Compare Death Valley National Park Quick Escape by MT Sobek (Mountain Travel Sobek) vs Southern California & Joshua Tree National Park end Santa Ana by Insight Vacations

Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.

Trip	Death Valley National Park Quick Escape by MT Sobek (Mountain Travel Sobek) 5 \| Excellent 64 Reviews Trip Details Save Trip Customize	Southern California & Joshua Tree National Park end Santa Ana by Insight Vacations 5 \| Excellent 10402 Reviews Trip Details Save Trip Reserve

Duration	4 days	8 days
Price From	$ 1,999	$ 3,902
Price Per Day	$ 500	$ 488
Highlights	Hike through Golden Canyon’s narrows to the phenomenal Zabriskie Point Visit the lowest point in the U.S. at Badwater and explore the salt flats Journey up Mosaic Canyon, a multi-hued display of Death Valley’s rock layers	Choose between two carefully selected activities San Diego: Commissioned eight days after WWII, Midway was the longest service aircraft carrier in the 20th century. Explore the decks and listen to tales from her pilots. Venture below deck to learn all about life in the galley and engine rooms. San Diego: The view of both San Diego’s skyline and waters whilst on a harbor cruise is spectacular and brings the city’s history to life. Look out for the Navy ships that are usually dotted around on the water, highlighting the city’s naval presence. : Our Well-Being Directors take a proactive approach to your welfare ensuring all well-being regulations are met (available on tours with 21 or more guests). : Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches. : Experience enhanced hygiene protocols to align with the latest guidance following COVID-19. All Travel Directors, Well-Being Directors and Drivers have completed training in enhanced well-being and hygiene protocols. : Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day. : We only work with establishments we are confident will consistently adhere to our high well-being standards, which include hotels, restaurants and sight-seeing venues. Newport Beach: Join your fellow travelers for a savory 3-course welcome dinner with wine. San Diego: San Diego’s culinary scene is burgeoning these days. Known for its emphasis on great seafood, local wines, craft breweries and incredible southwest flavors, thanks to its proximity to Mexico. Palm Springs: Dine at a local restaurant in Downtown Palm Springs. The affluent and diverse population here has attracted dozens of locally owned restaurants, featuring everything from iconic steakhouses to authentic Mexican cuisine. Dining Summary: 3 Dinner with Wine (DW), 6 Breakfast (B), and 1 Lunch (L) Balboa Island: Explore this quaint harborside community with your Travel Director. A man-made treasure, Balboa Island is home to some of the most expensive homes in California. A walk along the pier offers glorious views of the hillside, town and ocean. Huntington Beach: Huntington Beach is known as “Surf City USA’ and every year hosts the “U.S. Open of Surfing”, the world’s largest surfing competition. This fascinating museum is dedicated to Hawaiian legend Duke Kahanamoku, who popularized the sport. Browse a fascinating collection of memorabilia, including some of surfing history’s most significant artifacts. Crystal Cove: Crystal Cove offers sand, surf, rocky reefs, ridges and canyons, with over three miles of beach and 2,400 acres of backcountry wilderness. Be sure to wander around the intriguing historic district dotted with 46 rustic coastal cottages that date back to the 1930s. San Diego: The views of the ocean are simply breathtaking as you travel south to San Diego. Sit back, relax and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Southern California. San Diego: The location of the first European settlement in California, Old Town San Diego is full of historic sites and reconstructed buildings. Be sure to visit the 1825 Casa de Estudillo, one of the finest haciendas in the state. Or drop into the Wells Fargo Museum to admire a rare original stagecoach. San Diego: Join your Travel Director and learn about the Gaslamp Quarter, dating back to 1850. Visit the vast Balboa Park which houses no less than 16 museums, numerous gardens, the Old Globe outdoor Theatre, and San Diego Zoo. Finish with a trip over the Coronado Bridge and a walk through the legendary Hotel Del Coronado. Julian: Be transported back in history in the charming town of Julian. A vibrant example of a California frontier town, with pioneer store fronts, historic sites and mines, Julian first became a mining camp when gold was discovered there in 1869. The entire township is now a Designated Historical District. Borrego Springs: Get a close look at the works of artist and welder Ricardo Breceda, who has curated a fascinating collection of rust metal sculptures in the town of Borrego Springs. This amazing site is home to nearly 200 pieces with Elephants, sloths, camels, raptors, horses, and tortoise sculptures all represented. Anza Borrego State Park: Located within the Colorado Desert, California’s largest state park includes dramatic badlands, cool palm oases, twisting slot canyons and cactus-studded slopes. Start your visit at the fascinating Visitor's Center, built underground for cooling efficiency. Anza Borrego State Park: Enjoy a tasty picnic lunch before you take a moderate hike along the Borrego Palm Canyon Trail. A you walk through the palm tree groves and waterfalls, keep an eye out for bighorn sheep and migrating birds. Some 80 species use the canyon as a watering stop on their flight through the desert. Anza Borrego State Park: Stretching from the town of Borrego Springs to the Salton Sea, this desolate county road offers some of the most scenic views of Anza Borrego, including the stunning Borrego Badlands. Joshua Tree National Park: Named for the region’s twisted bristled Joshua trees, the park combines two distinct desert ecosystems, the Mojave and the Colorado. Home to a fascinating variety of plants and animals, the park is larger than the state of Rhode Island. Lose yourself in rich cultural history, surreal geological features and unique vegetation. Palm Springs: Join your Travel Director for a sightseeing tour featuring the city's residential mid-century architecture. Architects such as Donald Wexler built homes featuring Southern California Modernism (a lot of steel, a lot of glass) that were popular with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Marilyn Monroe. San Diego: Commissioned eight days after WWII, Midway was the longest service aircraft carrier in the 20th century. Explore the decks and listen to tales from her pilots. Venture below deck to learn all about life in the galley and engine rooms. San Diego: The view of both San Diego’s skyline and waters whilst on a harbor cruise is spectacular and brings the city’s history to life. Look out for the Navy ships that are usually dotted around on the water, highlighting the city’s naval presence. Thermal: Meet Saralyn Delk, (to date) the only female date ranch owner/farmer in America. Regulus Date Ranch is a biodynamic and organic boutique date farm producing arguably the finest Medjool dates in the state. Take a journey through the groves as Saralyn treats you to some dates straight off the tree. Learn how roosters and abandoned feral cats work in tandem to rid the grounds of bugs, gophers, rats, and other pests that would normally destroy the crops.
Trip Style	Small group tour	Group tour
Lodging Level	Premium	Premium
Physical Level	2- Easy	3- Moderate
Travel Themes	Cultural Nature & Wildlife Hiking & Walking National Parks	Cultural 50 plus Education / Learning
Countries Visited	United States	United States
Cities and Attractions	California Death Valley Las Vegas	California
Flights & Transport	Ground transport included	No
Activities	Culture Hiking Historic sightseeing Nature	Culture Historic sightseeing
Meals Included	3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches and 3 Dinners	N/A
Description	Experience the land of America’s greatest extremes at Death Valley National Park, where the tallest peaks in the country surround the lowest depths. Though home to the highest temperature in America on record in the summer, autumn transforms the valley into a balmy climate for our hiking adventures.	Explore Southern California’s sublime golden beaches and deserts on a 7-Day Limited-Edition Tour. Traveling with a maximum of just 17 fellow guests and begin your journey in stylish Newport Beach. Discover 1930’s beach life at Crystal Cove State Park and stroll Balboa Island’s pier. Soak up stunning coastal views on board the Pacific Surfliner to San Diego, revel in the sights, sounds and flavors of the Old Town. With Your-Choice Sightseeing options that include a self-guided tour of the USS Midway or a relaxing harbor cruise in the blue waters of San Diego. Swap the bustle of the city for the calm of nature and walk amongst metal dinosaurs, learn about organic farming and see the beautiful Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and Joshua Tree National Park. This intimate tour will leave you simply enchanted by Southern California, incorporating destinations and experiences not available to larger groups.

