Western Discoverer

Depart the UK on your chosen scheduled flight to Los Angeles, California. Upon arrival, independently transfer to the Beverley Hills Marriott in Los Angeles. The remainder of the day is designated for relaxation and acclimatization. Tomorrow evening, you’ll meet the rest of your tour group and start this guided adventure.

During the majority of today, you will have leisure time to explore ‘The City of Angels’. Options include visiting popular tourist destinations such as the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Rodeo Drive, or the Hollywood sign. Alternatively, you may opt to explore the beaches of Santa Monica, Huntington, and Venice. In the evening, you will gather with your Tour Director and fellow travellers for a welcome reception.

This morning, unlock all the glitz and glam that Los Angeles has to offer. Cruise around Beverly Hills, known for its mansions, high-end shopping and celebrity sightings. Snap a picture of the iconic Beverly Hills sign as you drive down Santa Monica Blvd. Your next stop is Hollywood, a larger-than-life symbol of the entertainment business that beckons tourists with landmarks like the TCL Chinese Theatre and star-studded Walk of Fame, historic music venues like the Hollywood Bowl, and the Dolby Theatre, which is home of the Oscars. You’ll have some free time to find your favourite celebrity star and grab some lunch on Hollywood Blvd before making your way to San Diego for two nights.

Embark on a sightseeing tour with your Travel Director, taking in some of the key sights of San Diego, California’s second-largest city. Travel through the city’s historic Gaslamp Quarter and learn about its past, present, and local secrets. Move on to Balboa Park, one of America’s most famous urban cultural parks and home to the world-famous San Diego Zoo. Finish up at historic Old Town, the first European settlement in present-day California, with free time for lunch. The afternoon is yours to relax or enjoy an optional experience of touring the USS Midway or taking a San Diego Harbor cruise.

Cross large swathes of the desert southwest on your way through California and Arizona. Spot the iconic saguaros as you traverse the great Sonoran Desert stopping in Yuma and Gila Bend en route to the trendy Arizona town of Scottsdale. This evening, the Valley of the Sun shines brightly as you enjoy free time to explore its galleries, boutiques, and chic eateries. Perhaps dine on Southwest cuisine or sip on a cool margarita as the sun sets.

Explore the iconic red rocks of Sedona, awestruck by the majestic crimson rock formations. Spend the morning ambling through the various shops along the main road or opt for a jeep tour into the backcountry. Continue north along Oak Creek Canyon Scenic Drive, one of the Top 5 Most Scenic Drives in America, climbing 4,500 feet from Sedona to the top of the Mogollon Rim where the canyon opens to the foliage of oaks interspersed with evergreen pines, and the incredible backdrop of red-faced rocks and cliffs. Arrive at the UNESCO-listed Grand Canyon National Park where you’ll meet a specialist guide for an informative talk about the origins of the five-million-year-old canyon, its rock formations and its impact now.

Early risers, seize the morning on an optional helicopter flight over the heart of the Grand Canyon where incredible views of the south rim, north rim and Colorado River await. This morning, pack your bags and head to buzzy Las Vegas along Route 66, a symbol of the ultimate American road trip. Stop by Seligman and Kingman, two iconic outposts for a taste of all things Americana, complete with classic motels, kitsch petrol pumps and steaming slices of Apple pie. As if by magic, spot the neon lights of Las Vegas looming in the distance; an entertainment oasis surrounded by desert with a reputation almost as big as the fortunes many have made (and lost) there. Choose to join a Sights and Lights sightseeing tour or rest up for another big day.

Today is all about you. Spend it as you wish and perhaps join one of many optional experiences in Sin City. Delve into an engineering marvel on the Hoover Dam Tour. View the dam from the newly completed Mike O’Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge, the largest concrete arch bridge in the Western Hemisphere standing 900 feet above the Colorado River and gaze in amazement at the largest dam of its time. Or, go back in time to experience the iconic stars and personalities that helped define the soul of Sin City at “Vegas! The Show”.

Today you’ll leave Sin City behind as you head towards the mountains of Mammoth Lakes. To get there, you’ll travel through the vast arid landscapes of the Mojave Desert. Keep your eyes peeled for photo ops as you journey through this otherworldly terrain. When you arrive in Mammoth Lakes, you’ll have an evening at leisure to enjoy this outdoor adventure playground amidst the rolling peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Descend from the Sierra Nevada Mountains through the stunning Tioga Pass and enter UNESCO-listed Yosemite National Park. You’ll journey through Yosemite Valley, admiring the natural wonders of Bridalveil Fall, Yosemite Falls, and El Capitan’s imposing granite cliffs. Spend the rest of the day learning about the natural history, flora, and fauna of one of the world’s oldest national parks. Not just a great valley, but a shrine to human foresight, the strength of granite, the power of glaciers, the persistence of life, and the tranquillity of the High Sierra. Yosemite National Park is best known for its waterfalls, but within its nearly 1,200 square miles, you can find deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, a vast wilderness area and much more.

San Francisco is your playground today with several optional experiences to choose from. Get acquainted with the must-see sights of the city on a San Francisco Sightseeing Tour led by your Travel Director. Admire the eclectic mix of architecture (Victorian and Modern), culture and cuisines. Stroll through the lively hotspot of Fisherman’s Wharf to Union Square, a historical landmark linked to the American Civil War, lined with interesting shops. This afternoon, choose to join a walking tour across the iconic Golden Gate Bridge before making the short drive down to quaint seaside Sausalito for some free time before we take a ferry on the Bay back to San Francisco passing the famous Alcatraz Island.

Arrive in Monterey’s Cannery Row, named in honour of John Steinbeck and his novel that described a colourful past. Now, Cannery Row’s buildings are updated, shinier versions of turn-of-the-century canneries with eclectic shops, local artists’ galleries, and restaurants. Stop for a Be My Guest lunch at Happy Girl Kitchen Co. where owners Todd and Jordan Champagne host a three-course vegetarian-based lunch highlighting locally sourced ingredients. Then, learn about Jordan’s fun and unconventional methods and secrets for making fruit preserves from the comfort of your home kitchen. You’ll even get to take home a sample of preserves she makes onsite. This afternoon, cruise the scenic 17-Mile Drive through Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove passing famous golf courses, mansions, and scenic attractions, including the Lone Cypress, Bird Rock and the 5,300-acre Del Monte Forest of Monterey Cypress trees.

The morning is yours to do as you please. You’ll start with a visit to the quaint seaside town of Morro Bay before exploring the rest of California’s central coast. This evening, say goodbye to your fellow travellers and enjoy one final three-course dinner together.

Kick off your final day in the American Riviera of Santa Barbara. Located on a pristine stretch of California’s central coastline, Santa Barbara brings together the Golden State’s Spanish influence, laid-back vibe, and upscale sensibility in a way few places can. You’ll have some time to explore State Street, the Old Mission Santa Barbara, the Museum of Natural History, or the Museum of Art. You’ll also have time to get lunch on your own today before heading to Los Angeles International Airport for your flight back to the UK.