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Real San Francisco to LA

13 Days | Traverse the national parks, coasts and cities of California, Arizona, Nevada and Utah

4.9 out of 5 based on 14 reviews submitted.
18 to 35s
From
EUR 2.370 €
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This trip is for 18 to 35 year olds

Head out on an iconic 13-day road trip from San Franciso to Los Angeles, stopping in at the best of the west’s national parks along the way. See desert landscapes in Bryce Canyon National Park, mountain ranges in the Sierra Nevada, the great expanses of the Grand Canyon and the iconic trails of Yosemite. Sprinkle in a ride along the famous Route 66 and two nights soaking in the bright lights of Las Vegas, all with a group of like-minded travellers and an expert local leading the way, this trip has all your bases covered.

Trip overview

Map of Real San Francisco To LA including United States Of America
Start
San Francisco, United States
Finish
Santa Monica, United States
Theme
18 to 35s
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 35
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
SSYG
We’re in the process of figuring out how much CO2-e this trip generates. In the meantime, find out more about our climate commitments and carbon reduction target.
Bucket list destinations

Tick off all the popular spots and enjoy unique local experiences

Great value

Affordable trips with the freedom to choose how you spend your time

Meaningful experiences

Connect to the places you go and the communities at the heart of every Intrepid experience


Why you'll love this trip
  • Cover Yosemite’s many trails over two full days and three nights dedicated to the park, exploring with your leader and having your own time to hike or bike your way around.
  • Discover Utah’s natural wonders at Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park – home to red-walled cliffs, towering hoodoos and vast horizons.
  • Spend two nights getting your fill of the winding gorges and rock formations of the Grand Canyon, and take a leader-led tour of the South Rim.
  • Bookend your trip with visit to two of the United States’ most iconic cities. Check out San Francisco’s highlights at your own pace, and then finish with the bright lights of Los Angeles.
  • Appreciate the spectacle of Vegas as you explore this glitzy, neon-filled city at all hours of the day with plenty of time and flexibility to do as you please – night out, anyone?

Is this trip right for you?
  • Your accommodation on this trip will be a combination of camping and budget hotels. On the days you’re camping, this will be a participatory trip – meaning you should be prepared to help with activities like setting up camp, food prep and washing up. We’ll provide tents, sleeping pads and camp cookware, but you’ll need to bring your own sleeping bag and pillow.
  • That teamwork also extends to our optional food kitty of approximately USD 20 per day, run to cover the cost of meals. The kitty is optional and for your convenience, so if you've got specific dietary requirements you can opt out and purchase (and cook) your own food.
  • 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 to have at least a moderate fitness level.
  • 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, but 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.
  • You’ll be travelling through deserts and mountains, which means temperatures can vary significantly from hot to cold. Research the weather conditions to determine the best time to travel for you, and come prepared with adequate clothing.

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024

Map of Real San Francisco To LA including United States Of America

Inclusions

Transport

Private vehicle

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (8 nights), Hotel (3 nights), Hostel (multishare) (1 night)

Activities
  • Yosemite National Park - Entrance Fee
  • Yosemite National Park - Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias
  • Visit to Mono Lake
  • Zion National Park - Entrance Fee
  • Zion National Park - Leader - Led hike
  • Bryce Canyon National Park - Entrance Fee
  • Grand Canyon National Park - Entrance Fee
  • Grand Canyon - Leader-led South Rim tour
  • Seligman - Route 66
  • Joshua Tree National Park - Entrance Fee
Add on activities
  • Yosemite National Park - Hiking - Free
  • Yosemite - Cycling in Yosemite Valley - USD12
  • Yosemite - River Float Raft Rental (seasonal) - USD30
  • Bishop - Keough Hot Springs - USD15
  • Las Vegas - Monorail - USD5
  • Las Vegas - Eiffel Tower - USD22
  • Las Vegas - Mob Museum - USD27
  • Las Vegas - Neon Museum - USD20
  • Las Vegas - Bellagio Fountains - Free
  • Bryce Canyon National Park - Hiking - Free
  • Grand Canyon - IMAX Movie - USD15
  • Joshua Tree National Park - Hiking - Free

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6:00pm on Day 1 in San Francisco and finishes on arrival into Los Angeles at approximately 4pm on Day 13 (depending on traffic).

2. In San Francisco 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 (or tent) is available on this trip however excludes night 1 (San Francisco) where you will be in shared accommodation.

4. On the last day of the trip: The arrival time into Los Angeles 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.

Essential Trip Information

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.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 based on 14 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Sophie · Traveled May 2024
Loved the trip, I had a great group and lots of fun, enjoyed all the hikes and national parks
Review submitted 11 Jun 2024

Alice · Traveled September 2023
Highly recommend this trip if you enjoy the outdoors! You will see some amazing natural wonders and get to hike some great trails. Also great to do as a solo traveller as you’ll meet like-minded people!
Review submitted 10 Oct 2023

Lydia · Traveled August 2023
Justin was a fantastic guide, this was my first Intrepid trip and he far exceeded expectations and made it the best trip I have ever been on. Justin was very knowledgable and his passion for adventure made the trip as amazing as it was, he joined us for all activities and was always relaxed and organised. I will be recommending to others and will be booking another trip very soon.
Review submitted 17 Aug 2023

Laura · Traveled May 2023
If Yosemite and Grand Canyon are on your list. This trip is the way to discover and explore them! Amazing experience with lovely likeminded people. Camped under the stars one night and a quick stop in vegas the next to see the madness there!
Review submitted 27 May 2023

Isabel · Traveled August 2022
I loved this trip! It allowed me to see so many amazing places and do so many things in a relatively short amount of time. You form a great sense of community with the other people on the trip, and it’s a great opportunity to meet likeminded people from different backgrounds to you. The camping element helps form those group bonds because you have to work together as a team. This was my first intrepid trip (/any form of group tour) and I would do it all over again :)
Review submitted 13 Sep 2022
Real San Francisco to LA
From
EUR 2.370 €