LA to San Fran: Ultimate National Parks

17 Days | Take on the ultimate exploration of the USA’s best national parks

4.7 out of 5 based on 3 reviews submitted.
Explorer
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USD $6,639
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On this 17-day trip, you’ll explore the ultimate national parks in the USA – starting from the home of movie stars in Los Angeles and ending in artsy San Francisco. Walk through Joshua Tree National Park, the epic Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, Snow Canyon State Park, glitzy Las Vegas, Death Valley, Yosemite National Park, the coastal parks of California and some bustling city hubs with so much to see and do you’ll get dizzy (in a good way). See giant sequoias, colossal sand dunes, granite cliffs, and chilled-out beaches and enjoy all the local insights with a local leader who knows all the best spots to eat, drink and explore your way through the country.

Trip overview

Map of LA To San Fran: Ultimate National Parks including United States Of America
Start
Los Angeles, United States
Finish
San Francisco, United States
Theme
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
Comfort
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
SSKUC
This trip generates 28 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Hike through sequoia forests, granite cliff faces and cascading waterfalls in Yosemite National Park – one of the best places for hiking, walking and wildlife spotting. 
  • Enjoy a full day exploring California’s coastal parks near Monterey, kick back on the gorgeous white sands of secrets coves and end with an evening of wine tastings at dinner at a local winery. 
  • Witness the Grand Canyon’s steep red-rock escarpments and gorges. Learn about Indigenous history and geology with a naturalist guide from the Grand Canyon Conservancy. 
  • Ride a jeep through Utah's iconic Monument Valley, and then share stories and a meal by the campfire with members of the Navajo Nation. 
  • At Lower Antelope Canyon, descend into the mystical interior with a Navajo guide. Learn the local history and discover the iconic sandstone walls shaped by years and years of water and wind.
  • Discover Zion National Park on a guided hike – then immerse yourself in the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas.

Is this trip right for you?
  • The regions visited on this trip can experience extremes in weather and temperature. Bryce Canyon is deceptively unpredictable and can drop in temperature to the point of snow flurries, while Zion National Park down the road is generally hot and sunny. Please be prepared for all weather conditions, especially if travelling outside of the July/August summer months. Bring layers of warm clothing and sun protection and ensure you drink plenty of water. 
  • There is a lot of walking and hiking on this trip and while it doesn't require a high level of fitness, it’s essential to be at least moderately fit if you want to partake in all activities. 
  • 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.

Itinerary

Map of LA To San Fran: Ultimate National Parks including United States Of America

Inclusions

Meals

8 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle

Accommodation

Hotel (14 nights), Lodge (2 nights)

Activities
  • Los Angeles - Leader-led Venice canals walk
  • Joshua Tree National Park - Entrance Fee
  • Palm Springs - Aerial Tramway
  • Grand Canyon National Park - Entrance Fee
  • Route 66 - Retro Diner Lunch
  • Grand Canyon National Park - Sunset Walk
  • Grand Canyon - Conservancy Naturalist guided tour and hike
  • Monument Valley Tribal Park - Entrance
  • Monument Valley - Jeep Tour and Navajo Dinner
  • Horseshoe Bend
  • Page - Antelope Canyon Tour
  • Zion National Park - Entrance Fee
  • Bryce Canyon National Park - Entrance Fee
  • Zion National Park - Leader - Led hike
  • Las Vegas - Leader-led Fremont Street Walking Tour
  • Snow Canyon State Park
  • Death Valley National Park Entrance Fee (Seasonal)
  • Yosemite National Park - Entrance Fee
  • Yosemite National Park - Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
  • Yosemite - Pizza Picnic Dinner
  • Yosemite National Park - Leader-led hike
  • Yosemite National Park - Glacier Point
  • Monterey - Leader-led orientation
  • Carmel - Winery Tasting & Dinner
  • Monterey - Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
  • Monterey - California Coastal Highway 1
  • San Francisco - Leader-led city tour
  • San Francisco - Sunset catamaran cruise
Add on activities
  • Grand Canyon - IMAX Movie - USD15
  • Bryce Canyon National Park - Hiking - Free
  • Zion - Narrows Hiking Gear Rental - USD30
  • Zion National Park - Walks - Free
  • Las Vegas - Neon Museum - USD20
  • Las Vegas - Mob Museum - USD27
  • Yosemite National Park - Hiking - Free
  • Yosemite - Cycling in Yosemite Valley - USD12
  • Monterey - Monterey Bay Aquarium - USD65

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6:00 PM on Day 1 in Los Angeles. This trip ends on Day 17 upon check out in San Francisco.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. Please note that the legal drinking age in the US is 21 and in some parts of Canada it's 19.
4. During the summer months (May to September) it’s often too hot for vehicles and people to safely enter Death Valley. When heat prevents you from visiting, you’ll take an alternative route through Mojave National Preserve, where you’ll visit the Kelso Dunes and the Kelso Depot Visitor Center.

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

4.7 out of 5 based on 3 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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Barbara Courtille · Traveled June 2023
An excellent trip for lovers of nature and hiking. It is suitable for all levels of fitness as all the national parks cater for easy, moderate and difficult hikes. There is a lot of driving involved on this trip and our bus was not the most comfortable so be prepared for some discomfort if you have any body pain or have long legs. Our leader/driver Matt was excellent and a pleasure to travel with.
Review submitted 03 Jul 2023

Clarke · Traveled June 2023
The size of the bus was a huge disappointment as we had finished the South and North Island of New Zealand last year And the huge was comfortable and allowed taller people to have leg room.
Review submitted 08 Jul 2023

Katie · Traveled April 2023
This trip was a dream come true! We covered such a vast range of landscapes, every National Park we visited was so different to the last, it was all incredibly beautiful! Wes took great care of us and taught us so much along the way!
Review submitted 11 May 2023
LA to San Fran: Ultimate National Parks
From
USD $6,639