Grand Canyon & West Coast Explorer

Make your way to the meeting point in Los Angeles this morning to begin the tour. We then travel north along the California coast, stopping first in Santa Barbara to visit a historic Spanish mission. From here, we continue to Solvang, a charming Danish-inspired town where you can browse the local shops and enjoy the distinctive atmosphere.

Later, we head to the famous 17-Mile Drive for sweeping views of the Pacific coastline, before continuing to Carmel, a picturesque seaside town once known for its association with actor Clint Eastwood. After some free time here, we continue through Silicon Valley and on to San Francisco for our overnight stay.

Meeting point: Starbucks Coffee Shop Farmers Market, Corner of Fairfax Blvd & 3rd Street at 6:30 AM - OR - Four Points Sheraton Culver City- 5990 Green Valley Circle, Culver City in the hotel lobby at 07:00 AM

Today we explore San Francisco, widely regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in the United States. We begin at Fisherman’s Wharf and board a cruise on the bay, passing beneath the Golden Gate Bridge and circling Alcatraz Island.

After returning to Pier 39, there is time for lunch at leisure before an afternoon city tour covering San Francisco’s best-known landmarks. We round off the day with excellent views of the city from the Bay Bridge area, then continue to Modesto for the night.

This morning we travel east through the fertile farmlands of the Joaquin Valley to Yosemite National Park, one of the great natural highlights of California. Set in the Sierra Nevada, Yosemite is known for its granite cliffs, waterfalls and ancient forests.

During our visit, we stop at El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall and Half Dome, some of the park’s most iconic sights. We also walk from the Yosemite Visitor Center to Yosemite Falls, one of the highest waterfalls in North America. After our time in the park, we continue to Stevenson Ranch for an overnight stay.

Today we travel east through desert landscapes and Death Valley on our way to Las Vegas. Along the route, we stop for lunch at the outlet mall in Barstow, where you can browse a wide range of well-known brands.

This evening, we take a tour along the Las Vegas Strip to see the city’s famous hotels, themed resorts and striking architecture rising from the desert. The rest of the evening is free for you to enjoy as you choose - perhaps take in a show or try your luck in one of the casinos.

We leave Las Vegas this morning and travel southeast through the desert and across the Navajo Nation towards the Grand Canyon. Reaching the South Rim, we visit one of the world’s most celebrated natural wonders, carved over millions of years by the Colorado River.

You will have time to walk along the rim and take in the dramatic views while learning more about the canyon’s remarkable geology. After lunch at leisure, we continue along the canyon and stop at Native American marketplaces where you can browse locally made arts and crafts.

After breakfast, we head to Lake Powell, one of the most scenic lakes in the American Southwest. We enjoy a boat cruise to see its many private coves as well as the distinctive salt pillars and rock arches that make this area so unusual.

We then continue west to Bryce Canyon, known for its extraordinary landscape of rock formations shaped over thousands of years by wind, rain and sun. The colours and textures here make it one of the most distinctive national parks in the region. Overnight in Kanab or Cedar City.

This morning we travel to Zion National Park, a place named by Mormon settlers who believed the scenery felt almost spiritual. With its vast canyon walls, peaceful surroundings and dramatic natural beauty, Zion offers a very different experience from the parks visited earlier in the tour.

We spend time exploring the park and enjoy a short walk along the Virgin River, which flows through the canyon floor. Afterwards, we continue back to Las Vegas, arriving in the evening where the tour ends. You can also choose a late-night return to Los Angeles at an additional cost.