AUTOWEST
USA Self-Drive
California - Nevada - Utah - Arizona
Hotel:
CALIFORNIA, or similar.
Day 2 San
Francisco
The
entire day is free. We suggest you explore this cosmopolitan city on
Alcatraz
or perhaps enjoy a ferry ride to Sausalito across the bay.
Day 3 San
Francisco - Columbia (230 km.)
A
liesurely drive through the Central Valley of California leads to the
base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the "Old West" town of Columbia.
One of the many towns that thrived during the gold rush, Columbia is now a
frilly restored State Historic park open to the public. Accommodation in nearby
Sonora.
Hotel:
SONORA INN, or similar
Day 4 Sonora
- Yosemite - Mammoth (310 km.)
A
short and scenic drive leads to Yosemite National
Park. Guests have plenty of free time to enjoy the magnificent waterfalls
and the sheer cliffs. In the late afternoon, cross over Tioga Pass* at an
altitude of over 3000 meters and descend to Mammoth Lakes on the eastern edge
of the Sierra Nevadas. A quaint village which is a popular ski area in winter,
Mammoth Lake retains its alpine charm in summer.
Hotel:
ALPENHOF LODGE, or similar
(*
In the event that Tioga Pass is closed, this night is spent in Fresno and
the route is changed accordingly.)
Day 5 Mammoth
- Death Valley - Las Vegas (590 km.)
Drive
today through Death Valley National Monument, a fascinating region
of sand dunes, salt flats and the highest temperatures in the U.S. A. Just
240 kilometres away lies Las Vegas. After the savage wild beauty of Death
Valley, the arrival into Las Vegas along Fremont Street, known as "Glitter
Gulch", is truly a surreal experience. Accommodation this night is on
the "Strip".
Hotel: RIVIERA
HOTEL AND CASINO, or similar.
Day 6 Las
Vegas - Zion - Bryce (420 km.)
Leaving
Las Vegas, head towards Utah, home of the Mormons and Zion National Park.
Carved by the unrelenting waters of the Virgin River, Zion inspires visitors
with its magnificence and grandeur. After lunch and a visit to the park, continue
on the short drive to Bryce Canyon. Here nature has created a multi-coloured
world of sandstone spires and pinnacles. Overnight in nearby Tropic.
Hotel:
BRYCE VALLEY INN, or similar.
Day 7 Bryce
Canyon - Lake Powell (250 km.)
Following
a scenic route through Southern Utah and Northern Arizona, the itinerary
approaches Page and Lake Powell. Formed by the massive Glen Canyon dam at
Page, Lake Powell is a vast lake area offering water sports and beautiful
scenery and an opportunity to relax for the next 2 nights.
Hotel: WAHWEAP
LODGE AND MARINA, or similar.
Day 8 Page
/ Lake Powell
This
day is free to relax by the lake or to take a day excursion to Monument Valley.
Known the world over as the setting for countless "Cowboy" movies,
Monument Valley is a 2 hour journey by car. Here massive monoliths rise hundreds
of meters into the air from the flat valley floor and a panorama unfolds that
is the epitome of the American West. Another way to visit Monument Valley
is by our optional air tour. This unique alternative departs from the Page
airport and the 5 hour excursion includes a 2.5 hour ground tour in 4WD jeeps
with Navajo guides in Monument Valley.
Day 9 Page - Grand Canyon (210km.)
This
day is devoted to what is certainly the highlight of any visit to the Western
U.S.A., the Grand Canyon. Arriving from the east, guests follow the canyon
along the scenic "East Rim" drive from where numerous vista points
afford sweeping views. The remainder of the day is free to explore.
Hotel: BEST
WESTERN GRAND CANYON SQUIRE INN, or similar.
Day 10 Grand Canyon - Prescott
(300km.)
For
early risers (weather permitting), sunrise over the Grand Canyon is an unforgettable
experience. Later, depart to the mountain town of Flagstaff and then down
Oak Creek Canyon, site of many Western movies. Set in splendid scenery, Sedona
is a popular stop and offers excellent shopping. Later a stop at "Montezuma's
Castle", an ancient Indian cliff dwelling, is not to be missed. An excursion
to Jerome, a restored copper mining town, is an interesting side trip. The
day ends in Prescott, a western style resort town.
Hotel: BEST
WESTERN PRESCOTTONIAN INN, or similar.
Day 11 Prescott - Los Angeles
(620km.)
Today's
long drive crosses into California and the Mojave Desert. At Indio, guests
may choose to make the 40 km. side trip to Joshua Tree National Monument,
a fascinating desert preserve. Further west lies the oasis of Palm Springs
with its multi-million dollar homes and beautiful golf courses. Final destination
today is the sprawling metropolis of Los Angeles.
Hotel:
FIGUEROA, or similar
Day 12
Los Angeles
This
day is free just to relax at the hotel pool, or to explore the numerous attractions
this vast metropolis has to offer.
Optional: Our optional tours package includes a morning
city sightseeing tour of "L.A." visiting all major points of interest.
In the afternoon, visit Universal Studios. Our guide explains the sights visited
on the studio tour narrated in English by staff members of Universal Studios.
Afterwards, there is time to attend some of the live shows before meeting
our guide for the return to the hotel.
Day
13
Los Angeles - Santa Barbara - San Simeon - Salinas (540km.)
Leaving
the bustle of L.A., follow the spectacular California coast north via Highways
1 & 101 through Malibu, Santa Barbara and San Simeon for an optional stop
at famous "Hearst Castle". The day ends in Salinas not far from
Carmel and Monterey.
Hotel:
VAGABOND INN, or similar.
Day 14
Salinas - Carmel I Monterey - San Francisco (225 km.)
A
visit to Carmel, Monterey, Steinbeck's famous
Cannery Row and Fisherman's Wharf are on the itinerary this morning. Then
a drive of approximately 3 hours leads back to San Francisco. Surrender the
Alamo self-drive car at the airport.
Depart
San Francisco by air.