Gold Experience
Los Angeles-Santa Barbara-Carmel-Route 1-San Francisco-Yosemite-Stevenson Ranch-Las Vegas-Grand Canyon-Lake Powell-Bryce Canyon-Zion Park
7days/6nights, Los Angeles/Las Vegas
2020 depart Mon: Apr-Oct
Cost from: $1810 pp twin share (s/supp $425)
day 01 Los Angeles-Santa Barbara-17 Mile Drive-Carmel
Please make your way to the meeting point at either Starbucks Coffee Shop Farmers Market, Corner of Fairfax Blvd & 3rd Street for a departure at 6:30am or Four Points Sheraton Culver City - 5990 Green Valley Circle, Culver City in the hotel lobby for a departure at 07:00am. Heading north up the spectacular California Coast to the first stop in Santa Barbara. Visit a Spanish Mission and learn how these religious outposts were key in the development of the entire region. Continue to Solvang, a quaint Danish community to browse in the local shops. We head north to world famous 17 mile drive (part of route #1) where we get to see the spectacular California coast line up close. After our visit we visit the town of Carmel home to actor Clint Eastwood. Enjoy some free time to stroll through town before heading on to Silicon Valley for overnight.
day 02 San Francisco-Bay Cruise-Golden Gate Bridge-Chinatown
Today we will try to understand why San Francisco is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. We start our tour at the Fisherman’s Wharf with a cruise in the world famous bay, under the Golden Gate Bridge and around the notorious Alcatraz Island. Return to Pier 39 for a leisurely lunch before an afternoon tour that takes in all the city’s famous landmarks, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Union square, Chinatown and Nob Hill. Our tour ends with a night view of the city from the Bay Bridge.
day 03 San Francisco-Yosemite
In summer, we head east through the farmlands of the Joaquin Valley to Yosemite National Park. This 1,200 square mile wonderland of forests, lakes and waterfalls is located in the Sierra Nevada. Stop at El Capitan, Bridal-Veil Falls, and Half Dome to continue for a walk from the Yosemite Visitor Centre to reach one of the highest waterfalls in North America (730 meters) Yosemite Falls.
In winter, we start the day with a tour of Monterrey to include the wharf and Cannery Row. After our tour we depart south for a visit to the world famous Hearst Castle. Built by a newspaper baron William Randolph Hearst, tours the famous house filled with antiques and see why the castle served as a playground for the rich and famous for the first half of the 20th century. In the evening, drive south towards Las Vegas.
day 04 Stevenson Ranch-Las Vegas
Today’s route is east through the dessert and Death Valley to arrive at the gambling capital of the world Las Vegas. We stop for lunch at the outlet mall in Barstow, which is filled with all the famous brand names like, Levi’s, Nike, Reebok, Timberland and more. In the evening we take a tour of the strip to see some of the truly amazing hotels and fantasies that are built in the middle of the desert, such as Caesar’s Palace, Mirage, Luxor, Paris, Mandalay Bay, New York New York, Treasure Island and more. Finish off the evening at one of the many shows or try your hand at one of the many casinos’, who knows maybe lady luck will be smiling on you tonight.
day 05 Les Vegas-Grand Canyon-Lake Powell
We start the day traveling South East through the desert and the through the Navajo Indian reservation before we come to the South Bank of “One of the 7 wonders of the world” the Grand Canyon. Tour along the south bank and learn how throughout the years the Colourado River carved its way down to the sea and created the wonderland for geologists. After lunch we continue along the canyon east stopping at some of the many Indian market places to browse the handmade arts and crafts.
day 06 Lake Powell-Bryce Canyon
After breakfast we depart to the Lake Powell considered one of the most beautiful lakes in America, enjoy a boat cruise on the water and see the hundreds of private coves and the famous salt pillars and famous sand arches unique to the area. After the cruise we head west to Bryce Canyon home to the most amazing natural sculptures of the world. Our tour will take us to see amazing rock and sand sculptures honed to perfection over thousands of years of rain wind and sunshine. Experience the unique changing of the colours during the sunset from one of the vista points in the park (may change due to changing sunset times). After the visit we head towards the town of Kanab.
day 07 Zion Park-Las Vegas
After breakfast we head into Zion Park. This park got its name from the Mormon’s that settled in the area. They gave it this name after claiming that visiting the park is like a religious experience, the majesty of the mountains and silence of the wilderness make you feel like you have been transported to another place. Tour the park and enjoy a short walking trail along the Virgin River that runs through the park, before leaving this amazing area for an early evening arrival in Las Vegas and your independent onward arrangements.
Inclusions: twin share in 3 star accommodation, breakfasts daily, tour director, air conditioned coach, service charges, taxes.
Sightseeing: Bay cruise in San Francisco & Admission to Yosemite National Park, Santa Barbara, Carmel, San Francisco, “The Strip” in Las Vegas, Hoover Dam, entrance to Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Bryce Canyon and Zion Park Cruise on Lake Powel.
Hotels: Morgan Hill -La Quinta Inn & Suites, Modesto-Park Inn Hotel, Stevenson Ranch-Comfort Suites, Las Vegas-Harrahs Hotel, Page-Clarion Inn, Kanab-LA Quinta by Wyndham (or similar).
Notes: This is a bilingual tour. Tours are subject to change without notice pending climatic and local traffic conditions.