Just America

Holidays & Flights to the USA, Canada & the Bahamas

Western Sampler
Self-drive tour

Day 4.  Los Angeles to Needles CA. (Approx 265 miles).
Assuming you did not collect your car on day 1, you can pick up your rental car from the Anaheim depot close to your hotel.  Your journey today takes you east out of Los Angeles, through San Bernardino and through the Mojave Desert to the small town of Needles on the California/Arizona stateline overlooking the Colorado River.  En route you can take a break at the Calico Ghost Town, near Barstow and enjoy the old west atmosphere of the town.  Overnight: Best Western Colorado River Inn (Standard & Superior).

Day 5. Needles to Grand Canyon National Park (South Rim). (Approx. 225 miles)
Cross the Colorado River into Arizona this morning through the towns of Kingman and Williams on the way to the mighty Grand Canyon.  Your journey takes you along Interstate 40 which is the modern replacement for the old Route 66.  There are several places where you can divert off the Interstate and explore Route 66.  Make sure you arrive at the Grand Canyon in time to do some sightseeing and to witness a Grand Canyon sunset - not to be missed!  Your accommodation is in the national park, right at the heart of the Grand Canyon village - the ideal location to enjoy this fantastic natural attraction.  Overnight: Grand Canyon National Park Lodges (Standard & Superior).
 
Day 6. Grand Canyon National Park to Lake Powell (approx 150 miles).
We recommend that you rise early this morning and enjoy a sunrise over the Grand Canyon.  There's time too to take a helicopter or fixed-wing aeroplane excursion over the Canyon - Just America will be pleased to offer advice and to prebook your excursion. 

The drive to Lake Powell takes you along the east rim of the Canyon - with several scenic overlooks - and then through the small town of Cameron, to Lake Powell.  The lake is huge - 192 miles long, approx.650-feet deep and with a shoreline longer than the west coast of the USA!  The lake was formed in the 1960's by the building of the Glen Canyon Dam near the town of Page.  The Colorado was tamed by the dam and the resulting lake is a spectacular sight as you arrive today.  Try to arrive in time to take a cruise on the lake, or to enjoy the sunset over the colourful buttes and cliffs.  Overnight: Courtyard By Marriott (Standard) or Lake Powell Resort(Superior) - lake view rooms.

Days 7. Lake Powell.
Relax today and enjoy Lake Powell and the hotel.  Not to be missed is the opportunity to take a half-day raft trip on the Colorado River.  This is a 'float' trip with no rapids or white-water, so you can enjoy the stunning scenery as you glid gently downstream to Lees Ferry.  It is not unusual to see Condors, deer and eagles on this tour and stops are made to inspect Indian petroglyphs on the 1000' high walls of the canyon.  Other optional excursions - which can be prebooked by Just America - include scenic cruises on Lake Powell.  Overnight: Courtyard By Marriott (Standard) or Lake Powell Resort (Superior)  - lake view rooms.

Day 8. Lake Powell - Bryce Canyon - Zion National Park (Approx. 235 miles).
This morning's drive takes you into Utah past the colourful Vermillion Cliffs of Southern Utah to Bryce Canyon National Park. You should have time for a lunch break and a stroll along the rim of Bryce Canyon to enjoy the amazing scenery.  In the afternoon continue on to Zion National Park arriving in time to explore the stunning beauty of this lovely national park.  Overnight: Best Western Zion Park Inn, (Standard) or Zion Lodge, (Superior)

Day 9. Zion National Park to Las Vegas (approx.150 miles).
Linger a while in Zion this morning before taking to the road for the three hour drive to Las Vegas.  Alternatively, you could take the scenic - but longer - route to Las Vegas and drive through the Valley of Fire and along the shores of Lake Mead.  Overnight: Excalibur Hotel & Casino (Standard), or Luxor Hotel & Casino, (Superior).

Day 10. Las Vegas.
A free day to explore the many attractions of Las Vegas.  Apart from the many stunning casinos and shows, there is lots to do for all the family.  Take the children to the Wet 'n Wild water park with its slides, flumes and wave pools - great to cool off in the hot Nevada sun!  Take a short drive out of town and visit the impressive Hoover Dam.  Take a picnic to the shores of Lake Mead.  Enjoy one of the wonderful escorted jeep tours offered by Pink Jeep of Las Vegas (details on request). Overnight: Excalibur Hotel & Casino (Standard), or Luxor Hotel & Casino, (Superior).

Day 11. Las Vegas to Mammoth Lakes (Approx. 350 miles).
An early start today as you cross the Nevada desert, pass through Death Valley National Park and climb into the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and your overnight base - Mammoth Lakes.  Try to arrive in time to take a stroll along the shores of one of the lakes in this beautiful Sierra resort with pine forests, lakes and mountains.  Overnight: Mammoth Mountain Inn, (Standard) or Shilo Inn, (Superior).

Day 12. Mammoth Lakes to Yosemite National Park (Approx. 120 miles).
Shortly after leaving the town of Mammoth Lakes this morning, you cross the mountains through Tioga Pass* and enter the pristine wilderness of Yosemite National Park.  Don't be tempted to rush through the park in search of its mighty waterfalls and giant redwoods, the eastern section of the park is too often ignored by visitors and it is definately worth exploring before you arrive at the busier 'Valley' area.  Yosemite Valley is where you will find most of the park's icons - Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, Bridalveil Falls, Half Dome etc.  Close to the south entrance of the park the Mariposa Grove of the Giant Sequoias is where you'll find the 2000 year old, 200' high trees - truly an amazing place!  Overnight: Yosemite View Lodge (El Portal) Standard & Superior

Day 13. El Portal to San Francisco (Approx.200 miles).
Time to linger in Yosemite this morning before taking the four hour drive across California's Central Valley to the city by the bay - San Francisco!  Overnight: Holiday Inn Golden Gateway, (Standard) or Sheraton Fisherman's Wharf, (Superior).

Day 14. San Francisco.
Enjoy the final day of your tour with a relaxing day exploring the many sights and attractions of San Francisco.  We recommend a sightseeing tour of the city with Gray Line which takes in all of the city's sights and can be combined with a visit to Alcatraz the infamous former prison.  Visitor numbers to Alcatraz are strictly limited, so if you want to visit the 'Rock' we strongly recommend booking in advance - contact Just America for details.  Overnight: Holiday Inn Golden Gateway, (Standard) or Sheraton Fisherman's Wharf, (Superior).

Day 15. Depart San Francisco. 
Time for some last minute sightseeing and shopping today before you depart for the airport, return your rental car and check in for your onward or homebound flight to the UK.

* Tioga Pass is often impassable due to heavy snow during the winter months.  Tours departing between mid-September and mid-April will be re-routed from Las Vegas via Bakersfield (instead of Mammoth Lakes) and will not cross Death Valley or Tioga Pass. Overnight accommodation on day 11 will be at Bakersfield (Las Vegas to Bakersfield approx.267 miles).

Just America specialises in tailor-making holidays and we will be pleased to design this or any of our tours to your specifications. We can provide details, prices and make reservations for optional sightseeing excursions mentioned in the itinerary.

All mileages are approximate.   Hotels are subject to availability at the time of booking.