Best of the Western US
Journey from Los Angeles to Las Vegas on this 8-day group tour of the American west. Head along the California coast, visiting Santa Barbara, Carmel and San Francisco, home to the Golden Gate Bridge. In summer, enjoy a hike in Yosemite National Park, or explore Monterey during winter. Tour the magical Las Vegas Strip, see the engineering marvel that is the Hoover Dam and soak up the dramatic landscapes of Sedona. Explore Monument Valley, see the well-photographed Horseshoe Bend and visit Antelope Canyon before returning to Vegas.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more download our Trip Notes
Tour overview
Itinerary
Day 1 LA to San Francisco
Day 1 LA to San Francisco
SUMMER ITINERARY (April 1 – Oct 31 departures)
Los Angeles - Santa Barbara - Solvang - Carmel - San Francisco. Head north along the breathtaking California Coast, making our first stop in Santa Barbara. Explore a Spanish Mission and discover how these religious sites were instrumental in the region's development. Continue to Solvang, a charming Danish village, where we'll have the chance to browse local shops. Proceed north to the renowned Route #1 to experience the stunning California coastline (small vehicles will navigate the southern portion, while full-size coaches will traverse the exclusive 17-mile drive). Our next destination is Carmel, famously associated with actor Clint Eastwood. Enjoy free time to explore the town before heading to our hotel for the evening.
Accommodation: SpringHill Suites by Marriott Oakland Airport or similar.
WINTER ITINERARY (Nov 1 – Mar 31 departures)
Los Angeles - Santa Barbara - Solvang - San Francisco. Travel north along the stunning California Coast to our first destination, Santa Barbara. Begin the tour at the State Street Promenade in downtown, where we wander through upscale shops and restaurants in this serene, traffic-free area, appreciating the local architecture and ambiance. Continue to the Santa Barbara beaches and Stearns Wharf for a walk by the ocean and picturesque views. Conclude our Santa Barbara visit at the Spanish Mission, learning about its pivotal role in the region's history. Next, journey to Solvang, known as "the Danish Capital of America." Marvel at the Danish-style architecture and browse local shops and eateries. After a lunch break, travel north through Silicon Valley en route to our hotel for the night.
Accommodation: SpringHill Suites by Marriott Oakland Airport or similar.
Tour pick up: You can be collected for this tour at one of the following locations: Farmers Market Starbucks Coffee Shop - 6333 West 3rd Street, corner of Fairfax Boulevard at 06:30 AM OR Culver City: 4 Points Sheraton Culver City - 5990 Green Valley Circle, Culver City at 07:00 AM. Please ensure you arrive in Los Angeles the day before your tour.
Day 2 San Francisco sightseeing
Day 2 San Francisco sightseeing
SUMMER ITINERARY (April 1 – Oct 31 departures)
San Francisco - Modesto. Today, we appreciate why San Francisco is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Our tour begins at Fisherman's Wharf with a cruise through the iconic bay, passing underneath the Golden Gate Bridge and circling the infamous Alcatraz Island. We return to Pier 39 for a leisurely lunch before embarking on an afternoon tour that covers all the city's renowned landmarks, such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Union Square, Chinatown, and Nob Hill. The tour concludes with a stunning night view of the city from the Bay Bridge. We then depart San Francisco and head to our accommodation in the small city of Modesto.
Accommodation: Modesto Hotel or similar.
WINTER ITINERARY (Nov 1 – Mar 31 departures)
Today, we appreciate why San Francisco is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Our tour begins at Fisherman's Wharf with a cruise through the iconic bay, passing underneath the Golden Gate Bridge and circling the infamous Alcatraz Island. We return to Pier 39 for a leisurely lunch before embarking on an afternoon tour that covers all the city's renowned landmarks, such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Union Square, Chinatown, and Nob Hill. The tour concludes with a stunning night view of the city from the Bay Bridge. Tonight is spent in San Francisco.
Accommodation: Springhill Suites Oakland Airport or similar.
