DEPARTS LOS ANGELES to LOS ANGELES
Trek Code: W2B Destination: USA West Departs: Jan-Dec Accommodation: Budget Lodging Age Range: 18-38
Tour Overview
The perfect California, Nevada and Arizona cocktail. The West Coast of America sets an ultra mellow tone while a heady blend of adrenaline-fuelled cities adds real zip and zest to the mix. Serve on the rocks; none beat those around the Sierra Nevada and Grand Canyon.
Included Highlights
Westerner 2 BLT MapWesterner 2 BLT Map
Grand Canyon sunrise or sunset
Walk the Golden Gate Bridge
City tours of Hollywood, LA and San Francisco
Sightseeing in San Diego
Walk amongst towering granite peaks in Yosemite
Scenic coastal Highway One
Visit Haight-Ashbury in San Francisco
Limousine tour in Las Vegas (2014 only)
Travel the original Route 66
Visit colourful Salvation Mountain (2014 only)
Incredible National Parks – Yosemite & Grand Canyon
Plus you get…
Services of a TrekAmerica tour leader
Private transportation with free Wi-Fi
All accommodation – 9 hotel & 4 hostel/cabin nights.
BLT Accommodation
We use a combination of hostels, hotels and cabins on our Westerner2 BLT. Most cabins are multi-share rooms sleeping 4 to 6 people with shared facilities and hostel nights are generally arranged on a single sex, multi-share basis, subject to availability. Where possible we will keep the group together and try to accommodate couples; however twin rooms cannot be guaranteed. A sleeping bag is not required on the trip.
Flexible Itinerary
Our routes have been carefully chosen to include the best night stops, highlights, and included experiences, but with lots of optional activities to choose from, stops at some of your leaders favourite places and occasional changes in local conditions no two Trek trips are ever the same so come ready for a unique adventure.
Optional Activities (paid locally)
Westerner 2 BLT MapWesterner 2 BLT Map
There are loads of exciting optional activities for you to choose from during your trip giving you the flexibility to do the things you want to and leave out the things you don’t. Below are the main optional activities for this trip, these can be arranged once you are on tour via your Tour Leader and are paid for locally.
> SeaWorld Adventure Park US$88
> Grand Canyon helicopter flight US$244-$274
> Sea kayaking US$30
> Grand Canyon IMAX theater US$15
> Las Vegas clubs & casino shows US$10+
> Limo ride in Las Vegas US$25-$30
> Bike rental in Yosemite US$12-$32
> San Diego Zoo US$44
> Watersports in San Diego US$10-$75
> San Francisco cable car ride US$5-$13
> Las Vegas helicopter flight: US$115
> Float trip on the Merced River in Yosemite US$30
> Las Vegas rollercoasters US$4-$30
> Baseball game in San Francisco US$15-$40
> Bike rental in San Diego US$5-$15
> San Francisco Bay sunset sailboat cruise US$40
> Las Vegas Gun Range from US$30
Tour Itinerary
As this tour departs at 0730 we recommend that you book pre-tour accommodation. Please request hotel details at the time of booking.
Itinerary Note
All tour and itinerary details on this page apply to 2014 trips only. All 2013 departures will operate as per 2013 brochure.
Day 1-2: Los Angeles & San Diego
We say goodbye to LA and hello to the sunny beaches of San Diego. Catch a wave at a surf lesson, check out SeaWorld’s penguins and most famous resident, Shamu, or if you prefer terra firma, hang out with the monkeys at San Diego Zoo.
Accommodation: Budget lodging included
Day 3: Lake Havasu (2013) | Colorado River (2014)
2013 departures: From the California coast, cruise the freeway towards Arizona’s Lake Havasu, home of the original London Bridge and “Little Britain” community. En route we’ll climb the biggest Sand Dunes of California , so bring your sun-cream!
2014 departures: Want to see something cool? How about the strange desert sculpture of Salvation Mountain, seen in the movie ‘Into the Wild’? Follow the yellow brick road all the way to the top for some great photos of this amazing desert setting. We continue towards Arizona’s famous Colorado River with the chance to swim, before overnighting at the Golden Nugget hotel in Laughlin.
