From £1895 per person
21 days from only £1895
America’s West conjures up many images of spectacular scenery, from California’s blue waters and rugged Pacific coastline to the barren deserts of Arizona.
Our fabulous ‘California & the Canyons’ tour combines all the classic natural sightseeing of America’s West with some less well known but equally impressive landscapes. We visit the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon, beautiful Yosemite National Park, California’s rugged west coast and the distinctive red desert of Arizona. We then take you further than many other tours - to the magnificent canyons and mountains of Utah’s National Parks, including Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park. This holiday is not just about breathtaking scenery; the tour gives you the opportunity to experience some of the USA’s most exciting and iconic cities. Mix with the rich and famous in LA, enjoy iconic landmarks and roller- coaster roads in San Francisco, and experience the glitz and glamour of legendary Las Vegas.
Tour HighlightsSan Francisco, Yosemite, California's West Coast, Los Angeles, San Diego, Grand Canyon, The Canyons, Las Vegas
Tour itinerary
Day 1 UK - San Francisco
Our Virgin Atlantic flight leaves London Heathrow late in the morning. Sit back and enjoy the complimentary meals, drinks and entertainment during our flight to San Francisco, which takes approximately 10 hours. On arrival, we will meet our local Tour Manager and transfer to the Hotel Whitcomb, centrally located in downtown San Francisco.
Day 2 San Francisco
San Francisco is one of the world's most sophisticated cities and is famous for its roller- coaster streets and beautiful harbour setting. This morning we take a tour of the city highlights including Golden Gate Bridge, Union Square, Chinatown and we enjoy breathtaking views over the Bay from Twin Peaks. The rest of the day is at leisure, giving you the chance to further explore this fascinating city at your own pace.
Day 3 San Francisco
A free day in San Francisco. You might like to take a ferry to Alcatraz, the one time residence of Al Capone and many of America's most notorious criminals. If you feel like venturing further afield, optional excursions within easy reach of the city include a visit to the Giant Redwood trees of Muir Woods or a tour of the celebrated wineries of Napa and Sonoma Valleys. In the evening, why not head to Fisherman's Wharf to try the 'catch of the day' in one of its many excellent seafood restaurants?
Day 4 San Francisco - Yosemite
We leave San Francisco behind this morning and take a scenic drive along the Northern Yosemite Highway to today's destination, El Portal at Yosemite National Park. Covering nearly 1,200 square miles, Yosemite is one of America's finest National Parks and is best known for its granite cliffs, towering waterfalls and ancient giant sequoias. Our home for the next two nights is the Cedar Lodge, just a few minutes from the western entrance to the park.
Day 5 Yosemite
Today we will enjoy a full day in Yosemite National Park. Long recognised as one of the most beautiful and unspoilt areas in America and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Yosemite has thousands of lakes and ponds, miles of hiking trails, dense forests and towering granite cliffs. The park is also known for its wildlife; mule deer, coyotes, chipmunks, blue jays and occasionally even bears can be spotted in Yosemite. There will be plenty of free time for you to fully explore the park and breathe in the pine-scented air.
Day 6 Yosemite - Monterey
Our journey takes us back towards the Pacific coast to Monterey, a pretty seaside town with a laid-back charm and a rich history. The town is home to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, one of the largest in the world, and the original canneries on the waterfront now house a great selection of art galleries and craft shops. We stop overnight at the Beach Resort Hotel which, as the name suggests, enjoys a fabulous location overlooking the ocean.
Day 7 Monterey - Pismo Beach
Leaving Monterey this morning, our journey along California's west coast begins with the picturesque 17 Mile Drive. This scenic route hugs the coastline and passes through the exclusive community of Pebble Beach, with its millionaire's mansions and golf courses. We then proceed to the famed Highway 1, a spectacular road weaving its way over towering cliffs on the edge of the sparkling Pacific Ocean. A stop is made to tour Hearst Castle, the former estate of newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, and now a beautiful yet surreal historic landmark, housing a vast collection of antiques and art – look out for the zebras roaming the grounds! Our accommodation tonight is the Shore Cliff Lodge at Pismo Beach, which enjoys another great location overlooking the waters of the Pacific Ocean.
Day 8 Pismo Beach - Los Angeles
We enjoy a leisurely drive to Los Angeles today. En route to Los Angeles we will have a chance to explore the mission town of Santa Barbara, which enjoys a beautiful waterfront setting. This charming city is well known for its Colonial Spanish architecture and is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful in America. We arrive in the afternoon at Los Angeles and our hotel for the next two nights, the Los Angeles Airport Hilton.
Day 9 Los Angeles
We begin our day in the ‘City of Angels’ with a half day sightseeing tour. The many highlights of this tour include Sunset Strip and Rodeo Drive; Beverly Hills, with its vast movie star homes; the film mecca of Hollywood, where Grauman's Chinese Theater features the foot and handprints of the most famous stars in the world; and LA’s famous Farmers Market, which has over 100 shops, grocers and restaurants. The afternoon is left free for you to soak up the atmosphere of this legendary metropolis or possibly take an optional tour of Universal Studios or visit Santa Monica’s fabulous beaches.
