Stay : Discovering the Western American legends.
A 3-week stay in California and the Great West will allow you to visit San Francisco, Las Vegas, the major national parks such as Bryce Canyon or Zion, Los Angeles, the Pacific Coast and the Wine Valley. Note that the distances between each site are long enough and it takes long hour drive each time. America is the country of the road trip…
Summary of the stay
Best time to go
26 days
€€€ - Luxury
Detail of the stay : Discovering the Western American legends. - 26 days
Day 1: Arrival in San Francisco
Steps: San Francisco
You probably landed late in the day, put your luggage at the hotel and reach Union Square for dinner.
UNION SQUARE
Day 2: San Francisco must-sees
Steps: San Francisco, Oakland, Monterey
Visit Union Square, the heart of the city, then Chinatown. You have to leave early in the morning, the atmosphere is very picturesque. Then discover the Financial District: architectural curiosities such as the Bank of America, the Wells Fargo Museum, the Russ Building and the Transamerica Pyramid. Then head for Telegraph Hill: the Coit Tower and its exceptional panorama, Lombard Street, the most winding road in the world. Take a detour to Fisherman's Wharf and Marina: fishing and yachting harbour, promenade, old boats, shops and restaurants. Lunch on site. The afternoon will be devoted to Pacific Heights and its Victorian houses. Nob Hill for its magnificent view of the bay, which is best reached by the famous cable car. Afterwards, visit the Opera House and the department stores. Finish by Union Square: shopping and night on the spot.
TRANSAMERICA PYRAMID / UNION SQUARE / COIT TOWER / LOMBARD STREET / CHINATOWN / FISHERMAN'S WHARF
Day 3: Mission and Sausalito
Steps: San Francisco, Sausalito, Bolinas
Visit the very lively Mission and Castro, gay and lesbian neighbourhood. Relax at Golden Gate Park and have lunch on site. Join Highway 1 to take the Golden Gate Bridge towards Sausalito and its marina, traditional wooden houses, houseboats (floating houses), art galleries and trendy boutiques. The end of the day will be devoted to Bolinas, the last true hippie community in San Francisco. If you have some time left, make a stop at the beach to surf. Spend the evening in San Francisco in the South of Market area of Castro and Mission. Night on site.
Day 4: Entrance to Yosemite National Park
Steps: Yosemite National Park, Valley Of Fire State Park
This day is devoted to Yosemite Valley (entrance from the south of the park at Arch Rock Entrance), starting with Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias (beautiful forest), then Pioneer Yosemite History Center (open-air museum), El Capitan and Cathedral Rocks (two beautiful boulders), Glacier Point (headland overlooking the valley), Yosemite Village (museum of Indian civilization), finishing with Yosemite Falls and Bridalveil Fall (some of the highest waterfalls in the world). Overnight camping or lodge accommodation.
Day 5: Promenade in Tuolumne Meadows
Steps: San Francisco
The second day in the park will be devoted to the discovery of Tuolumne Meadows, the wider subalpine meadow of Sierra, famous for its many hikes or cycling. Leave by the Big Oak Flat Road: two huge sequoias. Night in San Francisco.
TUOLUMNE MEADOWS ET LES HAUTES TERRES
Day 6: To Las Vegas
Steps: Las Vegas
The day is entirely dedicated to the transfer to Las Vegas. It takes about 8-hour drive. Spending the night in Las Vegas.
Day 7: Las Vegas and its casinos
Steps: Las Vegas
Admire the stunning architecture of hotels and casinos on the Strip. Sleeping the night in Las Vegas (the luxury hotels are much cheaper than elsewhere).
Day 8: Zion National Park
Steps: Zion National Park
On the road and arrival for lunch. In the afternoon, visit Kolob Canyons, the most wild part. Night in campsite or a lodge.
KOLOB CANYONS
Day 9: Zion National Park
Steps: Bryce Canyon National Park
In the morning, go to Mount Carmel. And in the afternoon, walk between the white, pink and red rocks. At the end of the day, go to Bryce Canyon National Park. Arrival for admiring the sunset.
Day 10: Bryce Canyon
Steps: Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon and its pine forest offer some of the most striking panorama of the South-west American. Night on site, in campsite or lodge.
Day 11: Lake Powell
Steps: Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
In the early morning, leave Bryce Canyon to reach the beautiful Lake Powell located at some 200 km to the east. The lake displays its turquoise waters among the sandstone cliffs and the arches. Make a boat trip or go down the river.
