Day 1 Los Angeles-Santa Barbara-Solvang-Monterey-Carmel (296 miles)
Day 2 San Francisco (92 miles)
Day 3 Modesto-Yosemite National Park-Stevenson Ranch (331 miles)
Day 4 Stevenson Ranch - Las Vegas: (253 miles)
Day 5 Las Vegas-Grand Canyon-Page (379 miles)
Day 6 Page-Antelope Canyon-Bryce Canyon National Park-Kanab (115 miles)
Day 7 Kanab - Zion National Park - Las Vegas - Los Angeles (469 miles)
Day 1:
Los Angeles-Santa Barbara-Solvang-Monterey-Carmel (296 miles)
Depart 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 the world-famous
Route #1 where we get to see the spectacular California coastline up close (small vehicles will travel the southern portion of route 1 while full size coaches will travel the 17-mile drive exclusively). After our visit we visit the town of
Carmel home to the actor Clint Eastwood. Enjoy some free time to stroll in town before departing to reach our hotel for overnight.
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Santa Barbara, CA
"The American Riviera" in southern California is known for its year-round warm weather. It features miles of beaches as well as historic landmarks like the Mission Santa Barbara, a still-functioning church founded by Spanish missionaries in the 18th century.
Santa Barbara County Courthouse
This courthouse was constructed in 1929 to serve as main judiciary center in Santa Barbara. Its design resembles the iconic white adobe and red-tiled roofs of the local Spanish-influenced architecture.
Opening Hours: 8:00am - 5:00pm
State Street
This is one of the major streets that runs north-south through downtown Santa Barbara, home to some of the city's best shops and restaurants. Visitors could spend an entire afternoon walking up and down the blocks!
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Solvang, CA
Antiquated windmills and Northern Europeans-style architecture punctuate the little village's skyline. Brilliant sunshine, boundless open country and rolling hills- these are the characteristics of what the original Danish immigrants called "Solvang" or "Sunny Field"
Denmark Village
This small city near Santa Barbara, California is a popular California tourist spot due to its historical significance. The town was settled by Danish immigrants, and today serves as a portal to the past for curious visitors.
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Monterey, CA
Monterey was the capital of Alta California under both Spain and Mexico. It was the only port of entry for taxable goods in California. In 1846 the U.S. flag was raised over the Customs House, and California became part of the United States after the ensuing Mexican-American War.
17-Mile Drive
This breathtaking stretch of coastline along California's Monterey Peninsula takes visitors through a maze of beautiful scenery, unique wildlife, and amazing mansions. Enjoy shopping and dining along the way in addition to taking in the vistas.
Full size coaches will travel the 17-mile drive
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Carmel, CA
Officially called Carmel-by-the-Sea, this coastal Southern California town is known for its amazing scenery as well as its art scene past and present. Former mayors include Clint Eastwood, Perry Newberry, and Herbert Heron, among other artistic icons.
Day 2:
San Francisco (92 miles)
Breakfast: Included (Continental)|Lunch: Excluded|Dinner: Excluded
In the morning, we will tour San Francisco. We start our tour at the Fisherman's Wharf with a cruise in the world-famous bay, On the way to Sausalito we will have great views of both the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island. Next, we 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.
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San Francisco, CA
San Francisco, the heart of central California's Bay Area, is famous for its iconic Golden Gate Bridge, its unique culture, and its position at the forefront of technological innovation. Beautiful weather and waterfront views await visitors as well!
Fisherman's Wharf
This San Francisco neighborhood is a popular tourist area due to its lovely scenery and abundance of shops, restaurants, museums, and other attractions. The area also hosts several annual events, such as a July 4th fireworks show.
San Francisco Bay Cruise
Take a boat ride around one of the most famous and historical bays in the United States, the famous San Francisco Bay. Guests can enjoy the scenic views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Angel Island.
Opening Hours: Closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day
Golden Gate Bridge
The iconic arches of San Francisco, California's Golden Gate Bridge are known the world over as a symbol of California and the San Francisco Bay area. From movies to postcards, the Golden Gate Bridge is an American icon.
Union Square
This California Historical Landmark has become a popular tourist destination for both its historical significance and its shops and culture. The square itself is a public plaza, and the neighborhood extends for several blocks around it.
San Francisco Chinatown
San Francisco's incredibly famous Chinatown neighborhood in the oldest Chinatown in North America and the largest Chinese community outside of Asia. Established in 1848, this once-small enclave has grown to over 100,000 residents and draws tons of tourists annually.
Day 3:
Modesto-Yosemite National Park-Stevenson Ranch (331 miles)
Breakfast: Included (Continental)|Lunch: Excluded|Dinner: Excluded
We head east through the farmlands of the
Joaquin Valley to Yosemite National Park, where we will see impressive natural landmarks such as El Capitan, Bridal Veil Falls, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls, the highest waterfalls in North America. In the evening, we will drive towards Stevenson Ranch, where we will spend the night.