Day 10 Los Angeles - San Diego
Today we make the short journey south to San Diego. This Southern Californian seaport may only be a couple of hours from the glamour of LA, but the contrast in atmosphere is striking. San Diego enjoys a laid back ambience with miles of superb sunkissed beaches and a strong Mexican influence. Our afternoon tour of the city begins amongst the old world buildings of the Gaslamp Quarter and continues with stops at Balboa Park and the pretty seaside village of La Jolla. For many, a highlight of the tour will be a trip across the bay to Coronado Island, home to many craft shops and cafes as well as the landmark Hotel del Coronado, made famous in the 1950's film "Some Like it Hot". Our hotel for our final two nights in California is the Best Western Hacienda, perfectly located in the heart of San Diego's Old Town.
Day 11 San Diego
We have left today free for you to further explore San Diego. A visit to SeaWorld, California's premier marine attraction, is always very popular. Alternatively, you might like to tour San Diego Zoo in the scenic Balboa Park or enjoy a little retail therapy in Horton Plaza, a unique and award winning outdoor shopping mall.
Day 12 San Diego - Scottsdale
This morning, we leave California in our wake as we drive close to the Mexican border, through Southern California, to the fashionable desert resort of Scottsdale. In the heart of Arizona's 'Valley of the Sun' and ringed by mountains, the sun shines on Scottsdale for an astonishing 85% of daylight hours. We will spend the next two nights at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel.
Day 13 Scottsdale
A day at leisure to soak up the sun and relax. Keen golfers are extremely well catered for in Scottsdale and Phoenix, and souvenir hunters will find galleries showcasing some of the best Western art in the country and individual boutiques selling quality Native American crafts.
Day 14 Scottsdale - Grand Canyon
Our morning departure from Scottsdale takes us through the red desert landscapes of Arizona, to our first stop at Montezuma Castle – an ancient five storey cliff dwelling of the Sinagua Indian tribe. We continue north to the artistic township of Sedona, situated within a series of wind carved stone outcrops, and through Oak Creek Canyon. The Squire Inn is our home tonight, located at the entrance to Grand Canyon National Park.
Day 15 Grand Canyon - Page
Our day begins with what will surely be one of the highlights of the holiday - a visit to the Grand Canyon. We’ll have plenty of time to explore one of the world’s greatest natural wonders from various vantage points along the South Rim. The staggering scale of the Grand Canyon - a mile deep, ten miles across - is difficult to comprehend, and the unusual rock formations and ever-changing colours are simply breathtaking. The Best Western Lake Powell in Page is our final destination this afternoon, and home for the next two nights.
Day 16 Page
Straddling the border between Arizona and Utah, Lake Powell was formed by the construction of the Glen Canyon Dam in 1964, when the Colorado River flooded the former Glen Canyon to a depth of about 560 feet. It is now the second largest reservoir in the USA and our free day provides an excellent opportunity to explore the crystal blue waters of the lake with an optional cruise to Rainbow Bridge, the largest natural bridge in the world. Alternatively, why not take a full day optional excursion to Monument Valley – land of the Navajo Indian and home to a remarkable landscape? The red mesas, buttes and rock spires silhouetted against a huge sky will be familiar to some as the backdrop to many Western movies.
Day 17 Page - Zion
This morning, we cross into the state of Utah to visit the magnificent Bryce Canyon. The vistas over the 20 mile wide canyon are startling, consisting of brilliantly coloured rock formations eroded by desert winds and ice into towering pillars called 'hoodoos'. The area is also rich in wildlife – keep an eye out for chipmunks, deer and even prairie dogs. After leaving Bryce we make our way to the East Zion Thunderbird Lodge.
Day 18 Zion - Las Vegas
A day of contrasts, beginning with towering cliffs in the spectacular Zion National Park and ending with towering buildings located on Las Vegas Boulevard. Covering almost 230 square miles, Zion National Park's landscape consists of soaring sandstone cliffs, deep canyons and cascading waterfalls. In ancient Hebrew, Zion translates as 'place of refuge or sanctuary' and our visit here will show why the Mormon settlers were inspired to name it so. This afternoon's destination, Las Vegas, has also inspired many epithets, none of which could ever allude to peace and tranquility. Just three hours away from Zion but a world apart, Las Vegas is an oasis of bright lights and glamour in the middle of the Nevada desert. Our home for our final two nights in America is the Riviera Hotel and Casino, located on Las Vegas’ famous 'Strip'.
Day 19 Las Vegas
Our day is left completely free to enjoy the excitement and glamour of this legendary resort. A walk along the Strip is an eye-opening experience, passing the many themed hotels all striving to outshine each other with their recreations - whether it be of the Manhattan skyline, the Pyramids at Luxor or St Mark's Square! A visit to Vegas wouldn't be complete without taking in an optional big name show or a Broadway-style revue. Enjoy!
Day 20 Depart Las Vegas
We will be transferred by coach to the airport at Las Vegas for our afternoon flight with Virgin Atlantic to London Gatwick, which takes approximately 9 hours 45 minutes.
Day 21 Arrive UK
Our flight arrives into London Gatwick late in the morning.