Compare Wild Western USA by Intrepid Travel vs California's Gold Coast 2022 by Tauck
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| Trip |
4.5 | Great
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4 | Great
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| Duration | 11 days | 10 days |
| Price From | $ 2,329 | $ 5,890 |
| Price Per Day | $ 212 | $ 589 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | N/A |
| Lodging Level | Basic | Premium |
| 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 | No |
| Activities | N/A |
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| Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
| Description |
Get a dose of a classic USA on this 11-day wild western adventure. Stroll among the bizarre flora of Joshua Tree National Park, peer over the edge of the Grand Canyon and people-watch on the sandy boardwalks of Santa Monica. Trek and explore Yosemite, marvel at the size of Half Dome, and then head on to the coast as you move through constantly changing scenery through to the City by the Bay, San Francisco. For those who just want to hit the wide open road and see the natural wonder of USA’s west, this extensive LA to San Fran adventure is just the ticket. |
Our memorable journey through California has guests traveling from hip, glamorous Beverly Hills and iconic Los Angeles up the dramatic Pacific Coast Highway 1 to magnificent Hearst Castle, Santa Barbara, Big Sur, Carmel-by-the-Sea, and Monterey, ending in San Francisco – one of the world's favorite cities. |
Day 1 Los Angeles
Welcome to the USA! Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting in the lobby today at 6 pm. It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. If you do arrive early, perhaps take a stroll down the Hollywood Walk of Fame, or spend some time learning about the lives of the rich and famous on a celebrity homes tour. After the welcome meeting, we’ll head beachside and visit Venice and Santa Monica beach for a stroll and some people watching. Day 1 is all about introductions, so why not spend some time getting to know your fellow travellers with an optional group dinner.
Day 2 Joshua Tree National Park
Today, you’ll head away from the coast and drive to Joshua Tree National Park. Sitting between the Mojave and Colorado Deserts, the park is famous for its spectacular desert plants – including the park’s namesake Joshua trees – along with cacti and Mojave yuccas. The area is also home to striking rock formations and mountain ranges, so you might like to head out on a scenic hike around the park or take a refreshing dip in the Colorado River. You’ll head to Lake Havasu City later on to your accommodation for the night, and check out London Bridge: a 280-metre structure rebuilt in Arizona in 1971 after being transported, piece by piece, from the banks of the Thames in London.
Day 3 Grand Canyon National Park
Drive to Grand Canyon National Park, along a section of the famous Route 66, stopping in at the eccentric town of Seligman. Once we arrive at the Grand Canyon National Park, be ready to visually delight in the natural beauty for hours. This stunning gorge is 1.5 kilometres deep, formed by over six million years of erosion from the Colorado River. You'll spend two nights here, and you’ll need it, to allow for a full day of exploration tomorrow.
Day 4 Grand Canyon National Park
Today is a free day to explore the Grand Canyon, one of the largest canyon systems in the world. Stroll along the meandering South Rim Trail or hike your way down to Plateau Point. With eagles soaring overhead and chasms extending as far as the eye can see, it’s so important for you to experience its vast gorges from multiple viewpoints. In the early evening, relax at the canyon's edge and enjoy a spectacular sunset over one of the world's natural wonders.
Day 5 Las Vegas
Today drive across the border into Nevada and back to Las Vegas. Hit the shops, feel your stomach drop on a rooftop roller coaster or simply stroll along the Strip, soaking up the glitz and gaudiness. The arrival time depends on each group, and some fellow travellers may bid you farewell today. If you are staying in town for the evening, perhaps check out one of the many stage shows on offer or party the night away in a Vegas nightclub.
Day 6 Las Vegas
Today is as clear as the blue skies in the deserts of Nevada. There are no planned activities until another meeting in the hotel lobby today at 6 pm, where you may meet some new travellers on your wild west adventure. After your briefing, why not go check out one of the all-you-can-eat buffets on offer with your new and updated crew.
Day 7 Sierra Nevada / Keough Hot Springs
Leave the bright lights of Vegas behind and drive into the Eastern Sierra Nevada toward the quaint town of Bishop. On arrival, check out the town or perhaps treat yourself to the crispy cookies or ‘bear claws’ at Erick Schat’s Dutch bakery. Later this afternoon, join the group for a soothing soak in a natural hot spring – perfect for those wanting to relax before an action-packed few days in Yosemite. Tonight, you’ll camp under the stars in Bishop.