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Yosemite National Park, CA
Yosemite National Park in central California is best known for the amazing granite cliffs of the Yosemite Valley as well as the towering Yosemite Falls and Sequoias. Millions of people every year journey to this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
El Capitan
The largest granite monolith in the world, El Capitan is located across from Bridalveil Falls in Yosemite National Park. It juts up about 3,000 feet from the ground, and is a favorite of experienced rock climbers.
Bridal Veil Falls
Located in the Yosemite Valley California's Yosemite National Park, Bridal Veil Falls are one of the park's most famous sites. Millions of people every year come to see the 617-foot-high waterfall, which flows year-round.
Half Dome
The Half Dome is one of the most recognizable formations in California's Yosemite National Park. It is known the world over as a challenging and rewarding hiking and mountain climbing location, attracting thousands of adventurers every year.
Yosemite Falls
The Yosemite Falls in Yosemite National Park, California are the highest known waterfall in all of North America. The Falls are on one of the park's most famous attractions, especially in the spring when they have the most water.
Day 4:
Stevenson Ranch - Las Vegas: (253 miles)
Breakfast: Included (Continental)|Lunch: Excluded|Dinner: Excluded
Today we will travel to Las Vegas, NV. We stop for lunch at the outlet mall in Barstow. Upon our arrival in the evening, we will take a tour of the Las Vegas Strip.
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Barstow, CA
Barstow serves as a civilized stop-over for off-road enthusiasts and desert adventurers and offers access to a very modest clutch of cultural sights. Find out and about a museum or two, including one with Route 66 as its focus, filming locations like Bagdad Cafe and quaint Calico Ghost Town.
Tanger Outlet Center
The Tanger Outlets in Barstow, California-- about halfway between Los Angeles and Las Vegas-- offer designer wares at bargain prices. Guests can enjoy discounts on everything from clothing to pocketbooks to electronics and so much more!
Duration: Approx. 2 Hours
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Las Vegas, NV
Las Vegas is known as the "Entertainment Capital of the World" for a good reason-- casinos and hotels line its streets, and visitors can gamble, see shows, and shop at virtually any hour of the day or night.
Las Vegas Strip
Home to fifteen of the world's twenty-five largest hotels, this four-mile stretch of road that cuts through the heart of Las Vegas is an oasis of non-stop entertainment in the middle of the desert.
Day 5:
Las Vegas-Grand Canyon-Page (379 miles)
Breakfast: Included (Continental)|Lunch: Excluded|Dinner: Excluded
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. After lunch we continue along the canyon east stopping at some of the many Indian market places to browse the handmade arts and crafts. After enjoying the Indian market we head to the Page and Lake Powell area for the evening.
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Grand Canyon, AZ
Considered one of the seven natural wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon was carved over 17 million years by the Colorado River. This breathtaking, 18-mile-long canyon has been stunning visitors for hundreds of years.
Grand Canyon South Rim
More than five million visitors per year come to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon to witness the majesty of this natural wonder. The Grand Canyon Village makes this the most tourist-friendly of the canyon's rims.
Day 6:
Page-Antelope Canyon-Bryce Canyon National Park-Kanab (115 miles)
Breakfast: Included (Continental)|Lunch: Excluded|Dinner: Excluded
We start the tour at Lower Antelope Canyon and visit the spectacular dunes created by the wind, water and sand. After that we will visit Bryce Canyon National Park, home of amazing rock formations. We will stay here to see the magnificent sunset. For the night, we will make our way to either Kanab, UT, or Cedar City, UT.
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Antelope Canyon, AZ
The most popular slot canyon in the American Southwest is Antelope Canyon, a sandstone formation formed by flood and rainwater. The canyon is located on a Navajo reservation, and has been made a Navajo Tribal Park.
Admission (Optional): Adult $33; Child $25
Lower Antelope Canyon
The lower canyon is in the shape of a "V" and Longer, shallower than the Upper Antelope. Lighting is better in the early hours and late morning. It draws a considerable number of photographers.
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Bryce Canyon National Park, UT
Marked by unique desert geological formations - horseshoe amphitheaters and "hoodoos," tall, thin rock spires jutting from the arid ground - Bryce Canyon National Park in southern Utah is a popular destination for desert photographers.
Day 7:
Kanab - Zion National Park - Las Vegas - Los Angeles (469 miles)
Breakfast: Included (Continental)|Lunch: Excluded|Dinner: Excluded
Today we will visit Zion National Park before returning to Los Angeles via Las Vegas. See "Departure and Return" for more detailed information regarding pickup and drop-off times and locations.
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Zion National Park, UT
Zion Canyon may not be as famous as the nearby Grand Canyon, but it is certainly just as picturesque, with hoodoo spires rising from the ground, red-orange canyon walls towering around, and perhaps more vegetation than its "grand" counterpart.