Itinerary Highlights
- Drive to Palm Springs to unwind by the pool, play a round of golf and enjoy the nightlife in this desert oasis
- Take to the skies on a helicopter flight for a bird's eye view of the breathtaking Grand Canyon
- Be surrounded in the outstanding natural beauty of Yosemite National Park
- Take a self-guided tour of Alcatraz: the former federal penitentiary for America's most notorious criminals
- Best time to travel April - October
What's Included
- Accommodation Throughout
- Car Hire
- GPS Device
- International Flights
20 nights from £5,999 per person
Lucy
Travel Specialist
Drive off into the sunset on a whirlwind honeymoon, celebrate a big birthday at the roulette tables in Las Vegas, or mark another monumental life event on the edge of the Grand Canyon…this is one for the bucket list!
A perfect fly-drive holiday introducing you to the treasures of California, Arizona and Nevada. From the bright lights of Las Vegas to the charming coastal towns of California and the vibrant city of San Francisco, you'll take to the road on an epic fly-drive adventure.
Starting and ending in Los Angeles, highlights of this fabulous adventure will include the national parks of California with Yosemite, Death Valley and Joshua Tree, as well as the jewel of Arizona, the Grand Canyon. Visiting a collection of some of the most breathtaking sights in North America, this tour is simply unmissable.
Itinerary
Day 1 Travel to Los Angeles
Board your flight from the UK to Los Angeles, sit back, relax and enjoy the in-flight entertainment. On arrival collect your rental vehicle and drive the short distance to your Los Angeles Hotel where you will stay for the next two nights.
Day 2 Los Angeles
Take an early morning drive to Hollywoodland where you can get fantastic views of the Hollywood Sign. You might even spot a celebrity or two out for a morning jog! Visit Griffith Park where you will find the Griffith Observatory and some of the best views of the city. You may choose to visit one of the entertainment parks including Disneyland, Universal Studios or Knott's Berry Farm or simply wander along Rodeo Drive or spend time on the beach at Santa Monica.
Staying at
1 Hotel West Hollywood
Upgrade to
L'Ermitage Beverly Hills
Day 3 Los Angeles to Palm Springs (120 miles)
Head east to the desert oasis of Palm Springs. A playground for the rich and famous, Palms Springs is home to exclusive shops, luxury hotels, spas and over 120 golf courses in the immediate area. Palm Springs boasts over 300 days of sunshine a year and daytime temperatures rarely dip below 70 °F, making it a fantastic year-round destination for outdoor activities and sports.
Day 4 Palm Springs
Enjoy a full day at leisure exploring Palm Springs and its surrounding desert landscapes. For a birds eye view we recommend riding the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway - a rotating tram car journey along the Chino Canyon. At the summit there are 50 miles of hiking trails, two restaurants and a number of view points.
Staying at
La Quinta Resort & Club
Upgrade to
The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage
Day 5 Palm Springs to Scottsdale (267 miles)
We recommend an early start so that you have ample time to stop along the route from the deserts of California to Scottsdale in Arizona. Watch the sun rise over Cholla Cactus gardens in Joshua Tree National Park, cross the Colorado River which forms the natural border between California and Arizona, and continue to Arizona's desert city of Scottsdale.
Day 6 Scottsdale
Scottsdale offers a vast range of outdoor activities including hiking, hot air balloon flights, mountain biking, horseback riding, off-road touring and rafting. For a more relaxing experience visit Scottsdale Butterfly Wonderland where more than 3,000 butterflies flutter around the tropical rainforest conservatory.
Staying at
Royal Palms Resort & Spa
Day 7 Scottsdale to Grand Canyon National Park (230 miles)
Embark on an early morning drive towards the Grand Canyon, taking time to stop off at Flagstaff along the way. Maybe visit Bearizona, a drive through wildlife park where you might get to see black bears, bison, wolves and elk. Check in to your accommodation for the night, The Grand Hotel at The Grand Canyon.
Day 8 Grand Canyon National Park to Las Vegas (276 miles)
Rise early and witness the changing colours of the canyon as the sun rises over this Natural Wonder of The World. Today you will enjoy a 45 - 50 minute helicopter flight over the South Rim of the canyon (subject to availability at the time of booking). Driving through Williams and Kingman, you’ll pass the Hoover Dam, one of the world’s greatest man made structures. Stop for photograph opportunities. Your journey then continues on to the bright lights of Las Vegas.
Day 9 Las Vegas
Las Vegas is the entertainment capital of the world, bursting with shops, spectacular shows and live celebrity performances. The hotels along the Las Vegas Strip also present their own entertainment including the fountains of the Bellagio and the volcano at The Mirage. No visit to Las Vegas is complete without taking in one of Cirque du Soleil's spectacular sell-out shows.
