Compare 13-Day Western US Deep Discovery Tour**From Los Angeles** by Tours4Fun vs Southern California Dreaming by Tours of Distinction
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 13 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 2,347 | $ 3,199 |
| Price Per Day | $ 181 | $ 400 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
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| Countries Visited | ||
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| Flights & Transport | No | Airfare included |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
7 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 4 Dinners |
| Description | Explore the highlights of following cities: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Santa Monica, Sedona, Page, AZ, Phoenix, Palm Springs, Kanab, UT, Bryce Canyon City, Monterey |
Celebrate California’s Hollywood vibe strolling down the Walk of Stars and shopping on Rodeo Drive…Chill Out cruising the sun-spangled Pacific coastline… Peace Out in the sophisticated serenity of Catalina Island… Fall in Love with wildlife at the San Diego Zoo… and, revel in the natural beauty and slick urban offerings of Palm Springs. This is California Dreaming. |
Day 1 Los Angeles
Arrive Los Angeles International Airport and transfer independently to the hotel where you will meet your tour director.
Day 2 Los Angeles - Palm Springs - Phoenix/ Scottsdale
Today your journey begins and takes you through Palm Springs, the winter playground for Hollywood royalty, with its lively downtown and immaculately kept golf courses at the base of the rugged San Jacinto Mountains. A sea of wind turbines mark the entrance to this desert oasis.
Afterwards you will pass through Indio, home to the Int’l Date Festival in the Coachella Valley.
Day 3 Phoenix/ Scottsdale - Sedona - Grand Canyon National Park
Travel through the Sonoran Desert, the richest, most biologically diverse desert ecosystem in the Americas.
Continue to Sedona, a city situated in a unique geological area and encircled by distinctive red-rock monoliths with such names as Cathedral and Coffee Pot.
Then drive through the breathtaking Oak Creek Canyon before arriving at Grand Canyon National Park. Majestic Grand Canyon National Park is one of the 7 great natural wonders of the world. Stop at the rim to fully experience this mile-deep colorful canyon’s plunging gorges, and rising spires formed by the mighty Colorado River.
Day 4 Grand Canyon National Park - Monument Valley - Page/ Lake Powell
As you journey further today, you will enter the Navajo Indian Reservation, passing the trading post of Cameron. Continue through the Painted Desert and the region of Monument Valley, an area that embodies perhaps the iconic images of the American West.
In the late afternoon, enter the town of Page, situated on a mesa above the Colorado River, and we welcome you to enjoy an evening at leisure.
Day 5 Page/ Lake Powell - Kanab - Bryce Canyon National Park
Visit the mighty Glen Canyon Dam, the second highest concrete-arch dam in America. From here you’ll enjoy views of stunning Lake Powell, where crystal blue water laps against towering red-rock canyon walls.
Enter Utah, known for the Mormon Community, pass through the town of Kanab before visiting spectacular Bryce Canyon, where a tour through a multi-colored world of sandstone spires and pinnacles will dazzle the eye.
This evening, weather permitting, be sure to gaze upon the spectacular night sky filled with sparkling stars and brilliant constellations.
Day 6 Bryce Canyon National Park - Zion National Park - Las Vegas
Travel today to Zion National Park and see the massive rock formations carved by wind, time, and the Virgin River.
This afternoon experience the contrast of Las Vegas, the dazzling “Entertainment Capital of the World,” where round-the-clock shopping, nightly shows, and of course gambling are available.
Day 7 Las Vegas
Today is at leisure for you to enjoy the many attractions that Las Vegas has to offer. In addition to world-class shopping, bustling casinos, and Broadway-caliber shows, you might simply stroll the famous Strip to take in its amazing sights, or “shop ‘til you drop” at designer outlets.
Day 8 Las Vegas - Death Valley - Mammoth Lakes or Fresno(Winter)
Your tour stops at the iconic Las Vegas Welcome Sign where you may wish to capture your photo memory of Las Vegas.
Having enjoyed glamorous Las Vegas, it will be a sharp contrast this afternoon to enter the quiet and extreme environment of Death Valley. Stop at Zabriskie Point and Furnace Creek Ranch/Visitors Center before continuing across the valley and ascending the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the alpine resort town of Mammoth Lakes**. The area gained prominence as a gold mining town in the 19th century and today is renowned for the superior skiing terrain and staggeringly beautiful mountain vistas.
Day 9 Mammoth Lakes/ Fresno - Yosemite National Park - Sacramento
Arise with the morning sun and join us for an optional seasonal scenic gondola ride to the summit of Mammoth and enjoy a well-balanced continental breakfast as you survey a most stunning view of California from its desert floor to its lofty peaks.
Next, your journey today brings you to the Tioga Pass** into the scenic wonderland of Yosemite National Park. Here, you will experience the valley floor and its splendors including the glacial-shaped granite formations of El Capitan, Half Dome, the magnificent Bridal Falls and Yosemite Falls.
Overnight in nearby Sacramento.
Day 10 Sacramento - San Francisco
Depart early this morning to arrive in San Francisco, one of the most beloved cities in America. Enjoy a comprehensive sightseeing tour before arriving at your hotel. This evening to take a memorable City by Night Tour (optional).
