Real San Francisco to LA

Welcome to California! Your adventure begins in San Francisco – The City by the Bay that boasts a beautiful setting and a vibrant, multicultural heart. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight, followed by an optional group dinner. If you arrive early, maybe check out the vintage stores along funky Haight Street or catch the tram down to the waterfront.

This morning, you’ll drive into the heart of the Sierra Nevada Mountains to your destination – the magnificent Yosemite National Park. Passing by serene vistas, you’ll catch a glimpse of one of Yosemite’s most recognisable features – Half Dome. You'll spend three nights camping near Yosemite National Park so that there are two full days available to explore at your own pace.

Head into the national park this morning, and join your leader for an easy, downhill hike at the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias. The grove is home to, no surprise, a couple dozen mature giant sequoia trees, including one that’s been carved into a tunnel you can walk right through. From there, continue to Yosemite Valley to check out some of the park’s iconic spots. You could see the thundering Yosemite Falls, take in both Half Dome and Merced River from Sentinal Bridge and a whole lot more. The rest of the day is then free for you to explore as you please. There are plenty of hikes available, each varying in steepness and difficulty. Maybe hike under the cooling breezes of Nevada Falls (4 to 5 hours) or to the serene Mirror Lake (45 minutes). Keep an eye out for squirrels and bears along the way!

Today is free for you to continue discovering the wonders of the park. Instead of hiking, you might like to hire a bike and explore Yosemite Valley on two wheels. You can also visit the park's museum, photo gallery, shops and restaurants, and in the heat of summer, a relaxing float down the Merced River is highly recommended. Otherwise, there’s no shortage of trails for you to explore, from the famous Mist Trail to the more challenging Four Mile Trail. Your leader will be able to provide recommendations if you need help narrowing down the options!

Depart Yosemite via the Tioga Pass this morning, stopping at Mono Lake on the way. The Sierra Nevada is sandwiched between Central Valley and Death Valley – this is a scenic trip that will take you to the town of Bishop, where you’ll camp the night. In town, maybe go to Erick Schat’s European-style bakery for a delicious treat, or perhaps pay a visit to some nearby natural hot springs.

Drive to the capital of glitz and glam in the heart of the desert this morning – Las Vegas, Nevada. Vegas may be known for its casinos and late-night antics, but there's plenty more to it than meets the eye. After checking into your accommodation, you’re free to explore a bit of it all. Hit the shops, see a world-class stage show, check out the Las Vegas Sphere or simply enjoy the people watching as you stroll along the Strip.

With another day in Las Vegas, continue to discover all things over-the-top. Food-focused travellers may want to check out one of the celebrity chef restaurants around town (Roy Choi, Gordon Ramsay and Wolfgang Puck all have places here). See the Eiffel Tower of the USA, check out the Bellagio Fountains or visit one of the city’s many museums. If you didn’t head out last night, chat to your leader for the lowdown on sin city's best shows, clubs and restaurants. You might as well go all out in Las Vegas, right?

This morning, you’ll drive from Vegas to Zion National Park – a nature preserve in Utah famous for its steep red cliffs and scenic drive that leads to forest trails along the Virgin River. When you arrive, join your leader for a guided hike in the park to get your bearings, then head to your campsite near the park. After the bright neon lights of Vegas, it’s a good opportunity to unplug, do a spot of star gazing and listen to the sounds of nature.

This morning, you’ll head out on a scenic drive from Zion to Bryce Canyon National Park. The park is a favourite among travellers for the crimson-coloured hoodoos (spire-shaped rock formations) that give it the landscape an alien feel. As you drive around the rim of the park, you’ll stop in at some incredible viewpoints and have plenty of time to snap away. Later, settle into your campsite near the park.

This morning you’ll drive to Grand Cayon National Park – a must-see for any USA adventure! When you arrive, get ready to admire a natural wonder formed by over six million years of erosion by the Colorado River. The canyon’s dimensions – 450 km long, 630 km wide and 1600 m deep – it really does warrant the ‘grand’ title. You’ll spend two nights here, which allows for a full day of exploration tomorrow. You could check out the park’s massive scale on a walk around the rim, watching sunset from one of the many viewpoints.

Continue exploring the national park today, starting with a leader-led tour of the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. You’ll be taken to some incredible viewpoints and see couple famous sights, like Granite Rapids and Monument Canyon, before finishing at Hermit’s Rest. You’re then free to choose your adventure for the rest of the day! You might like to hire a bike for an easy and efficient way to see as much of the national park as possible.

This morning, leave the canyon behind and travel along the famous Route 66, stopping in Seligman along the way – a quirky small town that features a vibrant slice of retro America. After wandering around the shops and old-school diners, continue your road trip to Lake Havasu on the Colorado River (at the Arizona border) and check in to your hotel for the night. You might like to head out on a scenic hike around the town or learn the backstory of the city’s unique London Bridge.

Bid farewell to Lake Havasu, crossing the border back into California toward Joshua Tree National Park. Famous (and named) for its spectacular desert plants, there are also plenty of bizarre rock formations and palm-fringed oases to encounter. Wander through the park, and then drive to Los Angeles where your trip will end on arrival. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent.