Compare Best of America by Edelweiss Bike Travel vs USA Road Trip: Big Cities & West Coast Parks by G Adventures
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 11 days | 15 days |
| Price From | $ 5,250 | $ 4,199 |
| Price Per Day | $ 477 | $ 280 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Camping |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
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N/A |
| Meals Included | N/A | 9 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 8 dinners |
| Description |
If you want to see the best of the Southwest in less than two weeks, then this is the tour for you! We have packed the blue-green Pacific, the red-brown desert and the clear blue sky into one great trip. From bustling California, with its beautiful coast and palm trees, we ride east into some of the best scenery on the planet. National parks like the Grand Canyon, Arches, Bryce and Zion are the highlights of this tour, but riding the famous Route 66 and seeing the lights of Las Vegas sparkle in the distance are just as memorable. You will also find great and twisty motorcycle roads with turns perfect for every taste! |
If you want to explore six national parks, surf on the beach, glamp in a private canyon, eat pizza along the rim of the Grand Canyon, and see some of the tallest trees in the world then this is the adventure for you. This 16-day tour will both challenge and reward you. Feel the mist of Vernal and Nevada falls in as you hike in Yosemite, embark on a jaw-dropping full day exploration of Zion, and wander through the hoodoos in Bryce Canyon National Park. With plenty of time to catch your breath in between hikes with activities like stargazing, hanging out on the beach, and telling stories around the campfire it’s practically guaranteed that you’ll fall in love with travel all over again. |
Day 1:
Arrival in Santa Monica
Day 2:
Santa Monica - Big Bear Lake
Day 3:
Big Bear Lake - Lake Havasu
Day 4:
Lake Havasu - Tusayan
Day 5:
Tusayan - Kayenta
Day 6:
Kayenta - Moab
Day 7:
Moab
Day 8:
Moab - Bryce Canyon National Park
Day 9:
Bryce Canyon National Park - Zion National Park
Day 10:
Zion - Las Vegas
Day 11:
Departure from Las Vegas
Day 1 San Francisco/Yosemite National Park
The adventure begins this morning with the drive to Yosemite National Park. Along the way stop for some fresh produce at a farmer’s market in the central valley. Once in the park hike to Tuolumne Grove to see massive Giant Sequoias. Finish the day with a stop to see El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall en route to your camp for the night.
Day 2 Yosemite National Park
Enjoy free time to navigate the majestic Yosemite Valley at your own pace. Walk the Lower Yosemite Fall Trail or Swinging Bridge Loop Trail. Relax under the towering granite monoliths of Half Dome or El Capitan. Up for more of a challenge? Test your endurance on a more challenging hike like Upper Yosemite Falls or Four Mile. On the way back to camp, search for climbers on the sheer rock face of El Capitan.
Yosemite Village is a great starting point for launching into your adventure. Your CEO will help you get oriented to visit the Ansel Adams gallery, Ahwahnee Museum and the Yosemite Visitor Center. Here you can start a valley hike or catch a free shuttle around the park.
Day 3 Yosemite National Park
Today is all about getting active and exploring the landscapes of Yosemite. Head out on a hike to Vernal or Nevada Falls or opt to rent bikes and cruise around the valley. This park is a hiker’s paradise filled with different options for every skill level. From miles of trekking to short walks featuring amazing views, you won’t have a hard time finding a trail to set out on and enjoy. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife and make sure to take plenty of pictures. In the evening relax around the fire and swap stories with your group.
Day 4 Yosemite National Park/Hermosa Beach
Bid farewell to Yosemite this morning and get ready for some ocean waves and sand between your toes as the group heads south to Hermosa Beach. Travel through the rolling hills and vastness of the Central Valley and arrive at the Pacific coast just in time to walk the beach during golden hour and grab some delicious dinner by the sea.
After the forests of Yosemite the beaches of southern California will be a welcome change for some time to relax and recharge. So suit up, grab a towel, find a volleyball, and live out those California beach fantasies with your friends.
Day 5 Hermosa Beach
Live the California dream as you wake up to the distant sound of waves crashing against the sand. Then, suit up and get ready for your surf lesson where you'll learn a thing or two about what it takes to make riding those waves look so easy. Afterwards, enjoy free time on Hermosa Beach to lounge in the sun, walk out to the pier, or find a beachfront cafe with a table outside for some people watching. Or choose to rent bikes or surf boards and continue the adventure. Your only dilemma today should be deciding which burrito place you want to eat at.
