Real San Francisco to LA

Welcome to California! Your adventure begins in San Francisco – The City by the Bay with the super cool multicultural heart. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight to meet your local leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive early, and it’s recommended that you do, maybe check out the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, Palace of Fine Arts or just take a self-paced walking tour of the trendy city streets. Wander through the vintage stores along funky Haight Street or catch the tram down to the waterfront. After the meeting tonight, maybe grab dinner and get to know your group.

This morning, you’ll drive into the heart of the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the magnificent Yosemite National Park. Passing gorgeous scenery along the way, catch a glimpse of one of Yosemite’s most recognisable features – Half Dome. You'll spend three nights camping near Yosemite National Park, with two full days available to explore at your own pace.

Head into the national park this morning and join your leader for an easy, downhill hike at the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias. The grove is home to, no surprise, a couple dozen mature giant sequoia trees, including one that’s been carved into a tunnel you can walk through. From there, continue to Yosemite Valley to check out some of the park’s iconic spots. You could see the thundering Yosemite Falls, take in both Half Dome and Merced River from Sentinel Bridge and a whole lot more. The rest of the day is then free for you to explore at your own pace. There are plenty of hikes available, each varying in steepness and difficulty. Maybe hike under the cooling breezes of Nevada Falls (4 to 5 hours) or to the serene Mirror Lake (45 minutes). Keep an eye out for squirrels and bears along the way!

Today is free for you to continue discovering the wonders of the park. Instead of hiking, you might like to hire a bike and explore Yosemite Valley on two wheels. You can also visit the park's museum, photo gallery, shops and restaurants, and in the heat of summer, a relaxing float down the Merced River is highly recommended. Otherwise, there’s no shortage of trails for you to explore, from the famous Mist Trail to the more challenging Four Mile Trail. Your leader will be able to provide recommendations if you need help narrowing down the options!

Depart Yosemite via the Tioga Pass this morning, stopping at Mono Lake on the way. The Sierra Nevada is sandwiched between Central Valley and Death Valley – this is a scenic trip that will take you to the town of Bishop, where you’ll camp the night. In town, maybe go to Erick Schat’s European-style bakery for a delicious treat, or perhaps visit some nearby natural hot springs.

Drive to the capital of glitz and glam, in the heart of the desert this morning – Las Vegas, Nevada. Vegas may be known for its casinos and late-night antics, but there's plenty more to it than meets the eye. After checking into your accommodation, you’re free to explore the bits that take your fancy. Hit the shops, see a world-class stage show, check out the Las Vegas Sphere or simply enjoy the people watching as you stroll along the Strip. Tonight, maybe grab dinner at one of the celebrity chef restaurants around town (Roy Choi, Gordon Ramsay and Wolfgang Puck all have places here).

With another day in Las Vegas, continue to discover all things over-the-top. See the Eiffel Tower of the USA, check out the Bellagio Fountains or visit one of the city’s many museums. You’ll have another welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight to meet the new members of your group. If you didn’t head out last night, maybe get your group together and head out for one of sin city's best shows, clubs and restaurants. You might as well go all out in Las Vegas, right?

This morning, you’ll drive from Vegas to Zion National Park – a nature preserve in Utah famous for its steep red cliffs and scenic drive that leads to forest trails along the Virgin River. When you arrive, join your leader for a guided hike in the park to get your bearings, then head to your campsite near the park. After the bright neon lights of Vegas, this is a good opportunity to unplug, go star gazing and listen to the sounds of nature.

This morning, you’ll head out on a scenic drive from Zion to Bryce Canyon National Park. The park is a favourite among travellers for the crimson-coloured hoodoos (spire-shaped rock formations) that give it the landscape an alien feel. As you drive around the rim of the park, you’ll stop in at some incredible viewpoints and have plenty of time to snap away. Later, settle into your campsite near the park.

This morning you’ll drive to Grand Cayon National Park – a must-see for any USA adventure! When you arrive, get ready to admire a natural wonder formed by over six million years of erosion by the Colorado River. The canyon’s dimensions – 450 km long, 630 km wide and 1600 m deep – it really does warrant the ‘grand’ title. You’ll spend two nights here, which allows for a full day of exploration tomorrow. Tonight, maybe check out the park’s massive scale on a walk around the rim, watching sunset from one of the many viewpoints.

Continue exploring the national park today, starting with a leader-led tour of the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. You’ll be taken to some incredible viewpoints and see a couple of famous sights, like Granite Rapids and Monument Canyon, before finishing at Hermit’s Rest. You’re then free to choose your adventure for the rest of the day! You might like to hire a bike for an easy and efficient way to see as much of the national park as possible.

This morning, leave the canyon behind and travel along the famous Route 66, stopping in Seligman along the way – a quirky small town that features a vibrant slice of retro America. After wandering around the shops and old-school diners, cross the border back into California toward Joshua Tree National Park. Famous (and named) for its spectacular desert plants, there are also plenty of bizarre rock formations and palm-fringed oases to encounter.

Bid farewell to Joshua Tree National Park as you make your way to Los Angeles, where your trip will come to an end at approximately 4pm. If you plan to spend more time here, maybe wander along Venice Beach or head to Santa Monica Pier and watch the sun go down tonight. Speak to your booking agent ahead of time if you’d like to extend your stay.