LAKE POWELL
Day 12: Monument Valley
Steps: Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
Again, drive to Utah and the majestic western landscape of . You can hike on the footsteps of Navajo Indians.
Day 13: Navajo National Monument and Window Rock
Steps: Kayenta
About one hour's drive north of Monument Valley is the . Admire the well-preserved remains of the late 13th century, the great era of the Anasazis Indians.
NAVAJO NATIONAL MONUMENT
Day 14: Petrified Forest National Park
Steps: Calistoga, Flagstaff, Petrified Forest National Park
Today, you will discover this incredible the Navajo Monument. See also Flagstaff, nicknamed the entrance door of the Grand Canyon.
PETRIFIED FOREST
Day 15: Flagstaff and preparation for the Grand Canyon
Steps: Flagstaff
Visit the and university and then do your last shopping for the next day's hike. At the end of the day,, go to the Grand Canyon to sleep near the site.
Day 16: Hiking on South Rim Trail
Steps: San Francisco, Grand Canyon National Park
Go to the South Shore to walk along the South Rim Trail (along the canyon over 20 km) and in Indian crafts galleries. Sunset at or , and spending the night in one of the lodges.
Day 17: Trekking along Bright Angel or Kaibab Trail
Steps: Grand Canyon National Park
Early rising and great hiking on or Kaibab Trails (between 4 and 7 hours depending on the hike).
BRIGHT ANGEL POINT
Day 18: Head to Los Angeles
Steps: Los Angeles
Drive to Los Angeles. The road trip will take one day (7 h) and you should plan several breaks on the way. For example, you can have a picnic along the Mojave desert. Arrival in the evening in Los Angeles. Night on site.
Day 19: Los Angeles, the sweetness of life
Steps: Los Angeles, Griffith Park
In the morning, enjoy the relaxation on the beach of the Getty Center, the Museum with beautiful gardens and architecture. In the afternoon, discover Hollywood Boulevard and its famous Chinese Theater, and admire the sunset at Griffith Park's observatory, where you have a 180° view.
Day 20: Los Angeles, Downtown
Steps: Los Angeles, Santa Barbara
Start off by going to Pueblo of Los Angeles and Olvera Street, the historic heart of the Angels' City. Continue to the Art Deco station of Union Station. Finish your visit by the famous Walt Disney Concert Hall, whose construction was completed in 2003 by Franck Gehry. Before leaving, go to panoramic bar The Rooftop at the top of Standard Hotel. Road to Santa Barbara late in the afternoon.
Day 21: Santa Barbara
Steps: Santa Barbara
In the morning: Red Tile Walking Tour, walk to see the main civilian buildings of the Spanish era. The afternoon will be devoted to Santa Barbara Mission, Santa Barbara.
SANTA BARBARA BOTANIC GARDENS
Day 22: Bay to San Luis Obispo
Steps: Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Pismo Beach
In the morning, enjoy Pismo Beach famous for its dunes and clams. Then schedule San Luis Obispo, its mission and the on Thursday night in Higuera Street. Night at the Madonna Inn hotel, very original.
Day 23: Hearst Castle, Big Sur, Carmel and Monterey
Steps: Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur, San Simeon
In the morning, go to Hearst Castle, an amazing property of a billionaire, opulence and eccentricity are guaranteed... Take the beautiful Highway 1 to Big Sur, a Bohemian green place, and do enjoy the raw nature. There are also beautiful walks and many sports activities to do, if you still have some time, visit Carmel, make a stop in San Carlos Borroméo, one of the most beautiful Spanish missions. Enjoy the beautiful beaches and coves. Do a little shopping in the elegant shops. Finally, Monterey, famous for its beautiful landscapes and beautiful strolls (wooden houses, seals, seals, sea elephants, in mid-September: World famous jazz festival) will be your stop for the night.
Day 24: Napa Valley
Steps: Yountville, Calistoga
In Yountville, you can make an original visit of the vineyards: flying in a balloon. By going to Santa Helena, you will discover the museum dedicated to the writer Stevenson. Finally, a spa resort known for its mud and algae baths in Calistoga awaits you.
Day 25: Berkeley
Steps: San Francisco, Berkeley
Berkeley is known for its prestigious university. Don't miss the magnificent view on the Bay and Telegraph Avenue: record stores seventies, merchants, street vendors and restaurants. Night in San Francisco.
Day 26: San Francisco and trip back
This last day will allow you to do a little shopping or relax before you start the long journey.
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