San Francisco, Las Vegas to Los Angeles

Welcome to San Francisco. The California Gold Rush of 1849 transformed this once small settlement into a thriving port, earning it the nickname ‘City by the Bay’. With its cosmopolitan character and striking waterfront setting, it remains one of the most popular destinations in the United States.

Please note: This tour may have travellers joining or departing at various points along the route, meaning group composition can change during the tour. Please also be aware that depending on group composition, guiding may be in additional languages as well as English.

Today we explore San Francisco on a half-day city tour. We take in the sights and sounds of the city - from the bustle of Union Square to the iconic cable cars and the sound of ships departing the bay.

The afternoon is free for you to enjoy at your own pace. You may choose to cruise the bay, explore the shops, ride the cable cars or simply wander through the neighbourhoods. Your Tour Director will be available to help plan your time.

San Francisco - Yosemite National Park - Fresno. We leave San Francisco and travel through California’s Central Valley, one of the most productive agricultural regions in North America, known for its wide variety of crops.

We continue to Yosemite National Park, home to dramatic granite landmarks such as El Capitan and Half Dome, as well as impressive waterfalls and diverse wildlife. We explore the park by coach and spend time on the valley floor before continuing to Fresno for an overnight stay.

Fresno - Mojave - Las Vegas. An early departure takes us south through the Central Valley and across the mountains into the Mojave Desert. Crossing into Nevada, we begin to see the first casinos lining the highway.

Soon, Las Vegas appears - a striking contrast in the desert landscape. Once a modest settlement, it grew rapidly and is now known worldwide for its entertainment, casinos and shows.

Today is free for you to enjoy Las Vegas. You may wish to shop, relax by the pool or join an optional excursion such as a visit to Death Valley.

Your Tour Director can provide further details and recommendations.

Las Vegas - Cedar City - Byce Canyon National Park. We travel north through the Mojave Desert, passing briefly through Arizona before entering Utah. As we drive through the Virgin River Gorge, the landscape shifts from desert terrain to elevated plateaus.

Utah, known as the Beehive State, sits at a higher elevation and is home to part of the Colorado Plateau. We arrive at Bryce Canyon National Park, where we visit viewpoints such as Bryce and Inspiration Points to see the distinctive rock formations known as hoodoos.

Bryce Canyon National Park - Grand Canyon National Park - Williams. After leaving Bryce Canyon, we pass through Kanab, often called ‘Little Hollywood’ due to its history as a filming location for classic westerns. Continuing via Page, we enter the Navajo Nation, where traditional culture remains strong.

We see characteristic landscapes of the Painted Desert before arriving at the Grand Canyon, one of the world’s most remarkable natural wonders. You may choose to take an optional helicopter flight for a different perspective. Overnight is in Williams, a historic town on Route 66.

Williams - Seligman - Kingman - Laughlin. We travel along historic Route 66, stopping in Seligman, one of the best-preserved towns from the road’s heyday, where you can browse for souvenirs.

We continue to Kingman before crossing the Colorado River into Nevada. Our overnight stay is in Laughlin, a riverside town known for its casinos. You may wish to explore the area or take a relaxed walk along the river.

Laughlin - Palm Springs - Los Angeles. We return to California and head to Palm Springs, a desert resort long favoured by Hollywood stars. The town is known for its Spanish Revival and Mid-Century Modern architecture.

We then continue to Los Angeles, where we take an orientation tour covering Downtown, Hollywood and parts of Beverly Hills before arriving at our hotel.

Our tour concludes today. Please speak with your Tour Director if you require assistance with your transfer to Los Angeles International Airport. We wish you a safe onward journey.