Western Wonders

Welcome to Los Angeles! Your Tour Director is on hand from 3-6:00 p.m. to answer any questions.

Begin the day with a sightseeing tour of Tinseltown and drive through Hollywood to see the world-famous TCL Chinese Theatre—formerly Grauman's)—site of Hollywood's most famous movie premieres. See the Dolby Theater, the first permanent home of the glamorous Academy Awards, and the sidewalk stars on Hollywood Walk of Fame. 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 where Hollywood stars, like Frank Sinatra, Cary Grant, and Elizabeth Taylor started coming to escape the public eye, buying ranch-style estates to enjoy the abundant sunshine and dry air. Today Palm Springs is known for its spas, resorts, and for hosting events like the Coachella Valley Music Festival. Get a view of the expansive valley on the optional Palm Springs Aerial Tram that has the world's largest rotating tram car.

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, wagon wheels, and abundant cowboy hats, making you 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, known as 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 on an optional helicopter flightseeing excursion for thrilling views of the 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. (B)

Cross the old Mojave Desert that still has traces of century-old ghost towns. 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 followed by “Vegas! The Show,” and relive the iconic performances of Sinatra, Elvis, and more legends who made Las Vegas the “Entertainment Capital of the World.” (CB)

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, shop, or lounge by the pool. Or consider joining an optional excursion to see Hoover Dam, an engineering marvel, or opt for something a little more adventurous and take an optional Black Canyon Rafting trip on the legendary Colorado River.

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

This morning, enter Yosemite National Park that was established in 1890 as the nation's third national park. Gaze at the wonderland of granite cliffs, towering pinnacles, cascading waterfalls, and giant sequoia trees. See magnificent Half Dome, El Capitan, and 620-foot Bridal Veil Falls before continuing to Sonora.

This morning, we head west to the “City by the Bay”— San Francisco, famous for its cable cars, which are the last manually operated cable car system in the world. After lunch, enjoy included sightseeing that takes in the spectacular Golden Gate Bridge, Nob Hill, and bustling Fisherman's Wharf. This evening, perhaps venture out to try some of the city's diverse and innovative culinary scene. (B)

The day is free for you to explore more of this fascinating city. Perhaps visit legendary Alcatraz Island, walk the colorful streets of Chinatown, or go on an iconic cable car ride. Or be humbled walking through the soaring 600-year-old redwood trees on an optional excursion to nearby Muir Woods. Or take to the water to view the stunning cityscape by boat on an optional scenic San Francisco Bay Cruise.

Please 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.