Experience Overview
Head out on an iconic 13-day road trip from San Franciso to Los Angeles, stopping in at the best of the west’s national parks along the way. See desert landscapes in Bryce Canyon National Park, mountain ranges in the Sierra Nevada, the great expanses of the Grand Canyon and the iconic trails of Yosemite. Sprinkle in a ride along the famous Route 66 and two nights soaking in the bright lights of Las Vegas, all with a group of like-minded travellers and an expert local leading the way, this trip has all your bases covered.
Highlights
- Cover Yosemite’s many trails over two full days and three nights dedicated to the park, exploring with your leader and having your own time to hike or bike your way around.
- Discover Utah’s natural wonders at Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park – home to red-walled cliffs, towering hoodoos and vast horizons.
- Spend two nights getting your fill of the winding gorges and rock formations of the Grand Canyon, and take a leader-led tour of the South Rim.
- Bookend your trip with visit to two of the United States’ most iconic cities. Check out San Francisco’s highlights at your own pace, and then finish with the bright lights of Los Angeles.
- Appreciate the spectacle of Vegas as you explore this glitzy, neon-filled city at all hours of the day with plenty of time and flexibility to do as you please – night out, anyone?
Trip Details
Product Code: 2641
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Basic
Transport: Private vehicle
Guide Language: English
Supplier Code: SSYG
Starts: San Francisco, United States Of America
Finishes: Joshua Tree National Park to Los Angeles, United States Of America
Duration: 13 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical rating: Light
Includes
Accommodation: Camping (with facilities) (8 nights),Hotel (3 nights),Hostel (multishare) (1 night)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD 3430 (CAD 264 /day)
Itinerary
Welcome to California! Your adventure begins in San Francisco – The City by the Bay that boasts a beautiful setting and a vibrant, multicultural heart. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight, followed by an optional group dinner. If you arrive early, maybe check out the vintage stores along funky Haight Street or catch the tram down to the waterfront.
Accommodation:
- Hostel (multishare) (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, you’ll drive into the heart of the Sierra Nevada Mountains to your destination – the magnificent Yosemite National Park. Passing by serene vistas, you’ll catch a glimpse of one of Yosemite’s most recognisable features – Half Dome. You'll spend three nights camping near Yosemite National Park so that there are two full days available to explore at your own pace.
Included Activities:
- Yosemite National Park - Entrance Fee
Optional Activities:
- Yosemite National Park - Hiking - Free
Accommodation:
- Camping (with facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)
Head into the national park this morning, and join your leader for an easy, downhill hike at the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias. The grove is home to, no surprise, a couple dozen mature giant sequoia trees, including one that’s been carved into a tunnel you can walk right through. From there, continue to Yosemite Valley to check out some of the park’s iconic spots. You could see the thundering Yosemite Falls, take in both Half Dome and Merced River from Sentinal Bridge and a whole lot more. The rest of the day is then free for you to explore as you please. There are plenty of hikes available, each varying in steepness and difficulty. Maybe hike under the cooling breezes of Nevada Falls (4 to 5 hours) or to the serene Mirror Lake (45 minutes). Keep an eye out for squirrels and bears along the way!
Included Activities:
- Yosemite National Park - Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias
Accommodation:
- Camping (with facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)
Today is free for you to continue discovering the wonders of the park. Instead of hiking, you might like to hire a bike and explore Yosemite Valley on two wheels. You can also visit the park's museum, photo gallery, shops and restaurants, and in the heat of summer, a relaxing float down the Merced River is highly recommended. Otherwise, there’s no shortage of trails for you to explore, from the famous Mist Trail to the more challenging Four Mile Trail. Your leader will be able to provide recommendations if you need help narrowing down the options!
Optional Activities:
- Yosemite National Park - Hiking - Free
- Yosemite - Cycling in Yosemite Valley (12 USD)
- Yosemite - River Float Raft Rental (seasonal) (30 USD)
Accommodation:
- Camping (with facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)
Depart Yosemite via the Tioga Pass this morning, stopping at Mono Lake on the way. The Sierra Nevada is sandwiched between Central Valley and Death Valley – this is a scenic trip that will take you to the town of Bishop, where you’ll camp the night. In town, maybe go to Erick Schat’s European-style bakery for a delicious treat, or perhaps pay a visit to some nearby natural hot springs.
