Wild Western USA
Explore the Grand Canyon and Yosemite on an American road trip
Get a dose of national parks, cities and the iconic Route 66 on this 11-day adventure through the USA’s wild west. Start with a side of glitz and glam in Los Angeles, then swap the concrete jungle for the cactus gardens of Joshua Tree National Park and explore the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Spend three nights near Yosemite National Park, uncovering highlights like Half Dome, the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias and Yosemite Falls, then head to the coast and move through constantly changing scenery to the City by the Bay, San Francisco. For those who want to hit the wide-open road and see the natural wonder of USA’s west, this extensive LA to San Fran adventure is just the ticket.
5.0
10 reviewsStart: Santa Monica, USA
End: San Francisco, USA
- Duration
- 11 days
- Group size
- 1 to 12
- Minimum age
- 15 years old
- Style
Basix: Simple accommodation, local transport and lots of free time
Original: Tourist-class hotels, some meals included and a great mix of included activities and free time
Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, with a relaxed pace of travel and many included meals and activities
Premium: Our best accommodation, exclusive inclusions and our most experienced leaders
- Basix
- Theme
Our themes categorise trips based on a common interest or activity, while showcasing the highlights of a destination.
- Explorer
- 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
Why you'll love this trip
- Explore the unusual rock formations, striking desert cactus gardens and unexpected oases of Joshua Tree National Park.
- Spend two nights soaking up all that the Grand Canyon National Park has to offer, with trips to the South Rim, Granite Rapids and Monument Canyon.
- Road trip along the historic Route 66, also known as the 'Mother Road', and get a dose of old-school Americana at the eccentric town of Seligman.
- Swap natural wonders for the world-class dining, shows and museums of Las Vegas for two nights – there's more to the city than just the bright lights!
- Spend three nights camping near Yosemite National Park with two full days of exploration. Join your leader on hikes to the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias, Yosemite Falls and more.
- Where better to end your adventure than in San Francisco, multicultural 'City by the Bay'. With the option to extend your visit a couple of days, you won’t be wanting to go home just yet.
Itinerary
Welcome to the USA! Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting today at 6 pm. If you arrive in the city early, you might like to explore the home of movie stars – stroll Rodeo Drive for a bit of people-watching or amp up the culture with a trip to the Getty Centre or a tour of the Beverly Hills mansions. After your welcome meeting, head out on a leader-led walking tour along the quirky and beautiful Venice canals, and then consider an optional group dinner at one of the many famous restaurants to get to know each other.
- Hostel (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you’re going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
ROOMING: 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.
Today, you’ll head away from the coast and drive to Joshua Tree National Park. Sitting between the Mojave and Colorado Deserts, the park is famous for its spectacular desert plants – including the park’s namesake Joshua trees – along with cacti and Mojave yuccas. The area is also home to striking rock formations and mountain ranges, which you’ll see on a leader-led exploration of the park. Check out some of the highlights like Skull Rock, the cholla cactus garden and other landscapes only found in this part of America. Then, to Lake Havasu on the Colorado River (at the Arizona border) and check in to your hotel for the night. You might like to head out on a scenic hike around the town or learn the backstory of the city’s unique London Bridge.
- Hotel (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Joshua Tree National Park - Entrance Fee
Today's total driving time is approximately 5 hours.
Traffic in and out of LA can be hectic, especially during holiday periods. There may be delays, so be prepared to take part in car games to keep yourself entertained.
Drive along a section of the famous Route 66 to Grand Canyon National Park, stopping in at the eccentric Seligman. The town is a vibrant slice of retro America, and a great place to get a feel of the old days with its many kitschy shops, diners and photo ops. Maybe try one of those diners for lunch, and then continue on to Grand Canyon National Park – a must-see for any USA adventure! When you arrive, get ready to admire a natural wonder formed by over six million years of erosion by the Colorado River. You'll spend two nights camping here, with a full day of exploration tomorrow.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Grand Canyon National Park - Entrance
Today's total driving time is approximately 6 hours.
Start your day off with a leader-led tour of the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. You’ll be taken to some incredible viewpoints and see couple famous sights, like Granite Rapids and Monument Canyon, before finishing at Hermit’s Rest. You’re then free to choose your adventure for the rest of the day! You might like to hire a bike for an easy and efficient way to see as much of the national park as possible. In the early evening, relax at the canyon's edge and enjoy a spectacular sunset over one of the world's natural wonders.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Grand Canyon - Leader-led South Rim tour
- Grand Canyon - IMAX Movie - USD15
- Grand Canyon - Half Day bike rental - USD35
Temperatures in Grand Canyon National Park can be high, especially when hiking in the summer. Make sure that you wear sturdy walking shoes, use sun protection and drink plenty of water.
Head out of the Grand Canyon and cross the western deserts of Arizona to Las Vegas. Vegas may be known for its casinos and late-night antics, but there's plenty more to it than meets the eye. You could check out the Neon Museum or the Mob Museum, take in a Cirque du Soleil show or simply enjoy the people watching as you stroll along the Strip.