Itinerary: Death Valley National Park Quick Escape

Day 1: Pick up in Las Vegas and transfer to Death Valley National Park

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Furnace Creek Ranch

We set out from Las Vegas across the Mojave Desert, following the footsteps of the original ‘49ers. These settlers’ dreams of California gold often transmuted into occupations much less romantic, but far more profitable. When we descend into the vast majesty of Death Valley itself, we’ll explore Harmony Borax Works. These preserved remains of the largest borax mine in Death Valley hold testament to the hard work and tenacity of early pioneers. Afterward, we check into our comfortable lodging at Furnace Creek Ranch, an oasis amidst the valley’s parched sands.

Day 2: Hike Golden Canyon and visit Badwater

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Furnace Creek Ranch

Our morning hike begins just down the road from Furnace Creek in Golden Canyon. As the sun rises higher, the truly golden rock walls brighten around us. We top out with a gorgeous view of the valley from Zabriskie Point before descending for lunch. Later on, we arrive at Badwater itself, an enormous salt flat resting 282 feet below sea level. We venture out across the salt flats and marvel at the power of nature as we imagine the prehistoric lake that rested in this desert over 10,000 years ago. We detour on our drive back to see a rainbow of colors hidden in the foothills at Artist’s Palette before returning to Furnace Creek.

