The Big West
Overview
Highlights
- See the famous Hollywood sign, Mann's Chinese Theatre & Hollywood's Walk of Fame
- Drive along famous Sunset Strip
- Visit Santa Monica and its famous pier
- Dinner in Little Tokyo
- Visit Mission Beach (weather permitting)
- Go loco as you feast on traditional Mexican cuisine
- Capture some incredible photos with a visit to a panoramic viewpoint
- Hike along the Canyon's South Rim
- See Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains
- Visit the local shops
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Activities
Popular Trips
Itinerary
Hello America! Welcome to the City of Angels. Here you’ll meet the crew and kick off your trip in true A-list Hollywood style with visits to places you’ll recognise from the silver screen. It’s a jam-packed day with so much to see and do - from Melrose to Muscle Beach...
Next up, the O.C. – Orange County. You’ll join the crew and find yourselves cruising along the unmistakable Pacific coastline as it gloriously winds around to the super laid back locale of San Diego. Recline into relaxation mode and take in the laid back nature of Sa...
Today you'll go about your ways like a true Cali native with a full day of outdoor excitement. Surf, sun and 42 miles of beachside bliss will have you hanging ten like Kelly Slater in no time. For those maybe feeling a little less adventurous who'd rather get up close...
Now you've had a taste of living the San Diego dream, it's time to crank up the heat as we enter the desert. We say farewell to our California love and delve a little deeper inland to see what Arizona has to offer. This impressive metropolis is situated right smack b...
A hot air balloon ride over the "Valley of the Sun" – sounds like a bucket list kind of thing (because it is) and you have the chance to tick it off the list right here. There's a champagne breakfast provided in the deal too so try to keep breathing so you don't miss ...
You deserve a full day out here to truly appreciate the wilderness taking in its dramatic scenery. This day will be like no other; beginning with a hike through the UNESCO World Heritage listed site, there's also the option of a bike ride, then the day will end with a...
With the majestic Grand Canyon left behind for now, we stop off at several spots along the famous Route 66, but most notably, Seligman, a town steeped in history for some rustic old skool Americana vibes. Get ready for a full-blown, non-stop assault on the senses, s...
You have today all to yourself but you’ll need to run to a tight schedule to fit in all of Vegas' weird and wonderful charms. Travel the world in a day, taking in the Eiffel Tower, a Venetian gondola and even an Egyptian pyramid, all whilst staying firmly within the c...
From the ridiculously flashy Vegas ‘Strip’ to the outdoor capital of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, this change of scenery will bring you and the crew back to nature again. Hungry for In n Out Burger? Dumb question. Get your fast food fix on this West Coast takeaway fav...
This beautiful mountain paradise is perfect for relaxation and recuperation but it certainly isn’t a one trick pony. Bass Lake offers plenty of watersports and adventurous options, seasonal weather permitting. Back at our Bass Lake base, there'll no doubt be a need for that jacuzzi and a night of staring up at the starry skies. This is what we call living.
Today we bid farewell to this achingly picturesque spot full of nature and tranquility and look forward to a very different experience as a crew of city slickers once more. Colourful characters, freethinkers, and artists have all descended upon San Francisco to make ...
This morning, say farewell to the Golden Gate Bridge & American dream. Next up, we're headed on an afternoon flight to Vancouver, Canada, a place well known for its majestic natural beauty & it is frequently ranked as one of the "best cities to live in". There...
Welcome to the Pacific Coast! Not many cities can claim fusing big-city living with the great outdoors, but with its skyscrapers, beaches, forest and mountains, Vancouver has somehow nailed that perfect mix. You’ll be treated to a whirlwind tour of the historic sites ...
Come winter, Whistler may be a haven for snowbunnies, but when the weather is warm, it’s activity central. Test your Popeye strength by canoeing along the River of Golden Dreams, zipline over churning rivers or take a hike through scenery that puts most postcards to s...
Today it's out of the mountains and into Canada's Wild west interior. After a photo stop at idyllicSeton Lake, we’ll stop in at the former gold-rush town of Lillooet just a few-hundred years too late to make our fortunes. Traders used to stop at Kamloops to swap tall...
Well rested, we'll take in some incredible scenes on our drive this morning, and you might even see the highest point in the Rockies if weather permits. Eating outdoors is essential in these parts, so we'll load you up with a picnic lunch against a backdrop that will ...