- Hotel (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Las Vegas - Monorail - USD5
- Las Vegas - Neon Museum - USD20
- Las Vegas - Bellagio Fountains - Free
- Las Vegas - Mob Museum - USD27
Today's total driving time is approximately 4 hours.
Today is as clear as the blue skies in the deserts of Nevada. There are no planned activities until another meeting in the hotel lobby today at 6 pm, where you may meet some new travellers on your wild west adventure. After your briefing, why not go check out one of the all-you-can-eat buffets on offer with your new and updated crew.
- Hotel (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Las Vegas - Mob Museum - USD27
- Las Vegas - Monorail - USD5
- Las Vegas - Bellagio Fountains - Free
- Las Vegas - Eiffel Tower - USD22
- Las Vegas - Neon Museum - USD20
As this is a combination trip, the travellers in your group and your group leader are likely to change today. There will be a group meeting to discuss the next stage of your itinerary so please attend, and this is also a great chance to meet the new group. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
Leave the bright lights of Vegas behind and drive into the eastern Sierra Nevada. Sandwiched between Central Valley and Death Valley, this is a scenic trip that’ll take you to the town of Bishop, where you’ll camp the night. In town, maybe go to Erick Schat’s European-style bakery for a delicious treat, or perhaps pay a visit to some nearby natural hot springs.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Bishop - Keough Hot Springs - USD15
Today's total driving time is approximately 5 hours.
When Tioga Pass is closed due to snow, we will take an alternate route around the Sierras and camp on the eastern side tonight. In this case we will not visit Mono Lake or Keough Hot Springs. While it is not possible to predict exactly when the pass will open, in 2023 it opened 22 July, and in 2024 opened 10 June.
Prepare for some spectacular mountain scenery as you depart from Bishop and head west to Yosemite National Park. This morning, stop at the crystal-clear Mono Lake before continuing through the Tioga Pass (snow levels permitting) into the heart of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Stop by Olmstead Point to marvel at Yosemite’s natural wonder, Half Dome, before arriving at one of the most famous parks in the USA. Yosemite's colossal granite cliffs, cascading seasonal waterfalls and redwood forests attract visitors from all over the world. You'll spend three nights near the park, meaning you have two full days to explore.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Yosemite National Park - Entrance Fee
- Mono Lake - Visit
Your travel time today will be approximately 6.5 hours.
Head into the national park this morning, and join your leader for an easy, downhill hike at the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias. The grove is home to, no surprise, a couple dozen mature giant sequoia trees, including one that’s been carved into a tunnel you can walk right through. From there, continue to Yosemite Valley to check out some of the park’s iconic spots. You could see the thundering Yosemite Falls, take in both Half Dome and Merced River from Sentinel Bridge and a whole lot more. The rest of the day is then free for you to explore as you please. There are plenty of hikes available, each varying in steepness and difficulty. Maybe hike under the cooling breezes of Nevada Falls (4 to 5 hours) or to the serene Mirror Lake (45 minutes). Keep an eye out for squirrels and bears along the way!
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Yosemite National Park - Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias
- Yosemite - Cycling in Yosemite Valley - USD12
Today, venture back into the national park and continue exploring with your leader. As a group, you’ll decide how you want to spend the day. Instead of hiking, you might like to hire a bike and explore Yosemite Valley on two wheels. You can also visit the park's museum, photo gallery, shops and restaurants, and in the heat of summer, a relaxing float down the Merced River is highly recommended. Otherwise, there’s no shortage of trails for you to explore, from the famous Mist Trail to the more challenging Four Mile Trail. Your leader will be able to provide recommendations if you need help narrowing down the options!
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Yosemite National Park - Hiking - Free
- Yosemite - River Float Raft Rental (seasonal) - USD30
Leave Yosemite behind today and drive west to San Francisco. The 'City by the Bay' has a beautiful setting and a vibrant, multicultural heart. You might like to check out the vintage stores along funky Haight Street, or catch the tram down to the waterfront. The trip finishes around 3 pm on arrival into San Francisco, after a stop to check out the Golden Gate Bridge, and no accommodation is provided tonight. As there's a great deal to do in San Francisco, we recommend you stay a couple of extra days to make the most of the city. If you do wish to spend extra time in San Francisco, we'll be happy to help you book additional accommodation (subject to availability).
There are no meals included on this day.
Today's total driving time is approximately 4 hours.
As there's a great deal to do in San Francisco, we recommend you stay a couple of extra days to make the most of the city. This trip doesn't allow time for a visit to Alcatraz, so you'll need to make your own arrangements to visit the island prison. Tickets must be booked in advance, as they're limited and sell out quickly.
You can make your own Alcatraz reservations online at alcatrazcruises.com or call +1 415 981 7625 between the hours of 8 am and 7 pm, Pacific Standard Time (USA). We recommend booking your tickets for the day after the trip finishes.
