Itinerary Details
Golden West Adventure
Day 1: LOS ANGELES Welcome to Los Angeles! Your Tour Director is on hand from 3-6:00 p.m. to answer any questions.
Once settled, perhaps venture out and start exploring this vibrant city. Visit nearby art museums, The Broad or the Museum of Contemporary Art, or check out the local cuisine at one of the many restaurants in the area. Or opt to just relax at the hotel pool.
Day 2: LOS ANGELES Begin the day with a sightseeing tour of Tinseltown. Drive through Hollywood and see the world-famous TCL Chinese Theatre. An historic gem, this cinema (formerly, Grauman’s) has hosted some of the most exclusive movie premieres in Hollywood history. See the Dolby Theatre, the first permanent home of the glamorous Academy Awards, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame where iconic terrazzo stars along Hollywood Boulevard honor the achievements of individuals in the entertainment industry. Explore The Original Farmers Market, with more than 80 shops and restaurants then head to the Santa Monica Pier and the ultimate Southern California beach. The remainder of your day is at leisure. Your Tour Director will have suggestions for further exploration of the city.
Day 3: LOS ANGELES–PALM SPRINGS Journey to the desert oasis of Palm Springs where Hollywood stars, like Frank Sinatra, Cary Grant, and Elizabeth Taylor started coming to escape the public eye, buying ranch-style estates to enjoy the abundant sunshine and dry air. Today Palm Springs is known for its spas, resorts, and for hosting events like the Coachella Valley Music Festival. Get a view of the expansive valley on the optional Palm Springs Aerial Tram that has the world’s largest rotating tram car.
Day 4: PALM SPRINGS–SCOTTSDALE–PHOENIX Travel through cacti-covered desert towards Old Town Scottsdale where Western storefronts create an aura of the past. Enjoy free time to explore a taste of the Old West with the Western bars, wagon wheels, and abundant cowboy hats, making you feel like you have traveled back in time to the era of outlaws and saloons.
Day 5: PHOENIX–SEDONA–GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK–WILLIAMS First stop today is a visit to the red rocks of Sedona, known as a center for Southwestern and New Age arts. Climb through Oak Creek Canyon with its weather-sculpted formations of dramatic, color-tinted crags. Then pass by the San Francisco Mountains and beautiful pine forests to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park and be awed by the grandeur and stunning vistas of this natural wonder of the world. See the canyon from the sky on an optional helicopter flightseeing excursion for thrilling views of the flame-colored walls plunging 6,093 feet into the Colorado River. Stay overnight in Williams, a picturesque mountain town with Route 66 as the main street. (B)
Day 6: WILLIAMS–LAS VEGAS Cross the Mojave Desert that still has traces of century-old ghost towns. Look out for Joshua trees, a species of the Agave family, that grow to 40 feet high and can live for more than 300 years. Arrive in the man-made oasis in the Nevada desert that is Las Vegas, a fantastic city of feverish gambling, neon lights, and entertaining shows. An orientation tour upon arrival shows off many of the themed casino resorts along the colorful “Strip.” This evening, consider a night on the town with an optional Brazilian steakhouse dinner followed by “Vegas! The Show,” and relive the iconic performances of Sinatra, Elvis, and more legends who made Las Vegas the “Entertainment Capital of the World.” (CB)
Day 7: LAS VEGAS The day is free for exploring on your own. Perhaps try your hand at the blackjack table, check out some of the over-the-top hotel lobbies, shop, or lounge by the pool. Consider joining an optional excursion to see Hoover Dam, an engineering marvel, or opt for something a little more adventurous with an optional Black Canyon Rafting trip on the legendary Colorado River.
Day 8: LAS VEGAS–SELMA Departing the neon lights of Las Vegas, we continue across the desert landscape of Nevada before crossing into California. See the vast Mojave Desert, which covers one-fifth of California. Pass through some of the state’s most productive agricultural land then overnight in Selma in the central San Joaquin Valley.
Day 9: SELMA–YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK–SONORA This morning, we enter Yosemite National Park, established in 1890 as the nation’s third national park. It is a wonderland of granite cliffs, towering pinnacles, cascading waterfalls, and giant sequoia trees. See magnificent Half Dome, El Capitan, and 620-foot Bridal Veil Falls. Afterward, drive to Sonora.
Day 10: SONORA–SAN FRANCISCO Journey west to the “City by the Bay,” San Francisco, famous for its cable cars which are the last manually operated cable car system in the world. After lunch, enjoy included sightseeing that takes in the spectacular Golden Gate Bridge, Nob Hill, and bustling Fisherman’s Wharf. This evening, perhaps venture out and experience some of the city’s diverse and innovative culinary scene. (B)
Day 11: SAN FRANCISCO The day is free for you to explore more of this fascinating city. You could visit legendary Alcatraz Island, walk the colorful streets of Chinatown, or go on an iconic cable car ride. Or be humbled walking through the soaring 600-year-old redwood trees on an optional excursion to nearby Muir Woods. Or take to the water to view the stunning cityscape by boat on an optional scenic San Francisco Bay Cruise.
NOTE:
Consider advance ticket purchase for Alcatraz Island with the National Park Service.
Day 12: SAN FRANCISCO–17 MILE DRIVE–CARMEL–MONTEREY This morning, travel south to picturesque Monterey and visit historic Old Fisherman’s Wharf to look for sea lions and otters, then visit Cannery Row, made famous by John Steinbeck’s novel of the same name. Later, take in the spectacular Pacific Ocean views and coastline from legendary 17-Mile Drive en route to Carmel Bay. Nestled in a picturesque pine forest, Carmel-by-the-Sea is a storybook setting not to be missed.
Day 13: MONTEREY–BIG SUR HIGHWAY–PFEIFFER BIG SUR STATE PARK–SAN LUIS OBISPO–SOLVANG Today, you will experience one of the most beautiful coastlines anywhere in the world—Big Sur. Experience stunning views, redwood forests, and the Pacific Ocean crashing below. Keep your camera handy, as there will be plenty of scenic photo stops. Visit Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and experience the deep shade and cathedral-like beauty of California Redwoods, and the dramatic mountains meeting the sea. Enjoy time in San Luis Obispo before making your way to Solvang, where Denmark has been recreated with picturesque buildings and windmills. There’s time to walk the flower-lined village streets and enjoy the “Old World” architecture. Tasty bakery treats and perhaps a Danish smorgasbord for dinner all add to the unique experience.
NOTE:
The drive along the coast to Big Sur is dependent on the current road conditions and regulations on Pacific Coast Highway 1.
Day 14: SOLVANG–SANTA BARBARA–LOS ANGELES From Solvang, it’s a short drive south to coastal Santa Barbara where you’ll stop to see the historic mission. There’s also time to wander along the vibrant waterfront, visit the pier, or do some shopping at the boutiques along the palm-lined streets. Then head to Los Angeles International Airport for guests with outbound flights (please schedule flights for after 5 pm). Return to the Westin Bonaventure Hotel for those extending their vacation with extra nights.
