Highlights of the West Coast

Welcome to Los Angeles! Upon arrival at the airport, your tour guide will greet you and take you to your hotel.

Use the rest of your first day to stroll through the streets of the metropolis. Get a first impression of what awaits you tomorrow. Perhaps there are highlights you're dying to see today. Hollywood, the Walk of Fame, Beverly Hills, and Venice Beach are just a few of the many possibilities that "the City of Angels" has in store.

Overnight with breakfast in a standard room in Los Angeles, USA

In the morning, go on a city tour, where you will drive through the exclusive Santa Monica and Beverly Hills. The tour will also take you to Hollywood with the opportunity to stroll along Hollywood Boulevard and admire the handprints of the famous stars at the Chinese Theater.

The city tour continues through downtown, the Business District, and the Latin American Quarter, whose culture has significantly influenced the city. As you walk through the streets, stop at a famous taco stand and order yourself a taco or quesadilla.

There is time for an optional visit to Universal Studios in the afternoon. The famous movie studios in Hollywood are among the largest studios in the world and worth a visit. In addition to great live shows, you can also take a studio tour to see the film sets of movies like Jurassic Park, and if you're lucky, you'll be up close and personal during the filming of the latest blockbuster.

Overnight stay with breakfast in a standard room in Los Angeles, USA

After a refreshing breakfast, you will set off on your round trip. You will depart in the direction of Palm Springs. The desert town is the gateway to the beautiful Joshua Tree National Park.

The national park landscape, which locals call "J-Tree" for short, is dominated by boulders, rugged ridges, ruins of abandoned gold mines, and desert plains. The high elevated Mojave Desert meets the lower elevated Colorado Desert in the national park. The result is unique desert flora, which includes the park's namesake: the Joshua tree.

You will continue to Laughlin, which you will reach in the afternoon.

Driving time Los Angeles - Laughlin: approx. 7 hours / approx. 590 km

Overnight with breakfast in Laughlin, USA

Today's drive takes you to the Grand Canyon - a must-see on your trip.

Probably no other natural wonder of this earth is as impressive as the Grand Canyon. The unimaginable size of the canyon, whose gorges have been carved into the rock of the Colorado Plateau by the mighty waters of the Colorado River for millions of years, puts it into perspective. In its rock walls, the Grand Canyon exposes millions of years of geological history.

You will walk along the Southern Rim, where you will have a view of the boundless expanse of the Grand Canyon. You can book a helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon (optional).

Driving time Laughlin - Grand Canyon: approx. 5 hours / approx. 330 km

Overnight stay with breakfast in the Grand Canyon, USA

In the morning, we will continue towards Monument Valley, probably the best-known and most famous movie motif of the western USA. The red table mountains have been filmed and photographed countless times for movies, brochures, and commercials. Even on your first visit, the surroundings will already look familiar: The colors are as bright and strong as you already know from the many pictures.

Monument Valley is also a journey into the history of the USA: about 300 Navajo Native Americans still live in the area. You will have the opportunity to have a quick snack, experience a jeep tour guided by one of the Native Americans, and learn more about their traditions.

In the late afternoon, you will reach Dead Horse Park. From its southern tip, you will have an exceptional view from 1731 m above sea level on the Colorado River, which is more than 600 m lower and makes a 180° bend at this point.

Finally, you will continue to Moab, which you will reach in the late afternoon.

Driving time Grand Canyon - Moab: approx. 6 hours / approx. 500 km

Overnight with breakfast in Moab, USA

It's hard to imagine the natural forces that have formed over millions of years, like the uniquely beautiful arches of sandstone that gave Arches National Park its name. The beauty and uniqueness of these Arches led to their designation as a national park in the 1970s. However, the landscape is not eternal: the elemental forces of wind, water, and erosion create new arches, or others are destroyed.

You will finally reach Bryce and check into your hotel.

Driving time Moab - Bryce Canyon: approx. 5 hours / approx. 400 km

Overnight with breakfast in Bryce Canyon, USA

Every year, countless tourists are drawn to Bryce Canyon National Park, which is almost impossible to describe. The so-called hoodoos, whimsically shaped pillars of stone that have withstood the force of erosion, can be found on every continent, but nowhere else are they present in such great numbers. What is the best way to describe Bryce Canyon? Cave without a roof? Forest of stones? No description quite fits, but it's best to make up your mind and find the best explanation for you. Marvel at the unreal red rock formations in the distance and take an unforgettable photo of the view.

Then continue to St. Georges, founded by Mormons, where you will visit the Mormon Center.

Continue to the Valley of Fire. The valley derives its name from the red sandstone formations formed 150 million years ago from giant shifting dunes. Many directors filmed their movies in this dramatic setting.

In the late afternoon, you finally reach Las Vegas, the capital of gambling and glittering oasis in the middle of the Nevada Desert.

Driving time Bryce Canyon - Las Vegas: approx. 6 hours / approx. 400 km

Overnight with breakfast in Las Vegas, United States

If it's not too hot today, you'll cross the Nevada Desert. Your first stop is high above Death Valley: Dante's View. An impressive panorama. No human, house, or settlement blocks the view to the shimmering horizon — nothing but arid desert plains, ochre-brown mountains, dried-up lakes, and salt pans. Death Valley stretches for more than 200 km in the eponymous national park and reaches 86 meters below sea level at its deepest point. The mountains all around form an impressive contrast with heights of up to 3,000 meters. Death Valley is a microcosm of its own, and UNESCO has even declared the region a protected biosphere reserve.