Day 3: Hike Mosaic Canyon and Salt Creek

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Furnace Creek Ranch

Today we journey north from Furnace Creek to explore Mosaic Canyon. Here, a surprising array of colors and textures appear as we journey between the jagged rock walls. After we emerge from this unexpected gem, our guides introduce us to the Devil’s Cornfield, where we hike over the expansive salt flats to Salt Creek. This highly saline waterway manages to sustain life. Tiny desert pupfish thrive happily in an environment most animals would find toxic. Play on Mesquite Sand Dunes as the setting sun illuminates the valley to end the day.

Day 4: Hike Dante's View and transfer to Las Vegas

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

After a last hearty breakfast at Furnace Creek Ranch, we expand our horizons even further atop Dante’s View. This massive peak in the Funeral Range looms high over Badwater, where we can pick out the tiny figures of others retracing our steps on the salt flats. Across Death Valley towers 11,000-foot Telescope Peak, backed by the distant hulk of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. These mountains are home to Mount Whitney, the highest point in the contiguous U.S., less than 100 miles from Badwater. As we hike across the ridgeline from Dante’s View, we take in the grand beauty of the valley and wonder at the natural forces that have placed such extremes side by side.

Itinerary: Southern California & Joshua Tree National Park end Santa Ana

Day 1: Arrive Newport Beach

With beautiful beaches, superb scenery and stunning sunsets, the coastal city of Newport Beach embodies the true spirit and beauty of Southern California. Your airport transfer will take you to your waterfront hotel, Lido House. In the evening, join your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a delicious Welcome Dinner.

Lido House

Dinner with Wine

Day 2: Orange County Beach Sightseeing

Join your Travel Director for a walking tour of Balboa Island this morning. After a ferry ride, stroll the pier for magnificent views and enjoy the Balboa Fun Zone, made famous in the TV program "Arrested Development". Enjoy stunning coastal views as you drive along the scenic Pacific Coast Highway to the surfing mecca of Huntington Beach. Immerse yourself in “Surf City USA” at the intriguing International Surfing Museum. Oddly enough, the museum was founded several decades ago by a woman who has never surfed. Later, enjoy some time at Crystal Cove State Park, one of Orange County's most scenic and pristine stretches of beach and ocean. After some free time at Laguna Beach, return to Newport Beach where the rest of the day is leisurely yours.

Lido House

Breakfast

Day 3: Orange County To San Diego Via Scenic Amtrak Train

Start the day with stunning ocean views on board the scenic Amtrak train to San Diego, "America's Finest City". Then spend the afternoon exploring the famous Old Town. Dating back to 1769 it is California's oldest settlement and today is still considered the heart of San Diego. This evening is then yours to explore the Downtown dining scene. From the trendy Gaslamp Quarter to oceanfront Seaport Village to Little Italy, you won't have any problem finding a restaurant tonight.

Kimpton Hotel Palomar

Breakfast

Day 4: San Diego Sightseeing

Your Travel Director will lead you on a tour of some of the city's iconic sites this morning, including the Gaslamp Quarter, Balboa Park and Coronado Island. This afternoon, explore San Diego with Insight Choice. Choose to visit to the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier along with an audio guided tour. Or alternatively, choose to take a one-hour boat cruise to tour the spectacular harbor. Enjoy dinner tonight at a local restaurant and taste the flavors that are making San Diego one of the newest foodie cities in America.

Kimpton Hotel Palomar

Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Day 5: Visit Anza Borrego State Park

Step back in time in Julian, a small Gold Rush community dating back to the 1870s and taste their famous apple pies. Next travel to Borrega Springs and enter the fascinating world of artist and welder Ricardo Breceda. See his astonishing metal animal sculptures that mark the way to Anza Borrego State Park. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the park then lace up your hiking boots for a hike along the Borrego Palm Canyon Trail. Look out for bighorn sheep and birds, before indulging in more amazing views as you travel the Borrego Salton Scenic Seaway. The evening is at your leisure in Palm Springs.

Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel

Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6: Thermal and Joshua Tree National Park

This morning we take a short drive to the agricultural town of Thermal and discover the world of Medjool dates, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Meet Saralyn Delk, owner and farmer at the Regulus Date Ranch, taste dates straight from the trees and see for yourself how good the biodynamic and organic produce tastes. This afternoon, visit the vast Joshua Tree National Park. Explore the visitor’s center and enjoy a moderate hike, keeping an eye out wildlife. Toast your travels this evening, along with your travel companions, at a delicious Celebration Dinner at a local restaurant in Downtown Palm Springs.

Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel

Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Day 7: Farewell Southern California

This morning, make the most of your last hours in Palm Springs and join your Travel Director for sightseeing tour highlighting the city's residential architecture. A transfer will take you to John Wayne Airport in Orange County (SNA), arriving at approximately 1:30 PM.

Breakfast