Day 11 San Francisco
Day at leisure! Your tour guide is on hand to assist with making your plans for the day: perhaps a cable car ride to Fisherman’s Wharf where one may enjoy a “Taste of San Francisco”: ocal seafood, famous sourdough breads or decadent Ghiradelli’s Chocolate. Be sure to gaze across the bay to Alcatraz island where “America’s Most Wanted” such as Al Capone and ”Machine Gun” Kelly were incarcerated. Or visit Union Square for a shopping stop at Macy’s Department Store. You also have the option to take a wine tasting tour to Napa Valley, world renowned for its fine wineries and beautiful scenery (optional).
Day 12 San Francisco - Monterey/ Carmel - Central Coast
Depart San Francisco this morning for the drive to the Monterey Peninsula, known for its enclave of magnificent homes and lovely beaches. In Monterey, visit Fisherman’s Wharf and famous Cannery Row. Then tour charming Carmel-by-the-Sea, noted for its quaint houses, upscale art galleries and unique stores.
In the afternoon continue to drive south through Paso Robles to one of the quaint Central Coast towns for overnight.
Day 13 Central Coast - Santa Barbara - Santa Monica - Los Angeles
Journey south through the Santa Ynez valley into Santa Barbara where palm–lined walkways border white sandy beaches. Upon arrival in Los Angeles an orientation tour commences to include Hollywood, portions of Beverly Hills and Century City before arriving in Santa Monica, home to the finish line of Historic Route 66, where you may enjoy an optional lunch on the pier before arriving at your hotel.
Day 1 - Arrive Los Angeles, California
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Los Angeles. Upon arrival in Los Angeles, we transfer to our hotel in Santa Monica. After some down-time, we have dinner at a local restaurant.
LA is much more than Hollywood. It is America’s second oldest city and entertainment capital and has 75 miles of pristine coastline, the San Gabriel Mountain Range and an ideal climate to explore year-round. Plus, let’s not forget impressive Galleries, Museums and a thriving chef scene. Oh, and the shopping is second-to-none. Do not leave LA without making your own local purchase.
Our hotel for 2 nights is the DoubleTree in Santa Monica which is one of National Geographic’s Top 10 Beach Cities in the World. We are ideally situated to enjoy the iconic Santa Monica Pier and Third Street Promenade, numerous restaurants, shopping and cultural attractions that have attracted celebrities for decades. (D)
Day 2 - Los Angeles
After breakfast, we journey through the city of Los Angeles on a tour guided by a local. Sights include: Downtown, Olvera Street -Old Town, Hollywood & Mann’s Chinese Theater, Beverly Hills & Rodeo Drive, Farmer’s Market, Chinatown & Little Tokyo.… Look-out for the Hollywood Sign! This afternoon, have your own ”Red Carpet Moment” on the Hollywood Walk-of-Fame Tour. Afterwards, we will enjoy dinner in the area. (B,D)
Day 3 - Los Angeles
The second largest city in America offers so much! Today is at leisure to discover everything Los Angeles is know for. Your Tour Director can offer many great ideas for sightseeing. (B)
Day 4 - Los Angeles - Catalina Island - San Diego
This morning, a short ferry ride will take us to the town of Avalon on Catalina Island! The town surrounds beautiful Avalon Bay on the southeast end of Catalina Island. We will take a guided tour off-the-beaten-path along “Skyline Drive” which travels 10 miles into the Island’s lush and protected wilderness area. Keep an eye out for spectacular vistas, ocean views and the largest of their inhabitants –the Buffalo!
Enjoy some free time on Catalina before we ferry to Dana Point and transfer to San Diego. Upon arrival, we check in to our centrally located hotel for our 2 night stay.
With near perfect weather year-round, 70 miles of spectacular coastline, world-class attractions and a thriving urban core, complete with a sophisticated art, dining and nightlife scene, San Diego has earned the name of California’s Beach City. (B)
Day 5 - San Diego
After breakfast, we head to the San Diego Zoo. Our visit includes entrance to the Zoo (with bus tour). This100-acre (40-hectare) zoo is home to more than 3,500 rare and endangered animals representing more than 650 species and subspecies, and a prominent botanical collection with more than 700,000 exotic plants. The afternoon is at leisure to explore America’s Beach City. Some great sights to check out include:the Coronado, USS Midway & Maritime Museum to name a few. We have an Italian dinner tonight in the historic Gaslamp Quarter. (B,D)
Day 6 - Palm Springs, CA
This morning, say goodbye to San Diego & the Pacific Ocean as we journey inland to Palm Springs. The Aerial Tramway in Palm Springs is the world’s largest rotating tram car and travels over two-and-one-half miles along the breathtaking cliffs of Chino Canyon, transporting riders to the pristine wilderness of the Mt. San Jacinto State Park. Once at the top, we have lunch with spectacular views! After, we transfer to our hotel and check in for our 2 night stay. Tonight is at leisure for you to explore your hotel and the surrounding area on your own.
Palm Springs is a desert oasis set in the Coachella Valley. For more than half a century, Palm Springs has been a playground for Hollywood celebrities—Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Elizabeth Taylor all visited here often. Today, this trending and vibrant city has a unique food and drinks scene, a plethora of outdoor activities & great health escapes. (B,L)
Day 7 - Palm Springs
Discover Palm Springs on a 2.5 hour bus tour of the place that was once known as ‘Hollywood’s Playground.’ Your guide will provide commentary on stars who have lived in this exclusive California destination: including luminaries like Marilyn Monroe, Nat King Cole, and Elvis Presley. The remainder of the day is at leisure until our dinner this evening. Later, we embark on a Stargazing experience. (B,D)
Day 8 - Depart Palm Springs
This morning, we head to the airport and check in for our flight. Upon arrival, transfer home with memories of that California Sunshine.