Included Activities:
- Visit to Mono Lake
Optional Activities:
- Bishop - Keough Hot Springs (15 USD)
Accommodation:
- Camping (with facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)
Drive to the capital of glitz and glam in the heart of the desert this morning – Las Vegas, Nevada. Vegas may be known for its casinos and late-night antics, but there's plenty more to it than meets the eye. After checking into your accommodation, you’re free to explore a bit of it all. Hit the shops, see a world-class stage show, check out the Las Vegas Sphere or simply enjoy the people watching as you stroll along the Strip.
Optional Activities:
- Las Vegas - Monorail (5 USD)
- Las Vegas - Eiffel Tower (22 USD)
- Las Vegas - Mob Museum (27 USD)
- Las Vegas - Neon Museum (20 USD)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
With another day in Las Vegas, continue to discover all things over-the-top. Food-focused travellers may want to check out one of the celebrity chef restaurants around town (Roy Choi, Gordon Ramsay and Wolfgang Puck all have places here). See the Eiffel Tower of the USA, check out the Bellagio Fountains or visit one of the city’s many museums. If you didn’t head out last night, chat to your leader for the lowdown on sin city's best shows, clubs and restaurants. You might as well go all out in Las Vegas, right?
Optional Activities:
- Las Vegas - Bellagio Fountains - Free
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, you’ll drive from Vegas to Zion National Park – a nature preserve in Utah famous for its steep red cliffs and scenic drive that leads to forest trails along the Virgin River. When you arrive, join your leader for a guided hike in the park to get your bearings, then head to your campsite near the park. After the bright neon lights of Vegas, it’s a good opportunity to unplug, do a spot of star gazing and listen to the sounds of nature.
Included Activities:
- Zion National Park - Entrance Fee
- Zion National Park - Leader - Led hike
Accommodation:
- Camping (with facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, you’ll head out on a scenic drive from Zion to Bryce Canyon National Park. The park is a favourite among travellers for the crimson-coloured hoodoos (spire-shaped rock formations) that give it the landscape an alien feel. As you drive around the rim of the park, you’ll stop in at some incredible viewpoints and have plenty of time to snap away. Later, settle into your campsite near the park.
Included Activities:
- Bryce Canyon National Park - Entrance Fee
Optional Activities:
- Bryce Canyon National Park - Hiking - Free
Accommodation:
- Camping (with facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning you’ll drive to Grand Cayon National Park – a must-see for any USA adventure! When you arrive, get ready to admire a natural wonder formed by over six million years of erosion by the Colorado River. The canyon’s dimensions – 450 km long, 630 km wide and 1600 m deep – it really does warrant the ‘grand’ title. You’ll spend two nights here, which allows for a full day of exploration tomorrow. You could check out the park’s massive scale on a walk around the rim, watching sunset from one of the many viewpoints.
Included Activities:
- Grand Canyon National Park - Entrance Fee
Accommodation:
- Camping (with facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)
Continue exploring the national park today, starting with a leader-led tour of the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. You’ll be taken to some incredible viewpoints and see couple famous sights, like Granite Rapids and Monument Canyon, before finishing at Hermit’s Rest. You’re then free to choose your adventure for the rest of the day! You might like to hire a bike for an easy and efficient way to see as much of the national park as possible.
Included Activities:
- Grand Canyon - Leader-led South Rim tour
Optional Activities:
- Grand Canyon - IMAX Movie (15 USD)
Accommodation:
- Camping (with facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, leave the canyon behind and travel along the famous Route 66, stopping in Seligman along the way – a quirky small town that features a vibrant slice of retro America. After wandering around the shops and old-school diners, continue your road trip to Lake Havasu on the Colorado River (at the Arizona border) and check in to your hotel for the night. You might like to head out on a scenic hike around the town or learn the backstory of the city’s unique London Bridge.
