Magnificent West 8 Days Tour

Departure From Los Angeles

Trip code:

MW8

Departs:

Monday

Activity period:

January to December

Days:

8

Day 1: LOS ANGELES – SANTA BARBARA – 17 MILE DRIVE – CARMEL

Depart north up the spectacular California Coast to the first stop in Santa Barbara. Visit a Spanish Mission and learn how these religious outposts were key in the development of the entire region. Continue to Solvang, a quaint Danish community to browse in the local shops. We head north to the world-famous 17-mile drive (part of route# 1) where we get to see the spectacular California coastline up close.

After our visit, we visit the town of Carmel home to the actor Clint Eastwood. Enjoy some free time to stroll through town before heading on to Silicon Valley overnight.

Overnight: San Francisco – La Quinta Inn & Suites

Day 2: SAN FRANCISCO – BAY CRUISE – GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE – CHINATOWN

Today we understand why San Francisco is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. We start our tour at the Fisherman’s Wharf with a cruise in the world-famous bay, under the Golden Gate Bridge, and around the notorious Alcatraz Island. Return to Pier 39 for a leisurely lunch before an afternoon tour that takes in all the city’s famous landmarks, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Union Square, Chinatown, and Nob Hill. Our tour ends with a night view of the city from the Bay Bridge. Overnight: Modesto – Park Inn Hotel (In Winter Monterey/Holiday Inn hotel)

Day 3: SAN FRANCISCO – YOSEMITE

Summer Route: We head east through the farmlands of the Joaquin Valley to Yosemite National Park. This 1,200-square-mile wonderland of forests, lakes, and waterfalls is located in the Sierra Nevada. Stop at El Capitan, Bridal-Veil Falls, and Half Dome to continue for a walk from the Yosemite Visitor Center to reach one of the highest waterfalls in North America (730 meters) Yosemite Falls.

Winter Route: We start the day with a tour of Monterrey including the wharf and Cannery Row after our tour we depart south for a visit to the world-famous Hearst Castle. Built by the newspaper baron William Randolph Hearst, tours the famous house filled with antiques and see why the castle served as a playground for the rich and famous for the first half of the 20th century. In the evening, drive south toward Las Vegas. Overnight at the Comfort Suites Stevenson Ranch.

Day 4: STEVENSON RANCH – LAS VEGAS

Today’s route is east through the desert and Death Valley to arrive at the gambling capital of the world: Las Vegas. We stop for lunch at the outlet mall in Barstow, which is filled with all the famous brand names like Levi’s, Nike, Reebok, Timberland, Ralph Lauren, and more.

In the evening, we take a tour of the strip to see some of the truly amazing hotels and fantasies that are built in the middle of the desert, such as Caesar’s Palace, Luxor, Mirage, Paris, Venetian, Bellagio, New York, Treasure Island and more. Finish off the evening at one of the many shows or try your hand at one of the many casinos’, who knows maybe lady luck will be smiling at you tonight.

Overnight: LINQ Hotel

Day 5: LAS VEGAS – HOOVER DAM

After a leisurely breakfast, we leave Las Vegas and make our way to the Hoover Dam, to understand how this man-made phenomenon was built and what it did to the area. After our visit, we head back to Las Vegas for a free afternoon to enjoy some of the many unique attractions or popular shows that the city has to offer.
Overnight: LINQ Hotel

Day 6: LAS VEGAS – SEDONA

We start the day traveling across the Mojave Desert, and head up the Colorado Plateau and historic Route 66, before arriving to Sedona. Known as the jewel of the desert and is considered as one of the most beautiful places in America. Drive the breathtaking scenic Oak Creek Canyon that descends 2000 feet (610 meters) to the valley floor. We stop for photos of the red rocks and surroundings at the Oak Creek Canyon overlook, and the slide rock state park. Enjoy a lunch break in Sedona where you can browse authentic Indian arts and crafts stores together with unique boutiques and galleries.

After our break, we head out to the surrounding desert to visit the Chapel of the Holy Cross, and panoramic views of the Sedona red rock formations including Bell Rock, Courthouse Butte, and Cathedral Rock.
In the late afternoon, we depart the Sedona area to Flagstaff for overnight.

Overnight – Country Inn & Suites

Day 7: SEDONA – MONUMENT VALLEY – HORSESHOE BEND

We start the day heading into Monument Valley, one of the Iconic symbols of the American West and one of the most majestic and photographed points in the world. Deep in the heart of the Navajo nation lies this majestic park, which consists of sandstone masterpieces that tower from 400 – 1000 feet (up to 300 meters) around these sandstone towers you can find mesas buttes shrubs, and trees. Our visit starts with a jeep tour led by Navajo Indians.

The tour will take you down into the valley and you will experience firsthand why the Navajo call this land “like no other place on earth”. We stop for an outdoor BBQ lunch (included) after which we head to the mighty Colorado River, for a visit to “Horseshoe Bend” a spectacular sight unique to this region of the country. In the late afternoon, we arrive at Lake Powell and Page overnight.

Overnight Clarion Inn Page

Day 8: ANTELOPE CANYON – VALLEY OF FIRE – LAS VEGAS

We start the day where “The water runs through the rocks” as per the local Navajo folklore. We tour the Upper Antelope Canyon and visit the spectacular dunes created by the wind, water, and sand, words are not enough to describe these formations created by Mother Nature. After our tour, we depart this amazing area and start making our way back to Las Vegas, along the way we stop for a lunch break and then visit the “Valley of Fire” named for the magnificent red sandstone formations created from shifting sands and dunes during the age of the dinosaurs more than 150 million years ago.

Our visit is timed to be able to see the appearance of the valley being on “fire” when reflecting the powerful sun’s rays into the valley (weather permitting). Depart the Park for an early evening arrival in Las Vegas.

TOUR INCLUDES:

• 7 nights of hotel accommodation including tax and Continental Breakfast
• Air-Conditioned Bus or Van & Professional Tour Guide
• Bay cruise in San Francisco & Admission to Yosemite Park
• Sightseeing in Las Vegas and Hoover Dam
• Entrance to Monument Valley, Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, and Valley of Fire
• Jeep tour in Monument Valley and Lunch

MEETING POINTS:

Culver City: 4 Points Sheraton Culver City - 5990 Green Valley Circle, Culver City at 07:00 AM

Farmers Market Starbucks Coffee Shop - 6333 West 3rd Street, corner of Fairfax Blvd and 3rd St. at 06:30 AM

Sherman Oaks: Courtyard by Marriott - 15433 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks at 07:15 AM

Tarzana: Ross Dress for Less - 19151 Ventura Blvd, corner of Vanalden, Tarzana at 07:30 AM

Stevenson Ranch - Comfort Inn - 25380 The Old Road Stevenson Ranch, CA at 07:00 AM