Day 3 Yosemite National Park or Monterey
Day 3 Yosemite National Park or Monterey
SUMMER ITINERARY (April 1 – Oct 31 departures)
San Francisco - Yosemite National Park - Stevenson Ranch. We travel east through the farmlands of the Joaquin Valley to reach Yosemite National Park, a 1,200-square-mile marvel of forests, lakes, and waterfalls nestled in the Sierra Nevada. Make stops at prominent landmarks such as El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall, and Half Dome. Continue with a hike starting from the Yosemite Visitor Centre to arrive at the grand Yosemite Falls, one of the tallest and waterfalls in North America at 730 meters. We then head to Stevenson ranch for the night.
Accommodation: Comfort Suites Stevenson Ranch or similar.
WINTER ITINERARY (Nov 1 – Mar 31 departures)
San Francisco - Monterey - Stevenson Ranch. Begin the day with a visit to Monterey, including the wharf and Cannery Row. Formerly a series of sardine factories, Cannery Row is now a charming destination for exploring its rich history. We continue along the stunning California Coast to the town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, known as the home of actor and director Clint Eastwood. Enjoy free time to explore the beautiful boutiques and galleries. We then head south to the iconic Route 1, offering close-up views of the spectacular California coastline. Small vehicles will traverse the southern portion of Route 1, while full-size coaches will exclusively take the 17-Mile Drive. In the afternoon, we make the drive to Stevenson Ranch, arriving in the early evening.
Accommodation: Comfort Suites Steven Ranch or similar.
Day 4 Welcome to Vegas!
Day 4 Welcome to Vegas!
SUMMER & WINTER ITINERARY
Stevenson Ranch - Las Vegas. Today's adventure takes us east through the desert and Death Valley to the world's gambling capital: Las Vegas. We’ll stop for lunch at the outlet mall on the Nevada State Line, where you can shop renowned brands like Levi's, Nike, Reebok, Timberland, and more.
In the evening, we'll tour the iconic Las Vegas Strip to admire the impressive hotels and attractions built in the heart of the desert. Highlights include Caesar’s Palace, The Mirage, Luxor, Paris, Mandalay Bay, New York-New York, Treasure Island, and more. End the night by trying your luck at one of the many casinos—who knows, you might get lucky!
Accommodation: Harrah's Hotel or similar.
Day 5 Hoover Dam & back to Vegas
Day 5 Hoover Dam & back to Vegas
SUMMER & WINTER ITINERARY
Las Vegas - Hoover Dam - Las Vegas. After a leisurely breakfast, we head to the awe-inspiring Hoover Dam. Discover the fascinating story behind this engineering marvel and its transformative impact on the region. We then return to Las Vegas, with free time available to enjoy the vast array of attractions and shows offered.
Accommodation: Harrah's Hotel or similar.
Day 6 Sedona
Day 6 Sedona
SUMMER & WINTER ITINERARY
Las Vegas - Sedona - Page. Our journey begins with a drive across the Mojave Desert, continuing up the Colorado Plateau along historic Route 66, and culminating in the picturesque town of Sedona. Celebrated as the jewel of the desert and one of America's most beautiful destinations, Sedona promises stunning vistas. We'll take a scenic drive through Oak Creek Canyon, which descends 2000 feet (610 meters) to the valley floor. We'll pause for photo ops at the Oak Creek Canyon overlook and Slide Rock State Park, capturing the mesmerizing red rock formations and scenery.
In Sedona, enjoy a lunch break where you can explore stores featuring authentic Indian arts and crafts, along with unique boutiques and galleries. Post-lunch, we'll venture into the desert to visit the Chapel of the Holy Cross (self-guided tour using a local shuttle service) and soak in panoramic views of Sedona's iconic red rock formations such as Bell Rock, Courthouse Butte, and Cathedral Rock. In the late afternoon, we'll depart Sedona and head to Page for an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Clarion Inn Page or similar.