Day 8 Yosemite National Park
Prepare for some spectacular mountain scenery as you depart from Bishop and head west to Yosemite National Park. This morning, stop at crystal clear lakes – including Mono and Tenaya – before continuing through the Tioga Pass (snow levels permitting) into the heart of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Stop by Olmstead Point to marvel at Yosemite’s natural wonder, Half Dome, before arriving at one of the most famous parks in the USA. Yosemite's colossal granite cliffs, cascading waterfalls (depending on season) and redwood forests attract visitors from all over the world. You'll spend three nights near the park, meaning you have two full days to explore.
Day 9 Yosemite National Park
Start today with an orientation tour of the village before heading out for a free day of exploration. There are plenty of hikes available, each varying in steepness and difficulty. Hike The Mist Trail to Nevada Falls (2–5 hours) or to the serene Mirror Lake (45 minutes). Keep an eye out for squirrels and perhaps even a bear along the way. You might prefer to hire a bike and explore Yosemite Valley, visiting the park's museum, photo gallery, shops and restaurants along the way. In the heat of summer, a relaxing float down the Merced River followed by a few drinks at the park's cafe is just the trick.
Day 10 Yosemite National Park
Today there’s a chance to explore a different side of the park as you join your leader on a guided hike to Hetch Hetchy Valley. Tucked away in the northwest corner of Yosemite, Hetch Hetchy is a wilderness of cascading waterfalls (in Spring), towering cliff faces and beautiful wildflowers. Boasting one of the longest hiking seasons in the park, the ecologically diverse valley attracts a fraction of the visitors in comparison to other more well-known hiking spots in Yosemite – which means it’s an ideal area for those who have extra time to explore the park in depth.
Day 11 San Francisco
Leave Yosemite behind today and drive west to San Francisco. The 'City by the Bay' has a beautiful setting and a vibrant, multicultural heart. You might like to check out the vintage stores along funky Haight Street, catch the tram down to the waterfront or take an Adventure Cat Bay Cruise. The trip finishes on arrival into San Francisco after a stop to check out the Golden Gate Bridge, and no accommodation is provided tonight. As there's a great deal to do in San Francisco, we recommend you stay a couple of extra days to make the most of the city. If you do wish to spend extra time in San Francisco, we'll be happy to help you book additional accommodation (subject to availability).
Day 1 Arrive in Beverly Hills
Tour begins: 5:30 PM, Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills. A transfer is included from Los Angeles International Airport to Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, an urban oasis of understated glamour; keep your eyes peeled for celebrities. Join us this evening for a private welcome reception followed by dinner in the hotel's Wetherly Gardens.
MEALS : D
LODGING : Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills
PORTOFCALL : Los Angeles, California
Day 2 Amazing autos & more in downtown LA
Because Southern Californians have a legendary passion for cars, you'll begin exploring the dynamic city of Los Angeles with a tour of the historic automobiles, Hollywood cars, hot rods, and altogether extraordinary vehicles at the acclaimed Petersen Automotive Museum... including a private, early-opening visit to the museum's recently renovated "Vault" – now featuring more than 250 remarkable vehicles from around the world. Batmobile, anyone? Then you're off to downtown Los Angeles for a walking tour. Tonight, there's magic in the air at a private Tauck dinner – featuring a presentation by a veteran LA warm-up comedian whose credits include American Idol, Dancing With the Stars, and over a decade with The Ellen DeGeneres Show... and a performance by a two-time Close Up Magician of the Year from Hollywood's celebrated private club for magicians, The Magic Castle.
MEALS : B, D
LODGING : Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills
PORTOFCALL : Los Angeles, California
Day 3 Beverly Hills, Reagan Library & Santa Barbara
Enjoy a tour through Beverly Hills, along Sunset Boulevard, and to the TCL Chinese Theatre movie palace on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where you'll see the handprints of many celebrities; Groucho Marx left an imprint of his cigar, Jimmy Durante his nose, and the stars of Harry Potter immortalized their magic wands. Then you're off to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum for a guided tour and lunch. The museum and grounds are spectacular, with sweeping views of the Simi Valley, the surrounding mountains, and the Pacific Ocean. View an Air Force One aircraft that flew seven presidents, a recreated Oval Office, an exhibit on the Berlin Wall featuring parts of the wall itself, and more. Drive north to Santa Barbara, on the "American Riviera," where you'll dine at your hotel tonight.