Inclusions and activities
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
- Grand Canyon - Leader-led South Rim tour
- Yosemite National Park - Entrance Fee
- Mono Lake - Visit
- Yosemite National Park - Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias
- Grand Canyon - IMAX Movie - USD15
- Grand Canyon - Half Day bike rental - USD35
- Las Vegas - Monorail - USD5
- Las Vegas - Neon Museum - USD20
- Las Vegas - Bellagio Fountains - Free
- Las Vegas - Mob Museum - USD27
- Las Vegas - Eiffel Tower - USD22
- Bishop - Keough Hot Springs - USD15
- Yosemite - Cycling in Yosemite Valley - USD12
- Yosemite National Park - Hiking - Free
- Yosemite - River Float Raft Rental (seasonal) - USD30
We’re in the process of figuring out how much CO2-e this trip generates. In the meantime, learn more about our climate commitment.
When you travel with us, The Intrepid Foundation gives you more opportunities to support important causes in destinations you visit.
Before you book you should know
- 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 Yosemite to the towering hills of 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.
- You'll be 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.
- 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.
NORTH AMERICA CAMPING
The campsites that we use are selected for either their scenic beauty, their convenient location to places of interest and/or the facilities available. We aim to offer you a selection of different types of campsites.
If you've never camped before - no problem! We provide a complete set of camping and cooking equipment. This includes roomy easy-to-pitch tents, which are shared by only two people and are equipped with thin foam rubber sleping mats and vinyl floors. Your leader will show you how to pitch a tent on the first day. On many trips we also spend a few nights in reasonably priced hotels/motels/hostels (as per the itinerary).
Remember that sleeping bags and a pillow are not provided. Check out the Packing section for more information.
You'll find the necessary facilities - toilets and in most cases showers, washing machines and dryers - at our campsites. The showers at some campsites may require a payment (usually no more than US$1-$3 for a quick shower). This is payable locally and is a contribution towards the cost of a limited water supply. Rarely, a campsite may only have cold water available for showers.
In all campsites there are strict quiet hours when no loud noise is allowed, typically from 10pm to 7am. This means that all music, singing and noisy group gatherings must stop. We request that all our travellers respect these campsite rules.
For trips where there are lodges/cabins used, couples travelling together may be separated when our rooming arrangements are based on single gender, however in some accommodations the group will be in mixed gender rooms.
Our high-quality camping equipment (including tents) can be affected by bad weather conditions. This can result in some wet and cold conditions inside the tent. Your spirit of adventure and flexibility will help make your adventure trip an exciting and unforgettable experience. On nights where the group is camping, and weather conditions are extreme (such as snow or heavy rain), there may be an opportunity for the group (if everyone agrees) to stay at an alternative location such as a nearby hostel or hotel. When this is the case the upgrade is at your own expense.
HI Los Angeles Santa Monica Hostel
1436 2nd Street
Santa Monica
Santa Monica
90401
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Description
Just blocks from the beach on LA’s trendy West Side, HI Los Angeles Santa Monica hostel is the perfect spot for living the California dream. Your accommodation is a few minutes walk to 3rd Street Promenade for shopping, the famous Santa Monica pier for social media shots and easy enough to grab a bike and ride to nearby Venice Beach.
Heading to the beach? The hostel has beach towels and volley balls for guests to use. A guest kitchen is open for limited meal prep if you want to eat in. Free WiFi, smart showers, game room and an outdoor courtyard are just some of the features you will find.
Instructions
The hostel can easily accessed from the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). A taxi to the hotel will cost approximately $55-$75 USD one way depending on traffic.
For a less expensive transfer, the Big Blue Bus (BBB) has an available route linking LAX to Santa Monica. BBB Route 3 departs from the LAX City Bus Center, about 0.5 miles/0.8km from the airport terminals. To reach the terminal, as soon as you collect your luggage, exit the Arrivals Hall and catch the free airport Shuttle C heading to Lot South/LAX City Bus Center. Shuttles are marked with a pink sign and run on a 15-20-minute frequency.
Once you reach LAX City Bus Center, catch BBB Route 3, which is available from Monday to Friday from 05:04 am to 10:53 pm and on weekends it runs from 05:41 am to 10:54 pm. Buses run every 13 minutes and take approximately 30 minutes to reach Santa Monica in light traffic conditions.
Disembark at Downtown Santa Monica Station. From there, your hostel is a 10-minute (0.8km / .4 mile) walk.
The BBB tickets cost 1.10$/1/03€ if you opt for a mobile or TAP payment and allow free transfers with any other BBB line within a 2-hour period of time. Please note that TAP Cards are reloadable cards costing 2$/1.88€. They can be bought online, through the TAP App, or from the station’s automatic vendors.
Dates and prices
Important notes
1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6:00pm on Day 1 in Los Angeles and finishes on arrival in San Francisco at approximately 5pm on Day 11.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 1 (Los Angeles) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. We are not able to book airport shuttle service for North America trips. North America has convenient taxi and rideshare options from all airports, as well as public transport systems in major hub cities. Please check the joining and finishing point instructions listed in the 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.
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