Highlights of the West

LOS ANGELES I SANTA BARBARA I SAN SIMEON, CA

Depart Los Angeles this morning and drive toward Santa Barbara. On the beautiful Pacific Coast, Santa Barbara is a gem. The pristine city’s climate gives rise to a number of natural attractions. Stroll through the Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens to view breathtaking flora or hike a scenic nature trail in Los Padres National Forest. The beaches all have their own allure. East Beach attracts the trendy and young while fishing and whale watching are the favorites at Arroyo Burro. Enjoy the fine collection at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art or explore the Santa Barbara Mission. Fresh seafood can be found at the many restaurants on Stearn’s Wharf. Visit the Mission San Luis Obispo, with its breathtaking age old architecture and well manicured gardens. Continue on to San Simeon, the home of Hearst Castle. The castle consists of 165 rooms, which includes the main house of 115 rooms and three guesthouses. This magnificent place sits on 127 acres of what used to be the estate of newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst. Enjoy an overnight stay in the San Simeon area.

SAN SIMEON I MONTEREY I SAN FRANCISCO, CA

Depart San Simeon this morning for the luxurious drive up the Pacific Coast toward Monterey. After being swept away by the stunning Pacific coast views, spend the afternoon enjoying this artisan city. Settled in 1770 as one of the first European outposts on the west coast, many of the early American Colonial buildings still stand. Monterey eventually became the sardine capital of the Western Hemisphere when the first packing plant was built in 1900. Today, the old sardine factories have been converted into quaint restaurants and boutique shops. This area called “Cannery Row” was made famous by the author John Steinbeck and still remains an amusing place to explore. Monterey Bay is a fantastic place to whale watch and tours are offered locally. Consider taking the famously scenic 17-Mile drive up the coast. Stop at renowned Pebble Beach and enjoy the sights of lavish mansions along the coast. Continue on to San Francisco for a two-night stay.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA

Today, you are free to enjoy the many sights and sounds of San Francisco. Take a cable car ride from Fisherman’s Wharf. Another major attraction is Alcatraz, a small island located in the middle of San Francisco Bay. It served as lighthouse, a military fortification, and finally as a federal prison until 1963. The rangers give excellent guided tours detailing the history and legends surrounding “The Rock.” Spend the day in Golden Gate Park. Golden Gate Park offers dozens of fun things to do. Top sights are the Conservatory of Flowers and the Japanese Tea Garden. Don’t miss the local resident buffalo herd. This evening dine in one of San Francisco’s many distinctive neighborhoods. From Chinatown to the very Italian flavored North Beach, each offers its own distinctive culture and cuisine.

SAN FRANCISCO I YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK I FRESNO, CA

Depart the bustle of San Francisco and drive toward Yosemite National Park. The striking beauty of Yosemite is due in part to the Yosemite Valley, whose flat floor contrasts with nearly vertical granite walls. The granite cliffs, including the El Capitan monolith, Glacier Point, and Half Dome all tower as major waterfalls tumble over them. In addition to the Valley, Yosemite includes an extensive high-mountain wilderness of peaks, rivers, and meadows, and groves of giant sequoia trees. Extensive visitor activities, facilities, and services are available. At Yosemite Village, you can visit the Valley Visitor Center and see its orientation film, publications, theater programs, and exhibits highlighting the natural and human history. Self-guiding trails are nearby. Elsewhere in Yosemite Valley, you can gaze up at the waterfalls; visit Mirror Lake/Meadow in the East Valley and the famous “Tunnel View” of Yosemite Valley at Wawona Tunnel. An overnight stay has been arranged in the Yosemite area.

FRESNO I SEQUOIA/KINGS CANYON NAT’L PARK I BAKERSFIELD, CA

Today enjoy a visit to the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. These twin parks hold monuments to nature’s size, beauty, and diversity. Immense mountains, rugged foothills, deep canyons, vast caverns and the world’s largest trees all reside here making it a very unique place. Located in the foothills and mountains of the south central section of the Sierra Nevada range, Sequoia is famous for big things-some of the largest trees in the world and some of the highest mountains in the U.S. including Mt. Whitney, at 14,495 feet. Visit the tallest sequoia, 275-foot-tall General Sherman, which has a trunk that weighs 1,385 tons and a circumference of nearly 103 feet. Spectacular views can be seen from Moro Rock. Guided cavern tours are available and the visitor center contains much information about park history and seasonal activities. After enjoying the park, return to the Yosemite area for the second night of your stay.

BAKERSFIELD I DEATH VALLEY I LAS VEGAS, NV

Depart the Yosemite area and drive toward Nevada. Today is a long day so an early start is a good idea. Along the way, you might choose to pass through Death Valley National Park. Here you will find raw and barren earth as carved by the elements. The visitor center is located at Furnace Creek and will be a good starting point for seeing the park. Continue on to Las Vegas. Las Vegas has something to offer everyone. From the outrageous live shows to the excitement of casinos, the action never stops from morning to night. Stroll down Las Vegas Boulevard, also known as “the strip.” Each hotel and casino have a distinctly different theme and all are wondrous displays. Take a trip up to the top of the Stratosphere hotel tower, the tallest building west of the Mississippi River. Enjoy dinner at the Top of the World, or simply admire the view from the observation deck.