Staying at
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
Upgrade to
Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas
Day 10 Las Vegas to Death Valley National Park (140 miles)
Cross the border into California and discover one of the hottest places in the world, aptly named Death Valley. The 3.3 million acre moonscape like national park encompasses salt flats, enormous sand dunes, mountain ranges and canyons. Due to there being no light pollution Death Valley has some of the darkest skies making it the perfect spot for star-gazing.
Day 11 Death Valley National Park to Mammoth Lakes (205 miles)
Mammoth Lakes, California
Continue exploring Death Valley National Park. Stop in the western desert town of Stovepipe Wells and continue into the high Sierra Nevada to Mammoth Lakes for a night staying at Westin Monache Resort Mammoth, before your two day adventure in Yosemite National Park.
NOTE: During the winter months the Tioga Pass gate to access Yosemite National Park is closed by snowfall so your itinerary will change in which case you’ll drive through Bakersfield and Fresno into the Yosemite Area.
Day 12 Mammoth Lakes to Fish Camp, Yosemite National Park (130 miles)
Leave Mammoth Lakes and take the Tioga Pass Entrance into Yosemite National Park. The Tioga Pass is one of the most scenic routes, passing through thick forests and the rugged Sierra Nevada. Get your first glimpse of the Half Dome at Olmsted Point, and pass dramatic granite monoliths and wind your way through the park to Tenaya Lodge.
Day 13 Yosemite National Park
Enjoy a full day exploring Yosemite National Park. Travel back to Tunnel View for spectacular vistas of El Capitan, Bridalveil Falls and Half Dome. Keen hikers can take an 8 hour climb to the top of Yosemite Falls, although you can still enjoy some of the best views only two miles into the hike. The powerful Vernal Falls can only be seen on foot and you can climb to top of the waterfall, or along the mist trail.
Staying at
Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite
Upgrade to
Ahwahnee
Day 14 Yosemite National Park to Napa Valley (170 miles)
Drive to Napa Valley, one of California's finest wine producing areas. The rolling hills are full of grape vines and lavender fields. Napa Valley isn't just for wine lovers and also boasts some of California's best dining experiences too. The quaint town of Yountville offers an impressive collection of fine dining and casual eateries, including Michelin Starred options.
Day 15 Napa Valley & Sonoma
Spend a full day exploring this beautiful area. We recommend taking a private wine-tasting tour, so you can enjoy wine tastings and let someone else do the driving. Many of the fine wine producers only offer tours on an appointment only basis, however this ensures a more personalised experience and often includes food and wine pairings.
Staying at
River Terrace Inn, A Noble House Hotel
Upgrade to
Carneros Resort & Spa
Day 16 Napa Valley to San Francisco (80 miles)
Today your journey takes you to San Francisco, famous for the Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars and Alcatraz. This vibrant city will not disappoint, with interesting neighbourhoods home to street side cafes, bars serving local organic wines, delicious eateries and independent boutiques. Lively Chinatown covers several blocks and Fisherman's Wharf offers many attractions including sea lions lazing around at Pier 39.
Day 17 San Francisco
Explore San Francisco's attractions, museums and galleries. Pay a visit to Golden Gate Bridge and maybe have lunch on the waterfront at Sausalito, or a picnic on the beach. Take a ferry from Fisherman's Wharf to Alcatraz and take a self-guided tour through the corridors of this former prison, listening to stories of former prisoners and prison guards.
Staying at
Fairmont San Francisco
Upgrade to
St. Regis San Francisco
Day 18 San Francisco to Carmel (130 miles)
Departing San Francisco, you’ll head south along the coast to Monterey. Stroll along the Fisherman’s Wharf area at Monterey, and rent kayaks and set out in search of seal otters and seals. Monterey Bay is also California's number one destination for whale-watching adventures. Visit the quaint village of Carmel-by-the-Sea with it's pavement cafes, boutiques and traditional pubs.
Day 19 Carmel to Santa Barbara (240 miles)
Today you will take one of the world's most scenic coastal drives, the Big Sur. We would suggest you allow yourself a full day to explore all of the attractions along the Big Sur, such as Hearst Castle, a National Historic Landmark. Further on you will come to Piedras Blancas beach then continue south until you reach the seaside town of Santa Barbara.
Day 20 Santa Barbara
Enjoy a relaxing day in California's Riviera town of Santa Barbara. Stroll down State Street, a bustling strip lined with boutiques, street side cafes and bars. Visit the historic Old Mission, hike in the Ynez Mountains or simply take a stroll along the old fashioned Santa Monica Pier.
Staying at
Hotel Californian
Upgrade to
Rosewood Miramar Beach Montecito
Day 21 Los Angeles - UK
Enjoy a final day of relaxation in Santa Barbara. Maybe even squeeze in some surfing lessons before driving to Los Angeles for your flight back to the UK.
Lucy
Travel Specialist
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20 nights from £5,999 per person