MEALS : B, L, D
LODGING : Belmond El Encanto
PORTOFCALL : Santa Barbara, California, USA
Day 4 Santa Barbara's Old Mission & a choice of activities
Embark on a guided tour of 18th-century Old Mission Santa Barbara, home to an active Franciscan parish for more than 200 years. On a city tour, get a feel for the quiet beach community of Santa Barbara, long a celebrity hideaway, and visit the 1929 Courthouse, surrounded by lush gardens. Inside you'll find murals depicting scenes of the city's past, painted by a self-taught artist whose illustrations appeared in the novels of Joseph Conrad and Jack London. This afternoon, a choice is yours in Santa Barbara. One is a visit to the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, California's oldest botanical garden. Here, a guided tour reveals the diversity of the state's native flora and vegetation. Your other choice is a city tour through Santa Barbara. This evening you'll have free time to enjoy your resort or explore downtown Santa Barbara as you please.
MEALS : B, L
LODGING : Belmond El Encanto
PORTOFCALL : Santa Barbara, California, USA
Day 5 California's Central Coast
Get ready for scenic delights as you pass through rolling hills to begin today's road trip. Entering the Central California wine region, you'll find microclimates where morning fog and ocean breezes encourage varieties such as pinot noir and chardonnay, and others where low-lying mountains are ideal for full-bodied reds. Discover picturesque Solvang, a town with a distinctive Danish heritage (and a location featured in the wine-lovers' film, Sideways), and enjoy a Tauck Exclusive lunch, tour, and tasting at Presqu'ile, a small family-owned winery. Continue on to Pismo Beach, known for its long white beaches and ocean views. The evening is spent at The Cliffs Resort, overlooking the Pacific.
MEALS : B, L, D
LODGING : The Cliffs
PORTOFCALL : Solvang, California, USA
Day 6 Hearst Castle & the Big Sur Coastline
Drive along stunning Pacific Coast Highway 1 to San Simeon and Hearst Castle, a national and California Historical Landmark designed by revered California architect Julia Morgan. A guided walking tour of this elaborate estate, created for newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, takes you back to the opulent era of the early 20th century; the castle was the inspiration for Xanadu, the over-the-top, never-finished mansion of publisher Charles Foster Kane in Orson Welles' film classic, Citizen Kane. After your guided tour, it's nature's opulence that will impress you as you continue along the Pacific Coast, hundreds of feet above crashing surf and remote, rocky beaches, to the Big Sur Coast. Your destination today is the coastal city of Monterey, where you'll dine at your hotel on Monterey Bay.
MEALS : B, L, D
LODGING : InterContinental The Clement Monterey
PORTOFCALL : Monterey, California, USA
Day 7 The Monterey Peninsula & Carmel-by-the-Sea
Today's tour of the incredibly scenic Monterey Peninsula takes in the beauty of Pacific Grove, famed 17-Mile Drive, and Pebble Beach, before you arrive in Carmel-by-the-Sea, which was named one of the "most romantic cities of the world" by Travel + Leisure. Enjoy free time to explore the town's galleries and find an appealing spot for lunch, before heading off to the award-winning Monterey Bay Aquarium on historic Cannery Row to discover the delights of marine life, from cuttlefish to whales.
MEALS : B
LODGING : InterContinental The Clement Monterey
PORTOFCALL : Monterey, California, USA
Day 8 Monterey to San Francisco
Make your way from Monterey up the coast to San Francisco, arriving early this afternoon; feel the breezes of San Francisco Bay (and enjoy a boxed lunch courtesy of the famed Boudin Bakery) on a private catamaran cruise. Then check in to The Westin St. Francis and enjoy time to rest, relax, or explore the area surrounding Union Square. Your hotel is in a vibrant retail and cultural area in the heart of the city – and at your doorstep you'll discover a favorite city square where you might just see musicians, artists, or speakers doing what they do best. Your Tauck Director can recommend restaurants in this city known for its range of cuisines inspired by fresh ingredients.
MEALS : B, L
LODGING : The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square
PORTOFCALL : San Francisco, California, USA
Day 9 Inimitable San Francisco
A sightseeing tour takes you up and down San Francisco's hills with views of San Francisco Bay as you see Chinatown and the Marina District, rows of Victorian gingerbread houses, Lombard Street, Coit Tower and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Head to the salty atmosphere of Fisherman's Wharf for free time for lunch and checking out its historic ships, sea lions, seafood stalls, and sourdough bread bakeries as you please. This evening, join us at your hotel for our farewell festivities – a Tauck Exclusive farewell reception and dinner at your historic hotel in the heart of Union Square, complete with a live swing band.
MEALS : B, D
LODGING : The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square
PORTOFCALL : San Francisco, California, USA
Day 10 Journey home
Tour ends: San Francisco. Fly home anytime. A transfer from The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square to the San Francisco International Airport is included; you should allow a minimum of two hours for flight check-in.
MEALS : B
PORTOFCALL : San Francisco, California, USA