LAS VEGAS, NV

Visit any of the premier hotels including Caesars Palace, The Venetian and Paris for luxury shopping. If you’re searching for a bargain, drive to one of the outlet malls featuring designer names at discounted prices. Dining in Las Vegas is superior. World-renowned chefs have decided to make Vegas their kitchen and there is a restaurant nearby to satisfy any palette. Make sure not to miss the nightly fountain show at the Bellagio Hotel. Using a dramatic combination of music, water and light, the Bellagio delivers spectacular performances nightly with its majestic fountains.

LAS VEGAS I ZION NATIONAL PARK I BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK, UT

Leave the Vegas excitement behind and drive toward Zion National Park. You will be greeted by gigantic sandstone monoliths and hear the soft rush of the Virgin River. The Narrows are Zion’s famous slot canyons. These are narrow stone crevices formed with colorful stripes caused by years of water, wind and erosion. The result is a hiker’s paradise. In the park and along the river there are a variety of trails and paved pathways for explorers of all skill levels. In addition, there is a complimentary shuttle system that runs throughout the park. By utilizing this, you can visit the Zion’s other major attractions such as the Emerald Pools, Weeping Rock and Angels Landing. Stop at the Visitor Center for information on guided tours and park history. Continue on to Bryce for an overnight stay.

BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK I PAGE\LAKE POWELL, AZ

This morning visit Bryce Canyon National Park. Bryce contains “amphitheaters” of colorful eroded rock formations. These spires of rock are called hoodoos. It is their uniqueness that sets Bryce apart from anywhere else. Light reflecting on the hoodoos at different times of day change the colorful scene of the park. Consider a drive to Rainbow Point. From some of the overlooks, you can see more than 100 miles on a clear day. There are a variety of walking trails in the park. Horseback riding is another popular way to see the highlights of the park. Stop at Lake Powell, a body of deep blue water surrounded by -red cliff walls. You may wish to visit the magnificent Rainbow Bridge, the largest natural bridge in the world. One of the natural wonders of the world, the bridge has been formed by erosion of the sandstone by water flowing from Navajo Mountain towards the Colorado River.

LAKE POWELL I GRAND CANYON I FLAGSTAFF, AZ

Continue on to the Grand Canyon today. The overwhelming size and brilliant colors of the Grand Canyon easily make it one of the natural wonders of the world. The Grand Canyon was carved out by natural elements including the Colorado River over vast geological spans of time. The South Rim has an assortment of viewing areas that can be reached by shuttle or car. There are many paved and unpaved walkways along the rim. Visit the Bright Angel Lodge for an excellent vantage point. The lodge is a historic landmark and also offers a gallery, restaurant, exhibits and a great view. Guided hikes also leave from the lodge and talks are often offered by the park rangers. Continue on to Flagstaff for an overnight stay.

FLAGSTAFF I SEDONA I PALM SPRINGS, CA

Drive away from Flagstaff taking the scenic drive through Oak Creek Canyon. Red rock formations surround the town of Sedona. Make a photo stop at Bell Rock and Cathedral Rock, large red sandstone formations that tower around the town. Sedona is known for its strong artistic community, eclectic shops and galleries and fantastic places to eat. Phoenix will also make nice stop for lunch before continuing on to the fashionable resort community of Palm Springs. Here, date palms grow wild and natural springs have attracted visitors for years. Now, known for its golf and upscale lifestyle, tourists and celebrity visitors enjoy the luxurious amenities. The Village area has a variety of restaurants, trendy shops, historic sites and annual festivals. An overnight stay has been arranged here.

PALM SPRINGS I LOS ANGELES, CA

Depart Palm Springs today and drive to southern California. Los Angeles is the entertainment Capital of the United States. Home to famous movie stars and the infamous landmark, the Hollywood sign; it is a city brimming with culture and happenings. This big metropolis has many regions with distinct flavors and communities. Take a stroll along the Walk of Fame and see the names of celebrities commemorated in pink stars along the sidewalk. Visit Mann’s Chinese Theater, the best- preserved of the movie palaces from Hollywood’s golden era. Known for its celebrity hand and footprints in the forecourt, over 200 impressions are yours to discover. Drive through Beverly Hills, the most famous neighborhood in the United States and glimpse exclusive homes.

LOS ANGELES, CA

Today, explore the City of Angels. Visit the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. Shop the famous Rodeo Drive, where luxury retail commands the street. Have lunch in Venice Beach, home to famous Muscle Beach, where the sand and surf are secondary to the lively scene of people that inhabit the sidewalk. Visit Santa Monica Pier, once known as the“finish line” of legendary Route 66. Santa Monica pier was built in 1916. It features an aquarium, an amusement park and the famous Hippodrome building, a mix of California, Byzantine and Moorish architecture that has been featured in many films. Or, make your way to Anaheim and visit the “Happiest place on earth.” Disneyland is home to your favorite characters like Mickey Mouse. Here you will find entertainment for the young and the young at heart. For a behind the scenes look at movie making, visit Universal Studios. Tour the sets and cast yourself in the thrilling rides shows and attractions that bring the movies to life. In the evening, enjoy Universal City Walk, filled with restaurants and nightclubs.

LOS ANGELES, CA

Return flight home or extend your stay.