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Western Express Northbound
8 days, Los Angeles to San Francisco
Itinerary
Day 1Los Angeles
Arrive at any time.
There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting.
We highly recommend booking pre-tour accommodation to fully experience this crazy city.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Day 2Los Angeles/Lake Havasu City
Look for celebs while heading out of town. Hike among the boulders and famous Joshua trees in Joshua Tree National Park, then end the day next to the crystal-clear waters of the Colorado River at Lake Havasu.
Pack up the van in the morning and check out the stars on the most famous sidewalk in Hollywood on an orientation tour. Drive through Beverly Hills and be dazzled by one of the world's most exclusive three-block district: Rodeo Drive.
Orientation Drive
Drive around to spot some of the main highlights of the area. See the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Hollywood sign, and swing by Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive.
Hollywood Visit
Wander around this iconic locale to find stars along the Walk of Fame; celebrities’ handprints, footprints, and signatures in front of Grauman's Chinese Theatre; and views of the Hollywood sign.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Joshua Tree National Park Visit
Discover the rugged rock formations and iconic Joshua trees that gave this National Park it's name. Go for a hike, keep a sharp eye out for desert wildlife, and take in the incredible scenery.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Day 3Lake Havasu City/Grand Canyon National Park
Travel to the Grand Canyon. Take a short hike along the rim of the Grand Canyon. Enjoy sunset at the rim.
Drive to one of the earth's greatest on-going geological spectacles, the Grand Canyon. Take a short hike (weather permitting) at the most spectacular gorge in the world and enjoy dinner at the rim while watching a stunning sunset.
Private Vehicle
Travel time includes stops along the way.
Grand Canyon Hike
Opt to hike along the rim or down into the canyon. Experience breathtaking scenery with spectacular views. Bring lots of water, a hat and plenty of energy. Remember -- hiking down is optional, hiking back up is mandatory!
Grand Canyon South Rim Visit
Visit the south rim of the canyon for a great first impression. Marvel as the Grand Canyon unfolds before you. Don't get too close. The land drops almost straight down for more than 1,000m (3,280 ft) into the serpentine canyons below! The gorge is filled with rocky buttes, sheer limestone cliffs, and deep canyons all arrayed in a rainbow of colors. Words defy. This is truly one of the most magnificent sights on earth.
Meals included:
DinnerDay 4Grand Canyon National Park/Las Vegas
Spend the morning at the Grand Canyon. Get a bird's-eye view with an optional helicopter flight. After, get your kicks on Route 66 and stop at one of the wackiest, roadside burger joints around. Continue towards Sin City to enjoy exploring the Vegas Strip.
Note: If you have pre-booked the Grand Canyon Helicopter Ride you will enjoy your 45-50min ride over the canyon today. Opt to book a VIP Vegas Limo Bus experience as well on the checkout page ahead of time to include this optional on your tour.
Private Vehicle
Travel time includes stops along the way.
Seligman (Route 66) Visit
Take a trip back in time to the birthplace of Route 66. Established in the early 1900s as the first transcontinental highways in the U.S, Route 66 has a lot of history on it's original length of almost 2,500 miles. Starting in Chicago, Illinois and travelling through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, before ending at the ocean in Santa Monica California. The creation of the Interstate system bypassed the majority of Route 66, creating ghost towns along it's original route, though there are a few iconic Americana towns still delivering experiences from the past. Check out the historic general store, original motels, and don't forget to get your kicks!
Optional Activities - Day 4 HideShow
VIP Party Bus Experience
45USD per personChannel your inner celebrity and set off in this party on wheels. Luxuriate in the leather seats, and feel like a star with the neon lights, flat screen TV and booming stereo system. Tour the highlights of Vegas and love the limo life.
Las Vegas Show
60-200USD per personLeave the world behind, give in to your senses and prepare to be amazed. Take in one of the many shows available in this entertainment mecca. Live music, burlesque, comedy, magic, Cirque Du Soleil, and more. Whatever your passion, no other city can compete with the range and scale of shows on offer 24 hours a day.
Gambling at Vegas Casino
Hold some cards, toss some dice, place a bet or sit at the slots. Try your luck at gambling in one of the many casinos along the Strip. (The legal age for gambling is 21 years of age.)
Vegas Strip Visit
FreeWalk along Las Vegas Boulevard and soak in the lights, energy and pulse of the Strip. With an ever-evolving architecture and multitude of hotels, casinos, restaurants, and entertainment, there's so much to see and do.
Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour
The Grand Canyon helicopter ride is a must! Enjoy a bird's-eye view for 45 to 50 minutes as you fly over the canyon, taking in the stark contrast of the blue-green Colorado River against the thousand shades of red rock found in the canyon. From above, you can fully appreciate the greatness of the gorge and see why it is one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
Day 5Las Vegas/Sierra Nevadas
Head to desolate Death Valley — the hottest, driest, and lowest spot in North America. Continue across California towards the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
Travel to one of the country's most rugged landscapes — the legendary Death Valley, California. Soak in the dramatic landscape.
