4-Week Sun Belt Tour Packages
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Insider tips: Recommended 4-week Sun Belt tour itineraries
Compiled by
MelissaSun Belt travel expert at TourRadar
23 Days on the John Muir Trail, incl. Yosemite and Mount Whitney
The iconic 211-mile John Muir Trail unfolds over 23 days, featuring 21 nights of wilderness camping. Your adventure starts at June Lake, ends in Lone Pine, and includes four well-placed resupply points for a comfortable trek.
- Days 1-2
Yosemite Valley to June Lake
Your adventure starts with a 6 AM pickup in Fresno and a 4-hour drive to Yosemite. You'll begin with a 6-mile hike to adjust to the elevation. Important tip: Start breaking in your hiking boots at least 2 months before the trip. The granite terrain can be brutal on new boots. You'll spend your first night at June Lake checking gear and getting oriented.
- Days 3-5
June Lake to Reds Meadow (22 miles)
You'll tackle the eastern Sierra Nevada escarpment and enter Ansel Adams Wilderness. The Clark Lakes switchbacks are steep. Bring trekking poles. Pack warm layers since Agnew Lake temperatures can drop below 40°F even in summer. Reds Meadow offers your first resupply point and some welcome hot showers.
- Days 6-8
Silver Pass to Edison Lake (31 miles)
This section takes you past Red Cones volcanic formations to Virginia Lake. Start early for the Silver Pass climb (10,900 feet) to avoid common afternoon thunderstorms. The trail drops down to Edison Lake and Vermillion Valley Resort where you can resupply and get hot food.
- Days 9-13
Evolution Canyon and LeConte Canyon (48 miles)
After climbing Bear Ridge you'll reach Evolution Lake, often called the most beautiful section of the trail. Muir Pass sits at 11,955 feet. Start before sunrise since afternoon weather can get dangerous. LeConte Canyon provides your third resupply point before the difficult terrain ahead.
- Days 14-18
Mather Pass to Vidette Meadow (49 miles)
You'll face the Golden Staircase and several high passes in this section. The Woods Creek suspension bridge gives you a brief break. Both Pinchot Pass (12,130 feet) and Glen Pass (11,978 feet) need careful navigation. Stock up well at the Vidette Meadow resupply before heading toward Whitney.
- Days 19-22
Forester Pass to Mount Whitney (43.5 miles)
Forester Pass (13,200 feet) is your highest point before Whitney. Get over passes by mid-morning since weather often turns bad after noon. Plan your Mount Whitney summit (14,495 feet) for day 21 with an extra day for weather backup.
- Day 23
Final Descent and Return (10 miles)
Start early through Foxtail Pine forest to Cottonwood Pass. The 5-hour drive back to Fresno means you should book flights after 3 PM.
22 Days in Western USA, incl. Los Angeles and San Francisco
This three-week Sun Belt odyssey weaves through the region's most captivating sites. Thoughtfully planned overnight stays in major cities and near attractions create an immersive regional experience.
- Days 1-2
Los Angeles
Start in LA with a hotel near LAX for easy car rental access. Save city exploring for day 2 to avoid traffic. Get to Universal Studios at opening time (9 AM) to skip the crowds. For the Hollywood Walk of Fame, use the Hollywood & Highland Center parking lot. It's safer and more convenient than street parking. End your day watching the sunset in Santa Monica. Take the light rail from downtown instead of driving - it's a 45-minute ride that saves you parking trouble.
- Days 3-4
San Diego to Palm Springs
Drive to San Diego early (2.5 hours). See the USS Midway in the morning before the deck heats up. Skip driving to Coronado Island and take the ferry instead ($5 each way). The next day, visit Joshua Tree National Park on your way to Palm Springs. A recent visitor shared: "The desert heat is intense - bring twice as much water as you think you need and start your hikes before 10 AM."
- Days 5-7
Arizona Highlights
Drive 5 hours to Scottsdale and explore Old Town in the cooler evening hours. Next day, head to Sedona's Red Rock country through Oak Creek Canyon. Take this winding drive slowly. Spend at least two nights at the Grand Canyon's South Rim. Book lodging 6+ months ahead. Try the South Kaibab Trail instead of the busy Bright Angel Trail for equally beautiful views.