Rise 'n' shine - it's time to get out there with an easy hike though Maligne Canyon. Towering limestone walls will watch over us as we take in the scene, making our way across bridges to the thrilling soundtrack of rushing water. Nature goals achieved, we'll jump on t...
On our way to Banff today, you’ll be glued to the windows as we pass the waterfalls, lakes, meadows, glaciers and towering mountains that make up the Columbia Icefield Parkway. Take a walk to the Athabasca Falls, wheel across the Athabasca Glacier on the Ice Explorer,...
There’s loads on the menu today in Banff: hop on a gondola up Sulphur Mountain, take a heli-tour of the high country. At night, toast the moon with a horseback ride through the back-country complete with a fire-cooked meal to round off the day.
Marvel at the change of scenery today as we cut through three national parks on our way to Vernon. First up is Yoho National Park with its valley of waterfalls and meadows, and home to the amazing engineering feat - the Spiral Train Tunnel. Next up is Glacier National...
We’re sure you’ll agree that meandering through Canada's wine country – the famed Okanagan Valley - is a great way to kill time on the drive back to Vancouver. It's time to see everything of this magical metropolis that you missed the first time around, we'll treat yo...
A hidden grassroots art scene, eating adventures in abundance, and a pretty seaport setting - your free day in Vancouver will not be short of magic. If the galleries and cute cafes get old, roam one of the cities many parks or gardens or find a spot to take in the surrounding mountain vistas. Top off the day with a dinner cruise and your Vancouver experience is whole and complete.
All good things must come to an end and so does our alpine adventure this morning. We wish you all a fond farewell and bon voyage. We hope we'll be seeing you again soon
Want a tailor-made trip instead?
Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:
- You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
- Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Contiki.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
Contiki Reviews & Ratings
Other Contiki Reviews
Jas Singh
Apr 2024
European Horizon
Excellent tour manager, amazing fellow travellers, beautiful destinations!
Neil Pilger
Apr 2024
Japan Unrivalled
The tour was an absolute blast!
Juvenal Magana Martinez Jr
Apr 2024
Solo traveler best experience!
The trip was great! Although the trip is condensed, our tour guid Yuj made the best of it. From the locations to visit to the food, everything he recommended was bet...
Travelers also viewed
Tour Operator
We’re firm believers that life’s greatest experiences are made better by the people you share them with. That’s why Contiki invented group travel for young people in 1962 and we’ve spent the past 53 years perfecting it. You’ll explore amazing destinations with a group of 18-35 year olds from around the world who share your passion for adventure, good times and creating memories that define what it is to be young, wild and free.
No two travellers are the same and we know that, which is why we offer eight unique ways to explore the world. We have a number of options to choose from to create a vacation that’s perfect for you, from budget to accommodation style.
We're all about exploring the world with like-minded people, which is why we only run trips for 18-35 year olds, to celebrate being young, spirited and curious. You can expect to join a group of 18-53 awesome people from around the world on our Europe, Australia, North America and New Zealand trips, and in Asia and Latin America it's all about small group adventures with up to 25 travellers. Don't worry if you're not traveling as a couple or with a friend from home – though there are plenty of pairs, 50% of our travellers set off solo, meaning you'll have a ton of opportunities to make new friends.
With over 270 trips around the world and plenty of departure dates to work into your schedule, you'll never be short of options on where to go for your next great adventure.
About the company:
Contiki are the world leaders in social youth travel. We’ve been providing amazing travel experiences for young travellers, from 18-35 years old, since 1962. Imagine how good you would be at something if you had been doing it for more than 60 years?
Everything about Contiki is deeply rooted in our core values ‘Make Every Moment Count’ and ‘We’re about people’. We don’t just talk the talk, we walk the walk and live by our brand philosophy of ‘Travel.Together.’ which means to travel with one another, the destinations we visit, the cultures we enjoy and the environment, too.
Associations
About Travelstride
Find your perfect trip
Save time
Save money
Travel confidently
Logistics
- We'll get 21 of your meals and you get the rest. You can refuel over breakfast and grab some authentic North American dinners from us but you'll also get an opportunity to sample some of the best gourmet fare, both in Canada and the US.
Become a member
- Save up to $700 per person
- Access members-only specials
- Personalize trip recommendations