Day 6 Hermosa Beach/Joshua Tree National Park
Depart the coast for the desert today, travelling through Los Angeles on the journey eastward to explore Joshua Tree National Park. Climb through the park’s famous rock formations and make sure to get some photos of the park's namesake tree as the sun lights up this desolate landscape.
Day 7 Joshua Tree National Park/Grand Canyon National Park
Drive down the famed Route 66 today as we cruise further east to the Grand Canyon. Get ready to see breathtaking views with arguably the best sunset you have ever seen overlooking the Grand Canyon. Kick off those shoes, sit back, relax, and enjoy one of nature’s finest performances. Enjoy a cheesy slice of pizza or two overlooking the Grand Canyon during sunset.
Day 8 Grand Canyon
Get up close and personal with the Grand Canyon as you spend the day hiking from the South Rim. There are a variety of hikes to choose from that will take you deeper into the canyon where you can really appreciate the size and depth of this national park. Choose whichever trail you wish or do short bursts of multiple hikes, just make sure you bring plenty of water and take your time.
Opt to book the Grand Canyon helicopter ride for a bird's-eye view during a 45 to 50 minutes flight over the canyon.
Day 9 Grand Canyon/Page/Bryce Canyon
Journey onwards from the Grand Canyon to Page, Arizona, the site of Lake Powell. There will be free time here. Opt to join a local Navajo guide and explore Antelope Canyon; a stunning natural sandstone slot canyon located on tribal lands. Then, lace up those hiking boots for a visit to Horseshoe Bend, a geological masterpiece that has been sculpted by the Colorado River. Walk to the overlook where you can hike along the rim and stare down into the flowing river far below. Snap some photos with your friends and just enjoy the moment. Finish the day with a picturesque drive to your camp in Bryce Canyon.
Day 10 Bryce Canyon
After a camp breakfast head out for a short drive into Bryce Canyon National Park. Once in the park, take advantage of your free time to hike through the wild and weird rock formations known as hoodoos. Opt to visit Inspiration Point, hit the rim trail, horseback ride, or hike the Queen’s Garden and Navajo loop trails to see sites like Thor’s Hammer and Wall Street. At night stargaze in a park known for its night skies.
Day 11 Bryce Canyon/Zion National Park
We pack up early this morning and move on towards Zion and our Glamping tents! Located in a private canyon away from civilization, but close to Zion National Park this location is made for outdoor enthusiasts who also like to be pampered a little. On route to camp we will make a stop at the lesser-known Coral Pink Sand Dunes and enjoy a scenic overlook of Utah’s surrounding landscape on the Colorado Plateau. It’s a unique geological feature that you shouldn’t miss. You’ll have free time in the afternoon and evening to become acquainted with your surroundings. Maybe hike the Water Canyon trail or enjoy camp and put on a cornhole tournament as a group. The only rule is to have a good time!
Day 12 Zion National Park
It’s all about Zion today as you get a chance to wander this beautiful national park in Southwest Utah. Take the shuttle into the park and spend the day exploring and hiking with your fellow travelers. Admire the monumental sandstone cliffs of cream, pink, and red that tower into the sky and remember you can choose to turn around on these hikes at any point. In the evening enjoy leisure time back at our Glamping tents. Once it gets dark get ready to sit around the campfire and roast some marshmallows as a group.
Day 13 Zion National Park/Las Vegas
Today, take the short drive from Zion to Las Vegas. Upon arrival, enjoy free time in Las Vegas. Explore the strip, try your luck at a casino, or take in a glitzy show.
Day 14 Death Valley National Park
Drive from Las Vegas to Death Valley and visit the country's hottest, driest, and lowest national park. Death Valley is a land of extremes and you’ll get a sense of the striking contrast of this park’s landscapes with visits to Badwater Basin and Zabriskie Point. Then, transfer to the hotel in Ridgecrest and relax this evening.
Day 15 Ridgecrest/Los Angeles
Wake in Ridgecrest and drive southwest to Los Angeles. Tour ends on arrival to L.A.