Included Activities:
- Seligman - Route 66
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Bid farewell to Lake Havasu, crossing the border back into California toward Joshua Tree National Park. Famous (and named) for its spectacular desert plants, there are also plenty of bizarre rock formations and palm-fringed oases to encounter. Wander through the park, and then drive to Los Angeles where your trip will end on arrival. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent.
Included Activities:
- Joshua Tree National Park - Entrance Fee
Optional Activities:
- Joshua Tree National Park - Hiking - Free
Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Alice - Traveled, September 2023
Highly recommend this trip if you enjoy the outdoors! You will see some amazing natural wonders and get to hike some great trails. Also great to do as a solo traveller as you’ll meet like-minded people!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/10/2023
Lydia - Traveled, August 2023
Justin was a fantastic guide, this was my first Intrepid trip and he far exceeded expectations and made it the best trip I have ever been on. Justin was very knowledgable and his passion for adventure made the trip as amazing as it was, he joined us for all activities and was always relaxed and organised. I will be recommending to others and will be booking another trip very soon.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/17/2023
Laura - Traveled, May 2023
If Yosemite and Grand Canyon are on your list. This trip is the way to discover and explore them! Amazing experience with lovely likeminded people. Camped under the stars one night and a quick stop in vegas the next to see the madness there!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/27/2023
Isabel - Traveled, August 2022
I loved this trip! It allowed me to see so many amazing places and do so many things in a relatively short amount of time. You form a great sense of community with the other people on the trip, and it’s a great opportunity to meet likeminded people from different backgrounds to you. The camping element helps form those group bonds because you have to work together as a team. This was my first intrepid trip (/any form of group tour) and I would do it all over again :)
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/13/2022
Katherine - Traveled, August 2022
Great itinerary and Ellen was a great guide. Highlights were the days spent hiking at the Grand Canyon and Yosemite. Only choose the trip if you are outdoorsy and can cope with heat. If you dont like camping or hiking, this is not for you!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/03/2022
Thorben - Traveled, August 2022
The tour was really fun and it was a great experience. I was a bit skeptical at first but our tour guide, Chadwick, absolutely hit it out of the park. I have never felt so safe and well taken care of during a guided trip before. I would definitely recommend it. It was a great experience!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/25/2022
Kristin - Traveled, August 2022
The real LA to san francisco trip was so much better than expected, our tour guide Chadwick was so friendly and knowledgable and the national parks were some of the best experiences of my life. I would highly recommend!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/25/2022
Owen - Traveled, August 2022
The tour was an unbelievable experience and met some amazing people and seeing some unreal places with each place being so unique! The tour guide, Aiden, was excellent and really read the group really well. Would recommend the tour to anyone!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/28/2022
Elizaveta - Traveled, August 2022
Amazing trip! The tour guide Aiden was very enthusiastic, knowledgeable and friendly. The itinerary allows you to visit the main places and gives enough time to fully experience them. Would highly recommend this tour and the Intrepid in general.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/23/2022
Jordan - Traveled, August 2022
This trip was fantastic! The format of the trip (communal camping and cooking) created a cohesive atmosphere and as a resultI left the trip with many friends. The national parks were beautiful and the hikes were fun.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/16/2022
Ellen - Traveled, July 2022
The trip itinerary was incredible and I got to see some amazing locations! As a first time camper, intrepid did a good job of making me comfortable and explaining the basics.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/16/2022
Clara - Traveled, July 2022
Honestly one of the best experiences ever, and the people made it 10x better. So worth doing even at a young age; you definitely grow as a person when doing something like this.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/06/2022
Millicent - Traveled, July 2022
Excellent trip if you want to visit all the big famous national parks in western USA. Our tour leader Kate was amazingly knowledgable and friendly and made the whole trip fun and exciting. The van was comfortable with aircon and the accommodation was great. The trip is brilliant value for money.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/20/2022
Sophie - Traveled, May 2024
Loved the trip, I had a great group and lots of fun, enjoyed all the hikes and national parks
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/11/2024
Share a personalized trip brochure!
Why book with us?
Best Rate Guarantee
Mytours.Travel makes sure you always have the best available rate
Best Selection
The best operators from around the world
Trusted Payments
Secure payments with Stripe
Expert Advice
Our expert agents will assist you in booking the perfect experience