Western Wonders

Day 1 : LOS ANGELES.

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

Day 2 : LOS ANGELES.

LOS ANGELES. Begin the day with a sightseeing tour of Tinseltown. Drive through Hollywood and see the historic TCL Chinese Theatre. A historic gem, this world-famous cinema (formerly, Grauman’s), has hosted some of the most exclusive movie premieres in Hollywood history. The Dolby Theater (formerly the Kodak Theater) is the first permanent home of the glamorous Academy Awards. See the Hollywood Walk of Fame where iconic terrazzo stars grace block after city block of Hollywood Boulevard and Street-air Farmers Market, with more than 140 shops and restaurants. The remainder of your day is at leisure; your Tour Director will have suggestions for further exploration of the city.

Day 3 : LOS ANGELES–PALM SPRINGS.

LOS ANGELES–PALM SPRINGS. 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.

Day 4 : PALM SPRINGS–SCOTTSDALE.

PALM SPRINGS–SCOTTSDALE. 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 restaurants, shopping, and Western bars. With wooden beams, wagon wheels, and cowboy hats abundant, you’ll feel like you’ve traveled back in time to the era of outlaws and saloons.

Day 5 : SCOTTSDALE–SEDONA–GRAND CAN...

SCOTTSDALE–SEDONA–GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK–WILLIAMS. Travel to Sedona, a thriving center for New Age arts set in Canyon Country. On to the weather-sculptured rock formations of Oak Creek Canyon. Travel alongside the San Francisco Mountains and beautiful pine forests to the South Rim of the GRAND CANYON. Time to stroll the canyon rim—or, for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, take an optional helicopter flightseeing excursion for incomparable views of flame-colored walls plunging 6,093 feet into the Colorado River. Overnight in Williams, a mountain town with Route 66 as the Main Street and the gateway to the Grand Canyon.

Day 6 : WILLIAMS–LAS VEGAS.

WILLIAMS–LAS VEGAS. Cross the old Mojave gold-strike country, which still has traces of century-old ghost towns set in natural desert beauty. Watch for Joshua trees, a species of the lily family that grows to more than 40 feet in height and can live up to 300 years. By late afternoon, reach Las Vegas, the fantastic city of feverish gambling, neon lights, bars, and glamorous shows. An orientation tour upon arrival shows off many of the themed casino resorts along the colorful “Strip.” This evening, we highly recommend a night out to a dazzling stage show featuring top Vegas entertainment.

Day 7 : LAS VEGAS.

LAS VEGAS. The day is free to swim and sunbathe at the hotel pool or to explore the varied casinos and shopping plazas. Your Tour Director will have more suggestions. Consider a river float trip through the Black Canyon.

Day 8 : LAS VEGAS–TULARE.

LAS VEGAS–TULARE. Departing the neon lights of Las Vegas, we continue across the desert landscape of Nevada before crossing into California. You’ll see the vast Mojave Desert, which covers one-fifth of California. Pass through the agricultural land and overnight in Tulare in the central San Joaquin Valley.

Day 9 : TULARE–YOSEMITE NATIONAL PA...

TULARE–YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK–MODESTO. This morning, we enter YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, a wonderland of spectacular lakes, giant granite domes, towering pinnacles, cascading waterfalls, and lush forests. Afterward, drive to Modesto. (CB)

Day 10 : MODESTO–SAUSALITO–SAN FRANC...

MODESTO–SAUSALITO–SAN FRANCISCO. This morning, we continue west to the “Golden Gate City” of San Francisco, famous for its cable cars. Lunch in the pristine waterfront community of Sausalito. Free time to explore this quaint, Mediterranean-style village’s shops, galleries, and breathtaking views. Afterward, included sightseeing takes in the spectacular Golden Gate Bridge. (CB)

Day 11 : SAN FRANCISCO.

SAN FRANCISCO. The day is free for you to explore more of this fascinating city. Perhaps visit the notorious former prison of Alcatraz, which housed famous gangsters such as Al Capone, “Machine Gun” Kelly, and Robert “The Birdman” Stroud. Afterward, the day is yours to do some more exploring in the “City by the Bay.” NOTE: Consider advance ticket purchase for Alcatraz Island with the National Park Service.

Day 12 : SAN FRANCISCO.

SAN FRANCISCO. Your vacation ends this morning. Extend your vacation with extra nights and explore the “City by the Bay” further with a variety of exciting optional activities.