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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.
Opt to pre-book the "Sunset Sailing – San Francisco" activity on the checkout page ahead of time to include this optional on your tour.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sunset Sailing San Francisco (Thu-Sun)
Board a catamaran and set sail into the setting sun around San Francisco Bay. Take in views of the iconic skyline, breeze past infamous Alcatraz Island, and sail under the Golden Gate Bridge. If you haven't fallen in love with San Fran yet, this should do the trick.
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.
During the months of June, July, August, and September, we will be camping underneath the stars this night just outside of Yosemite National Park. Enjoy an included dinner around the campfire, with some s'mores for dessert, as well as an included camp breakfast the following morning.
Private Vehicle
Travel time includes stops along the way.
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.
Day 3Yosemite National Park/Sierra Nevadas
Travel through Yosemite to see majestic waterfalls, clear lakes, beautiful meadows granite cliffs. Hike past waterfalls and amongst the giant sequoias towering above. With a keen eye, you may be lucky enough to spot black bears, deer or coyotes. Spend the day enjoying the sights of El Capitan and Half Dome, before driving alongside the Sierra Nevada mountain range to our hotel for the night.
During the months of June, July, August, and September, we will travel via the scenic Tioga Pass, viewing Mono Lake and the tufa towers as you exit the park.
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.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
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 National Park/Las Vegas
Head to desolate Death Valley — the hottest, driest, and lowest spot in North America. Travel to one of the country's most rugged landscapes — the legendary Death Valley, California. Soak in the dramatic landscape. Carry on to Las Vegas and explore the famous Vegas strip. Opt to take a VIP party bus or limousine tour or try your luck at the slots and poker tables.
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.
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
Leave the bright lights of Vegas behind to take a bite out of a piece Americana on Route 66. Experience a blast from the past at an wacky burger joint. Continue through Kaibab National Forest en route to one of the earth's greatest on-going geological spectacles, the Grand Canyon. Take a short hike along the rim of the Grand Canyon before watching the colors of the canyon change with sunset at the rim. Travel Route 66 from Vegas, Continue the drive to one of the earth's greatest on-going geological spectacles, the Grand Canyon.
During the months of June, July, August, and September, we will be camping underneath the stars next to the Grand Canyon. Wake up to an included camp breakfast the following morning.
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!
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.
Optional Activities - Day 5 HideShow
Grand Canyon Hike
FreeOpt 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/Lake Havasu City
Get 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 Lake Havasu City, next to the crystal-clear waters of the Colorado River. Opt to go for a dip in the Colorado River or check out the famous London Bridge.
Note: If you have pre booked the Grand Canyon Helicopter Ride you will enjoy your 45-50min ride over the canyon today.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
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 7Lake Havasu City/Los Angeles
Depart Lake Havasu City and head to Joshua Tree National Park. Hike among the boulders and famous trees (actually yuccas) in Joshua Tree National Park. Continue to the City of Angels. Enjoy an orientation of Los Angeles. Drive through Beverly Hills and view one of the world's most exclusive 3-block districts, Rodeo Drive. Continue on to see the stars on the most famous sidewalk in Hollywood on a drive through the city. Enjoy a final night as a group out on the town.
Private Vehicle
Travel time includes stops along the way.
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.
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.