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Western Express Southbound
8 days, San Francisco to Los Angeles
Itinerary Notes
This tour runs year round with slight variations in the summer. If your tour starts in June through September, you will be camping the nights we stay by Yosemite National Park and Grand Canyon National Park. If your tour starts October through May, you will be in hotels the entire trip.
Itinerary
Day 1San Francisco
Arrive at any time.
There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting.
We highly recommend booking pre-accommodation to fully experience this famous 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.
Optional Activities - Day 1 HideShow
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.
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.
Day 2San Francisco/Yosemite National Park
On the way out of San Francisco, take in some final 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.
Drive past some iconic attractions of the city as we head the towards the Sierra Nevadas. Stop to try some of the region's best produce en route to Yosemite National Park.
Private Vehicle
Travel time includes stops along the way.
Optional Activities - Day 2 HideShow
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.
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.
Day 3Yosemite National Park/Sierra Nevadas
Hike past Yosemite's waterfalls and amongst the giant sequoias while keeping a keen eye out for wildlife. In the summer, travel via the Tioga Pass.
Head into the Yosemite Valley. Take short hikes (weather permitting) to majestic waterfalls, clear lakes, beautiful meadows or walk amongst giant sequoias in Yosemite National Park. With a keen eye, you may be lucky enough to spot black bears, deer or coyotes.
Surrounded by peaks which soar more than 14,000 ft (4,593m) in elevation, Bishop, one of "America's Coolest Mountain Towns" sits directly in the centre of an incredible area of natural beauty.
Travel via the Tioga Pass viewing Mono Lake and the tufa towers on the way.
We intend on using the Tioga Pass, a scenic route through the Sierra Nevada mountain range that connects Bishop with Yosemite NP. The status of the road is monitored daily, and our travel plan for the area will be confirmed during the trip.
Private Vehicle
Travel time includes stops along the way.
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.
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.)
Optional Activities - Day 3 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 4Death Valley/Las Vegas
Head to desolate Death Valley — the hottest, driest, and lowest spot in North America, then enjoy exploring the Vegas strip. Opt for a VIP limousine tour or find some luck at the slots and poker tables.
Travel to one of the country's most rugged landscapes — the legendary Death Valley, California. Soak in the dramatic landscape.
In the afternoon, drive to Las Vegas, Nevada, the 'city of lights'. Explore the famous Vegas Strip and opt for a VIP limo experience.
Private Vehicle
Travel time includes stops along the way.
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.
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.
Day 5Las Vegas/Grand Canyon National Park
Travel to the Grand Canyon via Route 66. Take a short hike (weather permitting) along the rim of the Grand Canyon before sunset at the rim.
Travel Route 66 from Vegas, stopping at a wacky burger joint along the way. Continue the 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 a pizza dinner at the rim while watching a stunning sunset.
Private Vehicle
Travel time includes stops along the way.
Route 66 Drive
Travel the historic Route 66 through the southwest.
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.
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!
Meals included:
DinnerDay 6Grand Canyon National Park/Laughlin
Enjoy a bird's-eye view of the Grand Canyon with an optional helicopter flight. Take a final morning at this world wonder before heading to Laughlin.
Spend the morning at the Grand Canyon before continuing the drive towards Laughlin.
Reach the historic mining town of Laughlin, located by the Colorado River. Didn't have enough time to gamble in Las Vegas? Try it again here.
Note: If you have pre booked the Grand Canyon Helicopter Ride you will enjoy your 45-50min ride over the canyon today.
Private Vehicle
Travel time includes stops along the way.
Optional Activities - Day 6 HideShow
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 7Laughlin/Los Angeles
Visit Calico Ghost Town en route to the City of Angels. Enjoy an orientation of Los Angeles. Drive along Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills before spending a night on the town.
Depart Laughlin and head towards Los Angeles. Capture the Old West spirit in one of the best-preserved silver mining towns in Calico, California.
In the afternoon, see the stars on the most famous sidewalk in Hollywood on a drive through the city. Pass Beverly Hills and view one of the world's most exclusive 3-block districts, Rodeo Drive.
Private Vehicle
Travel time includes stops along the way.
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.
Day 8Los Angeles
Depart at any time.
We highly recommend booking post-accommodation to fully experience this fascinating city.