The Very Best of California and Canyonlands

Day 1 London Gatwick to Las Vegas
Join your fellow travellers in the executive lounge before your flight to Las Vegas. On arrival you’ll transfer to your hotel; the famous Bellagio, located in the heart of the action on ‘The Strip’. You’ll meet up with your fellow travellers this evening for a welcome buffet dinner.

Meals: Dinner.

Day 2 Las Vegas
This morning you’ll be taken on a guided tour of the major sites of Las Vegas, discovering how this truly modern, unique city has thrived in the middle of the desert. The afternoon is free to enjoy the sights and sounds of the city independently.

Meals: Breakfast.

Day 3 Las Vegas to Zion National Park
Today you’ll go from one extreme to the other as you leave the frenzy of Las Vegas and head into the quiet expanses of the desert and to the welcoming, old-time heart of Utah. On arrival at the Zion National Park, you’ll enjoy a wonderful introduction to the national parks of South Western USA. This afternoon you’ll travel into the heart of the Zion canyon, where there will be plenty of time to explore the various trails. There are several trails that are easily accessible and take you to parts of Zion where you can enjoy great views and appreciate the serene natural wonders. This evening you’ll head back to the small nearby town of Springdale for a relaxing night.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.

Day 4 Zion National Park to Bryce Canyon
Driving deeper into Utah, you’ll travel through the Zion tunnel and into the vast expanses of the canyonlands leading to the beautiful Bryce Canyon National Park. Bryce is perhaps lesser well known than some of the other national parks in this region, but is a real gem. You’ll drive to the canyon rim, from where there are easy trails to viewpoints looking down on the canyon. You’ll see the bizarre and wonderful formations of the ‘hoodoos’; huge
pillars of sandstone that have been sculpted over the ages by the wind. You’ll overnight at Ruby’s Inn just outside the park. This is an historic coaching stop set up in 1919 to serve the needs of intrepid early visitors to
Bryce Canyon.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.

Day 5 Bryce Canyon to Grand Canyon
Today you’ll journey into Arizona, stopping for a break in Kanab, which was a base for the movie industry in the era when the great westerns were most famous. You might recognise the scenery from any number of John Wayne or Client Eastwood films. This afternoon you’ll arrive in the small town of Williams where you’ll enjoy a two night stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.

Day 6 Grand Canyon
Nothing will prepare you for the sight of the Grand Canyon today! The epic scale and the quite unfathomable facts about its formation are breath taking. It is so deep that the rocks at the bottom are the oldest visible layers of earth in the world, and the thousands of layers add to a kaleidoscope of colour. You’ll have the whole day to enjoy and explore the canyon, from easily accessible viewpoints, with time for lunch in the park, a trip to the visitors centre and to take in the unforgettable views. You’ll return to your hotel this evening for time at leisure. An exciting and recommended addition to your visit to the Grand Canyon would be an optional helicopter trip over the canyon. This is a great way to see the vast canyon from the sky and get a new perspective on its size. We can prebook this in advance for your convenience from £175 per person for a half hour helicopter flight.

Meals: Breakfast.

Day 7 Grand Canyon to Scottsdale
A relaxed and picturesque drive awaits as you head into the heart of Arizona, across Route 66, stopping en route in the bohemian town Sedona travelling through the beautiful Oak Creek Canyon. You’ll arrive in the modern, gleaming city of Scottsdale, part of Greater Phoenix, for a night in a stylish resort hotel.

Meals: Breakfast.

Day 8 Scottsdale to San Diego
Today’s journey takes you across the vast southern desert, close to the Mexican border and past sleepy forgotten towns and the city of Yuma on the Colorado River. Heading west, you will arrive on the southern Californian coast and the vibrant maritime city of San Diego. From your city centre hotel you can enjoy the many restaurants, bars and laid back culture of the city on a three night stay.

Meals: Breakfast.

Day 9 San Diego
Your morning tour will take you through the renovated historic street of the Gaslamp Quarter, the bustling harbour, one of the USA’s busiest, and over to Coronado, the beach community and home to the historic hotel featured in the movie ‘Some Like It Hot.’ You’ll then head to the large Balboa Park, the largest urban park in America. Witness the beautiful Tower of California and the attractive gardens and squares. You’ll then head out of the city to visit the La Jolla neighbourhood. This affluent part of the city is known as the ‘Jewel of California’ and is a popular beach resort. The afternoon is yours to relax in the city or explore further.

Meals: Breakfast.

Day 10 San Diego
Today is yours to explore as you wish. You might want to go back up to Balboa Park, to relax in the green spaces, visit one of the excellent museums, or experience the famous San Diego zoo.

Meals: Breakfast.

Day 11 San Diego to Los Angeles
This morning you’ll drive up the South California coast to the old mission of San Juan Capistrano, one of the oldest buildings in North America with an intriguing history. Heading onwards, you’ll soon be travelling through the sprawling suburbs of Los Angeles, arriving in Santa Monica to enjoy the Pacific Ocean
views. Later you’ll arrive at your historic landmark Los Angeles hotel, with time to relax.

