Wild Westerner

Company : Contiki
Duration: 2 weeks to 2 weeks
Approx Costs: 1250 to 1500 £ Pound (UK)

Thoughts of an awesome threesome - California, Arizona and Nevada - have possibly entered your mind at least once.

Start this boys and girls gone 'wild western' phase, beach-bound in beautiful San Diego. Back stateside, you're doing the desert - multi-cultural musings in Arizona, and multi-millions (you hope) along the Las Vegas Strip. Then you're going back to Cali to finish with Hollywood glitz, Santa Barbara charm and San Francisco sightseeing.

Itinerary

LOS ANGELES TO SAN DIEGO
Meet up with your Contiki crew and Trip Manager before cruising through Orange County and along the Pacific coastline to laid-back San Diego.

2 SAN DIEGO
With a full day in San Diego, live a bit of the California lifestyle and get into some outdoor activities. With 42 miles of beaches, a Mediterranean climate and loads of parks, San Diego is all about kicking back in the pleasant surrounds. If the weather is good, we’ll cruise out to the locals’ favorite spot, Mission Beach, for a few hours soaking up the sun or walking along the boardwalk for views of ocean. Don’t forget your towel and swimmers.

3 SAN DIEGO TO PHOENIX
Things are about to get hotter as we head to Phoenix, a massive metropolis sitting smack in the middle of the desert. With around 300 days of sunshine per year, this place is all about shopping, sports and nightlife.

4 PHOENIX TO THE GRAND CANYON
Kick start the day with an unforgettable optional excursion: a hot-air balloon ride over the Sonoran Desert and “Valley of the Sun”. The combination of full blown vistas over the desert and a champagne breakfast upon landing make this an amazing experience. We continue deeper into the Wild West as we head to stunning Sedona. Chill out and watch the region’s recognizable red rock cliffs, rugged spires and mesas (flat-topped rock formations) go by from the coach. Your Trip Manager will tell you about this eco-friendly town that is also known for its high-energy red rocks. There’s a chance to explore this stunning red rock country with our Local Guide on an optional 4WD tour through the historic canyons. Learn local legends and even pick up a piece of Native American jewelery. We continue on to the mind-blowing landscape of the Grand Canyon, one of the world’s most recognizable natural wonders and pride of Arizona.

5 GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK
A day here means time to take in the immensity and spine-tingling beauty of the scene-stealing Canyon – it has got a rep for a reason! This morning get up close to this UNESCO World Heritage site on an optional helicopter ride and get another angle on the Canyon as you fly over it. Hike along the South Rim for mind-blowing vistas of the dramatic scenery. See some of the oldest exposed rocks on earth, take in the deep abyss and soak up the wildness of the area. There are trails for all levels of hiking, so take it up a notch or cruise along at your own pace. Wrap up the day with a canyon sunset and take in the stunning changes of light while the sun goes down.

6 GRAND CANYON TO LAS VEGAS
Leaving behind the Grand Canyon, we stop off at Seligman, an historic Route 66 town. Get a feel for the old style as you check out 1940’s shop fronts and motels. Get ready to arrive in larger-than-life Las Vegas – a man-made entertainment oasis smack in the middle of the desert. Often dubbed Sin City, it’s all about glitz, neon lights, and excess.

7 LAS VEGAS
With a free day, you’ve got time to get a real feel for this outrageous town, so keep an eye out for Elvis impersonators and fast-paced chapel weddings!

8 LAS VEGAS TO BASS LAKE
Today, it’s a total change of scene when leave behind flashy Vegas and the desert to arrive in the outdoor capital of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Make the most of picturesque Bass Lake and wind down in your chalet. With two nights at this lakefront resort, you can unpack your things, kickback on your chalet’s deck and soak up the views.

9 YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK
Get back to nature with a day in Yosemite National Park. This place has a reputation for a reason – it’s absolutely stunning. With a dramatic combination of waterfalls, woods, towering mountains and wildlife, Yosemite will take your breath away.

10 BASS LAKE TO SAN FRANCISCO
Cruise on through the San Joaquin Valley to free-wheeling San Francisco, via Oakland. Colourful, cosmopolitan and creative, San Francisco is packed with characters, free-thinkers, and artists.

11-12 SAN FRANCISCO
With a couple of days here, get a real feel for San Francisco and its hilly streets.

13 SAN FRANCISCO TO CARPINTERIA VIA SANTA BARBARA
Today we leave San Francisco behind and continue traveling through California. This afternoon, we travel south along the central coast and through the pretty wine country of the region before arriving in Santa Barbara. Experience the Spanish flavor of Santa Barbara and see the pretty white stucco buildings and red tile roofs that give the town its distinctive feel.

14 CARPINTERIA TO LOS ANGELES
Wrap up your trip in the city that mixes up glamor, grit and the American Dream: Los Angeles. It’s packed with legends, full of energy and a bit rough around the edges. We head to mythical Hollywood and onto holy ground for the stars.