- Days 8-10
Monument Valley to Bryce Canyon
Drive 3 hours to Monument Valley. Take a Navajo-guided tour to access the backcountry. Visit Lake Powell in the morning for the best photos. Pack warm clothes for Bryce Canyon - the high elevation (8,000 feet) means cold mornings even in summer.
- Days 11-12
Las Vegas
The 4-hour drive to Vegas goes through Zion National Park. Stay on the Strip but take a break from the casinos with a trip to Valley of Fire State Park. Go at sunrise to see the rocks at their most colorful.
- Days 13-15
Death Valley to Sequoia
Visit Death Valley early or late in the day to avoid extreme heat. Drive 5 hours to Sequoia and stay in Visalia for better food options and lower hotel prices.
- Days 16-19
Yosemite & San Francisco
Stay in El Portal near Yosemite to avoid entrance delays. Pack warm clothes for San Francisco - the summer fog keeps it cool. Get to Fisherman's Wharf before 9 AM to park, then walk or take cable cars around the city.
- Days 20-22
Pacific Coast Highway to LA
This coastal drive needs time. Plan 6+ hours for Big Sur even though actual driving time is 3 hours. Spend your final night in LA at an airport hotel before flying out.
23 Days in USA, incl. New York and Las Vegas
The carefully crafted route showcases the best of the Sun Belt. Two memorable nights each in Miami and the Florida Keys lead to fascinating California desert destinations via included flights.
- Days 1-2
New York City
Get to the Brooklyn Bridge around 6:30 AM for sunrise photos before crowds fill the area. Take the Staten Island Ferry from South Ferry Terminal for free views of the Statue of Liberty. Walk through Greenwich Village and Bleecker Street to soak in the local atmosphere. Book Edge observation deck tickets ahead to skip long lines.
- Days 3-4
Washington DC & Florida Keys
Take the 3-hour Amtrak to DC's Union Station. Visit the National Mall monuments and explore Georgetown's historic streets. Next day, fly to Miami and drive 4 hours on the Overseas Highway to Key West. Time your arrival for the sunset celebration at Mallory Square.
- Days 5-7
Miami & Everglades
Visit Ernest Hemingway's House in Key West when it opens at 9 AM. Drive back through the Keys and stop at Anhinga Trail in Everglades National Park. As one visitor shared: "Early morning is best for spotting alligators basking in the sun. Bring bug spray, the mosquitoes are fierce!"
- Days 8-9
San Francisco
Take the Powell-Hyde cable car line after your cross-country flight. Visit Fisherman's Wharf in the morning before tour groups arrive. Book Alcatraz tours for afternoon to avoid morning fog.
- Days 10-11
Yosemite
Drive 4 hours to Oakhurst to access Yosemite. Visit Tunnel View at sunrise. Take the Mist Trail to Vernal Falls before 8 AM to avoid heat and crowds. The trail gets slippery so wear good hiking shoes.
- Days 12-13
Los Angeles
Drive 6 hours to LA. Get to Griffith Observatory early for Hollywood Sign photos. Walk Santa Monica Pier during sunset and explore Venice Beach's Ocean Front Walk next morning.
- Days 14-15
Palm Springs & Joshua Tree
Head 2 hours to Palm Springs. Visit Joshua Tree National Park early before temperatures rise. Take the Nature Valley Trail to see the best of the park's landscape.
- Days 16-17
Grand Canyon & Monument Valley
Drive through desert scenery to reach the South Rim. Walk the Bright Angel Trail before 9 AM. A recent visitor noted: "The late afternoon light at Hopi Point creates incredible red and orange hues across the canyon walls."
- Days 18-19
Bryce Canyon
Take the 18-mile scenic drive and stop at viewpoints. The Navajo Loop trail is steep but offers amazing views of the rock formations.
- Days 20-23
Las Vegas
Watch the Bellagio fountains perform every 30 minutes until midnight. Visit the Neon Museum in early evening. Try to get a high room at the Stratosphere for views of the Strip.