You can visit the Borax Mines Museum before continuing to Bakersfield.

Driving time Las Vegas - Bakersfield: approx. 9 hours / approx. 660 km

Overnight with breakfast in Bakersfield, USA

Today you will reach Yosemite National Park, which contrasts with the other national parks you have already visited. You will find green nature with waterfalls, granite stones, glaciers, and dense forests. Yosemite Valley, with its steep granite walls and quiet lakes, invites you to spend relaxing moments. In addition to nature, you can learn background information on the history and flora of the park at the visitor center and the Yosemite Museum.

The park is especially famous for its large number of breathtaking waterfalls. Yosemite Falls, at 739 meters high, is among the highest in the world. There are other waterfalls in the park, such as the 492-meter-high Ribbon Falls. In addition to the waterfalls, El Capitan also attracts many visitors each year. The high granite rock from the Cretaceous period towers above the valley and is a popular destination for mountain climbers.

You will finally leave Yosemite National Park and cross the fertile plains of California's Central Valley. You will reach Patterson in the Modesto region in the afternoon.

Driving time Bakersfield - Modesto: approx. 6 hours 30 minutes / approx. 510 km

Overnight with breakfast in Patterson, USA

The rest of today’s trip will take you to one of the dreamiest cities in America: San Francisco. The city exudes a unique atmosphere, regardless of all the ups and downs in the steep streets. San Francisco is best experienced on foot, but don't miss the ride on the famous cable cars. Feel the wind in your hair as the trains effortlessly wind their way up the steep streets. We'll take you on a guided tour of San Francisco, starting at Fisherman's Wharf, where you can watch the sea lions at Pier 39 and stroll along the waterfront. From here, it's easy to get to Union Square, home to the central hotel, shopping, and theater district. Explore the world-famous Lombard Street, wind down Russian Hill, and visit the Cable Car Museum, which will provide you with interesting background knowledge.

A visit to Chinatown will make you forget that you are in San Francisco. Here you can dive into another world, visit the numerous temples, and photograph the Dragon Gate, which stands out with its three portals on Grant Street.

Next on the schedule is a visit to Alcatraz, the famous prison island where Al Capone and Bill "Machine Gun" Kelly served time. Experience the oppressive feeling of standing outside the cells and listen to the marrow-piercing sound of the cell doors closing.

Driving time Modesto - San Francisco: approx. 2 hours 30 minutes / approx. 150 km

Overnight with breakfast in San Francisco, United States

Before you know it, it's time to say goodbye to America's west coast. Your round trip ends with the drive to the airport. We hope you had an unforgettable time.

But if you haven’t had enough and want to see more, we would be happy to organize an extended tour - two extra days, ending in San Francisco - or organize a custom extended stay for you. Contact us, and we will find the perfect option for you!

Duration of the trip: 11 days / 10 nights

Date of the trip: Departures between April - October

Included

• 10 nights in the mentioned accommodations or similar (in a shared double room)

  • 2 nights at Comfort Inn Cockatoo*** with breakfast in Los Angeles, USA

  • 1 night at The Aquarius Resort**** with breakfast in Laughlin, USA

  • 1 night at Baymont Inn Flagstaff*** with breakfast near the Grand Canyon, USA

  • 1 night at Inn At The Canyons with breakfast in Moab, USA

  • 1 night at Bryce View Lodge** with breakfast near Bryce Canyon, USA

  • 1 night at Hotel Excalibur*** with breakfast in Las Vegas, USA

  • 1 night at Hotel Rosedale*** with breakfast in Bakersfield, USA

  • 1 night at Days Inn by Wyndham*** with breakfast in Modesto, USA

  • 1 night at Park Central*** with breakfast in San Francisco, USA

• Guided round trip in a modern, comfortable, and air-conditioned coach
• Tour guide
• Transfer from and to the airports
• Sightseeing tours, according to the program, incl. entrance fees to the national parks
• All taxes and fees
• Luggage service in San Francisco (1 luggage per person)

Not included

• International flights
• Optional sightseeing, entrance fees, excursions
• Personal expenses (tips, etc.)
• Meals and other services that are not included in the scope of services
• Travel insurance

Travel dates

The dates given below apply from Los Angeles / to San Francisco. The trips always start on Tuesdays:

• 20.09.22 - 30.09.22 on request

• 04.10.22 - 14.10.22 on request

• 18.04.23 - 18.05.23

• 09.05.23 - 19.05.23

• 06.06.23 - 16.06.23

• 11.07.23 - 21.03.23

• 05.09.23 - 15.09.23

• 19.09.23 - 29.09.23

• 03.10.23 - 13.10.23

Notes

• You are welcome to extend this trip by two nights; the journey's end is then in Los Angeles. Alternatively, we would also be happy to book you an individual extension in San Francisco or at a destination of your choice, such as Hawaii.

• The group size can be up to approx. 50 people.