Day 1
Fly to Los Angeles
Arrive into Los Angeles airport and pick up your car on arrival. Explore the likes of Beverly Hills, West Hollywood or Hollywood itself. Or simply relax at your hotel by the pool!
Overnight: The Garland or similar
Alternatively we can book you into a hotel near the beaches of Santa Monica or Huntington, or close to Disney in Anaheim.
Day 2
Los Angeles
A day to explore this sprawling city! With so much around plan what you would like to do - you could visit a theme park such as Disney California in Anaheim, hike up to the Hollywood sign! Or go to Universal Studios and take a studio tour of Warner Bros – just let us know if you’d like us to pre-book your tickets. Optionally, how about heading to the beach and visiting Santa Monica or Manhattan Beach for that typical SoCal lifestyle!
Overnight: The Garland or similar
Day 3
Los Angeles – Palm Springs (122 miles)
This morning leave the city, taking the easy drive east to the oasis of Palm Springs, nestled by the Coachella Valley with a backdrop of soaring mountains. Known for it’s golf courses and spa’s, Palm Springs also offers a lovely downtown area for shops and restaurants and a great range of outdoor activities, such as the Aerial Tramway – a scenic canyon ride on rotating tram cars, and the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens. Overnight for 2 nights.
Overnight: Palm Mountain Resort and Spa or similar
Day 4
Palm Springs
A full day to enjoy this fun city. Perhaps call in at the Visitor Centre to get a map of the various landmarks such as stylish homes owned by Elvis, Cher and Leonardo di Caprio. We’d definitely recommend a trip up the Aerial Tramway to marvel at the stunning mountains and valleys. You can visit the Children’s Discovery Museum or the iconic Palm Springs Art Museum. Or you might want to cool off in one of the waterparks.
Overnight: Palm Mountain Resort and Spa or similar
Day 5
Palm Springs – Flagstaff (386 miles)
We suggest an early start as today is your longest drive, past the Joshua Tree National Park and into Arizona. Your destination is Flagstaff, a great location for exploring the Grand Canyon and surrounding area, stay here for 2 nights.
Overnight: Little America Flagstaff or similar
Day 6
Flagstaff – Grand Canyon National Park – Flagstaff
With Flagstaff as your base, you can choose to enjoy the Grand Canyon in any number of ways, either river rafting along the base of the Canyon, take a guided hike, have a scenic helicopter ride or simply drive to the viewing points along the south rim for awe-inspiring views of this amazing place.
Overnight: Little America Flagstaff or similar
Day 7
Flagstaff – Las Vegas (253 miles)
Return along Route 66 heading north at Kingman in the heart of Mohave County, towards your next destination - the glitz & glamour of Vegas. Pause just south to make a worthwhile visit to the Hoover Dam, which has a fantastic visitor centre and spectacular views of this engineering marvel. Continue to Las Vegas where you will stay for two nights, a fun place for all ages.
Overnight: The Platinum Hotel and Spa or similar
Day 8
Las Vegas
Whilst Las Vegas was built as a playground for adults, there are plenty of attractions for families away from the casinos (where children are not permitted). Adventure Dome is America’s largest indoor theme park, there is the Aquarium at the Silverton Hotel, the Discovery Children’s Museum and Madame Tussauds to name just a few of the varied attractions.
Overnight: The Platinum Hotel and Spa or similar
Day 9
Las Vegas – Mammoth Lakes (323 miles)
Leave the bright lights of Vegas behind and head to Death Valley, a vast National Park of desert and mountains, and continue north until you leave the desert and discover craggy mountain peaks and alpine forest to arrive in Mammoth Lakes – a beautiful base for a two night stay. If you’re feeling energetic then Mammoth’s famed Bike Park is worth a whirl. Or you can hop on the gondola which takes you to the summit at 11,053 feet to admire the absolutely stunning views stretching over 400 miles. Overnight here for 2 nights.
Overnight: Tamarack Lodge and Resort or similar
Day 10
Mammoth Lakes – Yosemite National Park – Mammoth Lakes
Head to the stunning national park of Yosemite today. Take one of the well marked trails to view the glacier carved granite rock formations and alpine lakes. Perhaps take a river-rafting trip or hire bikes, to get the most our of this fabulous natural playground.
Overnight: Tamarack Lodge and Resort or similar
Day 11
Mammoth Lakes – San Francisco (329 miles)
You’re on the final leg of your road trip, now heading to San Francisco. Depending on your route, you could stop for lunch in Sacramento – the epicentre of the California Gold Rush – stroll the historic Old Sacramento Waterfront district following the footsteps heroes and villains from it’s Wild West past. Final stop is San Francisco.
Overnight: Handlery Union Square Hotel or similar
Day 12
San Francisco
Enjoy sightseeing in San Francisco – view the iconic Golden Gate bridge, ride on the cable car. Perhaps you’ll want to visit Alcatraz, or spend time exploring the interesting neighbourhoods of Chinatown, Union Square and Fisherman’s Wharf. A wonderful city to bring your holiday to a close.
Overnight: Handlery Union Square Hotel or similar
Day 13
Fly home from San Francisco International Airport
