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Real San Francisco to LA
Operated by Intrepid Travel
Tripcode: SSYG
Overview
Destination:
United States Of America,
Start:San Francisco, United States Of America
Finish:Santa Monica, United States Of America
Finish:Santa Monica, United States Of America
Duration:13 days
Type:Group tour (max 12)
Travel Period
May 2025 - October 2026
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.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6:00pm on Day 1 in San Francisco and finishes on arrival into Los Angeles at approximately 4pm on Day 13 (depending on traffic). The arrival time into Los Angeles depends on each group, but if you decide to fly out on this day, please don't book a flight before 9 pm.
2. In San Francisco the group will be in 8 and 6 person dorms, with shared bathrooms. The hostel will do their best to separate the group by gender, but it's not guaranteed.
3. A single supplement to have your own room (or tent) is available on this trip however excludes night 1 (San Francisco) where you will be in shared accommodation.
4. A sleeping bag is required for this trip.
5. Please note that the legal drinking age in the US is 21 and in some parts of Canada it's 19.
6. We are not able to book airport shuttle services for North America trips. North America has convenient taxi and rideshare options from all airports, as well as public transport systems in major hub cities. Please check the joining and finishing point instructions listed in the Essential Trip Information.
2. In San Francisco the group will be in 8 and 6 person dorms, with shared bathrooms. The hostel will do their best to separate the group by gender, but it's not guaranteed.
3. A single supplement to have your own room (or tent) is available on this trip however excludes night 1 (San Francisco) where you will be in shared accommodation.
4. A sleeping bag is required for this trip.
5. Please note that the legal drinking age in the US is 21 and in some parts of Canada it's 19.
6. We are not able to book airport shuttle services for North America trips. North America has convenient taxi and rideshare options from all airports, as well as public transport systems in major hub cities. Please check the joining and finishing point instructions listed in the Essential Trip Information.
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Standard inclusions
- Transport: Private vehicle.
- Accommodation: Camping (with facilities) (8 nights), Hotel (3 nights), Hostel (multishare) (1 night).
- Yosemite National Park - Entrance Fee.
- Yosemite National Park - Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias.
- Mono Lake - Visit.
- Zion National Park - Entrance Fee.
- Zion National Park - Leader-led hike.
- Bryce Canyon National Park - Entrance Fee.
- Grand Canyon National Park - Entrance Fee.
- Grand Canyon - Leader-led South Rim tour.
- Seligman - Route 66.
- Joshua Tree National Park - Entrance Fee.
Itinerary
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Collapse allDay 1: San Francisco
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.
Day 2: Yosemite National Park
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, with two full days available to explore at your own pace.
Day 3: Yosemite National Park
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!
Day 4: Yosemite National Park
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!
Day 5: Sierra Nevada
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.
Day 6: Las Vegas
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.
Day 7: Las Vegas
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?
Day 8: Zion National Park
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.
Day 9: Bryce Canyon National Park
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 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.
Day 10: Grand Canyon National Park
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.
Day 11: Grand Canyon National Park
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 a couple of 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.
Day 12: Grand Canyon to Lake Havasu
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.
Day 13: Joshua Tree National Park to Los Angeles
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.
Departure dates
Select your preferred date or enquire
Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid is a small group tour travel company with humble beginnings that now sends over 100,000 travellers a year on grassroots and responsible travel tours.
Important Information
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Please note: We are proud to be an independent agent to travel providers of hotels, flights and other related services. We are not a tour operator. Details and information on the offer are provided by 3rd party businesses and although we do our best to verify the information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy on all occasions. These offers are not available in conjunction with any other offer unless otherwise stated. Pricing and availability are subject to change without notice.
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