Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in San Francisco
You'll arrive in San Francisco and head to your hotel to settle in. If your flight gets in early enough, there's time to check out Fisherman's Wharf where you can see Alcatraz and catch views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Alternatively, walk around downtown's Union Square with its palm-lined streets if you prefer staying closer to the city center.
Optional Activities
- Explore Fisherman's Wharf
- View Alcatraz from Fisherman's Wharf
- View Golden Gate Bridge from Fisherman's Wharf
- Explore downtown Union Square
Landmarks/POIs Fisherman's Wharf Alcatraz Island Golden Gate Bridge Union Square - Day 2
San Francisco
This is your day to see San Francisco's main attractions. Start with the Victorian architecture at Alamo Square, then head to the historic Haight Ashbury district. Twin Peaks offers great city views, and you can drive across the Golden Gate Bridge and visit Fisherman's Wharf to watch the sea lions. Your afternoon is free to explore at your own pace, maybe catching Lombard Street and Coit Tower or riding the famous cable cars back to Union Square. There's also an optional evening walk through Chinatown if you're up for it.
Included Activities
- Visit Alamo Square
- Explore Haight Ashbury
- Drive to Twin Peaks for city views
- Visit Golden Gate Bridge
- Visit Fisherman's Wharf
Optional Activities
- Visit Lombard Street
- Visit Coit Tower
- Ride cable cars from Union Square and Market Street
- Walk to Chinatown
Landmarks/POIs Alamo Square Haight Ashbury Twin Peaks Golden Gate Bridge Fisherman's Wharf Lombard Street Coit Tower Union Square Chinatown - Day 3
San Francisco to Yosemite National Park
You'll drive east from San Francisco through the Central Valley's orchards and vineyards, then climb into the Sierra Nevada mountains. Once at Yosemite National Park, you'll see dramatic granite peaks including Half Dome and El Capitan. Spend time at various valley viewpoints and possibly walk to the base of Yosemite Falls and Bridalveil Falls. You'll stay at a hotel just outside the park.
Included Activities
- Drive through Central Valley
- Visit Yosemite Valley viewpoints
- Walk to base of Yosemite Falls (optional depending on conditions)
- Walk to base of Bridalveil Falls (optional depending on conditions)
Landmarks/POIs Yosemite National Park Half Dome El Capitan Yosemite Falls Bridalveil Falls - Day 4
Yosemite National Park
Today explores Yosemite's 90% wilderness area with several options. You can tackle a challenging 4 to 6 hour hike from Glacier Point along the Panorama and Mist Trail, passing Nevada and Vernal Falls with Half Dome views. Or choose scenic cycling, or relax along the riverbanks instead. Keep an eye out for hummingbirds, deer, and black bears during your time in the park.
Included Activities
- Explore Yosemite wilderness area
Optional Activities
- Hike from Glacier Point along Panorama and Mist Trail (4-6 hours, challenging)
- Scenic cycling in Yosemite
- Relax along riverbanks
Landmarks/POIs Glacier Point Nevada Fall Vernal Fall Half Dome - Day 5
Yosemite to Bakersfield
Leaving Yosemite, you'll drive through Mariposa Grove to see giant Sequoia trees with excellent walking trails. You can walk through the hollowed-out base of one of the park's most famous trees. After that, head to Bakersfield at the base of the Southern Sierra Nevada Mountains where you'll spend the night.
Included Activities
- Visit Mariposa Grove
- Walk through giant Sequoia trees
- Walk trails in Mariposa Grove
Landmarks/POIs Mariposa Grove - Day 6
Bakersfield to Las Vegas via Death Valley
Start early this morning to beat the heat as you descend into Death Valley, one of the lowest and hottest places on earth. You'll see marbled rocks, salt pans, and black mountains. Then travel to Las Vegas, arriving in the afternoon. Spend your evening checking out the casinos, themed attractions, and entertainment this unique desert city offers.
Included Activities
- Visit Death Valley
Landmarks/POIs Death Valley - Day 7
Las Vegas to Zion National Park
Head to Zion National Park after lunch. This park, established in 1919, features remarkable geological formations shaped by the Virgin River over millions of years with diverse vegetation zones throughout. In the afternoon, you can walk the Watchman's Trail or other park trails if you're interested. You'll stay overnight in nearby Springdale.
Included Activities
- Visit Zion National Park
Optional Activities
- Hike Watchman's Trail
- Hike other park trails in Zion
Landmarks/POIs Zion National Park - Day 8
Zion National Park to Bryce Canyon
Visit Zion's visitor center and then take the park shuttle bus to explore walking trails. Walks range from about 5 to 13 kilometers with varying difficulty, some flat and others with elevation gains up to 600 meters. There's an optional challenging 3 hour hike to Scout's Lookout for valley views if you want it. In the afternoon, drive to Bryce Canyon passing through Buffalo and Mt Carmel Junction.
