Best Of The West

14 days | 13 nights
Begins & Ends Los Angeles

Tour Itinerary

Day 01 | Los Angeles Arrival
Arrive at Los Angeles International Airport and transfer via complimentary hotel shuttle bus to your hotel.
Standard: Hacienda Hotel or similar
Upgrade: Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Airport or similar

Day 02 | Los Angeles – Palm Springs
Driving Distance: 147 mi./237 km.
This morning at 08:00 hours you will be met by your AmericanTours representative and provided with a welcome kit which includes driving instructions, vouchers, maps, and brochures of the places you are about to visit. Pick up your car and begin your drive, perhaps to the Magic Kingdom of Disneyland where you may enjoy such rides as Pirates of the Caribbean, The Haunted Mansion, and the Matterhorn. Then continue to Palm Springs.
Standard: Best Western Palm Springs or similar
Upgrade: Renaissance Esmeralda or similar

Day 03 | Palm Springs – Phoenix/Scottsdale
Driving Distance: 267 mi./430 km.
There is time this morning to shop in the exclusive boutiques and shops of Palm Springs before driving to Scottsdale and Phoenix. Phoenix is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States, partly due to the dry climate and many days of sunshine.
Standard: Days Inn Fashion Square or similar
Upgrade: Courtyard by Marriott or similar

Day 04 | Phoenix – Grand Canyon National Park
Driving Distance: 230 mi./370 km. Start today with a short drive to the fantastic Grand Canyon. You will then have a full day to stroll along the South Rim and experience the many works of nature.
Hotel: Grand Hotel or similar

Day 05 | Grand Canyon National Park – Las Vegas
Driving Distance: 276 mi./444 km.
Drive through Williams and Kingman to one of the world’s greatest man-made structures, the Hoover Dam. Continue your drive to Las Vegas, the glittering entertainment capital of the world, open 24-hours a day for nonstop fun.
Standard: Circus Circus Hotel & Casino or similar
Upgrade: Luxor Hotel & Casino or similar

Day 06 | Las Vegas
A full day at leisure in the Entertainment Capital of the World.

Day 07 | Las Vegas–Death Valley National Park
Driving Distance: 139 mi./224 km.
After a morning at leisure in Las Vegas, drive across the Amargosa Desert to Death Valley National Park. At Zabriskie Point you will have a panoramic view of the seemingly endless valley.
Hotel: Furnace Creek Ranch or similar

Day 08 | Death Valley National Park – Yosemite National Park**
Driving Distance: 326 mi./525 km.
Today drive via Bishop into the high Sierra Nevada to the Tioga Pass** and Yosemite, one of America’s most scenic national parks. See the silvery waters of the Yosemite and Bridalveil Falls and the huge granite formations of El Capitan and Half Dome. Overnight in the Yosemite area.
Hotel: Best Western Yosemite Way Station or similar
**From early November to late May the Tioga Pass may be closed due to weather or road conditions. In which case you will need to drive the southern route through Bakersfield and Fresno into the Yosemite Area.

Day 09 | Yosemite National Park – San Francisco
Driving Distance: 195 mi./314 km.
Drive across the state of California to one of America’s favorite cities, San Francisco. Upon arrival, tour this beautiful city by visiting Union Square, The Presidio, Golden Gate Park, and Fisherman’s Wharf. Catch a glimpse of the infamous Alcatraz Island across the bay.
Standard: Holiday Inn Civic Center or similar
Upgrade: Holiday Inn Golden Gateway or similar

Day 10 | San Francisco (Napa Valley)
A full day at leisure to experience the many sights of this beloved city, or to enjoy the rolling hills of California’s Wine Country, Napa Valley. Overnight in San Francisco.

Day 11 | San Francisco – Monterey
Driving Distance: 230 mi./370 km.
Drive to Monterey and visit Cannery Row (of author John Steinbeck fame). Enjoy stunning coastline views on 17-Mile Drive, have lunch in Carmel and visit Monterey’s Fisherman’s Wharf before reaching your hotel.
Standard: Travelodge Monterey
Upgrade: Carmel Mission Inn

Day 12 | Monterey – Santa Barbara – Ventura
Driving Distance: 130 mi./210 km.
Continue your journey south through Pismo Beach, Santa Maria and Santa Barbara on the way to your overnight hotel.
Hotel: Casa Sirena or similar

Day 13 | Ventura – Malibu – Santa Monica – Los Angeles
Driving Distance: 70 mi./120 km.
This morning continue by Malibu and Santa Monica to Los Angeles. We suggest you drive through Beverly Hills and Hollywood for an optional visit of Universal Studios, the world’s largest television and movie studio complex.
Standard: Hacienda Hotel or similar
Upgrade: Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Airport or similar

Day 14 | Los Angeles Departure
Return your car at the airport before your departure flight.

Note: All prices in US dollars. High Season: All departures July 01 – September 30. * Child 11 years and under with 2 adults sharing existing bedding.

Daily Departures
From April 01, 2007 through October 31, 2007