Las Vegas to San Fran: Parks, Canyons, Valleys
Las Vegas to San Fran: Parks, Canyons, Valleys
Las Vegas to San Fran: Parks, Canyons, Valleys
8 Days Starting in Las Vegas and ending in San Francisco
Visiting: Las Vegas, Las Vegas to Fresno, Yosemite National Park, Monterey, California Coast / Monterey, San Francisco
Tour operator:
Tour code:
SSKG
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Tour Overview
Fall in love with the rugged and diverse American West on this eight-day adventure, from the sun-baked desert to Yosemite National Park's granite peaks and pine forests. Explore the highlights of the wild west coast and stroll the neon-lit boulevards of Las Vegas, walk through giant sequoias in Mariposa Grove, take scenic drives and hikes to natural wonders like Yosemite Falls, spend some free time to explore Monterey Bay at your own pace, check out coastal parks in California, enjoy dinner at a local winery and end it all with a catamaran cruise in the bay of San Francisco, taking in all the iconic sites from the water during sunset.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Las Vegas
Location: Las Vegas
Accommodation: Hotel
Welcome to the glitzy desert city of Las Vegas, Nevada! It may be a gambler’s paradise, but if the tables aren't your thing, there's still plenty to discover in this neon metropolis. Maybe wander along the famous strip, past impersonators, billboards and hotels to the choreographed Bellagio Fountain show. Hit the chain stores or lose all sense of time exploring the gaudy interiors of hotels like The Venetian, Caesars Palace and New York-New York. Your trip starts at 6 pm tonight with a welcome meeting. After, why not join your fellow travellers for an optional dinner and indulge in some nightlife?
Optional Activities:
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Day 2: Las Vegas To Fresno
Location: Las Vegas to Fresno
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: dinner
This morning, depart Las Vegas and begin your road trip. This is a long driving day and a great opportunity to experience the dramatic change in landscape from the desert to the mountains of California. You'll have plenty of stops to stretch your legs and take photos. Continue around the Sierras to the south, where things get much greener. You’ll spend the night in Fresno, where you’ll have dinner at a local restaurant with your group.
Day 3: Yosemite National Park
Location: Yosemite National Park
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
This morning, head north to the world-famous Yosemite National Park – featuring colossal granite cliff faces, cascading waterfalls (depending on the season), and sequoia forests, the scenery in Yosemite attracts travellers from all over the globe. When you arrive, wander through the jaw-dropping Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, home to some of the largest known trees on Earth. These colossal, ancient wonders are adapted for survival – they’re resistant to disease, thanks to a large content of tannin in the wood, and their thick asbestos-like bark means that they can withstand the hottest of forest fires, making them almost indestructible. Make the scenic drive into Yosemite Valley and explore sites like Yosemite Falls and the visitor center, before settling in at a local restaurant in Yosemite Valley for a fun pizza dinner and a cold beer (if you fancy).
Included Activities:
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Day 4: Yosemite National Park
Location: Yosemite National Park
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals Included: lunch
Enjoy a full day to explore the spectacular scenery of Yosemite National Park. The breathtaking landscapes have made Yosemite a favourite among hikers for generations, and there are plenty of trekking routes on offer with varying degrees of difficulty. Your leader will choose a hike based on the group’s ability and desires. If you feel like breaking a sweat, the hike to Vernal Falls features plenty of switchbacks and depending on the season, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of the cascading waterfall beneath the giant Half Dome. Feel like taking it easy? No problem, there are plenty of gentle trails on offer, too. Keep an eye out for squirrels (and watch for bears!) along the way. Make the winding trip up to Glacier Point for incredible views over the valley, Yosemite Falls and Half Dome – don't forget your cameras today, as this is one of the best places in the park to get amazing photos.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 5: Monterey
Location: Monterey
Accommodation: Hotel
After breakfast this morning, depart Yosemite for coastal California and the haven of Monterey. Your leader will take the group on an orientation walk when you arrive to get your bearings. The rest of the day is free to explore at your own pace – maybe head to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, a popular spot for tourists and locals alike. Tonight, maybe get a recommendation from your leader on one of the best dinner spots in the area or just kick back on the beach and watch the sunset.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 6: California Coast / Monterey
Location: California Coast / Monterey
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner
Today you’ll head out on a full-day exploration of the glittering coast and the surrounding villages and parks with your group. Make the most of the scenic parks along California Highway 1 and check out Sea Lion Point. Check out the gorgeous local beaches in Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, explore tidepools and relax on the white sands, surrounded by turquoise waters and cliffs. Head out on an easy coastal hike for epic views over the ocean, then cap off the day with a visit to a local winery in the Carmel Valley for a wine tasting and dinner with views of the surrounding vineyard.