During the months of July through mid October, we intend to use the Tioga Pass, a scenic a route through the Sierra Nevada mountain range that connects Yosemite NP with the east side of the mountain range. In the remaining months, the pass is often closed due to poor weather conditions or even snow. During these months, we use an alternate route the travels across California, south of the mountain range. The status of the road is monitored daily, and our travel plan for the area will be confirmed during the trip.
Death Valley National Park Visit
Death Valley is one of America’s most extreme locations – from sand dunes and desert, to badlands, towering peaks, and a basin that actually registers below sea-level, this is sure to be an unforgettable stop. Hottest. Driest. Lowest. There’s a bit of everything here on the border of California and Nevada.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Day 6Sierra Nevadas/Yosemite National Park
Travel to Yosemite to hike amongst the giant sequoias and stand in awe of Half Dome and El Capitan.
Head out of town towards Yosemite Valley. Take short hikes (weather permitting) to majestic waterfalls, clear lakes, beautiful meadows or walk among giant sequoias. If lucky, spot black bears, deer or coyotes with a keen eye.
Spend the night just outside the national park.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Tioga Pass Drive
Take this scenic route through the Sierra Nevada mountain range connecting Bishop with the Yosemite Valley floor. Pass by lakes, meadows, and groves, and keep your eyes peeled for wildlife along the way. (Seasonal July through mid October.)
Yosemite National Park Visit
Picturesque valleys, vast wilderness, powerful waterfalls, elusive wildlife, ancient sequoias and more than 16 types of granite make up this internationally recognized national park. Hike the trails, get up close to ancient rock formations and take panoramic photos of this gorgeous landscape. Keep an eye out for black bears, deer, and coyotes.
Optional Activities - Day 6 HideShow
Yosemite National Park Hike
FreePanoramic vistas, gushing waterfalls, and elusive wildlife await. Bring water, wear a hat and sunscreen, and hike Yosemite NP. Keep an eye out for black bears, deer, and coyotes.
Yosemite Bike Rental
30-40USD per personSet your wheels in motion with tandem, hand crank or mountain bikes, and opt to cycle some of the 20km (12mi) of paved trails throughout the valley floor. Bring a water bottle, stop to shoot photos, and enjoy some of the most picturesque spots in Yosemite NP.
Choose between a half-day rental or a full-day, and be aware that this activity is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note the price for a half-day bike rental is $30 USD and the price for a full-day bike rental is $40USD.
Day 7Yosemite National Park/San Francisco
Leave the Sierra Nevadas and stop to try some of the region's best produce en route to the coast. On the way through San Francisco, take in some first sights. Stop at the Golden Gate Bridge, where on a clear day you can see the San Francisco skyline, Alcatraz and the Bay Bridge to one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other. Opt to sail into the sunset in San Francisco Bay or take a cable car ride over the steep hills.
Depart in the morning for one of the greatest cities in the world: San Francisco. Discover some of the iconic attractions such as bustling Fisherman's Wharf and the stately Golden Gate Bridge, a marvel of engineering and Art Deco design.
Opt to pre-book the "Sunset Sailing – San Francisco" activity on the checkout page ahead of time to include this optional on your tour.
Private Vehicle
Travel time includes stops along the way.
Orientation With CEO
Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
Golden Gate Bridge Visit
What trip to San Fran would be complete without seeing the Golden Gate Bridge? Depending on time, step foot on this famous red suspension bridge or find a great viewing point to take some photos.
California Produce Tasting
California's Central Valley is one of the most productive agricultural regions in the United States. Nestled in between California's Coastal Range and the Sierra Nevadas, the region is known for fruits, vegetables and nuts. Stop in the heart of the valley to sample some of the seasonal favorites.
Optional Activities - Day 7 HideShow
Alcatraz Visit
33USD per personTravel out to Alcatraz Island for a cell-house audio tour of the infamous federal penitentiary. While there, check out the natural side of the rock—with its gardens, tide pools, bird colonies, and stunning views of San Francisco Bay. Tours often sell out, so book a ticket online (far in advance!) to secure a spot.
Fisherman's Wharf Visit
FreeVisit San Francisco's famous Fishermen's Wharf, walk the piers, check out the marine life, shop and sample the fresh seafood.
Haight-Ashbury Visit
FreeCheck out this neighbourhood known as the centre of counterculture ideals, drugs, and music during the hippie movement in the 60s. Today, find locally-owned restaurants and bars, boutiques, booksellers, head shops and record stores.
Bike Rental San Francisco
8-32USD per personRent a bike to peddle across the Golden Gate Bridge, through the scenic Marina district or perhaps to Golden Gate park.
Golden Gate Bridge Visit
FreeWhat trip to San Fran would be complete without seeing the Golden Gate Bridge? Depending on time, step foot on this famous red suspension bridge or find a great viewing point to take some photos.
Cable Car Ride San Francisco
7USD per personIconic to San Francisco, travel back in time and hop on the world's last manually operated cable car system.
Sunset Sailing San Francisco (Mon-Wed)
Depart from Fisherman's Wharf and catch a glimpse of marine life as we sail around San Francisco Bay. Admire the city's remarkable skyline, get up close and personal with the infamous Alcatraz Island, and sail underneath the Golden Gate Bridge. Enjoy the sunset and make a mental note to return.
Day 8San Francisco
Depart at any time.
We highly recommend booking post-accommodation to fully experience this famous city.