11 Days | Take an adventure through California, Arizona and Nevada, with the right mix of city and country, desert and coast.





Los Angeles and San Francisco are two of the most well-known locations in the USA. But what’s in between? The Real LA to San Francisco tour takes you from the bustling vibes of La La Land to the shores of San Francisco, via Arizona and Nevada. See desert landscapes, beautiful national parks and the extravagance of Las Vegas. If you want to experience the buzz of the big city mixed with the adventure of forest and national park, this trip has all your bases covered. Journey through the west coast on a classic North American road trip with the flexibility to go with the flow.
Trip overview

- Start
- Santa Monica, United States
- Finish
- San Francisco, United States
- Theme
- 18 to 29s, Explorer
- Destinations
- United States
- Physical rating
- Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
- Style
- Basix
- Ages
- Min 18 - Max 29
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 12
- Trip code
- SSYG
Tick off all the popular spots and enjoy unique local experiences
Affordable trips with the freedom to choose how you spend your time
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- No great west coast road trip is complete without some time in Los Angeles. Fulfil your dreams of strolling the Hollywood Walk of Fame, or people watching down at Santa Monica.
- Vegas is a spectacle by night, but what happens before dark? Appreciate the neon-filled city at all hours of the day with time and flexibility to do as you please.
- Get your fill of incredible landscapes when you explore the desert terrain of Joshua Tree National Park and discover the winding gorges and desolate rock formations of the Grand Canyon.
- Cover Yosemite’s many trails over two full days and three nights dedicated to the park. You will be able to hike and explore until your heart (and camera) is content.
- San Francisco is an ideal destination to spend some extra time in, exploring its vibrant heart and the diverse scenery of its surrounds. Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Silicon Valley, Napa… they’re all at your fingertips!
- Less time spent in a vehicle; more time to explore each destination. This trip has been carefully designed to give you the best experience of a region by reducing the number of one-night-only stops, giving you extra time in the places that matter.
- This trip includes time spent travelling in a private vehicle with your group. Extra space can be tight, and conditions may feel a little cramped. It’s all part of the adventure and a great way to get to know your fellow travellers. Please read the itinerary carefully for travel time estimates.
- Although our private vehicles do have air conditioning, it has to work pretty hard to keep a full group cool. Expect to feel hot during summer and cold at other times of the year, especially at night. Please consider the season and research the weather conditions to determine the best time to travel for you. Remember to come prepared with adequate clothing.
- This trip involves either a partial or full camping experience, giving you access to more remote destinations at close proximity, and the joy of camping under the night skies and beside a campfire. This is a participatory trip – a fancy way of saying you’re not just along for the ride, but you are part of a team! Be prepared to roll up your sleeves and help out with camp activities like food prep and washing up. It’s all about giving your new travel mates a hand, and everyone knows there’s nothing worse than trying to put up a tent on your own!
- From the steep hiking trails of the various national parks to the hilly San Francisco, this trip can involve a lot of walking. Please ensure you bring sturdy walking shoes and comfortable clothes. To make the most of the trip, it's best if you have at least a moderate level of fitness.
Itinerary
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024
Inclusions
1 breakfast
Private vehicle
Camping (with facilities) (6 nights), Hotel (3 nights), Hostel (1 night)
- Joshua Tree National Park - Entrance Fee
- Grand Canyon National Park - Entrance
- Yosemite National Park - Entrance Fee
- Visit to Mono Lake
- Colorado River - Swimming - Free
- Joshua Tree National Park - Hiking - Free
- Grand Canyon - Hiking - Free
- Grand Canyon - IMAX Movie - USD15
- Las Vegas - Big Apple Express roller coaster - USD15
- Las Vegas - Fremont Street Zip Line - Free
- Las Vegas - Bellagio Fountains - Free
- Las Vegas - Monorail - USD5
- Las Vegas - Eiffel Tower - USD22
- Las Vegas - Mob Museum - USD27
- Las Vegas - Neon Museum - USD20
- Las Vegas - Limo (per group) - USD300
- Las Vegas - Helicopter Tour of The Strip - USD104
- Yosemite - Raft Rental (seasonal) - USD30
- Yosemite - Cycling in Yosemite Valley - USD12
- Yosemite National Park - Hiking - Free
- San Francisco - Sunset catamaran cruise - USD45
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6:00pm on Day 1 in Los Angeles and finishes on arrival into San Francisco at approximately 5pm on Day 11.
2. In Los Angeles 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 is available on this trip however excludes night 1 (Los Angeles) where you will be in shared accommodation.
4. On the last day of the trip: The arrival time back into San Francisco on the last day depends on each group, but if you decide to fly out on this day, please don't book a flight before 9 pm.
5. A sleeping bag is required for this trip.
6. Please note that the legal drinking age in the US is 21 and in some parts of Canada it's 19.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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