Included Activities:
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Day 7: San Francisco
Location: San Francisco
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
This morning after breakfast, you’ll follow the coast to Santa Cruz, stopping at the famous pier for some free time to grab lunch, sit on the beach and enjoy the vibes. Visit Half Moon Bay for a short beach walk and then carry on to San Fran. When you arrive, head out on a tour of the city and then check in to your hotel for the night. At sunset, you’ll hit the water for an incredible catamaran cruise around the bay, with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island – this is the perfect farewell to a sun kissed Californian adventure. If you like, head out with your fellow travellers for one last dinner.
Included Activities:
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Day 8: San Francisco
Location: San Francisco
With no activities planned today, your adventure ends this morning. If you’d like to stay longer, just speak to your booking agent.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Hotel (5 nights), Lodge (2 nights) -
Death Valley National Park Entrance Fee (Seasonal)
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Yosemite National Park - Entrance Fee
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Yosemite National Park - Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
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Yosemite - Pizza Picnic Dinner
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Yosemite National Park - Leader-led hike
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Yosemite National Park - Glacier Point
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Monterey - Leader-led orientation
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Carmel - Winery Tasting & Dinner
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Monterey - Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
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Monterey - California Coastal Highway 1
Included Activities
- San Francisco - Chinatown Discovery Urban Adventure
- Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
- Lake Tahoe - Emerald Bay sunset cruise (summer only)
- Lake Tahoe - Snowshoeing (winter only)
- Yosemite National Park - Entrance Fee
- Yosemite - Pizza Picnic Dinner
- Death Valley National Park
Transport
- AIRPORT TRANSFERS IN THE USA & CANADA
- We recommend taxis and rideshare services like Lyft and Uber when traveling to and from hotels in the USA and Canada. These services are widely available across North America, offering convenient and accessible transportation options. Private transfers in North America incur high costs and present an increased risk of missed connections due to their fixed schedules. In contrast, taxis and rideshares offer both cost-effectiveness and flexibility, ensuring a smoother journey. With transparent pricing, GPS tracking, and on-demand availability, we believe that taxis and rideshare apps not only offer a reliable alternative to private transfers but also provide a secure, trustworthy, and budget-friendly transportation option for our customers.
- NORTH AMERICA VEHICLES
- Our large fleet of 15-passenger vans are fully equipped with air-conditioning system, V8 engines and any camping or cooking equipment needed for your trip. Most have cloth-upholstered seats and carpeted interior with radio or CD players. Your luggage is typically transported in a trailer which is towed behind the van.
- The vans are regularly serviced by a well-established network of maintenance and service facilities throughout the continent. However, unforeseen maintenance problems can still occur while on the road and we appreciate the patience of our travellers as we make necessary repairs as quickly as possible.
- While your group will have a van for all included activities on the trip, the services of the van and leader may not be available for your use during free time, or after you have arrived for the day. If you need a special trip into town you may need to arrange transport or a taxi.
Accommodation
- The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
- Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
Important Information
- 1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6:00 PM on Day 1 in Las Vegas. This trip ends on the morning of Day 8 in San Francisco.
- 2. Please note that the legal drinking age in the US is 21 and in some parts of Canada it's 19.
Mode of Transport
- Private Vehicle
Check out our Q&As
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Is this trip right for you
This trip includes time spent travelling in a private vehicle with your group. Extra space can be tight, and conditions may feel a little cramped. It’s all part of the adventure and a great way to get to know your fellow travellers. Please read the itinerary carefully for travel time estimates.
This trip involves a fair amount of walking. To make the most of the trip, at least a moderate fitness level is needed.
You may also want to check out our Ultimate National Parks trip if you have a longer time to explore the region:
https://www.intrepidtravel.com/united-states/la-san-fran-ultimate-national-parks-150417 -
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
Reviews of this operator
Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.