The Glamorous West Coast of America

To San Francisco

Meet your Tour Manager at the airport today, as you fly from London to Oakland. Upon arrival, check into your hotel, and the rest of your day is at leisure. Your hotel is the Holiday Inn Golden Gateway San Francisco.

On Day 2, you are picked up from your hotel by a coach to begin your half-day sightseeing tour. San Francisco is filled with incredible sights, such as the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, which spans 1 mile over the Pacific Ocean, connecting the city of San Francisco to Marin County.

This afternoon you are at leisure to continue exploring San Francisco. Perhaps take a closer look at attractive Fisherman's Wharf? Alternatively the infamous prison island of Alcatraz is accessible by ferry. It is on this island where some of America's most dangerous prisoners were kept, including gangster Al Capone.

Yosemite National Park

Today, depart San Francisco along the San Joaquin route which takes you through California's Central Valley by rail. Arrive at Turlock, where you transfer by coach into the incredible Yosemite National Park. Here, enjoy a tour of the valley floor. Some of the main landmarks that you see include the Half Dome, which stands 4,000 ft. above the valley, as well as the thundering Bridalveil Falls, which sends water tumbling down an enormous height of 617 ft. (188 m.)

Las Vegas

From the natural beauty of Yosemite, head to the glamorous and glittering sights of Las Vegas. Re-join the San Joaquin to travel to Bakersfield, heading across the eerily beautiful Mojave Desert and past derelict ghost towns and atmospheric villages. The buildings and lights of Las Vegas are unveiled on the horizon, and here, you head to the SLS Las Vegas, your base for the next two nights.

On Day 5, you are free to discover Las Vegas for yourself. With no end of entertainments to enthral and delight, Vegas is a favourite city of tourists the world over. With an incredible selection of resorts, casinos, and shows, take this day to truly experience the glamour of Sin City.

The Hoover Dam

Depart Las Vegas today and travel across Nevada to Arizona. On your way to your final destination of Flagstaff, stop off at the Hoover Dam. This masterpiece of engineering was built during the Great Depression of 1936, as an attempt to control floods and produce useful hydroelectric power. It is now one of the most visited tourist attractions in the United States. Travel further along the legendary Route 66, stopping off in Kingman for a short break, before you finally reach Flagstaff, and check into the Little America Hotel.

The Grand Canyon

Today is an undoubted highlight of the tour, as you have the chance to visit the Grand Canyon. Begin by travelling on board the Grand Canyon Railway to the South Rim of the natural wonder. It is from the South Rim that it is possible to see way out over the incredible valleys, forged by the powerful Colorado River thousands of years ago.

Make the return journey from the South Rim on board the Grand Canyon Railway, then travel back to Flagstaff and join Amtrak's overnight service on the Southwest Chief to Los Angeles. The journey takes you through the heart of the Western side of the USA.

Los Angeles and Hollywood

Arrive into Los Angeles this morning, where you are picked up by coach for a half-day tour of this bastion of entertainment. During the tour, visit the famous Hollywood Boulevard, which features the numerous stars of the Hollywood Walk of Fame as well as the TCL Chinese Theatre, home of the Oscars.

The rest of your afternoon is at leisure in LA until this evening when you travel to Long Beach for a night aboard the RMS Queen Mary. Originally a luxury ocean liner, the RMS Queen Mary later became a troop carrier during the Second World War, and now serves as a fabulous floating hotel.

The Starlight Express to Monterey

This morning, take a ride on the Coast Starlight for a wonderful journey along the stunning Pacific coast shoreline. Reaching the coast at Ventura, the train hugs the coast along the Pacific Coast Highway, offering wonderful coastal views. Enjoy the sights of the mesmerising Salinas Valley, with the Santa Lucia and Diablo mountain ranges surrounding you en-route to Salinas. Here, you disembark, and make the short coach transfer to Monterey. This evening is your last in America, and you are free to enjoy it at your leisure.

Homeward Bound

Today, transfer to Oakland airport, where you take a return flight back to London, landing on Day 11. On arrival, your tour concludes.

Departure Times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We will write to you around 10 weeks before your departure date with the precise meeting times for your tour group.