The USA West Coast Road Trip

It's a very early rise this morning as we drive to the one and only Santa Monica Pier! Enjoy some free time here to visit the beach, amusement park rides or famous farmers market - before we head to our first campsite outside LA, making a quick detour to see Bubblegum Alley.

California is famed for its stunning coastal landscapes, and this morning we'll witness it in all its glory while taking a journey along the scenic 17-Mile Drive. From the vast stretches of cypress tree forests to the rocky beaches, the rugged cliffs and the crashing blue waves, the views here are unbelievably beautiful. Later today, we'll set up camp in Santa Cruz and enjoy a chilled evening here.

It's one iconic road trip to the next, as we spend the morning driving along the ocean and past rolling farmland hills. In San Francisco, we've got an orientation and driving tour planned where we'll see Haight Ashbury and Golden Gate Park before finishing at Fisherman's Wharf. Enjoy a free evening to explore, or as an optional extra, sail around San Francisco Bay at sunset!

Over the next few days, we'll be discovering one of the USA's most iconic national parks and experiencing everything it has to offer. En route, we'll drive through the Central Valley region and make a stop at a farmers market. After arriving at Yosemite, we'll take a hike along the scenic Tuolumne Grove Trail, surrounded by giant sequoia woodlands that touch the sky. Last but not least is the El Capitan vertical rock formation and Bridalveil Fall!

With so much to see and experience inside Yosemite National Park, today's activities are completely your choice. Whichever activity or hiking route you choose, expect giant mountain peaks, towering trees, epic waterfalls and bright turquoise lakes!

Another day, another beautiful nature trail! By now we're sure you're familiar with the fact that Yosemite National Park is a hiking paradise; and today, we'll explore the Mist and John Muir Trail to see Nevada Falls.

Say goodbye to Yosemite and hello to Venice Beach! Enjoy some time on the road to kick back and relax, taking in the emerald scenery that California's Central Valley is so famous for. Enjoy a scenic walk on the sandy stretches at golden hour ahead of your free evening here - maybe you're heading straight into town to grab dinner with friends, or maybe you feel like playing some volleyball on the beach first!

Nothing screams "California" more than starting your day with a surf lesson on Venice Beach! Whether you're a complete beginner or a total pro, enjoy the morning sunshine and salt water while trying to catch a few waves. Afterwards, the entire day is completely free for you to relax at a beachfront café, hire a surfboard, ride a bike along The Strand... the choice is all yours!

This morning we'll head into the desert and explore Joshua Tree National Park, which looks like another planet! We'll climb over the park's unique rock formations and keep our eyes peeled for desert wildlife. The views here are unlike anything you've ever seen before, and wait until you watch the sunset!

Today is filled with once-in-a-lifetime travel moments, starting with a drive along the USA's most iconic road trip, Route 66! Speaking of legendary places, our next stop is the Grand Canyon. Its red, rocky terrain is home to some of the most breathtaking vistas imaginable. When we arrive, we'll watch the sunset over pizza.

It's not every day that you get to visit the Grand Canyon, so today's activities are entirely your call! Whether you want to hike its most famous routes, explore the more secluded Bright Angel Trail Hike, or go all out with a 45-minute helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon (optional extra), you get to choose your adventure.

Our West Coast road trip continues to Lake Powell: a striking natural wonder. Enjoy free time here to either kick back and enjoy the views, or as an optional extra, take a tour to Antelope Canyon with a local Navajo guide. Speaking of breathtaking scenery, our next stop is the iconic Horseshoe Bend at Bryce Canyon!

Enjoy a day of exploring the colourful landscapes of Bryce Canyon at your own pace. This national park is famed for its unique red rock formations called hoodoos, making it look like Mars on Earth. Bryce Canyon is also known for its stargazing - you'll see why tonight!

It's an early rise as our journey continues to Zion, our next national park. On the way, we'll stop at a hidden gem called the Coral Pink Sand Dunes: filled with endless stretches of rose-tinted sand. Enjoy a free afternoon to chill at camp in Springdale, or walk into Zion and start exploring.

Enjoy the freedom to explore Zion entirely on your own terms today, choosing whichever hiking trails your heart desires. You'll be able to chase out every shade of the rainbow inside this stunning national park, whether you're exploring The Narrows Hike or taking on a challenging trek. Tonight, we'll gather around the campfire, roast marshmallows and share a few stories!

Please note that while the Angels Landing trail is not an included activity, there will be free time today to do so. You will need to apply ahead of time for a permit through the national park's lottery system online.

Everything about this neon-soaked city is larger than life, from its casinos and nightclubs to giant replica landmarks... where else in the world can you see NYC, the Eiffel Tower and the Egyptian Pyramids all in one place? Because everyone's dream day may look different, today is completely free for you to explore at your leisure. However you play your cards, it's guaranteed to be a night to remember!

Today we're driving to epic expanses of Death Valley National Park. As the driest, hottest and lowest national park in all of America, the landscapes here look like something out of a Sci-Fi film. Get ready to explore golden sand dunes, rugged grey badlands before visiting the salt flats of Badwater Basin and the wave-like hills of Zabrisikie Point. Later today, we'll check into our hotel in Ridgecrest and enjoy a chilled evening.

What an adventure it's been! This morning we'll drive back to Los Angeles, where our trip finishes upon arrival.

Everyone's dream trip looks a little different, and this group tour is your chance to explore the USA on a budget. Whilst we take care of the accommodation, transport, guide and must-do activities, this trip is designed with maximum flexibility in mind to give you control over the itinerary. You'll have plenty of free time and freedom to shape your own adventures with a wide variety of optional activities available to book during your trip, so you can choose experiences around your preferences and budget.

Whether you're after an action-packed itinerary or want to explore at a relaxed pace, this trip is your chance to do so. This style of trips are some of the most budget-friendly options we offer, making them accessible to a wide range of different travellers.