Itinerary

Day 1LOS ANGELES

Los Angeles, California

Enjoy time at leisure to relax or to do some independent exploring. Your Tour Director is on hand this evening to answer any questions.

Day 2LOS ANGELES–PALM SPRINGS

Palm Springs

–SCOTTSDALE

Experience the beautiful landscapes of Scottsdale, Arizona

Begin the day with a sightseeing tour of the world’s “Capital of Glamour,” including a drive through Hollywood and famous Mann’s Chinese Theatre. A stop in the desert oasis of Palm Springs with its distinctive wind farms, 5,000 swimming pools, and 90 golf courses. Ocotillo and cholla cacti dot the desert landscape as you cross the great Colorado River and continue into Arizona, where the unmistakable saguaro stands sentinel. Arrive in the mountain-ringed desert resort of Scottsdale in the late afternoon.

Day 3SCOTTSDALE–SEDONA–GRAND CANYON

Grand Canyon

–WILLIAMS

First stop is Sedona, a thriving center for New Age arts set in canyon country. On to the weather-sculptured rock formations of Oak Creek Canyon and up through the San Francisco Mountains and beautiful pine forests to the South Rim of the GRAND CANYON. Time to stroll the canyon rim. For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, take our optional helicopter flightseeing excursion for incomparable views of flame-colored walls plunging 6,000 feet into the Colorado River. Overnight in Williams.

Day 4WILLIAMS–LAS VEGAS

Stay on the famed Las Vegas strip

Leave the mountain town of Williams on historic Route 66

The famous Route 66

and cross the old Mohave gold strike country, which still bears traces of century-old ghost towns set in natural desert beauty. By late afternoon, reach Las Vegas, a fantastic city of feverish gambling, neon lights, and glamorous shows. This evening, enjoy our optional outing to a glittering Vegas show—or, if you prefer, explore some of the many themed casino resorts along the colorful “Strip.”

Day 5LAS VEGAS

The morning and afternoon are free for you to swim and sunbathe at the hotel pool or explore the varied casinos. Try an optional river rafting trip through the Black Canyon.

Day 6LAS VEGAS

Another full day at leisure. Your Tour Director will have plenty of activities to choose from and will recommend favorite restaurants and shopping areas.

Day 7LAS VEGAS–MADERA

A day of striking contrast as you journey northwest across the desert landscape of Nevada before crossing into California. Overnight in Madera, located in California’s Central Valley.

Day 8MADERA–YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

El Capitan, a popular rock climbing destination in Yosemite National Park

–SONORA

Leave Madera for YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, a wonderland of spectacular lakes, cascading waterfalls, lush forest, giant granite domes, pinnacles, and mountains rising as much as 4,000 feet above the valley floor. We then drive to Sonora, once a thriving center in the Gold Rush era and well known for its collection of Victorian homes.

Day 9SONORA–SACRAMENTO–SAN FRANCISCO

This morning we visit Sacramento, California’s historic state capital, home to more than 40 art galleries and dozens of museums. There’s time to visit historic Old Town, the nation’s largest collection of Gold Rush-era buildings. We continue west to the Golden Gate

San Francisco’s renowned Golden Gate Bridge

City of San Francisco, famous for its hills and cable cars. Our included sightseeing tour takes in the Old Spanish Mission Dolores, the spectacular Golden Gate Bridge

San Francisco’s iconic Golden Gate Bridge

, and bustling Fisherman’s Wharf.

Day 10SAN FRANCISCO–WINE COUNTRY EXCURSION

This morning, cross the famous Golden Gate Bridge and visit the pristine waterfront community of Sausalito

Stroll through the beautiful Vina del Mar park in Sausalito

. Free time to explore this quaint, Mediterranean-style village’s shops, galleries, and breathtaking views. Next up: Sonoma, a picturesque valley known for its wine grapes. A guided tour and WINE TASTING at one of the many wineries are included.

Day 11SAN FRANCISCO

A full day at leisure in the “City by the Bay.” Choose from a variety of optional excursions, including a cruise on San Francisco Bay with a visit to Alcatraz and a helicopter ride over the city.

Day 12SAN FRANCISCO–17-MILE DRIVE–CARMEL–MONTEREY

This morning, a visit to Fisherman’s wharf in Monterey, known for its historic waterfront, delicious seafood, and unique shopping. Next, we take spectacular 17-Mile Drive and watch the ocean rolling in on the Pacific beaches en route to Carmel, made famous by John Steinbeck’s novel Cannery Row. Situated on Carmel Bay and nestled in a pine forest, the one-square-mile village of Carmel is incredibly dynamic, yet so quaint and picturesque. During your free time, why not visit Carmel village, where you can relax, unwind, and enjoy the peaceful, European ambience as you stroll through winding streets and explore secluded alleyways and courtyards. This afternoon, return to Monterey and Cannery Row. During your free time this afternoon, consider a visit to Monterey Bay Aquarium

Monterey Bay Aquarium

, known for its interactive exhibits and teeming sea life.

Day 13MONTEREY–SOLVANG

Charming Solvang

–LOMPOC

This morning, we pick up the Old Spanish Mission Trail to Solvang, where Denmark has been recreated with picturesque buildings and windmills. There’s time to walk the flower-lined village streets and enjoy the quaint “Old World” architecture. Overnight in the town of Lompoc.

Day 14LOMPOC–SANTA BARBARA–LOS ANGELES

From Lompoc it’s a short drive south to coastal Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara mission

. Sightseeing includes a stop for photos at the historic mission and a visit to the pier. Follow the Pacific coastline past the fine sandy beaches of Malibu and Santa Monica to Los Angeles.

Day 15LOS ANGELES

A full day at leisure with plenty of activities to choose from. Los Angeles offers shopping and great eating establishments. At the hotel you can book sightseeing tours to many of California’s favorite attractions, including Universal Studios®, SeaWorld®, Disneyland®, and much more.

Day 16LOS ANGELES

The trip ends today with guests departing on individual schedules. Transfers are provided to Los Angeles International Airport.