Day 7 Monument Valley & Horseshoe Bend
Day 7 Monument Valley & Horseshoe Bend
SUMMER & WINTER ITINERARY
Sedona - Monument Valley - Horseshoe Bend - Page. Our day begins with a journey into Monument Valley, an iconic symbol of the American West and one of the most photographed and majestic locations in the world. Situated deep within the heart of the Navajo Nation, this awe-inspiring park features sandstone masterpieces rising between 400 and 1000 feet (up to 300 meters). Surrounding these impressive structures are mesas, buttes, shrubs, and trees.
Our visit includes a jeep tour led by Navajo Indians, descending into the valley to witness first-hand why the Navajo consider this land “like no other place on earth.” Following this, we make our way to the majestic Colorado River to visit Horseshoe Bend, a breath-taking and unique landmark in this area.
Accommodation: Clarion Inn Page or similar.
Day 8 Antelope Canyon & The Valley of Fire
Day 8 Antelope Canyon & The Valley of Fire
SUMMER & WINTER ITINERARY
Page - Antelope Canyon - Valley of Fire - Las Vegas. We begin the day at Antelope Canyon, an important site in Navajo folklore. We take some time to admire the breath-taking dunes sculpted by wind, water, and sand over thousands of years. After our tour, we leave this remarkable area and set off towards Las Vegas. On our way, we pause for a lunch break before visiting the "Valley of Fire." Named for its stunning red sandstone formations, which were formed from shifting sands and dunes during the dinosaur era over 150 million years ago. When the sun's rays hit just right, the rocks appears to be ablaze, giving the valley its fiery appearance (weather permitting). We then complete our journey back to Las Vegas, arriving by early evening.
Drop off: Las Vegas Luxor Hotel & Casino
This tour is scheduled to end between 20:00 – 21:00, this is an estimated time only. Actual time may change based upon local conditions. Please ensure your departure flight is booked with this time in mind, we recommend booking your flights for the following day.
Tour Highlights
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Prices & Dates
Hotels
Located around 10 miles outside San Francisco city centre, in Oakland, this hotel is just 1.6 kilometres from both Oakland International Airport and Interstate 880. This informal airport hotel, situated next to a business park, is 3.2 kilometres from the Oracle Arena and 8 kilometres from the Oakland Zoo. The straightforward rooms feature microwaves, minifridges, tea and coffee making facilities, flat-screen TVs with Netflix, desks, and sofabeds, along with complimentary Wi-Fi. Guests enjoy free perks such as a breakfast buffet, a casual restaurant/bar, an indoor pool, and a gym, as well as access to a coin-operated laundry and a patio with a fire pit.
This straightforward all-suite hotel offers complimentary hot breakfast and Wi-Fi, along with an outdoor pool. Guests can benefit from free Wi-Fi in public areas, a public Internet workstation, and 24-hour front desk service. Self-service laundry, a lift, and free self-parking are also available, with valet parking offered at an extra charge. The fitness centre, which includes elliptical machines, treadmills, and weight machines, is free to use. The hotel is smoke-free and does not allow pets. Rooms feature private bathrooms, air conditioning, refrigerators, microwaves, and coffee makers. The property is child-friendly and includes both an indoor and outdoor pool, a hot tub, and accessible parking and pool facilities. There is a business centre for guest use.
Located across the Strip from Caesars Palace and just a 3-minute walk from the Linq shopping promenade, this vibrant casino hotel is a stop on the Las Vegas Monorail. The inviting rooms are equipped with Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and marble showers. The hotel features a lively casino, as well as live comedy, magic, and music performances, a nightclub, and a piano bar. Guests can also enjoy a fitness centre, a spa, a salon, and an outdoor pool, along with four restaurants and a casual 24/7 food hall.
Located less than a 10-minute walk from the shops and restaurants in Page, this relaxed hotel is 3 miles from Glen Canyon Dam and 5 miles from the cliff overlooking the winding Colorado River at Horseshoe Bend. The simply furnished, warmly decorated rooms include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, minifridges, microwaves, and tea and coffee making facilities, with some offering balconies. Guests can enjoy a complimentary hot breakfast, and the hotel also has a seasonal outdoor pool. On-site amenities include coin-operated laundry facilities.
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