Meals: Breakfast.

Day 12 Los Angeles
This morning’s tour will take you to the famous sight of Hollywood, including Sunset Boulevard, Sunset Strip, Mann’s Chinese Theatre and the Avenue of the Stars. You will also see the sights of exclusive Beverly Hills and then head into downtown LA to see the Frank Gehry designed Disney Hall, the Music Centre and St Mary’s Cathedral. This afternoon you’ll have time at leisure to relax and enjoy the facilities of your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast.

Day 13 Los Angeles to San Simeon
Today you’ll travel further up the coast, past Malibu beach, stopping in Santa Barbara; known as the Californian Riviera due to its pleasant climate. See the Santa Barbara county Courthouse, which is set in a 1920s Spanish style building, and where you can take the lift to the top of the clock tower for views across town. This fternoon you’ll head further up the coast to arrive in the small coastal community of San Simeon and enjoy relaxing on the coast.

Meals: Breakfast.

Day 14 San Simeon to Monterey on the Big Sur
Your first stop this morning is the extraordinary, quirky and picturesque grounds of Hearst Castle, the ostentatious former home of publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst. See the interesting IMAX film about the owner followed by a guided tour at this national historic monument. This is followed by one of the World’s great drives, up the Pacific coast highway along the famous Big Sur. There will be stops for photos and to take in the fresh sea air! Later in the afternoon you’ll arrive in the town of Carmel and travel on the 17-Mile coastal drive past Pebble Beach to arrive in Monterey for the night in this harbour town. .

Meals: Breakfast.

Day 15 Monterey to Yosemite
Heading away from the coast, you’ll travel across the fertile valleys of central California, where farms produce the excellent Californian fruit and wine. Stopping at Mariposa Grove, you’ll see the protected ancient giant sequoias. Your destination later this afternoon is the Pines Hotel on Bass Lake, located close to Yosemite it’s a great place to unwind after your travels.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 16 Yosemite
You’ll head into the dramatic and glorious Yosemite National Park today for a full day’s exploration. This morning take the winding road into the mountains to see the huge Sequoia’s at mariposa Grove. You’ll then head further into the park and see the wonderful view of Yosemite canyon from Tunnel view. Reaching the centre of the park, there will be plenty of time to visit the museum, the Ansel Adams gallery and to walk along the valley floor, under incredible panoramas and see the giant granite formations of El Capitan and
Half dome, a mecca for mountain climbers and beautiful untouched panoramas year-round.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.

Day 18 Yosemite to San Francisco
Another memorable journey leads back to the coast and one of the world’s great cities. En route to San Francisco, you’ll stop in Sacramento, California’s cosmopolitan and attractive state capital. This afternoon you’ll head over the Bay Bridge to San Francisco for 3 nights in this multi-cultural, vibrant city by the bay.

Meals: Breakfast.

Day 19 San Francisco
Your tour this morning will lead you through the famous and somewhat surprising sights of the city taking in Alamo Square, Chinatown and Little Italy. You’ll also stop for views of the coastline and bay, including, of course, the famous Golden Gate Bridge. The morning is perfectly finished with a lunch cruise on San Francisco Bay as you sail past the Golden Gate Bridge, the city skyline and Alcatraz island.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Day 20 San Francisco
Today is yours to explore the city on your own. Perhaps take a tour to Alcatraz, jump on a tram up one of the steep city streets for a quintessential San Francisco experience. You’ll meet with your fellow travellers this evening for a farewell dinner in a city restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.

Day 21 Depart San Francisco
After a morning at leisure for last minute shopping or relaxation, you’ll be taken to the airport for your overnight flight to London Heathrow.

Meals: Breakfast.

Day 22 Arrive London
Your flight arrives this morning at London Heathrow.

Tour includes:

Maximum group size: 25
JOD Tour Manager throughout
All flights specified
London airport executive lounge
Welcome drinks party
Inspirational sightseeing programme
Hotel luggage porterage service
19 breakfasts, 1 lunches, 7 dinners

On a Journey of Distinction, you are not merely a bystander. They believe that the wonders, customs and cultures you experience will live on in the core of your being. They even go so far as to say that one of their holidays will change your life forever.

Their combination of Tour Managers and Local Guides is what makes Journey of Distinction so distinctive. When you’re embarking on a voyage of discovery, it’s reassuring to know that a seasoned traveller is with you every step of the way; planning, organising, checking details and offering their advice and support. Their groups all depart from the UK, and no one joins us along the way, so you have the reassuring constancy of always knowing your travelling companions.

Our Opinion
“Limited to just 25 travellers per departure, every Journeys of Distinction escorted tour has an intimate, personal feel that makes for a more enjoyable experience.”