listed in the Essential Trip Information.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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