Western Wonders

2012 Season
Departs From: Los Angeles

From 1,013EUR

Length:  11 days from Los Angeles to San Francisco

Overview

This wondrous Western vacation begins in Los Angeles with a sightseeing tour that includes glamorous Hollywood. Next, head east and stop in Palm Springs, home to 90 golf courses, before reaching Scottsdale, where a sightseeing tour highlights downtown Phoenix. From Scottsdale, travel north through cactus-studded scenery to Sedona and see the massive red-rock formations that make Sedona infamous. Continue north to spectacular Grand Canyon, where you’ll have an opportunity to explore the canyon rim and witness breathtaking scenery. Stay the night in Flagstaff and travel part of the legendary Route 66 to glamorous Las Vegas.

Let loose in Las Vegas before traveling to Mammoth Lakes and Yosemite National Park, a wonderland of spectacular lakes, giant granite domes, towering pinnacles, cascading waterfalls, and lush forests. Leave Yosemite and head to San Francisco, the world-famous city known for its steep hills and historic cable cars. On your San Francisco sightseeing tour, see the famous sites, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, Nob Hill, and more. This exciting trip through the “Western Wonders” ends with a visit to Alcatraz Prison and leisure time in San Francisco—a perfect conclusion to this grand vacation!

Duration:  11 Days

Schedule:

Start Date	End Date
06 June, 2012	16 June, 2012
13 June, 2012	23 June, 2012
15 June, 2012	25 June, 2012
04 July, 2012	14 July, 2012
11 July, 2012	21 July, 2012
20 July, 2012	30 July, 2012
27 July, 2012	06 August, 2012
08 August, 2012	18 August, 2012
24 August, 2012	03 September, 2012
31 August, 2012	10 September, 2012
05 September, 2012	15 September, 2012
07 September, 2012	17 September, 2012
12 September, 2012	22 September, 2012
14 September, 2012	24 September, 2012
19 September, 2012	29 September, 2012
21 September, 2012	01 October, 2012
26 September, 2012	06 October, 2012
28 September, 2012	08 October, 2012
03 October, 2012	13 October, 2012
05 October, 2012	15 October, 2012
12 October, 2012	22 October, 2012
19 October, 2012	29 October, 2012
31 October, 2012	10 November, 2012
02 November, 2012	12 November, 2012
09 November, 2012	19 November, 2012

City Highlights

Sightseeing in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco.

Notes:

Maximum elevation on tour: 9,943 ft.
Tioga Pass is typically closed from November to the end of May due to snow. When Tioga Pass is closed, this tour is rerouted to overnight in Fresno instead of Mammoth Lakes. Departures from the end of May through mid-October are expected to overnight in Mammoth Lakes; however, weather may affect the routing of tours to Fresno during these times.

Scenic Highlights

Palm Springs, Scottsdale, Sedona, Oak Creek Canyon, Grand Canyon National Park, Historic Route 66, Las Vegas, Sierra Nevadas, Yosemite National Park.

Day 1   Los Angeles. Enjoy time at leisure to relax or to do some independent exploring.

Day 2   Los Angeles–Palm Springs–Scottsdale. Begin the day with a sightseeing tour of the world’s “Capital of Glamour,” including a drive through Hollywood and famous Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. Stop in the desert oasis of Palm Springs with its distinctive wind farms, 5,000 swimming pools, and 90 golf courses! This afternoon, head to the mountain-ringed desert resort of Scottsdale.

Day 3   Scottsdale. The morning is free for independent activities. You may choose to join the optional 4-wheel-drive tour, where you will experience incredible views of backcountry Arizona in specially equipped open-air Jeeps. Afterward, venture out on a sightseeing tour that highlights downtown Phoenix, the Arizona State Capitol Building, and an included visit to the HEARD MUSEUM, where exhibit galleries feature a variety of historic, traditional, and contemporary Native American art. Next, experience Old Town Scottsdale, where Western storefronts provide a window into the past. The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax at your desert oasis resort and feel truly invigorated. Perhaps you would like to play a round on one of Arizona’s famed golf courses, or maybe slip into rejuvenation mode and relax poolside as you soak up the desert sun and take in the restful landscape.