Included Activities
- Visit Zion visitor center
- Take park shuttle bus
- Explore Zion trails
Optional Activities
- Hike to Scout's Lookout (approximately 3 hours, challenging)
Landmarks/POIs Scout's Lookout - Day 9
Bryce Canyon to Moab via Capitol Reef
Start early at sunrise to see Bryce Canyon when the light hits the multi-colored sandstone hoodoos at Sunrise Point with golden hues. These rock formations are known as petrified followers of the Coyote God according to Paiute legend. In the afternoon, drive to Capitol Reef National Park for a short hike through colored sandstone cliffs, canyons, and spires. Later head to Moab, the largest town in southeastern Utah.
Included Activities
- Watch sunrise at Sunrise Point in Bryce Canyon
- Visit Capitol Reef National Park
- Hike at Capitol Reef National Park
Landmarks/POIs Bryce Canyon National Park Sunrise Point Capitol Reef National Park - Day 10
Arches National Park
You'll explore Arches National Park, which has the world's largest concentration of natural sandstone arches with over 2000 arches plus giant fins, balancing rocks, and spires. Hike Devil's Garden, a strenuous 4 hour trek through an arch filled landscape. Later, walk to Delicate Arch for sunset (about 2 hours), one of the most photographed arches in the American southwest with snow capped La Sal peaks as backdrop. You'll have some free time in Moab before or after your hikes.
Included Activities
- Hike Devil's Garden at Arches National Park
- Walk to Delicate Arch for sunset
Landmarks/POIs Arches National Park Devil's Garden Delicate Arch La Sal Mountains - Day 11
Moab to Monument Valley
Take the morning relaxed in Moab. There's an optional 7 kilometer hike to Fisher Towers (4 hours) through red and purple hued canyons with rock pinnacles soaring above if you're interested. In the afternoon, drive to Kayenta on the vast Navajo Reservation, which was founded in 1888. You'll arrive at Monument Valley where dramatic isolated monoliths and sandstone spires rise up to 1000 meters above the desert floor. This location will be your viewing spot for tomorrow's eclipse.
Optional Activities
- Hike to Fisher Towers (7 kilometers, approximately 4 hours)
Landmarks/POIs Fisher Towers Kayenta Monument Valley - Day 12
Monument Valley Eclipse Viewing to Grand Canyon
You'll witness an annular solar eclipse on October 14, 2023. A jeep tour led by a Navajo guide takes you into Monument Valley's backcountry to see iconic cinematographic scenery. Eclipse glasses and an expert astronomer will be provided. You'll experience approximately 4 minutes and 27 seconds of annularity around 10:29am (weather permitting). Food will be provided during the tour. Afterward, drive to the Grand Canyon's southern rim, arriving this afternoon.
- Meals
- Lunch (Food provided during jeep tour and eclipse viewing (depending on timings, may be more like brunch))
Included Activities
- Jeep tour of Monument Valley backcountry with Navajo guide
- Annular eclipse viewing at Monument Valley
- Visit Grand Canyon South Rim at Desert View
Landmarks/POIs Monument Valley Grand Canyon Desert View - Day 13
Grand Canyon
Your day at the Grand Canyon is free to experience at your own pace. You might hike down from the South Rim to Indian Gardens and possibly Plateau Point for Colorado River views. Alternatively, take a helicopter flight over the canyon, or use the park's shuttle service to explore rim viewpoints. Try to catch a sunset at the Grand Canyon where you might see condors circling above.
Optional Activities
- Hike from South Rim to Indian Gardens
- Hike to Plateau Point
- Helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon
- Use park shuttle service to explore the rim
- Watch sunset at Grand Canyon
Landmarks/POIs Grand Canyon South Rim Indian Gardens Plateau Point Colorado River - Day 14
Grand Canyon to Las Vegas via Route 66
Drive along Route 66, known as the 'Main Street of America' and the 'Mother Road'. This iconic highway carried over 200,000 people during the 1930s Dust Bowl era. You'll travel through the town of Williams, experiencing Route 66's architecture and Americana. Arrive in Las Vegas by late afternoon and spend the rest of the day and evening exploring casinos, themed attractions, and the desert city's entertainment.
Included Activities
- Drive Route 66
Optional Activities
- Explore Williams town
- View exploding volcanoes at Las Vegas casinos
- View pirate battles
- Cruise Venetian canals
- Visit ancient pyramids
- Ride New York skyline rollercoaster
Landmarks/POIs Route 66 Williams - Day 15
Depart from Las Vegas
Your tour ends after breakfast at your hotel. You're free to depart Las Vegas at any time with no scheduled activities.
- Meals
- Breakfast