Accommodation: Budget lodging included
Day 4-5: Grand Canyon National Park
One of the true wonders of the world, Grand Canyon National Park is immense and its sunrise is unforgettable. Over 450km long, 25km wide and over 1.5km deep. Pack your best boots and don’t forget your camera for a sunrise/sunset hike along the rim. Watching the sun paint it amber, maroon and red, its breathtaking immensity still blows you away. For the more ambitious take the long hike down Bright Angel Trail to Plateau Point, or choose the “bird’s eye” view on a scenic flight. Why not opt for a visit to the IMAX Theater to see how the Grand Canyon was formed millions of years ago. With two days at the Canyon, the first day you can hike the rim trails, whilst the second day leave the crowds behind and follow the snaking trails behind, hiking deep into the canyon belly. Did you know only 5% of visitors to the Grand Canyon venture past the rim?
Accommodation: Budget lodging included
Day 6-7: Route 66 & Las Vegas
Today we travel a section of the original Route 66 stopping at the town of Seligman, a quaint town which has stood still in time and filled to the brim with Americana. With a sudden burst of neon, Vegas is right in your face – Viva Las Vegas! This is the party capital of the USA but watch out though – some dub this place ‘Lost Wages’! We include a Las Vegas limousine tour where you can let your hair down and see the sights at the same time. Why not enjoy a feast at the Luxor’s deluxe buffet; experience the Bellagio’s water-show and New York New York’s roller coaster before checking out Coyote Ugly and clubbing all night long.
Accommodation: Budget lodging included
Day 8-9: Yosemite National Park Area
Leaving the bright lights of Las Vegas, return to California and its most famous national park, Yosemite. Both easy and challenging hikes bring you face to face with stunning glacier-carved granite monoliths, deep valleys, giant sequoias and spectacular waterfalls. Once deep inside Yosemite, keep your eyes peeled for wildlife including black bears as well as the Giant Sequoia tree which towers high above as the biggest trees on earth. For a different way to see the park, why not enjoy a float down the Merced River on an inner tube?
Accommodation: Budget lodging included
Day 10-11: San Francisco
One of the most vibrant cities in the USA, San Francisco has got it all! En route we stop by the Iron Door Saloon, the oldest pub in California for a slice of history. Upon arrival we enjoy a tour of Haight-Ashbury and the chance to walk across Golden Gate Bridge. There are loads of options to fill your time in San Francisco such as visiting China Town, Alcatraz, Fisherman’s Wharf and the colourful painted ladies. View the Bay and Alcatraz on an optional sunset sailboat cruise, then the party people can flock to trendy bars and clubs in North Beach or Haight-Ashbury where that friendly vibe gets even better.
Accommodation: Budget lodging included
Day 12: Monterey
From big city to beach towns, California’s pristine coastline makes for a beautiful drive as we head towards Monterey. Upon arrival we enjoy a popular two hour coastline walk where there is a good chance to see whales and sea lions which frequent the area from April – October. Tonight you can hit the shops or enjoy the nightlife that Monterey is so famous for.
Accommodation: Budget lodging included
Day 13: Big Sur State Park & Santa Barbara
Travelling further down the California Coast we stop to Big Sur State Park for that iconic view of McWay Falls, before continuing onto Santa Barbara and its Spanish Mission. Explore the pier, hit the shops or simply wind down with a good dose of beach relaxation. Sometimes referred to as the California Riviera, its beautiful beaches, majestic mountains and colourful culture make Santa Barbara well worth visiting. Santa Barbara comes alive at night for all you party animals so dust off the glad-rags.
Accommodation: Budget lodging included
Day 14: Los Angeles
Enjoy free time exploring Santa Barbara in the morning before returning to the City of Angels; the 2nd largest city in America after New York and home to countless stars. We’ll tour Hollywood Boulevard with stroll on the Walk of Fame, view of the iconic Hollywood sign and a visit to Venice Beach for a spot of people watching with the sand between your toes. Finally we make our way to the hotel where this trip of a lifetime comes to an end!
This tour ends at our gateway hotel at approximately 17:00 hrs. We can book you post-tour accommodation at our gateway hotel if required. If you are planning to fly tonight, please do not book a flight that departs before 21:00 hrs.
Special Departures
If you want to make sure you’re right in the heart of the action at the absolute best time to be there, then why not book one of our Special Departures.
Golden Gate Bridge
Celebrate Fourth of July in San Francisco!
Join the Independence Day party in the City by the Bay as it comes alive with fireworks!
Book 25th June 2014 departure
Yosemite Valley
Celebrate Christmas Day in Yosemite NP
Enjoy a Christmas Day with a difference and replace that Christmas Day walk with some snowshoeing under the frosted giant sequoias and frozen waterfalls.
Traveller-Xpedition 