Day 4   Scottsdale–Sedona–Grand Canyon–Flagstaff. 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. Alongside the San Francisco Mountains and beautiful pine forests to the South Rim of the GRAND CANYON. Time to stroll the canyon rim. For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, take our optional helicopter flightseeing excursion for incomparable views of flame-colored walls plunging 6,000 feet into the Colorado River.

Day 5   Flagstaff–Las Vegas. Leave the mountain town of Flagstaff on historic Route 66 and cross the old Mojave gold strike country, which still bears 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. Be sure to explore some of the many themed casino resorts along the colorful “Strip.” This evening, we highly recommend a night out to a dazzling stage show featuring top Vegas entertainment. (B)

Day 6   Las Vegas. The morning and afternoon are free for you to swim and sunbathe at the hotel pool or explore the varied casinos and shopping plazas. Your Tour Director will have more suggestions to fill your day. Consider a river float trip through the Black Canyon.

Day 7   Las Vegas–Mammoth Lakes. A day of striking natural contrasts as the journey continues across the desert landscape of Nevada before crossing into California and ascending into the snowcapped Sierra Nevadas. Overnight in Mammoth, a popular alpine resort area surrounded by beauty and majesty—and within easy reach of Yosemite National Park.

Note:
Tioga Pass is typically closed from November to the end of May due to snow. When Tioga Pass is closed, this tour is rerouted to overnight in Fresno instead of Mammoth Lakes. Departures from the end of May through mid-October are expected to overnight in Mammoth Lakes; however, weather may affect the routing of tours to Fresno during these times.

Day 8   Mammoth Lakes–Yosemite National Park–Sonora. Cross the high Tioga Pass and enter YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, a wonderland of spectacular lakes, giant granite domes, towering pinnacles, cascading waterfalls, and lush forests. It’s a beautiful drive from the park to Sonora, once a thriving center in the Gold Rush era.

Day 9   Sonora–Sacramento–San Francisco. Head toward Sacramento, capital of California, with time to explore Old Sacramento. “Old Town,” as the locals call it, features a Wild West ambiance. During your visit, see the country’s largest collection of Gold Rush-era buildings, a Wells Fargo museum, and a historic Railroad Museum. From Old Town, continue west to reach San Francisco by early afternoon. Cross the splendid bay with vistas of the San Francisco skyline and its magnificent harbor. On your city tour, see the main sights, including the renowned Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Nob Hill. Tonight, you may choose to join your traveling companions for an optional evening in Chinatown. Explore this vibrant historic section of San Francisco that houses the largest Chinese community outside of Asia. Enjoy a lavish 4-course dinner at an authentic Chinese restaurant. End with a short walking tour of Chinatown, plus a ride on one of San Francisco’s famous cable cars.

Day 10   San Francisco. This morning, visit the famous and fascinating ALCATRAZ PRISON. Get a close-up look at the infamous federal penitentiary that was off limits to the public for years. Afterward, the day is yours to do some more exploring in the “City by the Bay.” Ride San Francisco’s historic cable cars or take a walking tour of one of the city’s diverse neighborhoods.

Note:
The National Park Service requires the disclosure value of the Alcatraz Prison visit is US$26.

Day 11   San Francisco. The trip ends today with guests departing on individual schedules. Transfers to San Francisco International Airport are included. Extend your vacation with extra nights and explore the “City by the Bay” further with a variety of exciting optional activities.

Meals:  1 breakfast (B)

Hotel Information:  LOS ANGELES Marriott Los Angeles Downtown (SF), SCOTTSDALE Doubletree Resort by Hilton Paradise Valley Scottsdale (MD), FLAGSTAFF Drury Inn and Suites Flagstaff (MF), LAS VEGAS Tropicana Las Vegas (F), MAMMOTH LAKES Sierra Nevada Lodge (T), SONORA Inns of California Sonora (T), SAN FRANCISCO Holiday Inn Fisherman’s Wharf (MF)

Guides

Services of a professional Tour Director.

Transportation

Private, deluxe air-conditioned motorcoach while touring.


Terms and Conditions

Note: Flights are NOT included with the Tour and unless otherwise stated above transfers are also NOT included.

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