Product Description
Highlights
Experience some of the highlights of California and Nevada in a short period of time. Enjoy the freedom to discover cities and national parks at your own pace, while letting someone else drive you from A to B. Towering granite cliffs, cascading waterfalls, redwood forests and epic night skies – Yosemite National Park feels like utopia. While other tour groups breeze through in a day, you’ll spend two nights in the park, allowing for a full day of hiking and exploring. For many, Death Valley conjures up images of a flat and barren wasteland. Be surprised by the park’s ethereal landscapes of sand dunes, water-sculpted canyons, extinct volcanic craters and, in the spring, fields of wildflowers. What better place to finish a trip than in Las Vegas and celebrating your adventure with an optional limo tour of the Strip
Overview
Hit the open roads of California and Nevada. On the way from San Francisco to Las Vegas, wind through the barren deserts of Death Valley and the evergreen forests of the Sierra Nevada. Head for California’s bountiful mountain region, including its most famous national park – Yosemite and finish among the wacky characters of Sin City. Combining two ever-changing cities with consistently astounding natural beauty, this trip is a great way to experience a taste of what road-tripping in the USA has to offer.
Breakfast Included: Lunches Included: Dinner Included:
![San Fran to Vegas 4]( "San Fran to Vegas 4")
San Francisco
Welcome to the USA! Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting in the hotel lobby at 6pm on day 1. You can arrive at any time during the day as there are no activities planned until this important meeting. If you can't arrange a flight that will have you arrive at the hotel by early evening, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you have all these details to provide to your leader.
San Francisco is a chilled-out city with a vibrant, multicultural heart. You can catch a tram to visit the waterfront, feast like a king in Chinatown or peruse zany artwork in SoMa.
As there's no time spent in San Francisco on this trip, we recommend you arrive a few days early to see the sights. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). Consider doing our one-day sightseeing tour of San Francisco (see www.urbanadventures.com).
Yosemite National Park
Drive 300 km to the east, into the heart of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Our destination is Yosemite National Park.
One of the most famous parks in the USA, Yosemite National Park's colossal granite cliffs, cascading waterfalls and redwood trees attract visitors from all over the world.
Yosemite National Park
Today is a free day to get out and discover the park. There are plenty of hikes available, each varying in steepness and difficulty. Hike under the cooling breezes of Nevada Falls (4-5 hours) or to the serene Mirror Lake (45 minutes). Keep an eye out for squirrels and perhaps even a bear along the way. You might prefer to hire a bike and explore Yosemite Valley. Visit the park's photo gallery, shops and restaurants along the way. In the heat of summer, a relaxing float down the Merced River followed by a few drinks at the park's cafe is just the trick.
Sierra Nevada
Leave Yosemite behind and drive into the eastern Sierra Nevada. Spectacular mountain scenery, crystal clear lakes and breathtaking vistas are in store for us today. Total driving time is about 3-4 hours (170 km), depending on weather conditions and road access over Tioga Pass.
Las Vegas
Travel east through Death Valley to Las Vegas (560 km, approx 6 hrs).
Las Vegas may be the gambling capital of the world, but there's plenty to do if gambling isn't your thing. Hit the shops, feel your stomach drop on a rooftop roller coaster or simply stroll along the Strip, soaking up the glitz and gaudiness.
The trip finishes on arrival into Las Vegas and no accommodation is provided tonight. The arrival time depends on each group, but if you decide to fly out on this day, please don't book a flight before 8pm. This will give you enough time to catch a shuttle from the hotel to the airport and be there two hours before departure. If you are staying in town for the evening, perhaps feast on an 'all you can eat' buffet, check out one of the many shows on offer or party the night away in a Vegas nightclub. If you do wish to spend extra time in Las Vegas we'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).
