Western Wonders

Welcome to Los Angeles! Your Tour Director is on hand late this afternoon to answer any questions.

Begin the day with a sightseeing tour of Tinseltown. Drive through Hollywood and see the world-famous TCL Chinese Theatre. An historic gem, this cinema (formerly, Grauman’s) has hosted some of the most exclusive movie premieres in Hollywood history. See the Dolby Theater, the first permanent home of the glamorous Academy Awards, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame where iconic terrazzo stars grace block after city block of Hollywood Boulevard. Explore The Original Farmers Market, with more than 80 shops and restaurants then head to the Santa Monica Pier and the ultimate Southern California beach. The remainder of your day is at leisure; your Tour Director will have suggestions for further exploration of the city.

Journey to the desert oasis of Palm Springs. Ever since Hollywood stars first came here in the 1930s, laying claim to ranch-style estates and holding up in elite hotels, the clean, dry air and sunshine have made Palm Springs irresistible.

Travel through cacti-covered desert toward Old Town Scottsdale, where Western storefronts create an aura of the past. Afterward, enjoy free time to explore a taste of the Old West with Western bars, wooden beams, wagon wheels, and abundant cowboy hats, you’ll feel like you’ve traveled back in time to the era of outlaws and saloons.

First stop today is a visit to the red rocks of Sedona, a center for Southwestern and New Age arts. Climb through Oak Creek Canyon with its weather-sculpted formations of dramatic, color-tinted crags. Then pass by the San Francisco Mountains and beautiful pine forests to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park and be awed by the grandeur and stunning vistas of this natural wonder of the world. See the canyon from the sky aboard an optional helicopter flightseeing excursion for thrilling views of the canyon’s flame-colored walls plunging 6,093 feet into the Colorado River. Stay overnight in Williams, a picturesque mountain town with Route 66 as its main street.

Cross the old Mojave, that still has traces of century-old ghost towns set in the natural beauty of the desert. Look out for Joshua trees, a species of the agave family that grows to 40 feet high and can live for more than 300 years. Arrive in the man-made oasis in the Nevada desert that is Las Vegas, a fantastic city of feverish gambling, neon lights, and entertaining shows. An orientation tour upon arrival shows off many of the themed casino resorts along the colorful “Strip.” This evening, consider a night on the town with an optional Brazilian steakhouse dinner and find your inner Rat Pack at “Vegas! The Show,” to relive the iconic performances of Sinatra, Elvis, and more legends who made Las Vegas the “Entertainment Capital of the World.”

The day is free for exploring on your own. Perhaps try your hand at the blackjack table, check out some of the over-the-top hotel lobbies, or lounge by the pool. Your Tour Director will also have plenty of activities to choose from and will recommend favorite restaurants and shopping areas.

Departing the neon lights of Las Vegas, we continue across the desert landscape of Nevada before crossing into California. See the vast Mojave Desert, which covers one-fifth of California. Pass through some of the state’s most productive agricultural land and overnight in Selma in the central San Joaquin Valley.

This morning, we enter Yosemite National Park, a wonderland of spectacular lakes, giant granite domes, towering pinnacles, cascading waterfalls, and lush forests. See magnificent Half Dome, El Capitan, and Bridal Veil Falls. Afterward, drive to Sonora.

This morning, we continue west to the “City by the Bay” San Francisco, famous for its cable cars. After lunch, included sightseeing takes in the spectacular Golden Gate Bridge, Nob Hill, and bustling Fisherman’s Wharf.

The day is free for you to explore more of this fascinating city. Perhaps visit legendary Alcatraz Island, explore bustling Chinatown, or go on an iconic cable car ride. Take your adventures higher with an optional walk through the soaring 600-year-old redwoods of Muir Woods or view the stunning cityscape on a scenic San Francisco Bay Cruise. NOTE:Consider advance ticket purchase for Alcatraz Island with the National Park Service.

Your vacation ends this morning. You may choose to extend your vacation with extra nights and explore San Francisco further.